Follow Ellen on the John Muir Trail

[Ellen]

Howdy All

I start on Wednesday July 17

My daily progress can be followed at:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... M9qss1pPNN

I will not use tracking mode this time because it drains the batteries too quickly. I haven't upgraded to the SPOT Connect yet as I need time to learn the interface between my iPhone and SPOT.

Tentative Schedule:

Day 1 (7/17) – Camp after Sunrise Meadow (15 miles)
Day 2 (7/18) – Evelyn lakes junction (29.5 miles)
Day 3 (7/19) – Garnett lakes junction (45.3 miles)
Day 4 (7/20) – Reds Meadows (58.7 miles) Food pick-up
Day 5 (7/21) – Virginia lake (74.6 miles)
Day 6 (7/22) – Edison junction (87.6 miles)
Day 7 (7/23) – Camp after going over Seldon pass (103 miles)
Day 8 (7/24) – Evolution meadow (115 miles). Food pick up at Muir Ranch
Day 9 (7/25) – Stars camp (131.5 miles)
Day 10 (7/27) – Deer meadow creek crossing (143 miles)
Day 11 (7/28) – Main South Fork crossing (155 miles)
Day 12 (7/29) – Woods creek junction (167 miles)
Day 13 (7/30) – Bubbs creek (179 miles). Food pick up at Lake Charlotte.
Day 14 (8731) – Shepherd pass junction (192)
Day 15 (8/1) – Artic lake outlet (203)
Day 16 (8/2) – Whitney Portal (218)

If anyone is hiking/backpacking on the JMT in the Sierras during this time period, please keep a lookout for the Bloody Blonde

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Ellen]

Howdy All

My 23 year old Trane AC died on Saturday I am sitting in my office sweating while awaiting the bad news of how much green I'm gonna bleed.

At least this happened BEFORE I started on the JMT. My Sheltie and five cats will appreciate the new unit while I'm enjoying Nature's AC in the Sierra.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

That's a nice, fast JMT through, Ellen. Sigh. SO envious.

HJ

[RickC]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I will be in the Rae Lakes area around that time and perhaps down in the East Lake area so I will keep and eye out for you passing through. Enjoy your travels.

[arocknoid]

Ellen, your itinerary rouses the Green Monster. Stay safe and enjoy.

Your furry creatures will enjoy your return after you've been missed a few weeks. 8-p (well, cats can show the nonchalance of being miffed)

Too bad about the AC, but look at the bright side about longevity/amortized costs with Tranes---if yours gets much use, anyway.

[lesper4]

Awesome, wow no rest days. I hope to find the time to do the JMT in the next 2-3 years. But I will do a more reasonable 21 days. You are blazing a trail.

[Hikin_Jim]

You are blazing a trail.

Sparks fly from Ellen's feet...

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy HJ

Thanks for the kind words, but I am not fast, just persistent

Alan and Eric did it in 10 days My buddy Calcio Jim did it in 13 days in 2011.

My 16 day itinerary is what I hoped to do in 2011. It turned out to be 19 days. I am prepared if it takes longer. My primary motivation for going back -- I want to experience the trail in a more "normal" year without snow on the passes, vampire mosquitos and high, fast stream crossings

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

I want to experience the trail in a more "normal" year without... vampire mosquitos

Um, good luck with that. Is there such a thing as a "low mosquito year" in the Sierra?

HJ

[Andy]

Sounds ambitious and fun Ellen. I'm heading up in August on the N Lake / S Lake loop and would quickly turn right 'round if I forgot my DEET. It'll likely shave a few years off your life and probably make you sterile but above all else, it'll keep those skeeters from sucking the life out of you!

Have a great hike