Good Morning Doug et al. Big topic on forums of those doing or have done the JMT is, will the high passes be even passable at all this summer without being technical? In our case our permit begins July 24 and shortly thereafter we are joining up at the Pass for Whitney. Much wisdom and experience here so that's my ?
Thanks from a frequent visitor but rare contributor.
In July this summer, you will have snow for miles in some areas, especially the north side of passes. Not impossible to travel on, but you need the proper gear. Leave the running shoes at home, bring gaiters so you don't need to take you shoes off every 2 miles for smaller crossings, make sure you have snow cups on the hiking poles, and if you like to travel on the north side of passes early in the day, bring some traction devices or crampons. Water is the danger after a big snow year, not the snow. Crossing the medium sized creeks that are usually absolutely harmless can become a very dangerous undertaking at high melt levels, and you will have those in July this year. Late July may be a bit better, but you have to monitor how the weather develops. Cold spring and more snow now means later melt.
In 2010, we had very deep crossings as late as July 20 with perhaps not the most dangerous flows, but for a July JMT it was pretty gnarly. This year will be worse.
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