u/hurricanescout

Hi folks, I’m considering taking an action camera with me on my upcoming SOBO hike. I’m into photography and videography and have just realized with the physical demands of the JMT (first thru hike), that I don’t want to bring either of my regular cameras. Normally I shoot with either a Sony RX100 or a Sony a6000. They’re both amazing cameras, but they’re fragile, and I don’t really want to deal with exposure bracketing to get photos I am happy with - on my shakedowns my iPhone 17e has gotten photos I’m happier with.

I know either of my regular cameras are technically far more capable than the 17e, I’ve just been struggling with blown/white sky and haven’t had the patience to get it right. With that in mind, two main questions:

- Is there a “set it and forget it” setting I can use on my Sony cameras that will let me compensate for the massive dynamic range of the sierras? Both cameras obviously are quite a bit older

- if you shot footage on the JMT using a DJI osmo action 4 and it’s posted anywhere, please drop a link or a username and platform. I’d love to see it. Don’t worry if it’s not edited or anything - if anything I would rather see some folks normal, regular video from the JMT rather than heavily edited influencer content!

Trying to pre order the alpha direct screeline hoody. It shows I can get it shipped to me directly by July 17 or to store by July 14. I would want it by the 14th for a backpacking trip.

Issue is when I go to check out, if I order for store pickup, it removes the item from my cart and says it’s no longer available. If I check out with it shipping to me, it lets me proceed.

Any idea why this is? Would a physical store or CS over the phone be able to help with this?

Trying to figure out if it’s an app glitch or the inventory for ship to store is actually depleted (tho can’t think why that would be bc I’ve replicated the issue with a variety of colors and sizes, and tried both men’s and women’s).

If he’s gonna sign for the minimum, why not just go spend all season long on a bunch of ten days around the league. Then at the signing deadline, sign for the minimum for a 15th roster spot with whoever he thinks has the best chance. Would be wild, but really, what’s the difference for him if he’s gonna take the minimum? Only downside is “legacy”, but I’d argue that while sure a championship won this way will have an asterix next to it, but if the alternative is not having a fifth one, who cares?

Why bet on a group in September that could be blown up in Feb by a Nico-esq owner, or take the chance on a Wemby ACL? Same structure that g-leaguers do. Never been done before but why tf not? Is there a CBA reason he couldn’t do it?

🍿🍿🍿🍿

Hoping some more experienced thru hikers can help me out with this. After a nightmare trying to find footwear that worked for me for the JMT, I found the Topo Terraventure 5 and feel in love immediately. I hate the feeling of super soft cushioning, and they seem to cause me to fatigue worse than something solid and steady like the terraventure.

I did a good amount of training in them with my pack on flat ground and doing box stepups and other strength work and they did great, so I took them out on the trail. Also with weighted pack (35lbs, my max carry and what I train with), on a short, steep local trail. 1.5 miles round trip and +/- 700 feet elevation gain. Again they felt great, but afterwards it felt like the soles of my feet had been absolutely pummeled. No visible bruising, but that’s how it felt. The second and third times I went out I was more careful to step softly and be more intentional at what I stepped on. My feet are still tender about a week later (possibly from that first attempt, I’ve done it 3 times now), but not extremely sore. I’m concerned though about what this means for the JMT itself and how to protect my feet as the miles accumulate. I’m still using the stock insoles, bc I actually really like them.

Is this the kind of thing that improves as my feet toughen up? Or is the kind of thing where I need to get a thicker / sturdier insole, or thicker socks (currently using ultralight darn tough and could switch to lightweight darn tough) to give myself a little more protection?

Hi folks, my iceline poles are arriving tomorrow and CANNOT wait….. and I’m a little nervous. Bc I’m really inexperienced with trekking poles. I finally tried some on my last backpacking trip, a set of Trekology poles, and they were so transformative for my backpacking that I was finally sold on using them. The issue with the Trekology was other than being so hard to set up (the mechanism was physically tough to manipulate), they were so heavy I felt my arms and biceps straining on steep climbing. On the other hand, they were bomb proof and I didn’t need to worry about them. Enter icelines.

With that in mind, I’m a bit nervous to get out there with the Icelines mostly because I don’t know what I don’t now about how to take care of them, what they can withstand, things to look out for etc. I def know that if I feel them caught in a rock that I need to not push on bc they could shatter. But what else do I need to know?

Specifically wondering about river and stream crossings on the JMT, because I’ll need to use them for stability there, but I won’t have full visibility into where they’re planted. The other thing I’m wondering about is if the grip can take a small GoPro silicone mount? so I can use it as a monopod for short video clips when I’m not hiking. This second one isn’t essential, but I assume if the grip can take the pressure of my hands and arms when I’m hiking it can have a small silicon mount when I’m not!

Know this gets asked regularly, but ‘tis the season after all, and (hopefully) conditions are changing.

Anyone got new reports from Sunrise and/or Cathedral Lakes on the mosquito situation? Hoping for updates from this weekend (June 27/28).

Had something weird happen with backpacking meals. I’ve made them before at sea level, so I know how they’re supposed to taste. Took them with me to 8500 and 9500 feet. I followed the instructions to allow additional time (double, iirc) for them to rehydrate. The meals were Farm to Summit Green Chile Mac and cheese, and Backpackers Pantry pad Thai.

Both times, once the food was rehydrated sufficient to eat, there was still a huge amount of excess water left in the pouch.

What was likely my issue? Did I need to keep the food pouch warmer with a cozy? (It wasn’t cold at all, in the 70s) Use a little less water at elevation? Did they need even *more* time to fully absorb the water?

Beyond asking for current mosquito conditions, can someone explain to me (for planning purposes) how the cycle and pattern with mosquitos works? I understand they breed around standing water during the snow melt, and that June is often terrible, but what I don’t get is how to plan backpacking around them during the season.

Eg I was just at Cathedral Lakes, around 9500 feet and they were vicious. But in Tuolumne around 8500 there were hardly any. Why would that be the case? Is it relative to their breeding cycle and when the snow melted? And if I was encountering intense mosquitos around 9500 feet, would I have generally likely been able to avoid them at most locations around 8500 feet?

And sorry for the noob question, but what makes them disappear in say, July or August?

Wondering if some other thru hikers can help me decide a merino sun hoody for the JMT. I know it will be warmer, but it can double as my sleeping base layer if I need it and the odor benefits are high priority! (I make synthetic stink just looking at it in my normal life). I’m debating between the redesigned Smartwool merino hoody and the z packs one.

The issue with z packs is I can’t try it on to see in person first so I have a few questions - basically how is the quality control on it? Do you find the zipper stays up or does it tend to creep down? How was the sun protection performance overall?

Planning my layers for a July 16 SOBO departure. Wondering how often folks felt like they needed insulation while moving? I generally hike in a long sleeved sun hoodie, but wondering whether I’m likely to want insulation for while active eg climbing Whitney for sunrise. To be clear I’m bringing a puffy for mornings and evenings in camp, this question is about layers for while moving.

My current setup is merino sun hoodie + mh ghost whisperer for insulation + OR helium for rain/wind shell. The question is really do I add a lightweight fleece to have something breathable and warm while hiking.

ETA thank you to those of you wrecking my GAS and desire for an alpha fleece layer 🙊😂🤭

Wondering if folks have thoughts on the itineraries I’m considering for a two night backpacking trip from Cathedral Lakes? I only have two nights total, and one car, so tacking on a night in YV and using the hikers bus for a one way itinerary isn’t the best use of time bc of the bus schedule. I really want to spend one night camped at Upper Cathedral Lake for sunset/sunrise photography.

Debating using Cathedral Lakes as a base camp and doing a day hike (recommendations?), or on day 2 continuing to Sunrise lakes for night 2, exit at Tenaya and then hitch back to car at Cathedral Lakes trailhead (may leave the car at Tenaya and hitch to Cathedral Lakes trailhead on day 1).

I know I’m limited by the combo of two nights total and wanting to spend a night by cathedral lakes itself. Other limitation is I don’t especially want to hitch from the valley to TM. Earliest I can get to the trailhead is 11am on Day 1, and have to leave by 11am-noon on Day 3, so those would be shorter hiking days, 4-6miles, and I could have a longer day on Day 2 - good with anywhere from 6-10 miles. Thanks in advance for any recs.

ETA: obvi realizing the title needed an edit since im not just considering out and back itineraries - Reddit won’t let me edit

Considering using the water taxi to get to upper echo lakes as a solo hiker but obvi it’s insanely expensive without others. Does it have a max capacity, and is it normal for solos to wait until others show up also wanting to use it to join them?Or does it tend to be more groups who want one water taxi to themselves?

Trying to figure out the best place to acclimate for Tioga Pass backpacking trips while the backpackers campground isn’t open yet. I’m coming from sea level, and ideally would spend one night around 8000-8500 feet before sleeping any higher.

Glen Aulin looks like a good backcountry option, as does Lyell Canyon, tho obviously acclimating in the backcountry then limits which trails / sights I head for after that. Happy Isles past LYV would also work bc I could hike in up to 7k feet in an afternoon, but since that’s a JMT permit not only are they in insane demand, I wouldn’t want to take one of those permits from a thru hiker. Plus then I have to deal with valley madness and no hiker bus running yet (I’ve been checking regularly, pls correct me if there’s been an announcement!). I checked the campground opening dates for the NPS campgrounds at that kind of elevation and they all indicate July estimate opening dates, same as TM.

Wondering if there are other spots I have missed as a good first night, coming from the Bay Area? Open to established campgrounds / towns outside the park (including on the eastern side), but prefer not dispersed roadside camping or similar (yes I’m aware illegal inside the park - I mean I don’t want to do this outside the park either).

Also doesn’t have to be right at 8500 feet, even around 7-7500 will help. I just don’t want to go straight from sea level to sleeping at over 9000+ in the same day.

I am pretty flexible with where I go, but my ideal destination is Cathedral Lakes - tho on that one I may just wait until TM backpackers is open later in the season.

Hi folks, I’ve heard a lot of things about the charging setups at various resupply points. I def know to bring an adaptor that only takes up one outlet, and make sure my setup can handle charging while hanging in the air from an outlet!

What I wanted to ask is if anyone had specific recs for their setup? Not power banks and the like. I’m specifically looking for the ideal combo of plug in adapters, power draw, size it takes up on a power strip, sturdiness if it needs to hang/cant rest anywhere. Also considering including a 2-1 outlet adaptor in my resupply packs so I can share an outlet if they’re full. Thoughts anyone?

TLDR: best the setup to recharge my power bank at resupply?

Help me think through how the SW winds forecast for tomorrow through the weekend (that are also in the Bay) will affect Desolation, specifically echo lakes and lake aloha?

The NOAA greater Tahoe forecast shows winds up to 15mph. If I click the map to get a point forecast for lake aloha, it picks up a RAWS west of there at around 9200ft and that shows the same up to 30mph winds that we are getting in the Bay tomorrow. Obviously it’s going to be windy up there, but I’m trying to tell whether aloha will get the worst of the 30mph gusts that the echo summit forecast is picking up, or if it’s likely somewhat shielded given the wind direction and is more likely to be closer to the greater Lake Tahoe forecast?

Debating whether to go or bail on a one night trip. Appreciate any insight / advice from folks who know the area better than I do.

Ok folks. I’ve been researching and trying and testing footwear for a JMT thru hike for three months now. I am struggling BADLY, and really need some help with what I’m looking for. If this is a question that’s been asked before, I’m totally ok getting it taken down but if you have found the answer I’d just ask you to pls comment or message me with what you saw bc I really looked - and haven’t found it.

I’m a crossfitter/weightlifter. The last time I backpacked, it was in the Grand Canyon with probably 45lbs on my back and a pair of lowa renegade GTX. I know. I suffered. I paid for my crimes in blisters and sweat, and in tears every time I put my pack back on after a break. I have reduced my base weight by so much I’ve lost track, replacing my old worn out stuff with modern UL, and my soul is happier on the trail. My feet, however are NOT.

I am struggling badly with footwear. The weight of boots now, with a light pack, feels like pointless torture: I don’t want to walk around the store in them let alone put miles on them! I know the conventional wisdom is to thru hike in trail runners, but I HATE the feel of them as soon as I put a backpack on or go up or down a hill - I’m so used to being locked-in stable under load, lifting in weightlifting shoes, Nike Metcons or Goruck Ballistic trainers. All of these have a decent heel drop (8mm I think for the metcons, obvi my lifters are in a league of their own). They also - and going forward if not obvi, leave the lifter example out of anything I’m saying - have a stable enough cushion to absorb force - a heel strike, downhill under load, but still remain stable AF. There’s no wobble, no sense of tippy foam, no sense that I need to be careful or how my ankle lands. I just plant my foot and it’s STEADY.

I am pretty sure I have tried all the mainstream trail recommendation shoes - and have bought several of them, taken several out onto the trail, backpacked with them. I still haven’t found the fit / style I’m looking for. Seriously, if I thought my CrossFit shoes would hold any kind of grip on scree or wet granite, I’d say fuck it and just backpack in those. They’re light, stable, I can lift whatever in them, carry whatever load. I’m increasingly tempted, but I know they’re designed to grip on rope climbs, not sierra mountain passes.

What I’m really looking for is NOT a standard - go try lone peaks / brooks cascadia / hoka speedgoat rec, nor am I looking for a La Sportiva approach shoe (their grip is TOO extreme and the torque between unexpected rigid grip and my pack put pressure on an old knee injury). That’d be low effort anyway, and there are a million resources out there with those recs - those are not recs I need UNLESS you’re coming from my specific background/compromise in which case I’d be interested in how you reached that conclusion.

The closest I’ve found to what I’m looking for is Salomon Ultras but they’re still not *quite* it. If I thought that what I need could be found on any of the standard best UL shoes for thru hiking / best hiking boots list, I promise you, I’ve tried it. I can go into more detail, but suffice to say I’m at my wits end and really - topo, brooks, la sportiva, lowa, Salomon, hoka, altra, I’ve been through them all. They’re either too heavy and massive, or don’t have the combo of locked in stability while also being insanely light.

What I’m really looking for is a trail *cross trainer* not a trail runner. Since I haven’t found that, instead any of the following would be helpful:

- Are you an UL backpacker who is also a crossfitter or lifter and also went “fuck it all” and just backpacked in your CrossFit shoes? What model did you wear, what was the grip like, and what were the pros and cons of it?

- Are you a crossfitter who backpacks, and had this same issue, and found something (not a CrossFit specific rec) that actually fits the kind of feel I’m describing? Preferably with at least a 6mm heel drop?

- Are you an UL backpacker who also backpacks in a weird AF choice (ie it does NOT appear on any conventional gear lists, but I’m thinking about the friend of a friend of mine who did Shasta and Whitney in his chuck taylors) and can share it?

- are you a cottage gear maker who wants to collaborate with me and find a way to put a vibram sole on a pair of Nike Metcons and change the thru hiking world? Let’s talk.

Again - I really looked and don’t think this question has been asked - if it has been, please point me to a resource before taking it down bc if not obvious, I really need it, I’ve been looking hard and still haven’t found it. Thanks for reading.

I’m a cross fitter who generally hasn’t had any trouble (touch wood) with finding CrossFit shoes that work for me. I’ve liked Nike Metcons in various iterations, both regular and frees, Go Ruck Ballistic trainers, Nanos and RAD were great but both a bit wide.

I’m still cross fitting but also getting into backpacking, and I’m having trouble finding shoes that work. Backpackers are all into trail runners, and for me as soon as I put any load on my back, the cushy foam of the trail runners irritates me, and I hate the feel of driving off, under load, up hill with foam that feels like it’s working against me. Anything kind of more solid or sturdy that has the feel I want comes with a gore tex liner and isn’t appropriate for where I’m going (high sierra, lots of stream crossings so they have to get wet and then dry fast).

Basically if I could backpack in my metcons and trust it to grip granite, I would. And it isn’t like metcons are that amazing! But they’re stable under load, light weight, have a moderate heel drop etc. I know we’re all cross fitters here, but I figured I might not be the only person with this issue and looking for something that feels stable the way a good CrossFit shoe does and not like I’m trying to squat and deadlift in a pair of hokas. Or I might not be the only one who just went fuck it and backpacked on long distance trails in their CrossFit shoes.

Given these constraints, what would be your rec? Or if you just decided to leave aside traditional trail shoes and just backpack or hike in your CrossFit shoes, what did you use and what would be your recommendation?

eta: tried lone peaks which is a lot of ppl’s go to. I may give them another shot, but didn’t love the strain the zero drop was placing on my calf, and the Altra 4mm drop had cushy foam like hokas which is what I hate.

Went into my local REI for a pack fitting. First person who helped me was awesome. Measured me, got me into the pack I was looking at, loaded up with weights, and I spent time walking around in it. I could tell the pack was amazing but the fit was a little off. First green vest was busy and second green vest came by. Saw that I was in between sizes in the particular Osprey model I was looking at. Told me that he’d talked to Osprey reps and for this model (Eja/Exos), the only difference is frame size and color, and encouraged me to try the men’s version. It was awesome. Seriously. It was my fit. Loaded it up with weight and spent time walking around. It felt phenomenal, even with 35lbs loaded into it. First green vest came back. I excitedly told him what the second green vest had told me, and how happy I was with the fit, he was interested and we were chatting for a min.

But then a third green vest weighed in. Insisted that he had trained with Osprey and that there were absolutely gender specific differences. I was just like yeah, okay, this is just what the other guy told me. But then it got worse. The first green vest had moved on to another customer, but this one kept arguing the point with me! I wasn’t going to agree with him - I’m super sensitive to women’s fit vs men’s fit and having a classic pear shaped body, if the women’s fit was genuinely different I would’ve felt it. I took the pack off, and he pulled out a tape measure and started trying to argue points with me on the frame. And saying the straps are designed to clear the bust line. As the only one of the two of us in the conversation with breasts, this was getting ridiculous. But he legit wouldn’t stop. Eventually I had to just keep saying “I’m not going to keep arguing this with you”. And repeatedly saying “thank you for your help; I’m good for now,” over and over before he eventually stopped and left me alone. I had been about to buy the pack, but the whole situation just left a bad taste in my mouth so I just left the pack, and the store, and headed home.

Then when I got home I went and looked on the Osprey site. There are some Osprey models where they claim a women’s specific fit - eg the Ariel, the Aura. The Eja is not one that claims a women’s specific fit.

Fantastic experience where I was about to make a $300 purchase. And to think I was about to find a manager and tell them how phenomenal the two pack fitting guys had been collectively getting me into the right pack.

ETA: Update. Called and spoke with the manager, who was sincerely grateful I called and gave feedback instead of going straight to purchase elsewhere, assured me the positive feedback would go to the green vests who were awesome, would coach the one who wasn’t, and took care of me with the pack purchase. Don’t want to share the specifics of how they resolved it because sharing the remedies managers have gets spoiled by the internet, but will be picking up my dream pack shortly 🤩.