Just completed JMT for first time.
With the help of BPL my pack was never more than 25 lbs
I completed the trail in 22 days with about 3 or more rest days
My daughter and her mother-in-law, joined me Tuolomne Meadows to Red's Meadow.
A friend who drove me to Yosemite dropped off a food supply bucket at Tuolomne Meadows for $20.
And my daughter's mother-in-law has a condo in Mammoth and I had sent a resupply with them at Mammoth Lakes which is a shuttle ride away from Red's Meadow.
I hiked out to Vermillion for decent food and laundry and shower but did not resupply there.
I sent a resupply bucket to MTR but because I was early and somehow they didn't get get my emails or phone calls of my earlier schedule, my bucket was not there. I arrived at MTR at 2 PM. They sent a worker on horseback to get my bucket which was at MTR that night. It was available to me at 8 am the next morning. But since I included some canned foods for consumption at MTR ( 2 can each of Lasagna with meat, Spaghetti and meatballs and Pineapple chunks in juice) I spent the rest of the morning eating and planning and sorting out my food plan for the next 9 days. I was attempting no more food resupplies from MTR to Whitney Portal.
I spent the afternoon at the Hot Springs and the large tarn behind the Hot Springs. I had them all to myself. Really enjoyable time.
I weighed my pack without water at MTR before leaving. It weighed just under 25 pounds with 9 days of food. Yes I eat about 1 pound of food per day. I will list my food list a little bit later.
I had to walk 12.5 miles per day to have enough food. I was a little ahead of schedule until I dropped my Camera somewhere after Pinchot Pass. Fortunately some trail angels saved me several hours by picking it up and on my way back up the pass as I asked, they had it.
After climbing up Forester Pass I decided that if I could make it to Crabtree Ranger Station (18 miles in that day) That I could possibly make it over Whitney the next day (another 18 mile day).
It was a stretch for old legs and old feet. But I made it to Crabtree Ranger station by a little after 6 pm and starte at about 6:30 am the next day and was at Whitney Portal before 6:30 pm that night.
My Menu
I personally have found that I need very bland diet in wilderness and at altitude. My diet is boring but I am not out there for the cuisine. And I think the more food I carry, the more food I will need.
Same thing every day
Breakfast
Two packets of Instant Oat meal (use half again or double water suggested)
Freeze dried fruit (I put it in the water to hydrate while it is heating up)
2 EmergenC packets in 2 20 ounces gatorade bottles (my water bottles)
1 or 2 Salted Caramel GU Gel packets ( on the trail 30 minutes or so after starting)
Lunch and snacks
2 Snicker bars per day
2 ounces of Salted Almonds
2 ounces of Cashews
2 ounces of M&Ms (mixture of regular and peanut)
3-5 hard candies for going up passes
Dinner
1 serving of Idaho Instant Potatoe
3 ox packet of either Tuna or Spam
Chicken broth cube with 15 ounces of water for before bed for salts fats and fluids and warmth
I try to consume 120 ounces of water a day. over 200 ounces on hot days.
I felt hungry at times but not horribly and didn't have food motivations to get out of the wilderness. I was more motivated to just get back with wife and family.
I live in Bakersfield, only about 4 hours from Whitney and Yosemite. I have hiked the Whitney range since 1979. Actually hiked with Hulda Crooks about 3 times. (Been up Whitney about 18 times, actually more interested in fishing than peaking).
Never hiked for more than about a week before. Used to carrying 45- 60 pound packs. I am only 5' 4" and that was not easy.
I never reserve permits, because living this close is worth the risk of picking up cancellations and first come, first served. I was prepared to stay at the Wilderness Permit building all night, but got lucky. A friend of mine who has hike the JMT solo on at least tow occassions was dropping me off at Yosemite. We stopped off at the Wawonna Wilderness Permit building and asked on late Thursday August 14 if there was any permits available from Happy Isle for the next day. They had one left. It only permitted me to go into Little Yosemite Valley the next day, but still better than spending the night and morning at the Wilderness Permit Center and I am ahead of schedule.
I am a Minister and considerate a responsibility to take as many youth to the mountains as possible and have taken groups to Yosemite multiple times. Each time we hike up to Vernal and Nevada Falls the mileage sign always haunted me and called me to hike the JMT. I am sure many of you understand.
And several years ago while at Trail Crest I met a 63 year old man who was just finishing the JMT in about 20 days and it always gave me hope to try.
My picture at end of trail
I have learned so much from this site after many years of backpacking. Thanks.
I obviously got my weight much lower
I learned to go without toilet paper, which worked much better for me.
I didn't feel like I needed anything more than I had.
God bless.
