When I was on the JMT I would start walking at 530 or 6AM as well, I never see many people doing this but makes those climbs easier. The sun is killer on the JMT even during cool weather.
That's the way I do it as well but I'm a old fart and wake up early every day. I like to get up, get going and then enjoy my coffee along the trail. Via cold brew in the instant pack. Growing up here I know how brutal the summer sun gets.
See you have the ULA Catalyst; that is what I used when I did the JMT SOBO in 2018; great pack. Only problems was, I lost so much weight, I could not cinch my hip belt tight enough to prevent it from staying up; someone told me later to use a spare clothing or similar under the belt to tighten it.
Yes! Been there before with an Osprey pack. What I like about the ULA's is that you can interchange the belts! Maybe that would work? And I actually have the Circuit! I've heard greattt things about the Catalyst though!
1st video I ever seen of yours and I love it. I have been hiking the Sierras since 1978 and the rocky granite trails is what I grew up on and live outside Yosemite and the elevation still gets me! Awesome video, thanks for sharing.
I'm fascinated with this trail, if line to do it someday. I live by the AT and have done all of the NH and a tiny bit of Maine route, and it's straight up rocks, but the views and weather on the JMT are so vastly different than ours. One day...
Brutally Honest!! Thanks Chad for the great tips. Beating the passes by 1pm and getting out of camp early is HUGE! "My lips hurt real bad" -Napoleon Dynamite.
As someone who grew up in that area i have 2 tips to help attitude. #1- B12 vitamins help big time. #2- creatine supplimentation. It helps with altitude and hydration in general.
Awesome video! I'm beginning my planning for a late July NOBO from Cottonwood. I'll definitely be coming back to some of your videos! Your point about 1 SN mile = 2.5 Cascade miles hit hard (Seattlite over here)
could be wrong but that sounds like August. July and the Fall generally don't have those afternoon storms. I hike there regularly (most not aug) and have only been mildly inconvenienced by rain.
@@ChadLubinski man have I just been fortunate. Im in San Diego and we're getting our shockingly few rain storms of the season..few but huge. I'm using it to try to dial in the rain gear. its one of those things that can really jack up a trip if you're not prepared.
Good stuff Chad! Taking these to heart if I get a group permit for 4. Applying next Sunday for a July 12 start, my cousin and her husband coming from Scotland to do it with us. I did the West Highland Way in 2018 with them. That was a cake walk compared to the JMT.
@@ChadLubinski If going NorthBound from Cottonwood Pass, is summitting Mt Whitney considered part of the Permit? I was able to score a Northbound Permit from Cottonwood Pass to Happy Isles starting July 13th. We are going to take a few days and acclimate before summiting Whitney. Used your video for the Inyo NF Permit process, awesome!! I would prefer North to South but want to go with the sure thing. I retire in March, turn 61 a few days later and am in better shape than I have been since my 40's! Thanks for all your great info. BTW, take a look at a hiking website I help my friend Tony with here in Virginia. (www.hikingupward.com) Cheers - Bryce
@@bryceallison5462 Yup it's part of the permit as long as you summit and then come back the way you came (which you'd be doing if you're going NOBO). So happy you were able to get a permit and that you're doing it at 61....so inspiring dude!!! I'll look at that site for sure....been wanting to get out to the East coast for some hikes!!
Where would you recommend spending a zero day along the JMT? 1000 Islands, Rea Lake, or somewhere else? I have a permit for 21 days and looking for recommendations of where to spend a day camping.
Great question! Yes those are great ones, especially Rae. I really enjoyed the lakes in Evolution Valley the most though (Evolution Lake, etc) and of course Marie Lake!
I have been in love with hiking since 2017 and just discovered the JMT. These tips are very interesting and understandable as I once spent five days in a camp where we hiked each day and some of this I never used. So great video and wish me luck that I will hopefully be able to experience this soon!
100% on hiking slower than your typical pace. We've done other through hiking trips in the Sierra (Yosemite and North), and our pace on the JMT was so much slower than we anticipated.
Hey I am a high schooler loves to hike and am planning to hike this trail next year how many miles on a day hike should I hike to prep for this adventure
@Steve P Did you use Lone Pine Kurt's shuttle service? - he mentioned there would be several parties the next day. I hiked over the New Army Pass and kept my lead until Whitney, was there 8/2 ;) More to see and read on my website (google for "an alien on the JMT")
Fantastic video and I think your spot on with backpacking in the Sierra’s. It looked like you packed pretty light. How much was your pack including food? Anything you should have brought or left out of your pack?? Thanks!
Hey thanks so much for watching Scott! Packed as light as I could for an 8.5 day resupply lol! Off the top of my head I know I got a lighter tent the following year, but can't remember what else. Here's my gear list for the Colorado Trail that shows what I took vs the JMT th-cam.com/video/5SBJmAwNTXQ/w-d-xo.html 👍
I did the JMT southbound 2019 and YYYEEEESSSSS to the chapstick!!! My lips never get chapped, but man, they were a deeply cracked painful MESS on the trail! By the time I got to Muir Trail Ranch it was by far my biggest concern. I looked in the hiker buckets and did find some used chapstick and my plan was to just cut off the end and use it for the rest of my trip but I checked the little store they had there and thankfully they had chapstick. Only 2 or 3 bucks and really at that point I would have gladly paid $20 or $30 for a small tube of it...really!!! I hiked end of August, would usually get walking about 7 or 8 and never felt the sun was too hot except when I started in Yosemite during a heatwave. Also, I only got rained on once the entire trip (and had one other day where the thunder was close, loud and booming) so I think the sun and storms being an issue can be dependent on when your hike takes place...and luck of the draw.
Very good advise; my friend and I did it NOBO too in late summer 2019 in 14 days starting at Horseshoe Meadows, we gathered all the necessary info from the Fb group. We are both trail runners but she lives in the mountains and I live on the Gulf coast; to acclimatize and gain strength I ran with a backpack and also spent 12 days hiking and peakbagging 13ers and 14ers in Colorado two weeks prior and that worked perfectly. As you stated, the JMT is not easy but I got in top shape for it just in time and that made it more enjoyable; we averaged 20miles/day stopping only at VVR. The Guthook map is extremely valuable to navigate the Sierra and find camping spots. Congratulations and Happy hiking!!!
We hiked the JMT NOBO this year from July 18-Aug 9. Your points are all spot on. The sun is brutal at elevation. I wear a full brim sun hat at all times. We did not have a garmin or guthooks and didn't really feel we missed them. Totally agree with the after VVR points.
I can attest to the altitude sickness! Def happened to me the first 2 days on the trail as well! Oh and the chapstick! I went SOBO and didn't have chapstick until Red's and I was suffering. As for the daily storms, I must have gotten SUPER lucky because the 13 days I was out there in early August 2019, I did not get a single drop of rain. Sun all the way! One thing I would add is BEWARE OF MOSQUITOES, like more mosquitoes than you can ever imagine! Bring a mosquito head net and treat your clothes ahead of time! The JMT was the most challenging hike I've ever done and definitely worthwhile, a life-changing experience.
Great question. No scrambling (atleast when I did it in July). It’s hard to reach the summit only because of the elevation and exposure to the sun in my opinion... as long as you’re in good shape though you won’t have a problem!
What is the best part of the PCT for new packers and out of shape packers? I heard there is a part that is rough on water so I’d like to avoid that part. I’m not a speed racer and no desire to push it. I want to enjoy the trip and stop and enjoy the sights often. My reasons for doing this is to get in shape, get away from people and just enjoy nature. I don’t want to hike anything that needs permits. I plan on being out for a couple months if I like it. Distance isn’t as important as just getting out and enjoying the views.
I've only hiked the sections in the Sierra Nevada and through Oregon. Both require permits as of now. I would say the desert sections of California would be the easiest, but there'd be water carries . I'd recommend the first 100 miles of the Colorado Trail out of Waterton Canyon
Very nice update! Thank you and Happy New Year! I hope to get a permit for a solo SB hike in August. If not, I will try for a NB permit in 2022. I bought one of those UL umbrellas and will bring it to help block the sun. Chapstick and sunscreen too!
I hiked the JMT and fell in love with the Sierra. I've continued to hike the Sierra every year since, focusing on the more remote areas, and your advice is spot on. There are a few hikes I would like to do in the Cascades. Since a typical Sierra day for me is 15 to 20 miles, can I plan on setting some FKTs, based on your 2.5 Cascade miles = 1 JMT mile? :-) I hope you come back and check out some of the other Sierra sites by planning your own loop or through hike and getting off the beaten path for a different Sierra experience.
Hahaha yes with that theory you’d def be hitting FKT land 😅 I can recommend some hikes for you btw. Have you done the Sierra High Route? I’ve been looking into that one
@@ChadLubinski I have done some off trail hiking, but I don't feel comfortable with doing extended off-trail travel like the SHR solo, and I don't have anyone to partner with. I did find Steve Ropers book to be an entertaining read, and I still plan to hit a bit of the southern section of the SHR.
Hey man! I didn’t start feeling better until day 3... but then it was like it never even happened! I picked up some of this stuff called Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete for the Colorado Trail at the end of the month. That might help!
I see in a few video shots that you had your bear canister in your tent. Did you typically store it in your tent overnight or did you mostly place it some distance away from your campsite?
Hey David! I always stored it outside my tent... however, I won’t lie - sometimes that consisted of me just rolling out of the tent after I was done eating cuz I was too exhausted to get up and walk it somewhere 😅🤷🏼♂️ wouldn’t recommend that
I plan to do the JMT June, I would like to use an emergency blanket instead of a sleeping bag, is that a bad idea in the JMT? how cold does it get in June?
@@user-nd9re8vr6l Out of June - September, June would likely be the coldest month...besides the end of Sept. In early June and late Sept, I wouldn't be surprised if there was surprise snowstorms
Great video. Lots of good information here. My son and I have thought about hiking the JMT. We just don’t think we will be able to get a permit. New follower here. All the best, Crow✌️
Awesome video, thanks for all the great info and tips! Question though, have you ever hiked R2R2R at the Grand Canyon? I was planning on doing JMT solo this year but couldn't secure a permit so sadly will have to try again next year. But I had hiked R2R2R in October 2020, which was about 40 miles, 10,000' elevation gain, over 2 days. How would you say the JMT would compare to something like that? I was definitely destroyed and exhausted after the grand canyon hike, but it seems like the JMT doesn't have quite the same extreme of an elevation gain over a short distance (it was 5,000' gain over 5 miles each way)
That's a damn good question! You know...the JMT is similar in the way that it's very exposed and dry. And you're right about the elevation gain - I usually was doing close to 5k every day over 18-23 miles. I think if you completed R2R2R in two days, you would do great on the JMT....just have to do that over 200 some miles and at altitude, ya know?
@@ChadLubinski Well that's great to hear! It'll definitely be a different challenge in the sense that it's more of an endurance trail. So while I may be able to do R2R2R in 2 days, can I do something maybe not as grueling but still close but for a longer period of time. And from what I can gather online, it looks like JMT is at average around 9,000' or so above sea level? I think grand canyon was something like 6,000' and even that had me feeling the effects since I was coming from sea level training. Thanks for the response!
@@chickenofthecave1406 Exactly! The elevation kicked my ass the first 3 days, then I got used to it. And you're absolutely correct about it being just a longer period time of suffering lol. However, you can really make it as easy or hard as you want. 14 days to complete it for me going Northbound was tough, but there was also people that did it in 21 days and didn't perceive it the way I did ya know?!
Hi! Do you have a video on the gear you brought for the JMT? My friend & I are wanting to hike it in the next couple of years & are curious about UL tents in particular. I have GG "The one", but it's recently aquired & untested as of yet. Worried about it holding up in thunderstorms even though the reviews for it say it handles storms well. Any tent recommendations? Thanks in advance!
Hey whats up! Great question..here's an article I wrote on it: hikertrashnation.com/nobo-jmt-gear-list/ Funny you mention the GG The One - I literally just bought it. From what I read, you just need to be selective in where you're positioning your tent in accordance to the wind IE: place it in the most wind protected place possible and it seems like it should be fine? I will say that most storms occur in the early afternoon, so you're usually still hiking. Curious to see how it works out for us this summer! I'm happy you guys are taking on the JMT!!
@@ChadLubinski Perfect- thanks so much! I'll check the list link out. I agree on the GG tent, position seems to be the biggest "must" I've come across in the reviews. Excellent news on the storms predominately being mid-day versus at night. Thanks for all the info & happy hiking!
Bring only what you need and keep it light. As much fail safe equipment as possible. End your days after going up and start your days going down. Best campsites are upper elevation.
I thought I saw your name in JMT group on Facebook. Great tips, man! What time would you say is the earliest to start ascending Mt Whitney and how long did it take you? Cheers, Chris
You bet! A ton of people start at like 4am to hit sunrise. It really depends on where you're camped at though and what you want to see. I started at about 800am at Crabtree (about 7.5 miles away) , summited around 1250, back at Crabtree around 5:00pm. I was dicking around filming a bit but that was all mostly hiking. I also left most of my gear (tent, etc) at Crabtree and only took what I needed for the day. There was a very real threat of a tstorm when I went up and we were just fortunate that it was a few miles away. I would definitely recommend summitting earlier than I did so your trip doesn't get ruined by something like that!
@@ChadLubinski Awesome, thank you! Now, if I only can get my hands on those permits which I think is gonna be the worst next season since we have covid and people are looking into their backyards to do something.
Just a difference of opinion, I used Ultra Lone Peaks on the JMT, did not use gators, and did not have any issues. My theory is that I tie my shoes very snug, very little room for sand and rocks to enter. My son and wife did use gators.
yeah it didn't matter for me if my shoes were tied tight or now...I seemed to flip sand up and into them with that little thing that overhands the back of the shoe
im glad ur view of the trail wasnt totatlly scewed from ur trip 😊. it is amazing to me how many people wear ' to lite ' of a shoe for THAT trail 😮😢. glad u made the point of gaiters !!! i live ib the s.w desert and they ( gaitors ) r a MUST !! some places knee hi nes r the way 2 go. but the little ones r good 4 the jmt !! never thot of them as NOT being manly😅. ATB ,, n keep rocking those trails !!! ps.. i used 2 live in the pnw. Vancouver,WA. PNW IS THE BOMB !!!!!!!!!!!
Omg this was so good. Gaiters!!! I saw only a few others wearing them and they were so useful!!!! We got through the entire trail 20 days and didn’t hit any rain. We got so lucky and we started July 25. We were totally one of those starting at 8 am lol Great advice and now I want to do it again!
Haha. Yeah..the reality is that you can make it as challenging as you'd like depending on how many miles you plan to do every day and when you need to finish. My 14 days going northbound are surely going to be different than someone who takes 28 days and starts in Yosemite.
It was quite heavy honestly. Around 35lbs for most of it? I had a 8.5 day food carry + a bear can when I started out (I DO NOT recommend that long of a food carry) that almost killed me
@@user-nd9re8vr6l I recently picked up the Gossamer Gear the One for the Colorado Trail and really liked it! Very light, fully enclosed. You use trekking poles to pitch it
What did you guys learn from your trip along the John Muir Trail?? Anything similar?! 📌 Get a FREE customizable copy of my exact JMT itinerary here: unique-innovator-6945.ck.page/7f645a94d3
1. Altitude: I had one more night at 9.000 ft, and one more day from HM to Mt. Whitney. No altitude problem at all. But this varies from person to person. Water on Mt. Whitney: YES. I had 3 l on my start in the early morning. Electrolytes: YES. Was missing enough salt. 2. Gaiters: no. I did not use gaiters, Altra 4.0 and DT socks, no issues, no blister. 3. Chapstick: had one, but did not use it. No need. 4. Wide brim hat and T shirt. Late starter. 5. inReach mini with Expedition plan. 6. I planned slow at 10 miles/day, and made it. 7. Very few thunderstorms (only one with hail and lots of rain, but over after
I learned I can resupply smart. I didnt resupply and brought 14 days of food in my pack. Learned tricks about condensation and getting my sleeping bag less wet. And might use sun blocker next time. Was not to bad on my skin but definitely help. Learned what to do when get stock in a hail storm. Learned to careful if get late night at withney portal. Is bears around specially close to the restroom and trash cans
1) Pay attention to the PCT thru hikers you share the trail with. They are up and gone (barely a memory) by the time we awoke each morning. 2) Plan on a 1.5 - 2.0 mph average pace and use this to plan overall time req'd and distance between resupply's. Plan food consumption carefully. Food is fuel but your appetite will be lower; we took too much (food is also weight). Some take too little food, and there are few access/egress trails to the JMT to "pop over the hill" to the eastern side to get more. 3) you will consume more water than you think. I carried 2 liter bottles and never overlooked an opportunity to top them off. Water access varies greatly from one year to the next. 4) When packing for the trip, if you think you "might" need an item - leave it at home; despite claims to the contrary everything weighs something.
IMO the MOST important one is ............................... ALTITUDE IS NO JOKE. I do fairly well with altitude, but it WILL slow almost everyone down and it does incapacitate some people.
The biggest thing with altitude for me was the nauseousness. At every meal I nearly had to force myself to eat, and could rarely eat all that I portioned myself to eat. Chapstick is a must, I didn’t bring any on my first hike it was miserable. I recommend pants and a sun shirt at all times. I also like early mornings, sometimes as early as 530, or for first light. Take a siesta in midday heat in the shade. In regards to the storms, it is a trend for the last few years, possibly due to climate change, the monsoon season from the desert is getting progressively worse year by year, especially from early June through mid august. Don’t be lured into thinking that this is an easy hike from all the shiny happy people making TH-cam videos about it. This is a hard trail.
Looks like you had good UL gear and you know what you're doing, thus, it's amazing to me that you would undertake this hike without seeming to have prepared or become familiar with the trail. And you even joined the JMT FB group. Dude, what happened? A few factual notes: Horseshoe Meadows is at 10K. The altitude going NOBO from Horseshoe is no joke. You get high fast and stay there. Electrolytes don't address altitude; water does. Tylenol can help. You don't take Diamox AFTER you have AMS; you take it two days before going to altitude. Burt's Bees has no sunscreen. Of course the trail is exposed; it's mostly above tree line. You expected cell service in the back country? It is most likely NOT going to storm every day. The Sierra do experience periods of monsoonal flow during summer, and when that happens, yes, you will get rain or hail, thunder and lightning every day until the flow endsa. But if you look at seasonal weather patterns, rain is the exception, not the rule.Finally, if people are going to use Guthook (now called Farout), yjru need to have a charger pack keep their phone charged. Hopefully others can learn from this.
Great video, Chad. I would add for those in early season : Do not underestimate how much snow you can face as late as July in a big snow year and how dangerous the stream crossings can be. Snow spikes virtually essential for safe travel in big snow years. In the High Sierra you do not underestimate the Sun, Storms, Snow or Water though you can have a benign trip too after a dry winter and think it was all hype. There can also be devastating heat, sun and snow in the same day on the same pass with a gnarly stream crossing with high water being the number one cause of fatalities... ;)
Great video. Thank you! But that title. Come on man. You didn't know that it was sunny and you needed neck protection and that you needed Chapstick that was spf. Really?!
Hello the JMT Happy Isles trail head gets jammed packed going up the mist trail grueling with the tourists stopping for photos opportunity and who can blame them it’s Truly beautiful but nobody really mentions the mass crowds that you will be walking with a 30-35 lb backpack side by side with day use people.and when I picked up the permit either did the rangers. Then when I went to park the car in the near curry village gravel parking lot which was extremely difficult to find a spot especially on a Saturday morning even though I had a permit. The ranger told us not to even leave a stick of gum in the car. I threw out so much stuff meanwhile there bear boxes in the parking lot I wish I would of known that. The rangers never even mentioned that. It storm when I got to top. I’m not giving up I’m going to try next year and I’m going to try a different trail head not Happy isle. I’m grateful that I did get an opportunity to go I’ll know better for my next adventure. Thank you for sharing your experience
When I was on the JMT I would start walking at 530 or 6AM as well, I never see many people doing this but makes those climbs easier. The sun is killer on the JMT even during cool weather.
100% agree!!
That's the way I do it as well but I'm a old fart and wake up early every day. I like to get up, get going and then enjoy my coffee along the trail. Via cold brew in the instant pack. Growing up here I know how brutal the summer sun gets.
Wouldn't a wide-brimmed hat that shields your face have helped?
감사합니다.
I added some thing to my gear list from watching your video. Thanks!
Heck yeah, glad I could help!
Love the JMT! Great information, thanks for sharing!
you got it Addy..thanks for the comment!!
See you have the ULA Catalyst; that is what I used when I did the JMT SOBO in 2018; great pack. Only problems was, I lost so much weight, I could not cinch my hip belt tight enough to prevent it from staying up; someone told me later to use a spare clothing or similar under the belt to tighten it.
Yes! Been there before with an Osprey pack. What I like about the ULA's is that you can interchange the belts! Maybe that would work?
And I actually have the Circuit! I've heard greattt things about the Catalyst though!
@@ChadLubinski I swapped to a small belt with my M pack- could not go any lower 😀
@@meenakshinarayan7850 Oh no!!!!!!
1st video I ever seen of yours and I love it. I have been hiking the Sierras since 1978 and the rocky granite trails is what I grew up on and live outside Yosemite and the elevation still gets me! Awesome video, thanks for sharing.
Hey thanks so much John! Much respect for your hiking in the Sierra... toughest place I’ve been yet!!
I'm fascinated with this trail, if line to do it someday. I live by the AT and have done all of the NH and a tiny bit of Maine route, and it's straight up rocks, but the views and weather on the JMT are so vastly different than ours. One day...
great advice! ! So true of the Sierras, nothing like them. I would recommend the TRT next! a lot of fun easy to get permit. . check it out!
haha! You know me too well. Def on the radar!
This was supper helpful!! We just got out SOBO permits for the JMT so are in full planning mode now! Love the channel! Subbed 😜
I really appreciate that! 😃 you’re gonna have a great time!!
Brutally Honest!! Thanks Chad for the great tips. Beating the passes by 1pm and getting out of camp early is HUGE! "My lips hurt real bad" -Napoleon Dynamite.
😂
As someone who grew up in that area i have 2 tips to help attitude. #1- B12 vitamins help big time. #2- creatine supplimentation. It helps with altitude and hydration in general.
Good stuff
Great video! Excellent information! Thanks for sharing this. Subbed you up🤙
Thank you so much!!! 🙌🙌
Great video! Thank you!
Can't wait to see you crush this trail!!!!!
Planning NOBO this summer. Thanks for the helpful info.
hey you bet!! you're gonna have a great time!!
Awesome video! I'm beginning my planning for a late July NOBO from Cottonwood. I'll definitely be coming back to some of your videos! Your point about 1 SN mile = 2.5 Cascade miles hit hard (Seattlite over here)
Heck yeah.... you’re gonna have a great time!
could be wrong but that sounds like August. July and the Fall generally don't have those afternoon storms. I hike there regularly (most not aug) and have only been mildly inconvenienced by rain.
July 16 - 30
@@ChadLubinski man have I just been fortunate. Im in San Diego and we're getting our shockingly few rain storms of the season..few but huge. I'm using it to try to dial in the rain gear. its one of those things that can really jack up a trip if you're not prepared.
Love it! Thanks for this!
Thank you so much for this video!! Super helpful love your content!
You bet Riley, thanks for watching!
Good stuff Chad! Taking these to heart if I get a group permit for 4. Applying next Sunday for a July 12 start, my cousin and her husband coming from Scotland to do it with us. I did the West Highland Way in 2018 with them. That was a cake walk compared to the JMT.
Right on man!! Good luck getting your permit!! 🤞🤞
@@ChadLubinski If going NorthBound from Cottonwood Pass, is summitting Mt Whitney considered part of the Permit? I was able to score a Northbound Permit from Cottonwood Pass to Happy Isles starting July 13th. We are going to take a few days and acclimate before summiting Whitney. Used your video for the Inyo NF Permit process, awesome!! I would prefer North to South but want to go with the sure thing. I retire in March, turn 61 a few days later and am in better shape than I have been since my 40's! Thanks for all your great info. BTW, take a look at a hiking website I help my friend Tony with here in Virginia. (www.hikingupward.com) Cheers - Bryce
@@bryceallison5462 Yup it's part of the permit as long as you summit and then come back the way you came (which you'd be doing if you're going NOBO).
So happy you were able to get a permit and that you're doing it at 61....so inspiring dude!!! I'll look at that site for sure....been wanting to get out to the East coast for some hikes!!
Where would you recommend spending a zero day along the JMT? 1000 Islands, Rea Lake, or somewhere else? I have a permit for 21 days and looking for recommendations of where to spend a day camping.
Great question! Yes those are great ones, especially Rae. I really enjoyed the lakes in Evolution Valley the most though (Evolution Lake, etc) and of course Marie Lake!
Thanks for all the good tips! Would you rather had backpacking boots? What month of the year did you hiked?
Hey you bet! And no, I’ll never switch from my trail runners.. love em! And I was mid July
I have been in love with hiking since 2017 and just discovered the JMT. These tips are very interesting and understandable as I once spent five days in a camp where we hiked each day and some of this I never used. So great video and wish me luck that I will hopefully be able to experience this soon!
Heck yes! Glad you found some value out of it. Let me know if you ever have any questions!
My wife and I want to go hike the duck pass trail and just get some prep in before we do the full JMT
Nice dude!! Definitely do it!!
100% on hiking slower than your typical pace. We've done other through hiking trips in the Sierra (Yosemite and North), and our pace on the JMT was so much slower than we anticipated.
Right?!? I thought something was actually wrong with me 😂
Hey I am a high schooler loves to hike and am planning to hike this trail next year how many miles on a day hike should I hike to prep for this adventure
Nice dude! 12-15 mile day hikes with a lot of elevation gain would be great
@@ChadLubinski alright thank you very much!
Watched this a second time as I prep for my journey. Thanks for the great advice, Chad!
Love to hear that, Justin! You got this!!
Great video! We went NOBO in 2019. Fantastic trip! I used HL 30 lip balm and it was amazing. It's medicated as well as SPF 30.
Smart man!!! 😆
When did you hike? - I started 7/30/19 at HM and hiked slowly.
@@Henning_Rech we started from HM going over Cottonwood Pass on 7/31/19. We summitted Whitney on 8/3/19. Amazing weather we both had !!
@Steve P Did you use Lone Pine Kurt's shuttle service? - he mentioned there would be several parties the next day. I hiked over the New Army Pass and kept my lead until Whitney, was there 8/2 ;)
More to see and read on my website (google for "an alien on the JMT")
@@Henning_Rech Yes, we used LPK. His service is top notch. There were at least 7 others that started that day that we met. I'll check out your site!
Fantastic video and I think your spot on with backpacking in the Sierra’s. It looked like you packed pretty light. How much was your pack including food? Anything you should have brought or left out of your pack?? Thanks!
Hey thanks so much for watching Scott!
Packed as light as I could for an 8.5 day resupply lol! Off the top of my head I know I got a lighter tent the following year, but can't remember what else.
Here's my gear list for the Colorado Trail that shows what I took vs the JMT th-cam.com/video/5SBJmAwNTXQ/w-d-xo.html
👍
Thanks Chad. Great stuff here. I appreciate you taking the time to do these great videos. I’m sure you will be saving many chapped lips on the trail!!
great pure tips from real experience. thanks man
Appreciate the comment!! 🙌
Good Stuff - Thanks for sharing!
hey thank you!
I did the JMT southbound 2019 and YYYEEEESSSSS to the chapstick!!! My lips never get chapped, but man, they were a deeply cracked painful MESS on the trail! By the time I got to Muir Trail Ranch it was by far my biggest concern. I looked in the hiker buckets and did find some used chapstick and my plan was to just cut off the end and use it for the rest of my trip but I checked the little store they had there and thankfully they had chapstick. Only 2 or 3 bucks and really at that point I would have gladly paid $20 or $30 for a small tube of it...really!!!
I hiked end of August, would usually get walking about 7 or 8 and never felt the sun was too hot except when I started in Yosemite during a heatwave. Also, I only got rained on once the entire trip (and had one other day where the thunder was close, loud and booming) so I think the sun and storms being an issue can be dependent on when your hike takes place...and luck of the draw.
$20-$30 hahahaha 😂
Chapstick is no joke !! Great video
😂 absolutely no joke!
Very good advise; my friend and I did it NOBO too in late summer 2019 in 14 days starting at Horseshoe Meadows, we gathered all the necessary info from the Fb group. We are both trail runners but she lives in the mountains and I live on the Gulf coast; to acclimatize and gain strength I ran with a backpack and also spent 12 days hiking and peakbagging 13ers and 14ers in Colorado two weeks prior and that worked perfectly. As you stated, the JMT is not easy but I got in top shape for it just in time and that made it more enjoyable; we averaged 20miles/day stopping only at VVR. The Guthook map is extremely valuable to navigate the Sierra and find camping spots.
Congratulations and Happy hiking!!!
Thanks for the comment man and great job! Super smart idea getting acclimated like that...those 13/14ers will def whip you into shape!
We hiked the JMT NOBO this year from July 18-Aug 9. Your points are all spot on. The sun is brutal at elevation. I wear a full brim sun hat at all times. We did not have a garmin or guthooks and didn't really feel we missed them. Totally agree with the after VVR points.
Dang you guys were only 2 days behind me (July 16 start)!! Congrats on the finish! :) What a trail, right?!
@@ChadLubinski A life changing experience! Check out my TH-cam video. Part 3 will be coming soon.
@@thehikingirishmen7182 will do!!
@@ChadLubinski August usually has better weather.
@@robbrandtBSA Agreed. Just didn't want a wildfire or smoke to end my trip
I can attest to the altitude sickness! Def happened to me the first 2 days on the trail as well! Oh and the chapstick! I went SOBO and didn't have chapstick until Red's and I was suffering.
As for the daily storms, I must have gotten SUPER lucky because the 13 days I was out there in early August 2019, I did not get a single drop of rain. Sun all the way! One thing I would add is BEWARE OF MOSQUITOES, like more mosquitoes than you can ever imagine! Bring a mosquito head net and treat your clothes ahead of time!
The JMT was the most challenging hike I've ever done and definitely worthwhile, a life-changing experience.
Not having chapstick will take your soul 😂
Having zero to little rain is by far the norm in the Sierra in summer.
If you did this again would you take shoes for water crossings (crocs…)?
nah ive personally always figured it out either wearing shoes or going in socks that need to be washed anyways
Thx
Do you have to rock scramble or is it hard to reach the summit
Great question. No scrambling (atleast when I did it in July). It’s hard to reach the summit only because of the elevation and exposure to the sun in my opinion... as long as you’re in good shape though you won’t have a problem!
What is the best part of the PCT for new packers and out of shape packers? I heard there is a part that is rough on water so I’d like to avoid that part. I’m not a speed racer and no desire to push it. I want to enjoy the trip and stop and enjoy the sights often.
My reasons for doing this is to get in shape, get away from people and just enjoy nature.
I don’t want to hike anything that needs permits. I plan on being out for a couple months if I like it. Distance isn’t as important as just getting out and enjoying the views.
I've only hiked the sections in the Sierra Nevada and through Oregon. Both require permits as of now.
I would say the desert sections of California would be the easiest, but there'd be water carries .
I'd recommend the first 100 miles of the Colorado Trail out of Waterton Canyon
That was nothing short of Outstanding!!! Thank you
Hey thanks John!! Appreciate that! 😁
Really great advise
thanks for watching Deb!
Very nice update! Thank you and Happy New Year!
I hope to get a permit for a solo SB hike in August. If not, I will try for a NB permit in 2022.
I bought one of those UL umbrellas and will bring it to help block the sun. Chapstick and sunscreen too!
Hells yeah man.. good luck! Fingers crossed you get that permit !
And appropriate hat will do the job too...
More good stuff ... thanks for this. 👍
thanks for watching man!!
I hiked the JMT and fell in love with the Sierra. I've continued to hike the Sierra every year since, focusing on the more remote areas, and your advice is spot on. There are a few hikes I would like to do in the Cascades. Since a typical Sierra day for me is 15 to 20 miles, can I plan on setting some FKTs, based on your 2.5 Cascade miles = 1 JMT mile? :-) I hope you come back and check out some of the other Sierra sites by planning your own loop or through hike and getting off the beaten path for a different Sierra experience.
Hahaha yes with that theory you’d def be hitting FKT land 😅 I can recommend some hikes for you btw.
Have you done the Sierra High Route? I’ve been looking into that one
@@ChadLubinski I have done some off trail hiking, but I don't feel comfortable with doing extended off-trail travel like the SHR solo, and I don't have anyone to partner with. I did find Steve Ropers book to be an entertaining read, and I still plan to hit a bit of the southern section of the SHR.
Once you get approve for the permit where do u collect it? I want to start at happy isles sobo
That I don't know since I started at the opposite end
Hey Chad really enjoyed your video! In your video spoke about altitude sickness, how much time would you recommend for acclimation?
Hey man! I didn’t start feeling better until day 3... but then it was like it never even happened! I picked up some of this stuff called Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete for the Colorado Trail at the end of the month. That might help!
@@ChadLubinski Thank you brother, I will try it. See you on the trail!
I literally just read the article you wrote for The Trek right before this!
Hey nice!!
Have you hiked in NH before?
no sadly!
Ty🎉
I see in a few video shots that you had your bear canister in your tent. Did you typically store it in your tent overnight or did you mostly place it some distance away from your campsite?
Hey David! I always stored it outside my tent... however, I won’t lie - sometimes that consisted of me just rolling out of the tent after I was done eating cuz I was too exhausted to get up and walk it somewhere 😅🤷🏼♂️ wouldn’t recommend that
Solid suggestions!!
Thanks for watching!
No debe un Montañista o Senderista llevar audífonos en la Montaña.debe de ir alerta de cualquier imprevisto y más cuando va SOLO.saludos.
What time of year did you go?
Hey there! I went during the middle of July!
Awesome thanks for the reply man
@@tippins653 anytime!!
I plan to do the JMT June, I would like to use an emergency blanket instead of a sleeping bag, is that a bad idea in the JMT? how cold does it get in June?
I would absolutely advise against that, especially in June. There can still be snow well into July.
June is still pretty early on the JMT. Definitely the coldest month out of June-Sept
@@ChadLubinski June through September are the coldest?
@@user-nd9re8vr6l Out of June - September, June would likely be the coldest month...besides the end of Sept. In early June and late Sept, I wouldn't be surprised if there was surprise snowstorms
Oregon flatland?? 🤔
relatively, yes
Great video. Lots of good information here. My son and I have thought about hiking the JMT. We just don’t think we will be able to get a permit. New follower here. All the best, Crow✌️
Thank you!! I really appreciate that :) Totally understand about the permit...have you thought about going Northbound? Very easy to get permits!
Awesome video, thanks for all the great info and tips! Question though, have you ever hiked R2R2R at the Grand Canyon? I was planning on doing JMT solo this year but couldn't secure a permit so sadly will have to try again next year. But I had hiked R2R2R in October 2020, which was about 40 miles, 10,000' elevation gain, over 2 days. How would you say the JMT would compare to something like that? I was definitely destroyed and exhausted after the grand canyon hike, but it seems like the JMT doesn't have quite the same extreme of an elevation gain over a short distance (it was 5,000' gain over 5 miles each way)
That's a damn good question! You know...the JMT is similar in the way that it's very exposed and dry. And you're right about the elevation gain - I usually was doing close to 5k every day over 18-23 miles. I think if you completed R2R2R in two days, you would do great on the JMT....just have to do that over 200 some miles and at altitude, ya know?
And I actually haven't hiked R2R2R so I'm super jealous!!
@@ChadLubinski Well that's great to hear! It'll definitely be a different challenge in the sense that it's more of an endurance trail. So while I may be able to do R2R2R in 2 days, can I do something maybe not as grueling but still close but for a longer period of time. And from what I can gather online, it looks like JMT is at average around 9,000' or so above sea level? I think grand canyon was something like 6,000' and even that had me feeling the effects since I was coming from sea level training. Thanks for the response!
@@chickenofthecave1406 Exactly! The elevation kicked my ass the first 3 days, then I got used to it. And you're absolutely correct about it being just a longer period time of suffering lol. However, you can really make it as easy or hard as you want. 14 days to complete it for me going Northbound was tough, but there was also people that did it in 21 days and didn't perceive it the way I did ya know?!
Hi! Do you have a video on the gear you brought for the JMT? My friend & I are wanting to hike it in the next couple of years & are curious about UL tents in particular. I have GG "The one", but it's recently aquired & untested as of yet. Worried about it holding up in thunderstorms even though the reviews for it say it handles storms well. Any tent recommendations? Thanks in advance!
Hey whats up! Great question..here's an article I wrote on it:
hikertrashnation.com/nobo-jmt-gear-list/
Funny you mention the GG The One - I literally just bought it. From what I read, you just need to be selective in where you're positioning your tent in accordance to the wind IE: place it in the most wind protected place possible and it seems like it should be fine? I will say that most storms occur in the early afternoon, so you're usually still hiking.
Curious to see how it works out for us this summer! I'm happy you guys are taking on the JMT!!
@@ChadLubinski Perfect- thanks so much! I'll check the list link out. I agree on the GG tent, position seems to be the biggest "must" I've come across in the reviews. Excellent news on the storms predominately being mid-day versus at night. Thanks for all the info & happy hiking!
Bring only what you need and keep it light. As much fail safe equipment as possible. End your days after going up and start your days going down. Best campsites are upper elevation.
I thought I saw your name in JMT group on Facebook. Great tips, man! What time would you say is the earliest to start ascending Mt Whitney and how long did it take you?
Cheers,
Chris
You bet! A ton of people start at like 4am to hit sunrise. It really depends on where you're camped at though and what you want to see.
I started at about 800am at Crabtree (about 7.5 miles away) , summited around 1250, back at Crabtree around 5:00pm. I was dicking around filming a bit but that was all mostly hiking. I also left most of my gear (tent, etc) at Crabtree and only took what I needed for the day.
There was a very real threat of a tstorm when I went up and we were just fortunate that it was a few miles away. I would definitely recommend summitting earlier than I did so your trip doesn't get ruined by something like that!
@@ChadLubinski Awesome, thank you! Now, if I only can get my hands on those permits which I think is gonna be the worst next season since we have covid and people are looking into their backyards to do something.
@@chrisnigul have you considered the NOBO route? You’re pretty much guaranteed a permit....real talk. I have a vid on it!
@@ChadLubinski Yeah, I've watched all your videos 😅. I'm planning on popping the question on Mt Whitney as it's the end of our adventure.
@@chrisnigul , that would be an awesome proposal. On my summit of Mt. Whitney in 2019, I witnessed a wedding at the summit. Pretty magical stuff.
Just a difference of opinion, I used Ultra Lone Peaks on the JMT, did not use gators, and did not have any issues. My theory is that I tie my shoes very snug, very little room for sand and rocks to enter. My son and wife did use gators.
yeah it didn't matter for me if my shoes were tied tight or now...I seemed to flip sand up and into them with that little thing that overhands the back of the shoe
im glad ur view of the trail wasnt totatlly scewed from ur trip 😊.
it is amazing to me how many people wear ' to lite ' of a shoe for THAT trail 😮😢. glad u made the point of gaiters !!! i live ib the s.w desert and they ( gaitors ) r a MUST !! some places knee hi nes r the way 2 go. but the little
ones r good 4 the jmt !! never thot of them as NOT being manly😅.
ATB ,, n keep rocking those trails !!! ps.. i used 2 live in the pnw. Vancouver,WA. PNW IS THE BOMB !!!!!!!!!!!
Omg this was so good. Gaiters!!! I saw only a few others wearing them and they were so useful!!!! We got through the entire trail 20 days and didn’t hit any rain. We got so lucky and we started July 25. We were totally one of those starting at 8 am lol
Great advice and now I want to do it again!
Hey Jen, glad you liked it and congrats on the finish!!! Any thru hikes on the agenda this year?!
I found this trail on a beginner backpacking suggestion site 😂 You make seem rough af
Haha. Yeah..the reality is that you can make it as challenging as you'd like depending on how many miles you plan to do every day and when you need to finish. My 14 days going northbound are surely going to be different than someone who takes 28 days and starts in Yosemite.
Lol i feel the chapstick reccomendation... I did the HST and didn't bother to bring chapstick. it got so bad I couldn't smile 😂
It's a special kind of torture 😂
How heavy was your pack for the jmt ?
It was quite heavy honestly. Around 35lbs for most of it? I had a 8.5 day food carry + a bear can when I started out (I DO NOT recommend that long of a food carry) that almost killed me
@@ChadLubinski do u recommend a tent? I’m trying to save weight with a bivy sack
@@user-nd9re8vr6l I recently picked up the Gossamer Gear the One for the Colorado Trail and really liked it! Very light, fully enclosed. You use trekking poles to pitch it
What did you guys learn from your trip along the John Muir Trail?? Anything similar?!
📌 Get a FREE customizable copy of my exact JMT itinerary here:
unique-innovator-6945.ck.page/7f645a94d3
1. Altitude: I had one more night at 9.000 ft, and one more day from HM to Mt. Whitney. No altitude problem at all. But this varies from person to person.
Water on Mt. Whitney: YES. I had 3 l on my start in the early morning.
Electrolytes: YES. Was missing enough salt.
2. Gaiters: no. I did not use gaiters, Altra 4.0 and DT socks, no issues, no blister.
3. Chapstick: had one, but did not use it. No need.
4. Wide brim hat and T shirt. Late starter.
5. inReach mini with Expedition plan.
6. I planned slow at 10 miles/day, and made it.
7. Very few thunderstorms (only one with hail and lots of rain, but over after
I learned I can resupply smart. I didnt resupply and brought 14 days of food in my pack. Learned tricks about condensation and getting my sleeping bag less wet. And might use sun blocker next time. Was not to bad on my skin but definitely help. Learned what to do when get stock in a hail storm. Learned to careful if get late night at withney portal. Is bears around specially close to the restroom and trash cans
@@Element_lifestyle what did you learn for the condensation and keeping your sleeping bag dry?? I’m working on that myself!!
@@Element_lifestyle OMG 14 days?!?! What was that like to carry?!
1) Pay attention to the PCT thru hikers you share the trail with. They are up and gone (barely a memory) by the time we awoke each morning. 2) Plan on a 1.5 - 2.0 mph average pace and use this to plan overall time req'd and distance between resupply's. Plan food consumption carefully. Food is fuel but your appetite will be lower; we took too much (food is also weight). Some take too little food, and there are few access/egress trails to the JMT to "pop over the hill" to the eastern side to get more. 3) you will consume more water than you think. I carried 2 liter bottles and never overlooked an opportunity to top them off. Water access varies greatly from one year to the next. 4) When packing for the trip, if you think you "might" need an item - leave it at home; despite claims to the contrary everything weighs something.
I got a freikin permit from happy isles !!! Starting on 15th of June ⛽️🤲🏼
YES!!!! Pumped for you!
Is it a carryover from last year... Covid and all???
@@johnanderson8096 nope it’s a new permit :) they are issuing regular permits
@@eitansalama2921 Thanks for the reply...
NOBO May 31 Start date from Cottowood Lakes
Nice!! Got some snow travel?!
I JUST bought Burt’s Bees unscented chapstick 😂 thank you, Chad. I’ll ditch it
hahahahaha noooo!!!!!! 😂
IMO the MOST important one is ............................... ALTITUDE IS NO JOKE. I do fairly well with altitude, but it WILL slow almost everyone down and it does incapacitate some people.
Completely. Went up to 10,500 yesterday and earned a nice headache!!!
Great video, go badgers!
on wisconsin!
Let’s see that JMT tattoo!
hahaha!
Diamox is not a "just in case" medication. You take it a couple days before going to altitude to help your body adjust. It is not a relief aid.
I used it as just in case in my case because I didn't want the negative side effects if it turned out that I didn't need.
Chad: what big Agness tent did you bring on the JMT?
Hey man! I brought the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2!
The biggest thing with altitude for me was the nauseousness. At every meal I nearly had to force myself to eat, and could rarely eat all that I portioned myself to eat. Chapstick is a must, I didn’t bring any on my first hike it was miserable. I recommend pants and a sun shirt at all times. I also like early mornings, sometimes as early as 530, or for first light. Take a siesta in midday heat in the shade. In regards to the storms, it is a trend for the last few years, possibly due to climate change, the monsoon season from the desert is getting progressively worse year by year, especially from early June through mid august. Don’t be lured into thinking that this is an easy hike from all the shiny happy people making TH-cam videos about it. This is a hard trail.
Couldn't have said it better 👍👍
Burt’s bees has been deemed as the worst chapstick lol. They’ve done studies
I wasn’t aware of that but I do believe it!! Lol!
Looks like you had good UL gear and you know what you're doing, thus, it's amazing to me that you would undertake this hike without seeming to have prepared or become familiar with the trail. And you even joined the JMT FB group. Dude, what happened? A few factual notes: Horseshoe Meadows is at 10K. The altitude going NOBO from Horseshoe is no joke. You get high fast and stay there. Electrolytes don't address altitude; water does. Tylenol can help. You don't take Diamox AFTER you have AMS; you take it two days before going to altitude. Burt's Bees has no sunscreen. Of course the trail is exposed; it's mostly above tree line. You expected cell service in the back country? It is most likely NOT going to storm every day. The Sierra do experience periods of monsoonal flow during summer, and when that happens, yes, you will get rain or hail, thunder and lightning every day until the flow endsa. But if you look at seasonal weather patterns, rain is the exception, not the rule.Finally, if people are going to use Guthook (now called Farout), yjru need to have a charger pack keep their phone charged. Hopefully others can learn from this.
Wow James..thank you so much for taking 8 minutes out of your life to rehash the entire point of this video lol
Great video, Chad. I would add for those in early season : Do not underestimate how much snow you can face as late as July in a big snow year and how dangerous the stream crossings can be. Snow spikes virtually essential for safe travel in big snow years. In the High Sierra you do not underestimate the Sun, Storms, Snow or Water though you can have a benign trip too after a dry winter and think it was all hype. There can also be devastating heat, sun and snow in the same day on the same pass with a gnarly stream crossing with high water being the number one cause of fatalities... ;)
100% agree...even in my limited experience in the Sierra. Thanks John!!!
If you hike SOBO you naturally acclimate to the elevation by the time you get to Whitney.
yup
Great video. Thank you! But that title. Come on man. You didn't know that it was sunny and you needed neck protection and that you needed Chapstick that was spf. Really?!
It sure appears that way, doesn’t it?
Hello the JMT Happy Isles trail head gets jammed packed going up the mist trail grueling with the tourists stopping for photos opportunity and who can blame them it’s Truly beautiful but nobody really mentions the mass crowds that you will be walking with a 30-35 lb backpack side by side with day use people.and when I picked up the permit either did the rangers. Then when I went to park the car in the near curry village gravel parking lot which was extremely difficult to find a spot especially on a Saturday morning even though I had a permit. The ranger told us not to even leave a stick of gum in the car. I threw out so much stuff meanwhile there bear boxes in the parking lot I wish I would of known that. The rangers never even mentioned that. It storm when I got to top. I’m not giving up I’m going to try next year and I’m going to try a different trail head not Happy isle. I’m grateful that I did get an opportunity to go I’ll know better for my next adventure. Thank you for sharing your experience
UW ♥️
U dub!!
Looking forward to your training video.
you bet!!