That time I found out how fast an alpine start really saves you on the John Muir Trail

I was planning a solo section hike on the JMT for this summer and kept reading forums about starting at 4 AM to beat the heat. I always figured it was just personal preference, but then I crunched the numbers using a GPS tracking app from a buddy's trip last July. He started at Red's Meadow at 5 AM and did 12 miles before noon, while another hiker he met started at 8 AM and only covered 8 miles in the same heat window. The early start let him avoid 3 hours of direct sun exposure above treeline near Silver Pass. I never realized how much temperature and shade affect your pace on those exposed granite stretches. Does anyone else map out their start times based on sun exposure rather than just sunrise?

3 comments

3 Comments

david_walker9719d ago

Dude, that "3 hours of direct sun exposure above treeline" part really hit me. I used to think alpine starts were just for people who wanted to watch the sunrise or something, not a legit strategy for covering more ground. I always figured starting later was fine because you'd just hike into the evening, but that totally ignores how fried you get on those exposed sections. Your buddy's data proves it, 12 miles vs 8 in the same heat window is a massive difference. Now I'm rethinking my whole summer trip schedule, maybe 4 AM is the move after all. Did you notice a big difference in your water consumption too with the early start?

danielowens19d ago

Yeah the water thing is real. In my experience, early starts cut my water use by like a third, sometimes more if the trail is shaded. Your mileage may vary but it's hard to argue with that kind of difference.

jennybailey19d agoMost Upvoted

Heard a similar story from my buddy Mark... he did an alpine start on the Grand Teton last summer and said he drank maybe half the water he normally would on a hot day hike. Said it was like hiking in the cool of the morning versus fighting the sun all afternoon.