Yep, we managed to get far enough off trail a couple times that the bears left us alone. The people were everywhere, however. That trail is worn several inches into the ground in many places. One of the guys summed it up: miles and miles of horse piles....
I of course left out the night with five men, in a sports bar in Mammoth Lakes, playing pool while they buy me drinks... have to be careful not to leave too much identifying info on the internet, their wives might find me.
Now that is something I must look into. A PAINTBALL GUN!!
"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."
Thomas Paine
They weren't using paint, by the way. Just the balls. So no art-deco bears!
You know... _I_ could carry a paintball gun. I'll have to look into that. My son left me some soft pellet guns. I wonder if they would be effective. I don't have a problem with the deterrent... It's the deadly force I have a _personal_ issue with.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
There's a reason they call the JMT THE most beautiful hike in the United States.
Those who expect disappointment are never disappointed.
great report lori. loved the pic. when my pack gets a little lighter, and I get in a little better shape, I want to try that trail. For now, bow season starts next weekend, time to really spend some time in the sierras.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane. - Waylon Jennings
Awesome report. I've also had good luck with my maccat deluxe tarp on the ground. Glad to hear about the neoair working well in a hammock, I've thought about getting one. Thanks for the report!
wonderfull report lori, beautiful pictures...i really need to get back out west again. the sierras are beautiful.....(unemployment sucks!!!)
Peanuts
"A womans place is on the trail"
wow awesome pictures
neo
the matrix has you
Great report, Lori! The family and I did the shortened 4 camp loop of the High Sierra Camps last September (TM, Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise). They were all that were open at that time of year. No hammocking for me since we were staying in the HSC cabin tents but one fellow was impressed when my 12 year old son walked up to him as he was setting up and said, "That's a cool Hennessy you've got. What are you using for under insulation?"
Your trip looks wonderful. We had considered the Lyell Valley (didn't Ansel Adams spend a lot of time there, going down toward Merced Lake?) but the wife wanted some comfort and a light pack. We saw no bears - but saw signs. Thanks for posting such great pix - the size was perfect!
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