Re: TR: Southern JMT on the brink of winter, October 2018
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:48 pm
Thanks for posting and letting others know of the difficulties of October hiking.
In August I did almost exactly the same route--to begin with. Also camping at Kearsarge, also camping about 11100 or 11200 north of Forester, also camping at Tyndall Creek. I recognized all the spots from your very nice photography.
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... ge#p138998
I also had to cut days shorter than I wanted to--like you I camped north of Forester because of a storm. But I was able to continue on since I did not have the extreme cold, and I had a device to signal changes in plans if I decided to stay in longer.
If I were a relative newcomer to the SIerra and I read your trip report, here are some lessons I might take away:
1) It is easy to overestimate the distances you can hike when not accounting for the effects of elevation, weather, and lack of daylight on your pace.
2) Constant cold is a big psychological problem. Having enough clothing (even two sleeping bags!) will keep you alive but it might not make for a pleasant trip when it gets and stays cold constantly.
3) My decision to take a device to signal home for changes in plans is reinforced. Having to get out by a certain day to avoid causing a panic can put pressure on decision making.
4) Flexibility and having an early exit plan are very very good ideas.
5) October photography can be very beautiful.
6) Shepherd Pass is not high on my list of trails to hike.
You are mostly correct, by the way, about the "Elk" carcasses--but did get the species wrong. There is another thread on this site that explains what happened--and also on Bishop Pass.
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... ath+bishop
https://sierrabighorn.blogspot.com/2017 ... ref=fb&m=1
Herds of deer attempted to cross the passes when they were filled with snow unseasonably late due to the prior big winter, and they slipped and died on the rocks below. More than 40 deaths on Shepherd Pass and more than 70 in Bishop Pass. These mass deer kills are a phenomenon that has repeated a few times over the decades under exactly the wrong conditions. Those deer had been dead for about one year when you came across them.
All in all, your post shows a very healthy attitude and a lot of resilience. You appear to have had a beautiful trip despite the cold and the change in plans. And you are right to be proud of that night photo of Kearsarge Lakes!
In August I did almost exactly the same route--to begin with. Also camping at Kearsarge, also camping about 11100 or 11200 north of Forester, also camping at Tyndall Creek. I recognized all the spots from your very nice photography.
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... ge#p138998
I also had to cut days shorter than I wanted to--like you I camped north of Forester because of a storm. But I was able to continue on since I did not have the extreme cold, and I had a device to signal changes in plans if I decided to stay in longer.
If I were a relative newcomer to the SIerra and I read your trip report, here are some lessons I might take away:
1) It is easy to overestimate the distances you can hike when not accounting for the effects of elevation, weather, and lack of daylight on your pace.
2) Constant cold is a big psychological problem. Having enough clothing (even two sleeping bags!) will keep you alive but it might not make for a pleasant trip when it gets and stays cold constantly.
3) My decision to take a device to signal home for changes in plans is reinforced. Having to get out by a certain day to avoid causing a panic can put pressure on decision making.
4) Flexibility and having an early exit plan are very very good ideas.
5) October photography can be very beautiful.
6) Shepherd Pass is not high on my list of trails to hike.
You are mostly correct, by the way, about the "Elk" carcasses--but did get the species wrong. There is another thread on this site that explains what happened--and also on Bishop Pass.
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... ath+bishop
https://sierrabighorn.blogspot.com/2017 ... ref=fb&m=1
Herds of deer attempted to cross the passes when they were filled with snow unseasonably late due to the prior big winter, and they slipped and died on the rocks below. More than 40 deaths on Shepherd Pass and more than 70 in Bishop Pass. These mass deer kills are a phenomenon that has repeated a few times over the decades under exactly the wrong conditions. Those deer had been dead for about one year when you came across them.
All in all, your post shows a very healthy attitude and a lot of resilience. You appear to have had a beautiful trip despite the cold and the change in plans. And you are right to be proud of that night photo of Kearsarge Lakes!