Golite Breeze backpack Sierra Nevada scene - location of the John Muir Trail and the PCT - serviced by a backpacking shuttle serviceWe're in the Mountains - Not Over the Hill by Susan Alcorn cover - interviews hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail
The Path is the Goal - Camino de Santiago motto

Torres del Paine:

We have backpacked the circuit two different years, but I have not got the into into a web page yet. I did do an extensive blog entry when researching the trips, and updated it afterwords:

My Blog entry on  Torres del Paine preparation

 

JMT Links:

There is a Yahoo group called John Muir Trail that has a post every day or two, and some knowledgeable responders. The Pacific Crest Trail forum PCT-L has a lot of people who can answer JMT questions, though main purpose is supporting PCT thru-hikers.

We've put most of what we know on this web site, but if you have a question you can't get answered, you can email us at backpack45 at yahoo dot com - We are out on the trail a lot, so can't always give an immediate response.

The Official Inyo National Forest website is a good link - fire info, current info on Mt. Whitney permits left, etc.

www.jmthiker.com Good Story and Photos. They followed Ray Jardine's ultralight approach and used Golite® gear - my only negative comment is that they didn't use a bear container.  In the Sierras, that should be a must - protects the bears and you - recommend Bearikade® if you can afford it or rent it - half the weight of the Garcia, and wider mouth.

The Pacific Crest Trail site's page on JMT - lots of links, also PCT info.

www.gossamergear.com  - Mariposa - My most recent pack - I had their G4 but wore it out in about 3 years and wanted something that was more comfortable with larger loads.  Also have Golite Breeze, but the Mariposa and G4 have a minimal waist belt. Glen - the founder of Gossamer Gear -is a scoutmaster - essentially makes these as a service. Materials are lightweight, so expect more wear and tear.  At end of my JMT trip in 2002, mine needed some minor stitching, but that was after 200+ miles of rugged use. Also - his site has a very good set of backpack related links. More on packs in our Gear page.

www.trailcrew.org - Want to give back something to the trail system? This organization does volunteer trail work in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon area. A number of their trips go out of Florence Lake. See site for more info. I have no personal experience with them, but looks good.

Want to go with a group - this Elderhostel site does trips in the JMT area www.sierrapacktrip.com/elderhostel.html

Our gear list for JMT or PCT


The gear list is a google spreadsheet. To get an xls file you can save, click on  http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pPFto0EzOaDvrKYt_NSZZEg  - on the bottom right of the resulting google spreadsheet is an edit button. Click that, and you will be able to view it in a form that can be saved off to your hard drive as an xls file.

Emma Gatewood first hiked the entire 2160 mile Appalachian Trail at the age of 67. 
She last hiked it at the age of 76.

Page Changed: Saturday, 04 February 2012 17:40 -0500

[Home][Top of Page]   - Please send comments, suggestions to sitecomment circleatsign backpack45 dot com
     Thanks to
www.sorkindesign.com for graphics - all text and images copyright © Shepherd Canyon Books - 2003 through 2011
“backpack45 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com”

website statistics