July/Aug JMT 2015

[Jonathon Self]

If my permits go through (and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't as I'm using a weird trail head), I'm planning on yo-yo'ing Reds Meadow to Happy Isles and back. It's only about 110 miles, and I'll have close to two weeks to do it. I'm planning on wandering around side trails more or less aimlessly for the extent of my stay. After seriously thinking about the trip, I think an aimless approach is better than being on a tight schedule for making miles.

http://lighterpack.com/r/d01f0j

Quick note or two on my gear list:

1. I'm poor. While I'm totally open to improvements, they have to be options that can be done so affordably.

2. I'm lazy. I don't want to be bothered with inflatable mattresses or cooking. I'm going no cook, and the combo of RR Solar and BV500 pretty much demands I use my Kelty. If anyone knows of a pack I could burrito the Solar in and still be able to shove a BV500 in the middle, I'm all ears. I know my Virga 2 is too small for that. This same laziness is the reason I'm bringing an eVent bivy. I like to enjoy my time outdoors, not be bothered by the chores, even if it affects my comfort.

3. I'm pretty confident about my clothes. I've taken some long, unencumbered walks around my city wearing that gear into the teens, and while my hands got pretty cold, I was pretty toasty otherwise. I've never been to the Sierras and experienced the weather there, so if I'm wrong, by all means, help a guy out. :)

4. Some things aren't included yet, such as maps and whatnot. They'll be along, obviously.

Thanks in advance! If I've forgotten something on the list, do let me know. I'm not infallible.

[Jennifer Mitol]

Quick question….any reason you are yo-yo-ing the first half of the JMT and not the second? I really like the whole trail, but that second half is simply mind blowing…

Anyway – your list:

I don't see any rain gear of any kind. Granted, you may not need it, but this past year there were DAYS of downpours. Since you also don't even have a tarp you have absolutely NO rain protection at all. No good…that's stupid light.

make sure to bring sunglasses.

You are certainly not kidding about that pack. why do you need to burrito the pad? can't you just strap it on the top or bottom? That's some serious weight there.

Any reason you are going for fleece as your insulating layer? You can do much better (warmth to weight) with a puffy of some sort. For any kind of sitting around once the sun goes down, I'm not so sure the R1 and a wind shirt are going to be enough (it wouldn't for me). I'm a pretty cold-blooded person, but in the Sierra the difference between the sun and the shade (also once the sun goes down, and before it rises) is simply beyond belief. And that makes the cold that much colder…I'd want something more than the R1.

And an easy fix – ditch the nalgene for some gatorade or smart water bottles…Nalgenes are HEAVY.

[Steve T]

One thing to consider is the chance your equipment will get wet if it is raining and you exit your bivy for either a nature call or just time to hit the trail in the morning. You could go with a poncho tarp. Other than that, have a great trip!

[Jonathon Self]

Jennifer: I'm going with someone who might have to bail on me at any time due to his job, so I have to be relatively close to a trail head at all times for his sake. I also haven't been at that high of an elevation before, so I'd rather not be stuck in 100 miles of wilderness when something goes awry. I live in Oklahoma, a relatively flat state, and I'm not sure how the climbing and altitude will affect my ability to clock miles. I really need to know those sort of details before I have to reliably put in miles to make to Mt. Whitney fast enough. In a lot of ways, this first trip is my 'test' trip. I'll probably do a better run the following year.

As for rain gear, the Helium hybrid is remarkably water resilient. I've taken strolls, testing the jacket, in continuous downpours for a few hours and haven't had any moisture get through. I do have a poncho tarp I could bring along, just in case. It's one of the ultra-sil ones, so it wouldn't really weigh me down any. I'd like to get Helium II before heading out, but if I have to buy anything, it'd probably prioritize a better sleeping quilt/bag over a jacket.

As for the puffy, I do have a nanopuff. I could bring that along (cheap fix, woo!) It's not exactly light, but as evident through my first post, I doubt I'll really be going fast. It's going to be more of a leisurely stroll through the mountains.

The problem with a RR Solar is that they are HUGE, and nearly the only way to carry them is rolled. I've grown to really enjoy my Virga 2 with the short solite rolled as its frame, burrito style, but as mentioned before, it won't work on the Virga. It's just too much pad. Do you think I could get away with a short RR solite to the lower end of temps in the Sierra? I've never used one that cold before, but I do have some time to experiment a bit. Before it warms I could test it. If if seems fine, I could take the Virga.

I should have mentioned in my initial post that I do run a bit warm while moving. Without the puffy, and as mentioned earlier, I've taken the rest of the clothing, unencumbered (and thereby cooler than when carrying 20lbs) to windchill in the single digits. Maybe I should put on the gear and just go sit on a bench for an hour and two and see how I feel before winter passes.

Steve: Think I might bring the poncho tarp, as already mentioned. Glad I picked it up cheap a while back!

Oh yeah, as far as Nalgene bottles. Eh, they make mixing up drink mixes easier, and I can re-hydrate beans or rice in them infinitely easier. I have yet to figure out a good sun glasses solution. I'm quite near-sighted. I think I'm hovering around -11, and while I usually wear contacts, I'll be bringing glasses for the trip. I either need to look into getting some prescription sunglasses or find a pair that comfortably sits on top of mine.

Thanks for the commments so far! It's always useful getting extra input/perspectives/concerns.

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