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Picked the John Muir Trail over the Pacific Crest Trail for my 2 week window last fall...
Had a solid 14 days off and couldn't decide between a JMT section or a chunk of the PCT near Yosemite. Ended up doing the JMT from Tuolumne to Whitney Portal and honestly the altitude kicked my butt harder than I expected around Muir Pass. Anyone else wrestle with choosing between shorter iconic routes vs. longer continuous trails?
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sean_johnson161mo agoProlific Poster
Altitude hits different on the JMT especially when you're hauling through the higher passes back to back. Did a section of the PCT near Cascade Locks last year and thought I was tough until I hit that elevation change going into the Sierra. Sometimes the shorter route humbles you more because you're pushing harder each day to make the miles count.
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gray625d ago
Jumping right in with @sean_johnson16 - yeah, that elevation change coming into the Sierra is no joke. I remember doing a loop in the Winds last summer, thinking I was hot stuff after 10 miles on flat ground, then I hit a 1,500 foot climb and my legs turned to jelly. It's like the air just gives up on you right when you need it most.
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taylor6681mo ago
Does your pack feel heavier at 10k feet or is it just me?
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