Has anyone hiked the John Muir Trail without resupplying?

Question

I am going to hike the JMT next year, and if I'm going to do it I'd like to do it without resupplying. Has anyone done this? What have you packed, how long did it take you, any side trips you'd recommend, places you camped at, etc. Did you bring a bear cannister?

Oh and I am going to do north to south, yosemite floor to whitney portals.

Answer 1

Ugh - 17-20 days without a resupply is really going to be tough with so much elevation change. I'd suggest you rethink that since there's several good resupply points, but your choice. Most people allow 3 weeks, I know of people who have done it in 14 days (regular backpackers, not adventure racers or speed freaks) but 17-18 seems to be about the average. I ran into a guy on Whitney who had just finished north to south in 17, so it's about the same either way.

A bear canister is mandatory - stringing up doesn't cut it. The rangers will want to see your canister.