Heading off on the JMT

It's 2024, so time for another adventure. This time we are back to hiking as we head Northbound on the John Muir Trail (JMT). Like my AT trek in 2018, I am heading counter (going NOBO instead of SOBO) and start my hike with the hardest climb up Mount Whitney (over 14,000 feet). The JMT runs from the peak of Mount Whitney to the Happy Isles Trailhead in Yosemite Valley. About 260 miles through the Sierras. Pretty much always over 8,000 feet with several climbs over 10,000 and 12,000 so weather should be cool - excellent for hiking. I will spend about 3 weeks on trail with a relatively mild 12 mile a day average. I only have 2 resupplies for the entire trip so my pack weight is higher than I would like. About 35 pounds right after resupply, though my base weight is just over 15 pounds. I was under 12 pounds but panicked and added another power bank and some camp shoes.

I leave tonight on a three bus journey to Lone Pine and then get a ride to the trailhead Tuesday morning. Excited to get started and praying life stays calm for 3 weeks so I can enjoy the journey.

Very little cell coverage on this trail so will be hard to manage real life and hard to post updates. Expect an update about once per week.