Monday Day 51

5.14.2018

Mile 730-750

Luc left camp by 6. I asked that he wake me before he left. Dude was packed up just minutes before me and I left just around 7. We made some mad climbs above 10,000 feet several times before 10am, which is where I took my first break. I carried water from camp and had a late breakfast as I was solo those first few hours.

Around 11am the precipitation started to fall. It was light for about an hour after lunch at mile 743, but by mile 748 the trail was practically covered. There were several sections of the trail where snow was had not melted. I tried my best to walk in the tracks of others before me, so I wouldn’t posthole and get my feet wet. It didn’t matter because the ice pellets continued to fall and eventually we were carving our own tracks. I could see how easily someone could have lost the trail. We were headed toward chicken Spring Lake at elevation 11,000 feet. My Garmin forecast again said it was a “slight chance if heavy snow” and as I write it’s still a rain/snow mix.

We made it to the lake just before 5. We all quickly setup our tents in the snow and hunkered down. As much as I hate the thought of bears, I broke all the rules today and cooked right outside of my tent and ate in my “sleep” clothes. I made sure had cider with my meal if it was going to be the last meal I ate.

I messaged a couple of friends who told me the storm seems more north of where we are right now. I guess that’s a good thing for us but I also wonder how my other hiker friends are doing who are in front of us. I did get a message from Laura saying they were waiting out the storm at Horseshoe Meadow Campground until tomorrow.

So I’m huddled in my tent and it’s snowing. I knew this was a possibility, I just didn’t think it would happen on Day 3 in the Sierras. Ah well, it’s all a learning curve for me. As cold as it is outside, I’m perfectly warm in my little house.

Weather aside, we still crushed some miles today. The scenery is amazing out here. The trail is challenging and rewarding every day.