Had a 28.5ish mile day to get into Silverton. Walking across the plateau during a new moon was so creepy. I had my red light on so I was *LESS* visible, but I swear there were footsteps following me for a mile or so. I started walking backwards. Ended up getting into camp to catch the train at 4am.
Fires on the JMT proper are very rare. the sierra foothills go up in flames every year, some years worse than others. Storms in the sierra are not uncommon but you can get a good week of isolated t-storms everyday. I highly recommend being fit for the JMT, and doing at least 15miles a day, food carries are tough. Did the JMT in 2021 early august, smoke was not bad but present, no snow. Did PCT in 2024 started Sierra on May 28th, lots of snow, no smoke. Snow is fun though if you are prepared. 2024 was much more beautiful because of snow!
That 13,000 foot section, we experienced a blizzard that almost killed my buddy. He left the group early and kept hiking to stay warm thru it. We had to stop before cataract lake so i could set up my hammock. Shut saved my life i swear. Weather on the CT can be a killer
With no gloves, a super thin base long john, running shorts, a sun hoodie, thin mid layer jacket and a poncho, I thought I might lose parts of my hands and feet forever. Then the next day it was 80 and beautiful. It's funny, the first morning before the blizzard really started, I felt so odd. Like half sick and half beaten down. Looking back, it feels like my body knew things were about to test me.
I hiked the JMT NOBO this past summer. Am considering the Colorado. I’m 61, live in the Sierra and am used to the conditions, but nothing prepared me for the actualities of the JMT. It IS rocky, (I pictured a Disney experience too, sauntering as John Muir said,) and the passes are no joke, they dictate your day basically. I’d text my sister through the Garmin each time I was on top of a pass, and she asked if I was trying to go over at least one pass a day. Lol. That’s the trail. The long food carries with the bear canister, yep. At least you skipped the climb NOBO out of MTR, though I would tell anyone that they could supply the entirety of their hike with the left behind buckets of food their.
I’ve done both…JMT is fire!
Had a 28.5ish mile day to get into Silverton. Walking across the plateau during a new moon was so creepy. I had my red light on so I was *LESS* visible, but I swear there were footsteps following me for a mile or so. I started walking backwards. Ended up getting into camp to catch the train at 4am.
Fires on the JMT proper are very rare. the sierra foothills go up in flames every year, some years worse than others. Storms in the sierra are not uncommon but you can get a good week of isolated t-storms everyday. I highly recommend being fit for the JMT, and doing at least 15miles a day, food carries are tough.
Did the JMT in 2021 early august, smoke was not bad but present, no snow.
Did PCT in 2024 started Sierra on May 28th, lots of snow, no smoke. Snow is fun though if you are prepared.
2024 was much more beautiful because of snow!
That 13,000 foot section, we experienced a blizzard that almost killed my buddy. He left the group early and kept hiking to stay warm thru it. We had to stop before cataract lake so i could set up my hammock. Shut saved my life i swear. Weather on the CT can be a killer
With no gloves, a super thin base long john, running shorts, a sun hoodie, thin mid layer jacket and a poncho, I thought I might lose parts of my hands and feet forever. Then the next day it was 80 and beautiful.
It's funny, the first morning before the blizzard really started, I felt so odd. Like half sick and half beaten down. Looking back, it feels like my body knew things were about to test me.
I appreciate the info! Great content!
@@Foskey83 you bet!!
I hiked the JMT NOBO this past summer. Am considering the Colorado. I’m 61, live in the Sierra and am used to the conditions, but nothing prepared me for the actualities of the JMT. It IS rocky, (I pictured a Disney experience too, sauntering as John Muir said,) and the passes are no joke, they dictate your day basically. I’d text my sister through the Garmin each time I was on top of a pass, and she asked if I was trying to go over at least one pass a day. Lol. That’s the trail. The long food carries with the bear canister, yep. At least you skipped the climb NOBO out of MTR, though I would tell anyone that they could supply the entirety of their hike with the left behind buckets of food their.
Great job doing it! I completely agree with everything you said. I've also heard of that big climb out of MTR and wanted to avoid it.
A fuck-ton of stairs on JMT section I did from Reds to Tuolumne! Not what I expected.
Yup. And that's not even the worse! They actually call a section "The Golden Staircase" that's near Mather Pass haha
La Nina years have more storms in the Sierra during the summer.
Sorry, el nino is wetter