My 2023 Solo Hike of the John Muir Trail 

That's awesome. Thanks!!!

Wow, thanks for the supportive comment. Not sure I rocked it but I got there. Honestly, I was really dragging those last few days and I think it probably shows in my daily recaps. But so glad I did it. Funny, when I finished I was thinking "never again". But now, only a few weeks later, yeah, I definitely do it again. I'd probably target 3 weeks though...just to cruise and relax a bit more. Tx again for the comment. 👍👊

@@wellseasonedhiker On my solo hikes I usually shoot for 15-20 a day here in Oregon, but the JMT is so elevation intense that I’m sure I’d tone it way down. Was impressed you did two passes on the one day. I grew up hiking Yosemite, been to Ansel Adams Wilderness and went up Whitney with my son. But I’ve never done the JMT. Tad bit jealous…😉

@@robertbarber2585 Well, time to make it happen then! If you plan to do it I'm happy to toss over a few tips/learnings from my experience. As I said when I left to get up Whitney....one step at a time and you get there.

Thanks - much appreciated.

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for joining me on my travels!!! Really appreciate you sharing with your friends. 🙏👍

You can do it. It's just a matter of taking your time. Take 3, even 4 weeks and enjoy yourself!

It's worth the misery. I recommend taking more than 16 days however.

100% agree!

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.

That's true. The only sections I hadn't hiked before my trip was Reds to Tully Hole and Bubbs Creek to Crabtree (Forester Pass). The biggest challenge with doing the complete trail is figuring out the resupply's and of course transportation. But I will say, high mile days for a couple weeks does have a way of creating new aches and pains that you wouldn't expect. Enjoy the trip. It'll be an amazing experience!

Yes, more difficult than I imagined. After all my years in the Sierra...who knew. Thanks for the kind comment.

Thanks!

Appreciate the comment. Take your time, enjoy the trail!

Going SOBO addresses most of the altitude. Biggest challenge is ensuring you're getting enough calories. I had some calorie deprivations issues last few days and started really dragging. It's difficult to get enough calories into the canister. But hey, at 59, you still have plenty of time. For me the catalyst was getting the Golden Ticket. I applied a bunch of times but kept getting declined. Once I got the permit I figured... I gotta do it. It was a forcing function. 🙂. BTW: Tuolumne to Reds is amazing!

Must have been a blast to do that with the kids. A trip with loads of memories I bet.

That's an awesome comment Bob. Thanks for watching it and glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah.... I get the same feeling when I hear some folks say it. I grew up driving up and down the Eastern Sierra so I guess I have an advantage. You're from the Owens Valley? Not many of you around. Special place. Sorry about L.A. draining the lake. 😞

Glad you enjoyed it and glad I could bring back those memories. Bear Ridge is weird, isn't it? I mean, I personally enjoyed the climb up but still don't get the joke. 🙂

Those will be amazing trips. I've been trying to get the Sierra High Route but finding companions is challenging.

It will depend on the coming snow cover, but late August should be fine for the 190 miles. I consulted the existing itineraries, and acquired the book by Steve Roper. In any case I'm in, with a preference for the HSR@@wellseasonedhiker

Tx Christina. 🙂

Glad you enjoyed it!

I really appreciate the comments Mike. Yes, I used to do a lot of still shots but learned a few years ago that video is really a better tool to save, remember, and of course share the memories. It's definitely more work but worth it in my opinion. Good luck on your JMT and TRT trips. You're gonna have trips that you'll remember for a lifetime. But my recommendation, take your time. Don't rush it. Enjoy!

Thanks for the nice comment. Water crossings were all quite tame. I did the Bear Creek Crossing in early Aug and it was a lot more interesting then but nothing like what people endured in July this year. And yeah, I've tried hiking with out my chair. Not going to do that anymore. That's just me. Starting base weight was 17lbs but I was carrying a heavier pack, quilt, and clothing than I would carry if I were going mid-summer. Also was carrying a LOT of battery. Here's a link to my "What I Carried Video". ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CK2QRlMzhpQ.htmlsi=129X3jL1jSYUtP0Y There's a link to my Lighterpack in the description of that video. BTW: Hows Fred? 🙂

Thanks!!!

Yeah, that's the hardest part - being away from the people you love. But then, I love the mountains too. Just wish I could have them both. Did you message me?

Glad you found it useful for your planning. You're gonna love the trail! Simply amazing!

LOL! Thanks for the kinds words and more importantly, glad it inspired you!!!

Tx for the comment. Yes on the section hikes. I did a few myself through the years. In fact there were only a couple of small sections I hadn't seen but still... I felt like I needed to do the entire thing, end to end, as a bucket list thingy as well. Was a challenge but I don't regret a single moment. It was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it!!! Hope you enjoyed the video.

Thank you!!!

Glad you enjoyed the video. In my experience there's always a mosquito or two in wet areas, even in late September. But, as you'd expect, almost non-existent this late in the summer. This year was a wet year so there were a few places where they were a little annoying. I think I applied Deet only once during the trip. The rest of the time they were tolerable.

Tx! Did you recognize any places you've been? 😊

Thanks! Was harder than I expected. Calorie deprivation is real.

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it!!!

Thx! Really appreciate the comment. It's hard to take bad shots up there so while I'd like to take credit, all the credit goes to the Sierras.

LOL! Yeah. there really isn't. LOL!

It was an amazing experience. Enjoy the PCT! That'll be monumental!!!

YIKE!

Nice work to you! I think NOBO is tougher. First, hitting that high altitude early on and second, all the excitement is gone once you get to VVR...although the Minarets are amazing. And yes, I think I'm on the JMT at some point every year. Hard to avoid it. LOL! Thanks for the comment. 🙂

Thank you. 😊

Great video. My feet were hurting by about the 45 minute mark :)

LOL. Yeah, fortunately my feet calmed down after day 3. The pain just migrated to other places. 🙂

14 days is killing it. I know some crazy people do it even faster. Crazy because, as you mentioned, it doesn't give one enough time to really soak it all in. If I do it again I'll probably keep my days to 10-12 miles and definitely make sure I hit VVR. For resupply MTR is strategically placed but VVR is the bomb! Great people, great food. Tx for taking the time to watch the video and glad it brought back memories.

@@wellseasonedhiker I would probably do the same instead of 20 miles/day as I did then. VVR felt like paradise; I had fun there. Happy trails! !

Definitely could do MTR to Whitney Portal (WP) in 7 days. My resupply at MTR was only 5 days, and Keasarge to WP was only 2 nights. Very doable. The resupply just lightened my pack a little at MTR.

Gossamer Gear Marisposa. Great pack so long as your loads are max 30-35 pounds. Most comfy around 20-25.

Thanks for the comment and yes, good suggestion. Some of that in the video itself ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UvbM0uqv3kw.htmlsi=8JoVjWlJa04PX3J_ I left Yosemite with about 35 pounds which included about 10 pounds of food (first resupply was MTR/7 days). Keep in mind I had a lot of battery for my camera/phone so that added a lot of weight. For water I typically had 1.5 liters when I left camp every day. Hope this helps.

You're going to have the time of your life. Enjoy it!

I think early Sept is a great start date. You're going to have a great time. My pack, with water and food was about 35 leaving Happy Isles. Base weight I think was around 13-14 pounds because I was late Sept so brought my zero degree quilt, warmer hiking and sleep clothing. I also carried my Helinox chair. :-) Glad you enjoyed the video.

@@wellseasonedhiker. Yeah. Looking forward to it. I’ve done day hikes on the trail before around Yosemite, but without my full pack. Great video. New sub. 👍👍

I think that's 100% right about the age thing. When I was a kid I did 2 week trips every year, never had an issue with missing my family. A couple of times I spent 2 months in the Sierra...again, no issue. Now...I miss my wife and my family. Starting pack weight with food, water, camera gear was close to 35#. Ending pack weight without all that stuff was 16#. I have a load out video coming. I took a weight penalty given the late season so added a few things for warmth that aren't part of my normal summer kit.

Everything was filmed on my Galaxy S21. I also used a Hohem Gimbal to help with some of the pans. Tx for the kind comment. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the comments on the video. That meant a lot to me. So, actually, I did Happy Isles to Reds in 4 days but would only recommend that for strong hikers that are also acclimated. Also, if your permit calls for Littlle Yosemite Valley for the first night, then definitely 5 days is necessary. Just really depends on what conditions you're in. I sectioned hiked this span with a buddy a couple of years ago (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iaWGr4ws-fY.htmlsi=oObR6xdXfhS9CXOv) and we did it in 6 days. That was super chill and quite comfortable. Probably the biggest challenge is getting through Tuolumne Meadows, where there's no camping once again this year. So a stop a Cathedral Lakes and a stop in Lyell Canyon should be on the itinerary. Good luck on your trip. It's gonna create memories of a lifetime.

@@wellseasonedhiker Thank you for the reply! Yes 4 days is too fast for me I think I am settling on 5 instead of 6 as I need to keep the pace up to finish on time. I hike regularly in the Northeast so the miles are ok but I may need a little time to acclimate to the altitude. Cathedral Lake and Lyell Canyon are planned stops. Thanks again!

I don't have GPS for you but it was about 100-200 yard before the crossing. There was an obvious use trail down to the river by the time I arrived. If you're late Aug/early Sept this year you won't have any trouble.

Also - loved your video BTW! One of the best ones out there.

@@victoriajohnson2964 wow! Tx 🙂

Left Happy Isles on Sept 13. Exited Whitney Portal Sept 28.

HA HA!!! Yeah, no. I guess I should have. Broadly speaking I wasn't impressed with the fare at Reds. VVR is THE PLACE on the trail...hands down. Of course I was late season and the place was practically closed. The store was basically empty so not sure I wasn't impacted by all that. Could be....

@@wellseasonedhiker Well, truth be told I never been there.. but I always see photos of their pancakes.. lolool.. Maybe it is VVR that I am thinking about! Hey, I"m getting on in years too - but still backback, going in August for 8 days. Just curious, all that hiking you do - ur HR/BP all good?

All my vitals are decent. HR very low. Heading up again now. New video in a week or so. Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne!!

Start weight was just under 35#. Ending weight was about 16#. I carried heavier quilt, heavier clothes, heavier pack, and a few other accessories that I normally don't carry but given late season wanted to be prepared. Mosquito's weren't bad. I think I applied repellant only once.

thank you@@wellseasonedhiker

Probably was in selfie mode and didn't correct in post production. Oh well.

@@wellseasonedhiker I was *just* informed by my daughter that there's a selfie mode that does that for pictures...and by extension video. Something about mirror mode...I think for narcissists taking pics of themselves in mirrors....hahaha!

@@2ddw Not surprising that the manufacturers figured that out. I can actually flip it in post and did so on other shots. Just missed this one. Good catch!

@@wellseasonedhiker Not a problem. I'm just OCD. 🤣🤣🤣

No drone shots here. Which section you referring to? And no, drones aren't permitted in any National Parks and I believe for National Forests you need a permit.