[pct-l] Foot care question and how many days between resupply?

[Gary Wright]

On Jan 3, 2011, at 1:42 PM, Steven Mueller wrote:

> Gary thanks for the detailed info.  I was planning on the Goldbond (sending travel size bottles in my resupply boxes) so the feedback is great.
> 
> So 5 to 6 sounds better for me, that would be about 24 drop boxes (which is what worked out for me with 2 each at 12).  I'm planning on hiking from Lone Pine and a resupply at Vermillion (they are there from mid-April so they say for fishing expeditions), but was planning on a resupply at Touleme but that will be closed when I go through.  Can you suggest an alternate?

When are you planning on getting to VVR/Tuolumne?  FYI, I arrived in 2004 at Tuolumne on June 22nd and they had only been open for a couple of days.  I think Red's Meadow store had only been open for a day when I arrived on the 20th. Mammoth Lakes is a better place to resupply in any case if you are shopping. 2004 was a low snow year.  I left Kennedy Meadows on June 7th.  (sorry for that backwards chronology :-)

When you say Lone Pine, are you getting off trail at Horseshoe Meadows?  If so I think you might be able to hike from there all the way to Red's Meadow and skip VVR.  It is about the same as doing Kennedy Meadows to VVR.  I would be concerned about depending on VVR early in the season, especially in a high snow year.  You might want to contact them and ask about what is available before they officially open for hikers.

If you can't resupply at Tuolumne then you might consider Red's Meadow to Sonora Pass (123 miles).  Another alternative would be to hike down to Yosemite Valley, resupply there, and hike back out.  That adds a day in either direction but of course it is absolutely beautiful hiking.  If you don't insist on hiking the PCT through here there are *lots* of options on how to get in and out of the Valley on trails.

Hope that helps.

Radar