I'm really quite interested at how high the Gorge Undermind is ranked - not because I don't think it's a great jam, but because it's ahead of what I would consider are the real heavy hitters of the tour (BGCA Jim, either MPP mega-jam, PNC Crosseyed). I wonder if it's because it dipped into darkness in a way not a lot of jams have done so far this year - BGCA Jim, which is right behind, did as well.

@bertoletdown, I strongly suggest you give the Alpharetta Chalk Dust another listen. Yes, it's under 10 minutes long, but it's as mellifluous and beautiful in that 10 minutes as the Dick's version from last year, and I do not say that lightly. It's the highlight of a really great set. I agree with you that the Toronto Bowie deserves to be higher - I like it better than the Toronto Disease.

The competition has been pretty fierce as far as jams go this year, which I think says something about the year's quality. I don't disagree with the overall theme of the poll, though, which is essentially that the West Coast leg was probably stronger on balance (whatever that means) than the East Coast, at least in terms of highlights. Both legs boast very good, consistent shows, with a few truly great ones sprinkled in (MPP2, Jones Beach, BGCA3, Tahoe2, both Gorge shows, Chicago3). It's been a really great year, and the best may still be to come.