SHR North-South July 2015

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edhyatt
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

Post by edhyatt »

Thanks; I know how to take it (it is a private prescription in the UK and they make sure you know all about it before they will write one). I reckon I'll acclimatise on the TRT - if not OK after that I may use the Diamox.
Last edited by edhyatt on Sun Apr 26, 2015 9:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Wandering Daisy
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

Post by Wandering Daisy »

OK, I am not an acronym person - what is TRT? Tahoe Rim Trail??

Personally, I would slow down the first part of the High Route while you acclimate. By the way, legalities aside, your safety is number one. You are not going to be fined and thrown in jail if you have to set up camp along that long stretch north of Tioga Pass that is designated as a "day-use" area. The route finding is really tricky and that may slow you down too. Twice on the route, I camped in technically "illegal" areas - both times it would have been unsafe to continue. Obviously you plan to camp in legal spots, but I would never let that enter into safety decisions. Same with staying "exactly" on route. A few of the passes really need to be detoured or delayed if conditions are poor. No way am I going to be on one of those passes in a severe lightning storm! PS - do you have much lightning in Scottish highlands?

I would be equally concerned about jet-lag. I assume you are flying into Reno. Simply taking an easy day, sleeping a lot, and not even hiking, does wonders to acclimate. You do not want your "acclimation hike" to actually cause altitude sickness! One nice thing about starting in the north part, is that the altitudes are pretty moderate, compared to most of the Sierra. Everyone is different. I live at sea level and feel the altitude but do not get sick even if I hike the same day I drive to the trailhead. Others have a lot of trouble. Easy does it the first few days. That is one reason I did not like the idea of starting the SHR at Roads End.
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edhyatt
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

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Yes the TRT is the Tahoe Rim Trail. I'm doing that before heading off to the Sierra.

I hear you on the jet-lag; I am flying into Reno and will spend a couple of days there sorting gear, buying food, sorting bounce box and so on before I head off to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Then I am back with a few days before heading off to attempt the SHR (another acronym :whistle: ).

Thanks for the info. re: legality; the whole permit system, quotas, and 'camping' zone thing is not usual for a Brit.

I'm quite happy to deviate from my plans (often do) - as I see it the SHR is an 'idea', not a line on a map. There is little lightning of a serious nature like you guys have in Scotland - but I think I know what to look for - there were a lot of thunder-heads forming much of the time when I did the Colorado Trail in 2013.

Appreciate the help.
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

Post by Wandering Daisy »

Years ago I climbed with a gal from Scotland. She said a bad weather day in the Sierra is like a normal day in Scotland. We really are weather-wimps out here! Big difference in lightning in the Sierra vs. Rockies, is that the storms usually come in from the southwest in the Rockies. In the Sierra, monsoonal storms (usually of longer duration) come up from the south on the east side. Briefer storms are more likely to develop on the west side. So you can get hit from either side.

I got my permit from the Hoover Wilderness station just out of Bridgeport. I had two copies of my route plan for the entire trip. One gets attached to your permit and one stays in their office. If you do not offer this, it is a tedious process of hand-writing all the days on the permit form. It took me all of 5 minutes to get my permit. Another good reason to go north-to-south. Faster then permits issued from Roads End. The trail you start from is little used so there is no need to reserve a permit. The walk-in permits are free. The only reason I would ever reserve is if I planned to pick up the permit when the office was closed. Most FS offices will put the permit in an outside box to be picked up after hours. Good luck on your trip! If I see a bald Brit with a broken nose hitching at a trail head I will pick you up!
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edhyatt
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

Post by edhyatt »

Thanks for the heads-up on the storm patterns in the region - knew nothing about that. I'll put my plans into a more easy to follow format for when I try and get a permit.

Based on the advice proferred here I reckon I might spend (need or have to) more time on the trail and move my resupply options closer to trailheads; thanks all.

Ill be counting on that ride when hitching ;)
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edhyatt
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Re: SHR North-South July 2015

Post by edhyatt »

Thanks for all the advice.

Doing the Tahoe Rim Trail was a good idea - to dial my legs and lungs in.

Then about 15 days on a variant of the SHR, with a five-day stint on the JMT at the end.

Just about to fly back from Colorado having been to Wyoming and done the Wind Rivers High Route.

I know.....I have a few trip reports to write up.....

Approaching Bonneville Pass, Wind River Mountains
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