Northbound on the John Muir Trail // 7.20 ~ 8.6.2015
Bighorn Plateau // Myself, Josh, and Shawn
I suppose I should preface this with some sort of introduction...
I met Josh (above, center) in January of 2015 while on an early-morning solo winter summit of Mt Baldy (Mt. San Antonio) in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles, California, and Shawn (in flip-flops), the day before we set out on the John Muir Trail. Shawn's reputation of hiking in flip-flops became something of a trail conversation-starter (dubbed by Josh as "The Langley Legend", given that he climbed Mt Langley in them), and every once in awhile we'd run into someone exclaiming, "Are you guy hiking in flip-flops?" or turning to their hiking partner, "This is the flip-flop man I was telling you about!" We never really got into the whole trail-name thing, but at one point I suggested "Enter Sandalman".
I'd always enjoyed hikes and being outdoors, but it was through meeting Josh that everything went up another level (or ten levels). Early on, the John Muir Trail was briefly mentioned but I didn't give it much serious thought until later. However, over the subsequent months I was fortunate to have the company of Josh, his girlfriend Nicole, friends here and there, and of course Krystal, on multiple summits of Baldy, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio (which we in a single day. Never again), and miscellaneous trips out to Joshua Tree and the American Southwest.
As of this writing, I'm still not really sure how to describe why I decided to do the JMT, or perhaps it's because there is no singular reason. I've thought to myself "If I can do this, I can handle PT school!" and also, "I got accepted to PT school! I can do this!" amongst a myriad of varying thoughts and motivations. However, I would say a significant part of me dove right in, simply because I didn't want to become caught up with the idea and thought of being outdoors and in the wilderness. I suppose its easy to say we want to do things, or we want to go places, but how often do we actually put up with all the crap that comes with it? Then again, I also know that I am beyond fortunate to be in a position where I had the time to spare (prior to returning to school) and to set aside for a long trip such as the JMT. Reasons came to me as the miles went on, and reasons are still coming to me in the days of post-hike nostalgia. I'm sure more realizations will reveal themselves as time progresses, if not on future excursions, but will always lead me back to the time I trekked alongside (or.. uh.. behind?) Josh and Shawn during our 18 days on the JMT.
Endless thanks to Josh and Shawn for allowing me to join them on this trip of a lifetime, and cheers to everyone we met, hiked, and connected with on the trail.
Enjoy!
(gear list below)
DAY 1 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - Cottonwood Pass Trailhead >> Sky Blue Lake
DAY 2 - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - Sky Blue Lake >> Hitchcock Lakes
DAY 3 - Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - Hitchcock Lakes >> Mt Whitney >> Wright Creek
DAY 4 - Thursday, July 23, 2015 - Wright Creek >> Forester Pass
DAY 5 - Friday, July 24, 2015 - Vidette Meadow/Bubbs Creek >> Kearsarge Pass >> Onion Valley
DAY 6 - Saturday, July 25, 2015 - Onion Valley >> Kearsarge Pass >> Glen Pass >> Dollar Lake
DAY 7 - Sunday, July 26, 2015 - Dollar Lake >> South Fork King's River
DAY 8 - Monday, July 27, 2015 - South Fork King's River >> Mather Pass >> Middle Fork King's River (Le Conte Canyon)
DAY 9 - Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - Middle Fork Kings River (Le Conte Canyon) >> Muir Pass >> Evolution Lake
DAY 10 - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - Evolution Lake >> Piute Creek >> Senger Creek
DAY 11 - Thursday, July 30, 2015 - Senger Creek >> Seldon Pass >> Vermillion Valley Resort
DAY 12/13 - Friday/Saturday, July 31 - August 1, 2015 - Vermillion Valley Resort
DAY 14 - Sunday, August 2, 2015 - Vermillion Valley Resort >> Silver Pass >> Purple Lake Jct.
DAY 15 - Sunday, August 3, 2015 - Purple Lake Jct. >> Agnew Meadows
DAY 16 - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 - Agnew Meadows >> Maclure Creek
DAY 17 - Wednesday, August 5, 2015 - Maclure Creek Jct >> Long Meadow
DAY 18 - Thursday, August 6, 2015 // Long Meadow >> Happy isles
*will be periodically updating!*
GEAR LIST
Pack
> Osprey Atmos AG 65 + raincover
Food/Water Storage
> BearVault BV500
> Platypus 2L Platybottle
> SmartWater 1L (x2)
> JetBoil Zip + 230g fuel cannister + 2 lighters
> Sawyer Squeeze Filter + 1L bag
> Light My Fire Spork (plastic)
> travel mug
Photo
> Lowepro Adventura SH 100 II Camera Bag
> Fuji XM-1 + extra battery + charger + 128 GB card
> GoPro Hero4 Silver + extra 2 batteries + charger + 64 GB card
> iPhone 5 + wall charger + cord
> mini-tripod
Electronics
> 5W BLKBOX Portable Folding Solar Charger
> PowerAdd Apollo 2 Solar Charger/powerbank
> Pelican Products 2710 LED Headlamp + AAA (x4)
Misc.
> Watch: Timex Expedition Scout
> Leatherman Wingman Multitool
> Moleskine notebook + pen
> Tom Harrison JMT Maps
> Mosquito Repellent
> Sunblock
> Adventure Medical Kits First Aid 2.0 - stripped down to
bandages/band-aids/meds
> Athletic tape
> REI Multitowel (M)
> Paracord (30 ft)
> matches + waterproof case
Sleep
> Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker Sleeping Pad
> Marmot 20°F Sorcerer Sleeping Bag
> Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow
> REI Midweight Long Underwear Crewneck Shirt
> REI Midweight Long Underwear Bottoms
Shelter
> TarpTent Protrail + MSR Ground Hog Tent Stakes (x4)
> Footprint (Tyvek tarp cut down to size, held down with rocks)
Clothing
> NorthFace moisture-wicking shortsleeve
> UnderArmour ColdGear longsleeve
> Columbia Sportswear Whirlibird Interchange Jacket
> White Sierra convertible pant
> Nike shorts
> Adidas DriFit underwear (x2)
> High Sierra hiking sock (1 pair)
> Timberland outdoor boot sock (1 pair)
> Black Diamond Lightweight Gloves
> hat + bandana
> sunglasses
> McDavid Level 2 Knee Sleeve
Footwear/Hiking
> Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boot
> Crocs (for camp)
> BAFX Trekking Poles (also served as tent poles)
Hygiene
> toothbrush + travel toothpaste
> Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
Needless to say, gear is expensive. In preparing, I tried and returned a significant amount of gear, and often scoured stores for sales/special promotions/cheaper prices.
+ Amazon often had great deals that would pop up for electronics
+ REI had their discounts and Garage Sales (most items returned after only a few uses, if any at all. I scored two pairs of hiking boots, each retailing for over $120, but I paid $85 for both. Line up early!)
+ Most websites will send you "encouraging" emails with coupons and what not if you leave your items in their shopping cart for a day or two.
+ Marshalls/Ross will carry clothing items as well for cheaper prices. I also found clothing options at Buffalo Exchange.
Much of my clothes I found at thrift stores and my sunglasses were those free plastic ones I received at a school interview. Between the three of us, the two solar chargers kept our phones and cameras fully juiced for photos and GPS purposes. I almost brought the Elizabeth Wenk JMT guide but opted for the Kindle version on my phone last minute. Best decision ever. And yes I brought my freakin' wall charger for my phone which I only really used for the two days we were at VVR and an hour at Reds Meadow. In all honesty, it was worth it to me to bring it just for those two days and not have to worry about bothering someone else for theirs.
Some items I initially thought I'd need, but never ended up bringing/were sent back included:
> magnesium fire starter
> an extra set of hiking clothes
> camp soap/shampoo, etc - who was i kidding...
> 5L collapsible bucket
> sleeping bag liner
> mosquito head net
> 1L Sawyer Squeeze bag (ended up using the 2L Platybottle for dirty water. time to clean!)