As you start spending more time on the trail, you’ll quickly realize that Mountain House and other commercial backpacking meals get expensive really fast.
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Backpacking
Desolation Wilderness backpacking loop
My friend Joonas and I had been planning an early June trip to Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. We had a permit for June 4. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip.
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Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip with Andrew Skurka
For me, the best way to learn new skills is to work with experts. Most of my backpacking has been on established trails until now. I wanted to learn the skills needed to safely and confidently start planning my own off-trail adventures. Andrew Skurka is one of the backpackers who I’ve followed online for several years. I’ve learned a lot from his insightful articles and videos, so when I saw that he’s arranging guided trips, I knew I wanted to go on one.
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JMT: Crabtree Meadows to Mt. Whitney
Day 14 – 186miles, 4170ft ascent
I had prepared everything for the morning before going to bed. I’d gone through what I needed to do and in what order. I was packed up 20 minutes after my alarm went off. I even had time to have a quick coffee while I waited for Robbie to get ready.
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JMT: Forrester Pass and Crabtree Meadows
Day 13 – 19.5miles, 4000ft ascent
We woke up at 5. We wanted to get over Forrester Pass and Bighorn Plateau before any storms started forming.
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JMT: Rae Lakes and Glenn Pass
Day 12 – 16.3 miles, 4575ft ascent
I slept in until 6:30 and had breakfast before heading out. The day started out in deep, dark woods, but the views started opening up as I gained elevation.
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JMT: Palisade Lakes to the Woods Creek bridge
Day 11 – 21.1 miles, 3340ft ascent
My feet felt like lead after the previous day. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my breakfast and packed up camp just after seven and headed towards Mather pass.
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JMT: VVR to Senger Creek
Day 8 – 20.3 miles, 4400 ft ascent.
I woke up at 6, so I would have enough time to get everything in order before the morning ferry back to the other side of the lake. I packed up my tent and waited for the restaurant to open.
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JMT: Virginia Lake to VVR
Day 7 – 15.2 miles, 1900 ft ascent.
Even though I camped well above the lake, I woke up to a wet tent and quilt. The sun wasn’t hitting my campsite yet, so I packed up everything wet and got going. I figured I’d stop later to dry out everything.
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JMT: Red’s Meadow to Virginia Lake
Day 6 – 16.4 miles, 3800 ft ascent.
I didn’t sleep as well as I thought I would in a real bed. The AC and fridge were making a lot of noise. Especially to someone that’s gotten used to the quiet of the forest.
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