We finished the JMT yesterday starting at Horseshoe Meadow on July 11 and had 2 slack days at VVR (mostly spent at Mono Hot Springs). I had to evict the other adult at Taboose Pass (too slow, we would have run out of food). Four Scouts completed the entire hike and one Scout exited with their parent and came back in (missed around 50 miles).
- Some of the Southern Passes had some challenges. Muir Pass had close to 6 miles of snow (1/3 South side, 2/3 North Side)
- Mosquitos were bad in Southern section.
- Route to Whitney did not reflect a high snow year. It was similar to my other 3 Whitney summits.
- 3 Scouts did Mt Muir.
- Lots of Yahoos in Yosemite area.
- I think they need to provide permits for the Mist trail. Even on a Thursday the crowds exceeded safe capacity.
- Many of the North bound JMT hikers bailed out. Most of the PCT hikers were making slow progress in the Southern section of JMT.
- Special thanks to Pebbles who lent us his ice ax.
It was an experience that I will never forget.
