Looks like the first backpacking trip of 2023 will be my JMT section hike from Cottwonwood Pass to Kearsarge Pass. My itinerary is almost the same as Inga Aksimat’s itinerary as told in part III from here highs and lows book. Almost, since I am hoping we will make it to rock creek on the first night.
Night 0: Cottonwood pass campground
Night 1: Rock creek
Night 2: Crabtree
Night 3: Tyndall Creek
Night 4: Bubbs Creek
Night 5: Pothole lake (Kearsarge pass)
Day 6: Exit Onion valley
That’s the three creeks I am worried about crossing. Rock creek, Tyndall Creek and Bubbs Creek. I have crossed Wallace Creek once when I hiked the HST on a crazy water year (2018) and it was passable, I hope it remains the same this year. I am hoping that by staying next to these creeks each night, we wake up and cross the creek before it swells too much.
I have read Andrew Skurka’s hazardous high sierra crossings page and the skills page, catching up on all first person posts in the JMT 2023 Facebook group and definitely worried about creek crossings. We are three so we can try the train method to cross.
The next hazard is the north face of Forester pass still has snow. I read people are crossing it with microspikes, but after chatting with Ned Tibbits and listening to that excellent podcast, I have bought Kahtoola K10 crampons and they will get used.
The only other new item I am taking this year are the Feathered Friends Swift YF 20F sleeping bag. My REI Magma 15 bag is nearly six years old and the last few nights at high altitude, I was sleeping very cold. Temperatures are still dropping below freezing above 10,000 feet and since almost all my nights are at that altitude, I needed a warmer bag. PP, a reader of this newsletter suggested I get the Feathered Friends and I have. Thanks to him for the advice.
Every year, I worry I am not prepared enough, this year is truer than most years. I am worried, but the mountains are calling.
What should I do to be safe out there in the mountains this year? Please let me know.