View Full Version : Jmt Sobo?
When is a good time to start NOBO?
Has anyone applied for the yosemite permit and then been a day late/early on arriving? What happens then? I read on the website you have to call even if you are going to arrive past 10am...
I want to go this year though, so I guess applying for yosemite permit ahead of time is out of the question anyway. I did read if you show up the day before sometimes they have permits.
Nevermind, seems I found an answer.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36673
According to MOWGLI they hold 40% for walk-up. Screw it. I'll just be there the minute the ranger station opens.
I had a permit for July 21, but am scrapping it for a walk up about 4-5 days later. I can't wait to hit the trail again.
Enjoy your hike!
I feel like such an idiot. I don't know why I thought Mt.Whitney was above Yosemite. I guess thast what I get for not even looking at a map but just doing some light reading to coax my decision.
I want to go NOBO then. I have friends in San Jose (2.5hrs from Yosemite).
So in that case... whats a good time to start NOBO and WHY does it seem like nobody goes NOBO on JMT? But everyone goes NOBO for PCT?
fiddlehead
06-01-2008, 00:17
Probably because of the permit problem. (i guess peopel prefer to end their hike at the highest point in the lower 48) There are ways around this although i'd rather not discuss them publicly.
Many people want the Whitney permit.
I have done the trail both ways a few times. Either way is awesome.
Keep in mind they had a record snowfall this past winter and there will be lots of snow well past the normal snowmelt times. If you are ok with route finding and snow travel, that could be a plus. HOwever, on the dangerous side, fords will be tougher this year.
Above all: have fun on a great trail.
If you do the JMT NB you start at Whitney Portal and hike up Whitney your first or second day (I camped). I don't remember the name of the pass but there are 96 switchbacks before the 2-3 mile climb up to the peak. Not a hard hike, most go both ways in one day. Going SB is an easy climb out of Yosemite valley and lots of folks. As far as the PCT goes I guess NB is the preferred route due to snow conditions and timing to reach Canada (I'm doing it in sections will re-start at S. Lake Tahoe mid July). Awesome hike thru Yosemite on the JMT. Enjoy every mile!!!
How bad of snow? Say I left in two months? Ice axe bad? It's like low 60's in whitney right now according to weather.com cant say for up on the mountain, but i'd imagine there would be some melt. I think overall I'd be more worried about the fords like you said.
Ya know, if I have to I'll skip whitney and just climb it another time.
I did it in 1977 from Whitney Portal north. I kept going on the PCT in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite and finished my 300 mile hike at Sonora Pass just beyond the north boundary of Yosemite.
One consideration for doing it SOBO is you can break in easier and be in good shape when you get to Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs, where the altitude is seldom below 10K ft with 13-14K ft passes. The reason I did it NOBO had to do with transportation.
With an above report of record snowfall by fiddlehead, I'd wait until August to go. I did mine in July after an average snowfall year and still had some significant snow field traverses.