JMT Planning 3 – PERMIT!!!

25 days applying at the Yosemite Wilderness Permit to go Southbound – Unsuccessful
Mt. Whitney lottery with 15 option days to go northbound – Unsuccessful

Applying to go Northbound from Horseshoe Meadows – Cottonwood Pass to Yosemite visiting Mt. Whitney – SUCCESS!!!!!

I had an idea that the permit process might take some time but I had no idea that it was going to be this bad. Once I have received multiple denied requests for permits and was trying not to get to discouraged, I decided to apply for the Mt. Whitney permit lottery.   This would start at the south end of the JMT and head north. It is not my ideal plan because I would like time to acclimatize, end at the top of Mt. Whitney, and resupplying would be easier but I feel like it may be my only option. The lottery permit for Whitney was pretty easy to fill out and I could put down 15 different options in 1 application so I felt pretty good about it.  From the time the lottery closes until you find out if you get it is 9 long days… to make sure the next plan will work!  I woke up and immediately checked the recreation.org page to see if I had gotten my Mt. Whitney permit.  As soon as I unsuccessful I pulled out my laptop and found an available date for Cottonwood pass. Filled out everything I needed, paid, and done!  It was that easy to get this permit.  If you want to save yourself some stress and time… just plan to go northbound from here! 

So what’s next…

Start walking/backpacking more
Do a rough plan of my miles/camps for each day
Figure out food plan/resupply


I knew this would be happening this year and super excited I have a plan!

JMT Planning 2 - My Great Gear debate

This is likely the HARDEST decision I am making for this trip! I have the excel chart with everything that I think I need/want to take and likely some things I will want to drop off. Everything has its weight in ounces. There are very few things that I am extremely confident on.

Of course I have color coded my chart! J The main things I am pretty set on include: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, down jacket, water purifier (with backup drops), my purple spork, shit shovel, umbrella, and headlamp. I am planning a more weekend backpacking trips which should help me with my gear list and becoming more confident in what I have and the weight. I have a 3 day weekend every other weekend so I can get some decent trips! If you have any suggestions for where to go please let me know! I am always open to new places (especially if the permit is VERY easy to get or if one is not needed).