Jimmy ! Missed you and Michael so much ! Sorry you've been sick hope your well now. Truly enjoy all your videos plz stay on top of your game ... you have us fans on the sidelines :D
Hi Jimmy. I'm glad you're back. My son and I are doing the JMT NOBO this July. Your JMT trip with your brother last year inspired me to do it. I look forward to more of your vids. Take care.
Just catching up. 1. Still super impressed at the quality and clarity of your shots, all the way through. 2. Glad you're feeling better and able to get out and backpack. Being sick that long is horrible! Hope you're nearly 100%. Also, you guys are some badasses doing that kind of weather on so many occasions.
Great videos, and I appreciate the Excel sheet. Do you ever post Excel Sheets of the foods you eat? I especially like to see g/cal on high cal foods you eat for those 20 mile days on long trips.
Glad to find that you're making use of the spreadsheets I post up! I wasn't as thorough with this food list as I normally am given it was just such a short trip, but it's normally at the bottom of the sheet below the gear. Check out my JMT video (and posted files in the video description) for full logistics and food packing.
Touno Not much to say that’s not in my review, other than: there aren’t a lot of external straps so this is not the ideal pack if you intend to carry a lot of big volume items that would exceed 60L. If you had a big 4 season tent and a foam pad and wanted to go on a week-long trip, you’ll have to get creative.
Thanks. I'm always open to replacing my gear with something more suitable (and I try to stay current with what's being offered), but I do have to unashamedly give myself a pat on the back for what I said in my review of the FC. After another year of use since the review, there's nothing I would correct from my original sentiments. I would add that I'm really liking the "updated" hipbelt, which contours better to my body.
Nice video. Glad that you're feeling better and back out there. On the topic of the Mountaineer's Route, please do not underestimate the dangers--bet you already know this. Find someone (a friend?) with solid mountaineering experience to teach you and guide you. And if you haven't perused it already, I would strongly recommend that you get yourself a copy of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. It'll serve you well for years to come.
trailkrum Good advice, thanks. Our friend Kevin has been really helpful through this process and has continued to emphasize the risks and factors that go into any kind of mountaineering trip. We’ll see how things look for Whitney but we’re ready to pull the plug / turn around if things are beyond our comfort. Lots for me to learn here - it’s not remotely the same as 3 season backpacking or winter camping. Appreciate you looking out (and just received the book so will be doing lots of reading/learning)
Also, would you like to share with the Interwebz some of your past experiences? I can tell you’ve acquired a lot of knowledge and your comments have always been constructive and measured.
That's kind of you to say, though I am not sure who the Interwebz are. I have a fair share of experience, but in no way do I consider myself an expert. More so like you, I am a nerd about all things hiking and to a lesser degree mountaineering. Other than taking Wilderness First Aid courses, I am self-taught learning from the likes of Andrew Skurka and personal experience, e.g. I nearly died in a lightning storm on White Mtn Peak. I now know enough to better anticipate potentially tragic outcomes, e.g. lightning storms on ridges, river fords during peak snowmelt, etc. And I still learn more everyday, including from content such as what you put out.
Specifically with regards to the mountaineer's route up Mt Whitney, the last 400 ft are pretty exposed. Make sure you are used to having a big void behind you while executing technical movements. In a lower snow year, I would be concerned about mixed climbing conditions: rock partly covered in ice. In addition, wherever you think that you will be requiring an ice axe is likely a no-fall zone. On a slope of 25deg or more it is very difficult to self arrest with a pack on given how fast your body will be accelerating downhill--this is assuming that you can instinctually self-arrest and are holding your ice axe correctly. At best, the ice axe will give you balance and enable you to "self-belay". Lastly, if you are roped up, you will most likely drag with you the other members, and at any rate, the merits of a moving belay are questionable given the poor holding power of snow anchors. It is best to NOT rope up. I hiked the HST last June with my brother during peak melt off. We did some off-trail hiking through the Miter and up Mt Langley. I had to read extensively about mountain traverses specifically on a deteriorating snow cover. My advice to you if you want a "Winter" ascent is to: 1) go when the snow cover is still good, 2) trust your gut instincts early on before it's too late, 3) go with folks who's judgement you can truly hang your life on, and 3-4) make sure your technical skills are sharp and fitness level well exceeds the demands of the climb (all the mistakes happen when you're tired). Alternative B: wait until July to have a snow/ice free climb, which will be safer, though still a nice adventure. The downside being is the off course the lottery.
Thanks for the detail there, it coincides well with what my friend Kevin has been telling me and the underwhelming amount of research that I've done to date. To me, the takeaway for mountaineering is: bring your A game but remember that the objective of mountaineering is to make it home safely.
Sorry but we can't hear what you're saying if you talk while walking crunching snow under your steps, also if you add music too loud over what you were saying in the tent. About peeing, keep a peeing bottle in the tent so you don't have to get out every time you need to go, then empty in morning, keep bottle just for that purpose. For women a peeing tupperware with lid. Thanks for sharing your expedition. Cheers
Concur. My feet don't leave my sleeping bag. I buy the plastic bags in this link...the middle size. Do it carefully....LOL. This is gross, but I put the warm pee bags in my boots. Ensures they don't tip over & keeps the boots warm. Or, you could merely pour them out into the snow. www.packitgourmet.com/Cook-in-Bag.html
nice video, well edited and the music really added to the ambience
Nice video. I am looking forward to watching your Mt Whitney climb. Good luck!
Glad your better...such a beautiful place,look forward to more vids.
Nice videography. Hope you stay well and are able to get out continue making great videos such as this.
That looks well cold there...your brave putting up with it.
Jimmy ! Missed you and Michael so much ! Sorry you've been sick hope your well now. Truly enjoy all your videos plz stay on top of your game ... you have us fans on the sidelines :D
Good to see you back !
Hi Jimmy. I'm glad you're back. My son and I are doing the JMT NOBO this July. Your JMT trip with your brother last year inspired me to do it. I look forward to more of your vids. Take care.
greatthings4US You’ll have a splendid time! So jealous!
Just catching up.
1. Still super impressed at the quality and clarity of your shots, all the way through.
2. Glad you're feeling better and able to get out and backpack. Being sick that long is horrible! Hope you're nearly 100%. Also, you guys are some badasses doing that kind of weather on so many occasions.
Hey! You are in my neck of the woods! I did the hike to Aloha Lake a couple of years back.
Wow...good quality
Fantastic music selection! Great video too!
Generally, whenever I do this trip, I go over the ice. It makes the trek much shorter.
Great videos, and I appreciate the Excel sheet. Do you ever post Excel Sheets of the foods you eat? I especially like to see g/cal on high cal foods you eat for those 20 mile days on long trips.
Glad to find that you're making use of the spreadsheets I post up! I wasn't as thorough with this food list as I normally am given it was just such a short trip, but it's normally at the bottom of the sheet below the gear. Check out my JMT video (and posted files in the video description) for full logistics and food packing.
Where did you park. Sno park?
I just purchased a flex capacitor a couple days ago. Can you speak on how it is for Winter backpacking/camping?
Touno Not much to say that’s not in my review, other than: there aren’t a lot of external straps so this is not the ideal pack if you intend to carry a lot of big volume items that would exceed 60L. If you had a big 4 season tent and a foam pad and wanted to go on a week-long trip, you’ll have to get creative.
Hiking Nerd excellent! Thanks for the prompt reply
Really enjoyable. Loved the shots of the second morning. Still liking your Flex Capacitor?
Thanks. I'm always open to replacing my gear with something more suitable (and I try to stay current with what's being offered), but I do have to unashamedly give myself a pat on the back for what I said in my review of the FC. After another year of use since the review, there's nothing I would correct from my original sentiments. I would add that I'm really liking the "updated" hipbelt, which contours better to my body.
It looked beautifull. Thanks!
Nice video. Glad that you're feeling better and back out there.
On the topic of the Mountaineer's Route, please do not underestimate the dangers--bet you already know this. Find someone (a friend?) with solid mountaineering experience to teach you and guide you. And if you haven't perused it already, I would strongly recommend that you get yourself a copy of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. It'll serve you well for years to come.
trailkrum Good advice, thanks. Our friend Kevin has been really helpful through this process and has continued to emphasize the risks and factors that go into any kind of mountaineering trip. We’ll see how things look for Whitney but we’re ready to pull the plug / turn around if things are beyond our comfort.
Lots for me to learn here - it’s not remotely the same as 3 season backpacking or winter camping. Appreciate you looking out (and just received the book so will be doing lots of reading/learning)
Also, would you like to share with the Interwebz some of your past experiences? I can tell you’ve acquired a lot of knowledge and your comments have always been constructive and measured.
That's kind of you to say, though I am not sure who the Interwebz are. I have a fair share of experience, but in no way do I consider myself an expert. More so like you, I am a nerd about all things hiking and to a lesser degree mountaineering. Other than taking Wilderness First Aid courses, I am self-taught learning from the likes of Andrew Skurka and personal experience, e.g. I nearly died in a lightning storm on White Mtn Peak. I now know enough to better anticipate potentially tragic outcomes, e.g. lightning storms on ridges, river fords during peak snowmelt, etc. And I still learn more everyday, including from content such as what you put out.
Specifically with regards to the mountaineer's route up Mt Whitney, the last 400 ft are pretty exposed. Make sure you are used to having a big void behind you while executing technical movements. In a lower snow year, I would be concerned about mixed climbing conditions: rock partly covered in ice. In addition, wherever you think that you will be requiring an ice axe is likely a no-fall zone. On a slope of 25deg or more it is very difficult to self arrest with a pack on given how fast your body will be accelerating downhill--this is assuming that you can instinctually self-arrest and are holding your ice axe correctly. At best, the ice axe will give you balance and enable you to "self-belay". Lastly, if you are roped up, you will most likely drag with you the other members, and at any rate, the merits of a moving belay are questionable given the poor holding power of snow anchors. It is best to NOT rope up. I hiked the HST last June with my brother during peak melt off. We did some off-trail hiking through the Miter and up Mt Langley. I had to read extensively about mountain traverses specifically on a deteriorating snow cover. My advice to you if you want a "Winter" ascent is to: 1) go when the snow cover is still good, 2) trust your gut instincts early on before it's too late, 3) go with folks who's judgement you can truly hang your life on, and 3-4) make sure your technical skills are sharp and fitness level well exceeds the demands of the climb (all the mistakes happen when you're tired). Alternative B: wait until July to have a snow/ice free climb, which will be safer, though still a nice adventure. The downside being is the off course the lottery.
Thanks for the detail there, it coincides well with what my friend Kevin has been telling me and the underwhelming amount of research that I've done to date. To me, the takeaway for mountaineering is: bring your A game but remember that the objective of mountaineering is to make it home safely.
Sorry but we can't hear what you're saying if you talk while walking crunching snow under your steps, also if you add music too loud over what you were saying in the tent. About peeing, keep a peeing bottle in the tent so you don't have to get out every time you need to go, then empty in morning, keep bottle just for that purpose. For women a peeing tupperware with lid. Thanks for sharing your expedition. Cheers
Concur. My feet don't leave my sleeping bag. I buy the plastic bags in this link...the middle size. Do it carefully....LOL. This is gross, but I put the warm pee bags in my boots. Ensures they don't tip over & keeps the boots warm. Or, you could merely pour them out into the snow. www.packitgourmet.com/Cook-in-Bag.html