Just watched a documentary video of a group of teen aged boys hiking the John Moir Trail through the Sierras. They camped in the valleys each day, hiked to the summit before lunch and then "cruised down" in the afternoon. There were clearly trees in the video, but there was what seemed to be an awful lot of the trail above the timber line.
Is it possible to hang on this trail? How do you guys out West do it? Do you hang when you can and "go to ground" otherwise?
The tree line is about 11,000 feet. You hike over passes, highest is Forrester above 13k, and down the other side every day. So something like 20% of the hike is above tree line. The longest stretch iis probably 1/2 day. I've hiked Tuolumne to Red's Meadow, about 1/5 of the entire JMT.
it is very possible to hang in the high sierras w/o ever going to ground if you plan to be below tree line every night. I think it mostly depends on your daily mileage goals/plans.
If I was attempting high mileage days, I'd personally go with a tent/tarp.....for short mile days/10miles/1pass per day and then camp, the hammock wouldn't be an issue.
Sleeping above tree line is pretty nice when the weather is decent..... you can also hang off rocks if you have the equipment.
When I went thru(with a tent) that area I pretty much camped only at elevation(above tree line)...I avoided camping in the valleys etc due to possible bear issues and it's always nice waking up with awesome views.
I do plan on doing the JMT and hanging the whole way when daily mileage isn't as important.
If I was not going to plan on where I camp each night and just walk til I was tired, I would just carry a mattress that I could be comfortable on(the ground) and deal with the extra weight....if you are a pad user, no extra weight.
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