Boots/trail runners & Hammock/tent

imported
#1

1 - I have a good pair of Salomon Elios a sturdy trail shoe. I have used a version of this shoe for a number of years on the East Coast. Do I really need to buy hiking boots? Not a big fan of them and I have very strong ankles, but I have not hiked in the West to date.

2 - Obviously I am a hiker that prefers to hammock. I will be traveling with 2 tenters and do not want to cause them to hunt for appropriate hammock campsites. Not knowing the trees or terrain, should I contemplate using a tent or tarp this go around??

Hammock Hanger

#2

You will encounter a lot of High Alpine areas that will require a sturdy boot and your Hammock choices will be limited in the High Country. The JMT is very different from the tame east coast trails. You will have some some challenging fords. Since you don’t have a lot of hiking experience it would be good to stay with someone with skills that can watch over you

jay

#3

I walked from TM to Tahoe in a pair trail runners, the trail doesnt reach the hights of the JMT, but the trail is very rocky. I had no problems with ankle support. I had a few blisters to deal with because of the softness of the shoe when rubbed against the rocks compaired to boots.
On the other hand I walked the Tahoe Rim Trail in boots. There is a section that gets rocky and I had no trouble with it. The boots I used where two years old and broke in. Still had many a blisters to deal with plus the weight.
I think that you should use what you are most comfortable with. Many PCT hikers use trailrunners from what I gather on their journals.

I will be using trailrunners this year for the JMT.

But I am very happy since the change was made to lighten up and be more comfortable…

By the way the TRT was before the Yosemite-Tahoe trip.

Each hike I learn very valueable lessons.

JW

#4

We did the JMT in 2007 in trail runners. No problem. We had almost no rain during our 20 days on the JMT in late july to August. We never walked thru snow. Don’t know what benefit boots would be.

We had campsites on the JMT where there were no trees to Hammock hang. A tent is far more versitile.

Would do it again same way.

rocky & swamp fox

#5

I wore trail runners on the JMT. Not a problem, dried out quickly after fording the rivers. I would recommend a tent. I had a tent with minimal stakes and even so had a few difficult areas finding ground to pound a stake in. Lots of rock, very few to no trees especially in the southern area around Whitney.

LA

#6

Yeah, it looks like this trip is gonna be “hammock Hanger who Sleeps in Tent”. :lol

I have talked to numerous hikers who have done this trail in runners. Die-hard boot people will always wear boots. I hiked with a guy in FL with huge heavy boots, while I was in sandals… I’ll probably go with the shoes I know work for me.

Hammock Hanger

#7

So Hammock Hanger who sleeps in Tent, have a great time, whatever your shelter choice!

Red Hat

#8

Trail runners with scree gaiters, that was my choice of foot gear. The only mistake was to go in to the area with a pair that had many miles on them (I was NOBO on the PCT at the time). The hard trail conditions and rock faces tore them apart.

Go with a tent or tarp, yes there are trees in the lower areas but, there are times where you may/will end up above the tree line (by choice or happenstance). Shelter is a must, the weather can turn on a dime.

Peace, WB PCT07

WB

#9

I think you would be fine with a hammock unless your friends are intent at camping well above tree line. I plan on taking my hammock this year, I met several people two years ago who were using hammocks with no difficulty.
My hike entailed camping part way up the ascent to a pass so as to cross the pass in the morning before any afternoon thundershowers. With this plan I could have found hammock sites at all but one of the places I camped and even a thousand or more feet higher in some places.
My last camp at Guitar Lake would not have been possible with a hammock so this year I will probably camp at Crabtree Meadows and hike to the summit and back down to either the Portal or the last camp before the portal in one long day. Another possibility is to carry a small neo to go to ground if I need to. (my hammock tarp makes a very good shelter on its own)
I will use trail shoes, I used boots last time. I don’t remember the treadway being particularly harsh, quite dusty in places but in my view easier treadway than the AT in Va.
A rugged Southbound descent from Muir Pass is the only section that I remember as being hard on my feet (and knees)

RichardD

#10

Jay said:
" Since you don’t have a lot of hiking experience it would be good to stay with someone with skills that can watch over you"

I got a good chuckle out of this!

HH not having a lot of hiking experience? If that’s the case I must not have any!

HeartFire

#11

Please be careful Heartfire and don’t think that since you walked the flat trails in Florida or the tame trails of the AT that you are anywhere experienced for the eleven passes of the JMT. Forester is 13,200ft. A mistake here can kill you on the JMT. It is okay to seek help from hikers that are experienced with high alpine trails. With this type of hiking you do not have any experience don’t let foolish pride get you injured of worse. You won’t chuckle if someone gets hurt because you are in over your head. Safety first

jay

#12

Jay,
It just gave me a good laugh. I do have experience in the Sierras,(at the higher elevations) and higher in the Rockies. I have never hiked the flat trails of Florida, and I also teach wilderness safety classes. I am also planning on hiking the entire JMT this year as well.

Hammock Hanger has extensive backpacking experience, I don’t know about the higher elevations of the JMT, but anyone with some experience on any trails should know how to be prepared for what they are about to do. I know HH, and I know she will prepare appropriately.

HeartFire

#13

Thank goodness you have so much extensive experience. You will be able to make sure HH is okay. If you have hiked Glen Pass or Mather and Forester? I am sure considering that you are a wilderness instructor you surely would know that flat trails cannot prepare you for these passes or creek fords. Have you hiked these passes?

jay