PCT Field Notes

It  was a week rebuilding the body but the mosquitos began to tear at our souls. We knew we were leaving the Sierras and as sad as I was to leave, the mosquitos made sure that I didn’t linger. The amazing views were still aplenty, but summer began to make itself known. The beginning of Tuolomne Meadows Yosemite We’re still learning what contributes to condensation on our sleeping bags, definitely still water nearby is a big one. I squeeze the remainder of enchilada sauce into my mashed potatoes for breakfast. I’ve had access to only one type of potato flavor, I’m excited for the day there are more flavors. We make it over the pass into Yosemite Park. We set up our stuff to dry while we swim in frigid water in the first lake below the pass. The day feels long but a good chunk of the walk is flat, arriving to Tuolomne Meadows General Store before it closes.  Dome crawling in Yosemite We have some wine the night before and I swear it gives me bad dreams. There’s one dream where ...

The week started off with reunions and continued with side quests that was well needed for a body that had burned too much for too long. I struggle to keep up with blogging, but find moments to keep up. Sallie Keyes Lake before Selden Pass All Smiles There’s no rush to get over Selden Pass this morning, so I sleep in until 6, and leave camp at 7. It’ll be the shortest pass yet, the last of the big passes behind us. I’m a bit saddened by this. As the Sierras has challenged my body day after day, they have rewarded me many times over with a landscape I struggle to put into words and even more to capture.  The remaining Sierras are not as difficult, on paper at least. But I am still yet to see what awaits, so the sadness dissolves. It becomes one of the more uneventful days. I slept well but I begin to hit a wall in the afternoon. I drink some water, eat some food, but my body still struggles to climb this last ascent. This one is important too, it’s to the trail leading to Vermillion...

Temple of Muir North side of Kearsarge Pass The week started with relaxation in a what felt like a true hostel, like a commune, not some fancy place with a few beds. Recovered and restocked, the trio, myself, Joe (Nomad), and Brad (Birdsong) head back into the Sierras to take on a week of high mountains passes in a race against time before the snow melts completely off in one of the most testing weeks. THC It had frosted a little over night. I had spent the evening before drying off my gear, but I’m not upset, I know I’ll have time at the Kearsage Pass trailhead to dry my things. I enjoy not having to rush the morning. I have to hike about 5 1/2 miles with some steep ascent, but it’s primarily downhill from the pass. The lake is calmer in the morning, no longer bubbling with fish. On my way down the pass I eat the very last of my food, a large packet of tuna and an oatmeal bar. I’m still a little hungry, but I know I’ll be fine. I decide not to cover my face, thinking I’ll be able to g...