Got back from yosemite last week.
Great hike-- abbreviated a bit by smoke and forest fire that went out of control, cutting off our access to Yosemite Valley from Mammoth Lakes via shuttle.
I hiked 50 miles and had a blast -- we averaged 8-9 miles a day to our destination and then added a couple miles a day on top of that over 5 days.
Here is the biggest surprise: Felt stronger on the fifth day than the first.
Got great gear -- what took forever to decide on the right boots finally worked out great-- bought a pair of Scarpa Kailish GTC from Second Ascent in Ballard (n Seattle)
Dave T got me into toe socks, which I put another thin sock over and got the perfect fit.
Brennan at Second Ascent turned me onto some simple ways to tie my laces to my feet didn't slide going down hill.
and the poles I bought -- Life Links -- worked out great. Oh yeah-- body glide on my feet every day reduced friction.
And there is so much to see I do not recommend fastpacking this area of the world. Each 6-10 miles on the JMT has some cool country to check out, some beautiful flora and fauna, lakes or rivers to stare at, life's web to ponder. And side trails we found led us to glorious secluded camps we would never have found any other way.
Can't say enough about the good company I had with Tom and Hugh hiking with me.
We (being swimmers) all jumped in some mighty cold water on the trip-- but what did you expect from 8K-11K ft?
Going back for another leg-- 50 miles from Devil's Postpile to Florence Lake or further next year.
Can't say enough about back country in Yosemite, the forests, wilderness areas we hiked through. You gotta go!
