Hi all,
My uncle and I are hiking the northern half of the JMT in mid-September (Happy Isles to Muir Trail Ranch). Due to time constraints, we'll do the southern half in a year or two. I'm torn on shelter options, so I'd appreciate some advice.
Here are the options:
A) Hammock:
Advantages -- I love my hammock; far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.
Disadvantages -- While the northern half of the trail isn't as high as the southern half, I still could do some hiking above the tree line. Even where there are trees, they tend to be widely spaced with massive trunks that are not conducive to hanging.
B) Shelter System (specifically, this system: http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com...ht-system.html but with an Echo I insert):
Advantages -- Flexibility; can cowboy with tarp, cowboy with tarp and beak, sleep with insert only, use all three, etc....
Disadvantages -- Need to be able to use stakes or this won't work; much of the JMT is rock.
C) Self-supporting tent (type not yet specified)
Advantage -- Can use this anywhere on the JMT.
Disadvantages -- Not as comfortable as hammock, not as flexible as shelter system, not nearly as good as the other options in the rain (not likely to be a big problem on the JMT).
Thoughts?