John Muir Trail North–>South – July 2014

At the pace you are looking to go….. Ditch VVR and pick up a couple days supplies at Reds Meadow and definitely take advantage of TM to keep you from hauling all that food up from the valley. VVR will suck many hours and is pointless with MTR less than a day south.and Reds a day north. You biggest challenge will be day 1 and having to modify your plan due to where the major passes fall. Have fun, I will do another fast hike of the JMT either this year or next.

excellent logistical advice there. Enjoy the trip! 1 wk is a lofty goal!

No way I'd be able to do 40 mile days in the mountains, but if you want company/ shuttling on some 30 milers in the Bay Area I'd be down.

Best of luck your fast pack this summer! The JMT is a great trail to fast-pack. I will second the advice of not needing both VVR and MTR as resupply points. They're just not that far apart, and VVR is a major time killer for access, ( not to mention a money draining spot ). Have you considered a NOBO approach? Many of the fast pack attempts have worked out better getting the harder southern portion out of the way while you have fresh legs and feet. I wouldn't mind doing it with you if your daily mileage was closer to 28-30 miles a day. I am doing it this year with a 7-8 night finish in mind. My best so far is a 8 night finish. I was on a 7 night pace two years ago, but a previously torn meniscus did me in at Reda Meadow after 6 nights. Have a great hike!

Days 5-7 – 35 mile days are semi reasonable, 40 mile days … a totally different zone in the mountains, especially going over all those passes. I would add 15 more miles to day 4 and be content with 35 mile days on 5-7.

Day 8 – I'm pretty sure YARTS only goes as far south as Mammoth, leaving Mammoth once a day around 7 am. it could take another entire day to get from Whitney Portal to Mammoth for the YARTS bus the following morning (check the Eastern Sierra Transit for trips from Lone Pine to Mammoth).

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I've had a change of plans and won't be making the JMT trip this year, but I hope to do it soon!