Follow Ellen on the JMT

[AlanK]

I remember the Piute Creek bridge vividly from our 2006 trip. My son and I hiked with 2 half-liter water bottles each and the driest we ever got was on the stretch before that creek. The roar of the water was a most welcome sound.

I think that is roughly the halfway point of the whole shebang (i include the 11 miles from Whitney to the Portal).

[KathyW]

I''m glad she kept going. It sounds like the most difficult pass she still has to cross still is Mather Pass. I met a couple of guys above Guitar Lake on Friday that told me the other passes have snow, but they weren't as difficult to cross as Mather Pass. They got across it though.

[calicokat]

Having just finished and crossed these passes, I offer this:

Muir Pass was the most physically draining. 3 miles of snow on either side, it is a long slow slog.

Mather Pass is no problem if hit in the afternoon. There is no snow to worry about on the south side where the reported cornice and rock finding route were...it is now melted out. Now the north side was really icy when I crossed.at 0630. Had to chop new deeper steps with the ice axe (the thunderstorms had smoothed out the previous boot track and sun cups). Took two hours to cimb the final 500'. Climbers coming over in the afternoon were able to improve my track as the snow softened. Timing is key

Pinchot has no difficulties.

Glen has 1000' vertical feet of soft boot beaten down snow on the north side, none on the south. Not technical, just tiresome.

Forester is very similar to Glen, just 1500' of snow on north side, none on the south. The scary snow chute on the south is melted out.

Most of the harrowing reports I had received prior to leaving where old news. Things are melting out quickly and I had zero trouble with the stream/river crossings.

Overall still very difficult trek, took a lot of physical and mental stregth to complete, but completely doable. Can't wait to do it again in a "normal" year to compare experiences

[AlanK]

Not only is Ellen kicking some serious ass, but her Spot transmitter has awakened and is telling the world where she is. She is Evolving rapidly.

[zippetydude]

her Spot transmitter has awakened

I just looked at the track and it's now on number 34, whereas it was on 50 this morning, but it's showing her current progress. I wonder what's up with that...

She is Evolving rapidly.

You still spending time over on that alternative Whitney site?

z

[AlanK]

her Spot transmitter has awakened

I just looked at the track and it's now on number 34, whereas it was on 50 this morning, but it's showing her current progress. I wonder what's up with that...

I think that old points get thrown out due to number (50 per day, 100 max) and age (and she had few points in recent days).

She is Evolving rapidly.

You still spending time over on that alternative Whitney site?

Yes, but I was only referring to Ellen being up Evolution Creek without a paddle.

[zippetydude]

Heh heh.

z

[lesper4]

I cant wait for her report, we are hiking Evolution valley next year. We did Whitney this year. Less then a week to go and she will be done!

[KathyW]

Looks like she'll be going over Mather Pass soon.

[AlanK]

Looks like she'll be going over Mather Pass soon.

Yes, she's about 2/3 done.