John Muir Trail

Well guys,
As a few of you know, I'll be leaving in less than a week for California to hike the John Muir Trail. I'll actually start on August 17th and finish on September 1st. My itinerary is 16 days/225 miles.
I've already mailed off my re-supply package that will be packed in via mule train to the Muir Trail Ranch where I will pick it up on August 25th.
For those who might be interested in my gear list, here it is:

JMT Gear List

Category Item Weight (oz)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Backpacks -ULA Catalyst (XL) 54.50
Clothing -Crocs 12.25
Clothing -Clothes w/Stuff Sack 55.51
(Wind Pants, SS Nylon T-Shirt, Underwear, 3 pr. Injinji Socks,
1 pr. Smartwool Socks, Down jacket, Wool Cap, Nylon hiking shorts,
Marmot Ion, Marmot Gloves)
Kitchen Items -Caldera Keg 7.62
(Includes Mini-Bic and MSR Spork)
Kitchen Items -Gatorade Water Bottle 1.25
Kitchen Items - Koozy 1.62
Kitchen Items -Nalgene 250 ml Bottle 1.38
(Alcohol Fuel Bottle)
Kitchen Items -Nalgene 500 ml Bottle 2.38
Kitchen Items -Platypus 2-Liter Bottle 1.38
Misc. Items -BearVault BV500 41.00
(Required by Law)
Misc. Items -Digital Camera w/Case 8.37
Misc. Items -Foam Sit Pad 1.75
Shelters -.7 mil Ground Sheet 1.50
Shelters -9x9 Flat Tarp 14.12
Shelters -eVent Bivy 8.75
Shelters -MSR Tent Stakes 6.25
Shelters -XL SilNylon Poncho 6.50
Sleeping Systems -Inflatable Pillow 4.38
Sleeping Systems -Marmot Atom (Long) 23.00
Sleeping Systems -NeoAir Pad 13.75

Total Weight of Selected Items 267.26 oz/16.7038 lbs.

Total Weight at Happy Isles 226.26 oz/14.1413 lbs
(No Bear Canister)

I also carry a little fanny pack (that I wear in front) that I carry things that I use or may need to use on a daily basis. I carry the following items in it:

Water treatment drops (bleach)
Lip Balm
Burt's Bug Bite Relief
Sunscreen
Contact Drops
Dr Bonner's Soap
Foot Care Kit
First Aid Kit
Tooth Paste
Tooth Brush
Fire Starter
Deodorant
Victorinox SwissCard Lite Multi-Tool
Petzel eLite
The total weight of this pack is 21.75 oz.

The first 3 days of the hike, I will be able to take advantage of the bear lockers at established campsites, so I won't have to lug around the bear canister (read ANCHOR). I will pick it up at Tuolumne Meadows at the start of Day 4.
I started a Trails Journal (http://www.trailjournals.com/JimEnnis) back in the spring that you can read if you wish. I will not be able to access the web or send any emails with any regularity, so I will keep a written daily journal and will post them to the Trails Journal site when I return.
Wish me luck,
UL

Coldspring:
My hiking shoes are Merrill Moab Ventilators (Low Tops) along with a pair of DirtyGirl gaitors. The crocs are primarily for camp wear, but also a necessity for some of the creek crossings.
Foot maintenance on this trip is going to be paramount, so even though I don't usually bring along the crocs, I don't want to be stuck in the same shoes at night that I've hiked in all day. They will allow my feet to breathe and allow my hiking shoes to dry out at night.
I am also using the Spenco Backpacker inserts in my hiking shoes. I've used these for the past three years and they are awesome. Great forefoot cushion so that the balls of my feet don't take the pounding that they used to.
UL

Good luck UL... have u checked the forecast? I know its a ways away but....

Thanks guys.
Red:
There are three major re-supply points along the trail. Tuolumne Meadows, Vermillion Valley Resort, and Muir Trail Ranch. MTR is the last major supply point and is at about the half way point (108.8 miles). I will arrive there at the end of Day 9, pick up my resupplies, and will have 110 miles left to do in 7 days. My food weight leaving MTR will be about 10 lbs. I packed some extra food that I will have for dinner on Day 9 and breakfast Day 10. High calorie stuff that weighs more than what I would carry, but can enjoy before leaving MTR.
If you would like a copy of my 16-Day spreadsheet, email me and I will send you a copy of it. You can certainly make it a longer trip if you want.
TM:
I've been watching the weather very closely. Right now they are dealing with 15-20 mph winds, but on Thursday, they were forecasting snow above 9000 ft. That's pretty much the entire southern half of the trail. They were not expecting a great deal of accumulation and it will probably be gone by the time I get there. The big thing that I'm watching for is any hurricanes off the coast of California or Baja Mexico. They can bring in some nasty stuff up high.
Thanks again for all the encouragement,
UL

Thanks, all:
I will be sure to take plenty of pictures and will be looking forward to sharing the experience with you.
Red:
The book that I used to plan my trip is written by Elizabeth Wenk. It is her book that the spreadsheet that I sent you is derived from.
UL

Hey guys, I made it back in one piece. The bad news is that I was unable to finish as planned. At the end of day 5, about 100 yards from my planned campsite, I made a bad step down off of a ledge, blowing out my right knee. I actually exaccerbated an old injury to the medial collateral ligament of my right knee. This caused a great deal of swelling and pain, which pretty much ended the trip. I was able to make it to Red's Meadow late in the day on Day 6 and catch a couple of shuttles back to Mammoth Lakes, CA.
I will post a trip report, along with pictures, as soon as I get things organized around here.
UL