Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Wanted: Resupply Support

This is a serious solicitation to “hire” 2-3 folks (preferably who live within a 3-4 hour drive from the Lone Pine area) to do a resupply for my wife and me on our JMT hike later this year. The resupply contents are about 20 pounds total, and I already have a friend who is leading this resupply effort. Adding 2-3 more folks to the group would make the extra weight only 5-6 pounds per person. (And actually, the weight isn’t the real issue; it’s the volume!) In addition to paying for the in-hike permit, I am also willing to pay for your gas, wear-and-tear on your vehicle, and other miscellaneous “Sherpa” expenditures.

Now for the catch.

The resupply hike is via the Taboose Pass Trail. I’ve made this 10-mile (each way) hike a couple of times before, and I can assure you that it is a steep, steep climb. As such, please consider only if you are in very good backpacking shape, preferably those who have successfully made this hike before (BobR, 4xsummit, AsABat, Scott M., Matthew Holliman, etc.) My wife and I will be extremely low on food, so an unsuccessful resupply is not an option.

For those who work during the week, the plan is for the resupply team to overnight at the trailhead north of Independence on Friday, hike over to the JMT on Saturday, and return on Sunday. (Of course, if you want to extend your trip, I can reserve the permit for as long as you’d like.) Coming back out is much easier (except on the knees). Last time I made this trip, I left the JMT at 0600 and made it back to Lone Pine for lunch at about 1300.

And for the final bombshells, the resupply will be the weekend of August 12-14. It gets very warm at Taboose at that time of year, so you’ll want to get an early start both mornings. Also, the 5.7-mile dirt road from 395 to the trailhead can be very hard on cars.

If you are interested (and will solidly commit), please email me at James.Wells@JSF.mil.

Of course, if any of you know of any organizations out there who specifically do this type of thing (and how to contact them), I could go that way as well. But my first thought was that this would be a nice opportunity to meet a couple of the board members in person.

Thanks in advance.

James

I don't fit all of your criterium, but I do fit the most important one, if the timing is right I'ld be willing to help with a resupply. I'm based out of San Diego, but hit the Sierras at least ever other weekend during the summer. But my weekends are Sun-Mon. Also I have an interested in several of the high peaks around Taboose Pass, so gives me a reason to go up there for an overnight. Being no stranger to long days and large elev gains, the hike wouldn't be a prob. So let me know what your status is(I can simpathize having done the JMT last year).
Eric J Lee
PS Email me if you wish.