[pct-l] re interested in JMT unsupported record info

[Don Chambers]

I've done the JMT a number of times in 10 - 12 days.  Even at that  
its a hard hike.  I am impressed with those that do incredibly fast  
times.  Its not my style but you can't help but be amazed at what  
people can do.  Over 30 years ago my climbing partner was totally  
burned out climbing, so he walked over to the deli in Yosemite,  
packed some food, walked to Happy Isles to start the hike, and  
finished in just over 6 days.  He wasn't racing, just in incredibly  
great shape and really focused.   I also know someone that did the  
hike round-trip, unsupported in 11.5 days.  Now that's hiking!  There  
are lots of people that do incredile things, but don't advertise it.   
They don't do it for records, they do it for themselves.



> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:49:25 -0800
> From: "Reinhold Metzger" <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] re interested in JMT unsupported record info
> To: "Adam Bradley" <tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com>,
> 	<pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>,	"Deems" <losthiker at sisqtel.net>,
> 	<jeff.singlewald at comcast.net>
> Message-ID: <002e01c7702b$4b5f7440$a700a8c0 at sd.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Adam, (Listo, El Monstro)
> It's so nice to hear from you. Sorry for the late response due to some
> medical and computer problems the last 2 1/2 month.
> To answer your question:
> yes, to the best of my knowledge, my times of 5 days 10 hrs set in  
> 2003 and
> 5 days 7hrs 45 minutes set in 2004 still stand.
> Several attempts, including Al Shavers 2006 attempt, failed not due to
> physical ability but due to planing and illness.........but it is  
> all part
> of the equation.
>
> The JMT is an extremely demanding trail if attempted at a fast pack  
> pace and
> any record attempt is most likely doomed to fail if there is a  
> weakness in
> any of the 3 key  
> ingredients....conditioning.....planing.....determination.
>
> The northern terminus of the JMT  is Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley.
> The southern terminus is the summit of Mt. Whitney.
> You may start wherever you like.
> I have done it from either direction on more than one occasion and  
> I am
> still not sure if their is an advantage one way or the other.
> At Yosemite you start at the lowest point but have more time to  
> acclimate.
> At Mt. Whitney you start at the highest point but may have more  
> trouble
> acclimating.
> I prefer going north because I have no trouble catching a bus in  
> Yosemite.
> Bus transportation in Lone Pine can be a problem.
>
> Listo, It seems to me that I read somewhere......''There will come the
> ''CHOSEN
> ONE''  Listo will be his name......he will walk through the valleys  
> without
> fear and do wondrous things''......Listo, I think they are talking  
> about
> you.....you are the
> ''CHOSEN ONE''
>
> Go for it Listo, you are hard core, you can do it.
> I not only count on you to break the record I mean I expect you to  
> kick it
> clear across the Canadian Rockies.
>
> If you need any help or advice I will be more than glad to assist you.
> Since there are others contemplating a record attempt it may be best
> communicate on site so they can share that information and I don't  
> have to
> post multiple replies......typing left handed is a real drag.
>
> JMT Reinhold
> Your over the hill trail companion
>
>