Independence to VVR

Mon 8/28

• At 10:00 AM I went to the post office--my resupply box was there. 
• Bummer--waiting for post office to open.  I missed shuttle rides to trailhead at 6:00 and 7:00 am
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Guy named Brian picked me up at 11:30 and I started hiking at noon. 
• Hiking UP Kearsarge Pass is 3000-3500 feet of elevation to climb
• Ran out of gas/energy to climb over Glen Pass to climb over Glen Pass too
• Camped at PCT mile 790, about one mile shy of Glen Pass
• I was bummed at missing the early shuttle rides, cause I know I'd have made it over Glen Pass. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

The Trail/God Provides Again

• A hiker liked my campsite and took a photo.  I did too. 
• Around 6:00 pm, I heard, "NO WAY!" I looked up to see Carsten.  We hugged and darn near did a happy dance. 
• We talked and talked--Carsten told me all about summiting Mt Whitney, and I told him about my stay in Independence. I cannot begin to tell you how much I like Carsten.

Tues 8/29

• We left  camp at 5:30.  By 6:30 we were on top of Glen Pass.  It felt like we were on top of the world--3000 feet and incredible views 
• Breakfast, photos, and several "Can you believe this?" 
• The way down Glen Pass was steep, rocky, and hard going.  
• Hiking the rest of the day was hard--steep up or down, big steps, rocky, lake crossings and stream crossings.  Other than wading barefoot at one stream crossing, I never got wet once
• Carsten wanted a long lunch break. I felt I'd better make tracks.  So we hiked solo in the afternoon
• The suspension bridge over Woods Creek swayed and bounced with every step
• Then I started the long toward Pinchot Pass.  The climb to the Pass is some 3500 feet.  After doing Glen Pass and all the hard hiking I had no idea how far I'd get. 
• I just try to be steady and slow, and get into a rhythm, step after step.  Keep plugging away.  I check my altimeter watch every half hour to be encouraged by my progress. 
• The maps showed water at PCT mile 806.  Carsten's info showed a campsite.  
• At PCT mile 805.55, below the trail I saw water and possibly a bivvy site.  And I saw nothing promising ahead. 
• Water secured and tent set up, I cook dinner--pulled pork and even McClard's Barbecue sauce.  Thanks, Becky!  I stood up and BINGO! -- there's Carsten on the trail above me.  
• It is before 7:00 pm and in our tents--pesky moquitoes
• Knees are growling at me BIG TIME--way too much steep downhill. 
• Started PCT mile 790     Ended PCT 805.6  approx 15.6 miles.  
• There were very few easy miles.  I had to earn darn near every mile. 

Wed 8/30

• 6:45 am--we are holed up in our tents trying to let the rain pass.
• Finally left camp at 7:15 am (one hour and forty-five minutes late for me.)
• Made it up and over Pinchot Pass with Carsten
• During the day, the weather changed frequently--rainy to sunny
• I put on pack cover and rain gear multiple times. 
• Carsten needed a long lunch break, so I moved on climbing Mather Pass and making my way to lower Palisade Lake solo
• Carsten made it to campsite about 6:00 pm
• Started 805.6 Ended 820.5  about 15 miles
• People coming down Mather Pass kept talking about snowbanks.  I had far more problems with loose rock than snow
• I could not believe how many people were camped at Lower Palisades Camp.  A woman showed me a campsite amongst shrub willows
• About an hour after I arrived at Camp, Carsten camp in. 

Thurs 8/31

• We left camp at 5:30 am.  I love hiking early--you've got the trail to yourself and you get to see sunrise develop
• At one point we were passed by an older couple.  First time this happened the entire trip (being passed by folks approximately my age)
• Both Carsten and I noticed something odd--the man never looked back to see if his wife/friend was doing ok.  It didn't matter if there was a downed log across the trail, a stream crossing, or a steep uphill.  He just kept on hiking. 
• This made us angry, so we passed them back. 
• We hiked a long time in the alpine zone--no trees, mainly rock and lots of streams and lake
• We camped at the very last campsite below Muir Pass, elevation 11,300 feet.  We had a a dry spot with grass 
• Beautiful view, but a totally exposed campsite.  If bad weather hits, you are at the mercy of the weather
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A guy named Jason joined us.  Jason was upset with his partner, a Japanese man.  The Japanese man was nowhere to be found and he had their stove.  This left Jason with no way to cook his dinner. I let Jason use my stove and cooking pot. 
• Jason is somehow helping Locus Gear market their cuben fiber tents
• Around 7:30 pm, a thunderstorm was pounding the mountains east of us.  Carsten asked where we would go if the storm hit us.  I said, "Nowhere. We stay in our tents on the sleeping pad."
• We had nowhere to run or hide
• About 8:00 pm, it rained for a bit and quit.  I thought we were out of the woods, so to speak.  I was wrong. 
• About 10:00 pm, rain and wind hit us hard.  We stayed dry but my hiking shoes, which were just outside the tent in the vestibule got soaked.
• The night was cold.  Besides base layer, socks, and stocking cap I wore wind jacket and gloves
• Started PCT mile 820  Ended at 837  about 17  miles

Fri 9/1

• We waited until 6:42 to leave to make sure we could find the trail as it crossed snowbanks and streams. 
• Snow started out hard.  On the very first section of snow, I used microspikes.
• We crossed multiple snow fields and streams and climbed steep, rocky sections. 
• Muir Pass has the coolest stone hut.  We enjoyed the hut as it was windy and cold at the Pass.  
• How am I doing? my back hurts late in the day (one reason I stopped early today), my knees ache at night, I'm frustrated at only doing 15 miles per day in the Sierras, I want a shower and clean clothes, I want to sleep in a bed.  In short, I'm loving every minute.  The Sierras have tough miles but BIG rewards. 
• I've now seen a big section of the Sierras.  Here are a few descriptive words:
• stunning
• jaw-dropping
• beautiful
• amazing
• awesome
• incredible
• beyond belief 
• wonderful
• Post Card beauty
• Neither words nor camera can capture what I'm hiking through.  I am so blessed to be here. 
• Solo again
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I have experienced many miles of hiking alone and also many nights of camping alone on this trip.  
• Carsten wants to experience "alone time." Reasonable request
• We both enjoy each other's company, but I left when Carsten was on an extended lunch break
• Started PCT mile 837    ended mile 852  about 15 miles

Sat 9/2

• Left camp at 5:21 am
• Two Falls Same Day
• While it was still dark, within a few minutes of camp, my right foot caught a root and down I went. No harm, no foul
• Later in the morning, I stepped on a rock that was steeply angled.  Down I went again, but this time I lost a little hide on my right shin
• This caused me to lose a little confidence with the next 2-3 stream crossings. 
• Came over Selden Pass about 12:15 pm.  Same beautiful wonderland as the other passes.  If you like alpine and sub-alpine zones, the Sierras are "eye candy"
• Started PCT mile 852      Ended 873.6  about 21.6 miles
• I'm so glad to finally pull a 20 mile day again. 
• Camped with Chris.  Campsite had a wonderful seasonal stream nearby--flowing over a rock for easy water. 
• Chris and I talked "hiker talk" and then I hit the sack.  I need an early start to make sure I'm at the dock for the ferry tomorrow morning. 

Sun 9/3

• Started hiking at 5:25 am.  Needed my headlamp for 5-10 minutes
• The trail from camp began steep and rocky.  But after awhile the trail became smooth and much more level. 
• I cross the steel bridge over Mono Creek and then took the trail to the ferry landing. 
• VVR--Vermillion Valley Resort--has a system: they start a tab for ferry ride, food, shower, etc
• Big Time Bummer!  My resupply box is NOT here!  VVR is a resort on National Forest land and needs more time for a mail delivery
• I can get by without the food by just using the hiker box. 
• But I absolutely need the maps from VVR to Tuolumne  (PCT miles 878 to 942).  From other hikers going South, I've scrounged map from 878 to 916.  If I took off now I'd be hiking "blind: the last 26 miles. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Passes  I have crossed several mountain passes in the Sierras
• Forester: highest at 13,000 feet plus
• Glen, Pinchot, Mather, and Muir are about 12,000 feet
• Selden is almost 11,000 feet
• Glen Pass was very steep coming down north side
• Muir Pass was the most sporty--several snowfields and stream crossings that were a challenge.  Combined with the stone hut, Muir Pass was fun!  
• Perspective: the PCT in Washington and Oregon does not get much over 7,000 feet. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I made several calls to Becky and left messages concerning my resupply box tracking number.  She doesn't answer calls from numbers she doesn't recognize. 
• Calls were made on VVR's satellite phone.  They use a timer to know how much to charge the customer (me)
• About late afternoon, I no longer cared about the resupply box.  Now I had a much bigger concern--something was wrong with Becky.  I was prepared to end my hike and skedaddle home.  
• Finally I left a message with Garrett.  I was pacing up and down like a cat. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Becky called and she was ok (in my defense, my phone no longer notifies me if I have a voice mail message.) And my box was delivered on Wednesday. 
• Sure enough the box was there.  But I had planned to leave today on the 4:00 pm ferry.  Grrr!
• I'm much relieved that Becky is ok.  I can continue my hike as planned. 
• I am pleased my priorities shifted from resupply box to Becky.  
• Tomorrow I'll be on the 9:00 am ferry, make my way back to the PCT and point my footsteps northward toward Tuolumne and home. 
• I have a sense of urgency to tie in my steps and get back home.