Greetings from mile 702. This is my first major milestone and everyone is certainly excited to be heading up to the cool mountain air of the High Sierra Mountains. It is that time in our hike where we get rid of our 6L water reservoirs, long sleeve sun shirts, and super light hiking shoes. Now we add a bear proof food container, down jacket, ice ax, and small crampons fit for hiking boots. It will be over 200 miles before we will see another paved road, the longest stretch of road-less trail in the country. I will be carrying 11 days worth of food and my pack weighs a hefty 42 pounds. The PCT will take us over numerous high alpine passes even over 13,000 feet that still have huge snow fields hanging on the north side for us to glissade down (we slide on our shoes kind of like skiing without the skiis). We will be passing very near to Mt Whitney and the majority of hikers (myself included) choose to take an extra day to hike up to the highest mountain in the lower 42 states. After all, we are in the best shape of our lives and it would be silly to pass up such a great opportunity. This year the snowfall is very low so many hiker are not even bringing their ice ax (used for emergency stopping if you are sliding uncontrollably down a snowfield). It is the perfect reward of high alpine vistas and brisk mountain air after the desert. A thunderstorm is currently rolling down the valley, our first rain since the San Jacintos at mile 165. Welcome to the real mountains :-)
Kennedy Meadows is a tiny little mountain "town" made up of a few houses, a General Store, and a Trail Angel's house. Tom is a trail hippy at heart and has been welcoming hikers for many years to camp in his yard. He has computers for us to use the internet and even an outside movie theater to watch movies when it gets dark. Truly a great place to relax before our big push up into the Sierras.
For anyone watching the news, there are numerous wildfires effecting the PCT hikers to the south of where I am. Between Agua Dulce and Green Valley the trail has been closed because of wildfires. Many hikers are skipping around the section to keep moving north. There really isn't much to do if a fire is in your way other than to go around it and we will have plenty of opportunity to interact with forest fires in northern california for sure.
Happy Trail,
~beads
Dr Beads! How the heck are ya!! We all sure do miss you, but love what you’re doing! Webster ain't got words to say how much I miss you at work...you were like my own private encyclopedia! Work is crazy busy, 2 docs interviewed, both flunked, WHAT!!! Got a new tech, nice lady. S announced his imminent move out of state. It all keeps life interesting! - I’m fostering 3 baby rough grouse, mom got “tired” lol!! I crack me up!! Anyway, I hope they make it…4 have already diedL
ReplyDeleteAll your k-9 cronies are well and happy! Missing ya, I’m sure ! Be safe and think about us on occasion!
BIG HUG!! - KayBee
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteWow, you made it to High Sierra's, great job. I love the comments you make letting us know what your are doing, and how you are doing it. You really must be meeting some very interesting people during your travels. Watch out for the wild fires, they can travel fast and change direction just as fast. When I was packing with my llama's in Wyoming we had to make a really fast decent back down the trail due to a fire. Have fun and stay safe. Pat CVAS
Sending Love From Red Stick!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Beads, can't wait to hear more. The boys and I miss you. BTW, Kevin's play was a smash hit. I got a DVD of the play and we can watch it together when you get back. Prepare to laugh your pants off.....hee hee. KayBee's right, work has been crazy. You need to be one of our Doc's. Certainly make work interesting...Dr. Beads. I love and miss you much. Watch out for the bears and the fires. Love you!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Beads! Hope you got to eat cake on your birthday! Happy Birthday Chica! Hope you are doing well, haven't seen anything new from you in a while, so I figured you were in between towns. Keep your head up and your feed on the ground. I love you and miss you much.
ReplyDelete