Again, bumping my initial response, why not just start in Yosemite and head south on the JMT/PCT ???? If the weather happens to be lousy right when you start, you can reconsider. But good chance you'll have reasonable weather and you can get through the Sierra before real winter hits, then you're "home free", well, better off anyway.
I cannot believe the AZ trail will be nearly as enjoyable, but I'm basing that on 2nd hand information.
I wrote about the same thing as Rob but it got lost in the inter web someplace.
But. There's always a BUT, hey?
Resupply and seasonal closing of remote tourist businesses. Coupled with the pesky bear can requirements.
Since the good weather windows are about to slam shut for 2016, what happens if you wait for 2017?
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
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I'm just of the opinion that the JMT portion through the Sierra is still doable in October, which blows away pretty much everything anywhere in terms of shear beauty.
Venchka makes a good point though about available resupply services... Are we sure every place is closed in late October (reds, VVR, Muir Ranch, etc)?
A bump to stay inspired and motivated.
Have you estimated your first food carry south of Yosemite? Or the longest section between food sources?
Just curious. I'm too old to contemplate such things.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
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due*******
Depends on the food and the container. In theory, a Bearikade Expedition should hold more than 7 days + the first day that doesn't need to be in the can. Maybe someone with real world experience will shed light on the capacity of the Expedition.
Meanwhile, I have what I believe to be a week's worth of food in a bag that is the same dimensions as the Ursack Major with lots of room leftover.
Someday California may see the light.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace
I can just fit 8 days in a "standard" 700 ci canister (which the Expedition is, right?), but it takes some dense packing skills... like you have to repackage freeze-dried meals (and lots of other items) in zip locks, etc. For reference, I carry about 1.75 pounds of food a day.
Plus, as Wayne says, your first day doesn't need to be in canister, so if you do it right you can carry 8 days, perhaps even 9 (or 10?) on each resupply leg. Come to think of it, my wife and I shared a canister on a 6-day sierra trip (1st day not in canister), meaning 10-people-days in a canister is possible. But really tight. And you have to pack the first couple of days properly right at the top of the canister, because you don't want to have to re-pack out in the field until you have some free volume.
I am honestly nervous about being out there in October, but really want to be in the Sierras and NW Cali.
I can't post details for a couple of weeks , but it is possible to cram 9 nights of food into large bear cans.
You want want to choose your food carefully. For example, mac and cheese, with all the little air holes, is bad. Spaghetti is good.
Seven nights of (not too obsessively chosen) food in large can ---> image.jpeg
There are also bear boxes scattered in SEKI. It is possible to begin your hike so that you are camping near the boxes the first few nights. Warning: the bear boxes are not mouse proof and my sister lost a few meals on one trip.
Last edited by DLP; 08-23-2016 at 14:36.