[pct-l] Lone Pine vs Independance resupply:

[Jared Slucter]

Since nobody has said anything about it yet, I must make a case for skipping
both Trail Pass and Kearsarge Pass. I hiked from Kennedy Meadows to VVR
(including the trip up Mt. Whitney) without resupply in the allegedly high
snow year last summer. I am not a fast hiker, nor a light eater, and at
first the food was really heavy. But I would do exactly the same thing
again. The chance to be out, without crossing a road or anything, for 12
days was wonderful. I will admit that the reason I did it was because I was
meeting a friend in Mammoth who had flown in from the east coast and I had
to hurry to meet him on time. So in addition to being logistically simpler,
skipping the resupply is certainly faster, in case that is a concern. I even
hiked with a couple who went straight from KM to Mammoth. When we got to the
turnoff for VVR, they decided they had enough food to just push on. You will
know what is right for you as you get closer to Kennedy Meadows, given your
appetite, attitude and any scheduling concerns you may have.

-Sneezes

On Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net>wrote:

>
>
> Paul,
>
> Much of what has already been said I agree with and will not repeat.
> However, here are a few different items.
>
>
>
> If 2011 is like 2010, or if you leave KM early, you might want to go out
> both at Horseshoe Meadows and Kearsarge Pass.  We did both, because we were
> very early and not in a rush, plus we could carry less weight from KM to
> Horseshoe instead of KM to Kearsarge.  There was a lot of snow in 2010, so
> the going was slow and exhausting.  Two different trips to Lone Pine were
> great for rest and resupply.
>
>
>
> The prices at the Pizza Factory were reasonable, I thought.  The owner said
> he was a former thru-hiker, Trail Name Buffalo.
>
>
>
> There is a public transit bus that runs between Independence and Lone
> Pine.  Doug's hiker hostel and other places have the schedule.  Pretty cheap
> and you don't have to hitch in the sun.
>
>
>
> Besides the outfitter and grocery mentioned, LP has a good boot repair
> place.  It's a western boot store down from Joseph's grocery.
>
>
>
> We ran into a trail angel / occasional hiker who was running shuttles to /
> from Horseshoe Meadows, Lone Pine, Independence, and Onion Valley Trail
> head.  He was unemployed so he was charging for the trip, but considering
> the distance and remoteness, it seemed a bargain.  I have lost his name and
> number, but someone on the list might still have it.  Check with Doug at the
> hostel in LP - he probably keeps a list of shuttlers.
>
>
>
> I agree strongly with the LP-instead-of-Indep. recommendation.  More
> restaurant choices, more motels, a genuine hiker hostel, better grocery,
> outfitter, pharmacy, cobbler, etc.  Plus Alabama Hills for breakfast is
> worth the trip, even if you're not hiking.
>
>
>
> Have a great hike,
>
> Mango
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Robison" <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Sunday, December 5, 2010 10:01:29 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Lone Pine vs Independance resupply:
>
> from those who have been to these places,
>
> which is an easier hitch?  lone pine seems too close to KM to really bother
> with, but with al lthe extra sierra's gear i might want more stops  (less
> food
> to save weight)
>
> any thoughts?
>
>
>
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