5.13.2018
Mile 750-766
There was no hurry this morning. The snow covered oasis that we woke up to didn’t deserve to be disturbed. Sooooo beautiful. The mountain, the lake. The picture do not do it justice.
I knew I wouldn’t be fast leaving camp when I heard it was 7am and I was still bundled up. It took the 3 of us about 2 hours to break camp and pack up. It looked like a yard sale of camping gear as we tried to dry our gear with the rising sun. At some point I selfishly made some hot chocolate and just stared in awe at the winter wonderland before me. I took a quick walk to the lake too. (I should mention it was quick because I was in my down booties and wanted to see if my feet would get cold, then I got scared I’d twist an ankle being out there in nothing more than slippers, either way it was still worth the walk and my feet didn’t get cold.)
Once we started climbing we all got an amazing view of Chicken Spring Lake. I should mention we are the only crazies out here as we carved our own tracks into the trail this morning. It was hours before I saw another person (other than Luc and Dude) and they were headed southbound.
We also entered into Sequoia & Kings National Parks at 11320 ft. Im getting so sunburnt up here.
When we arrived at the first water source we agreed to hike–and this is where I heard wrong but I’ll get back to that later–all the way to Crabtree Meadow, mile 766. We had a water crossing coming up and we agreed to filter water there. The water crossing was the first river we had to ford. I looked at the latest info I had that said “cross .1 mile upstream” but when Dude saw a 5in diameter long strewn across the river, he went for it. Luc put on his water shoes and I tried my best to believe that I could cross that log. I’d love to tell that I did, but instead I went for a swim. I was 4 steps on the log before I lost my balance. Luckily it wasn’t a deep river but it was cold. I’m sure I’m going to have a nice goose egg on my shin tomorrow as I know I hit a rock. I was only went from the waist down and pretty much dry by the time we reached camp. (This is not the creek I fell in BTW).
Speaking of that, back uphill we go. I pretty much grabbed water from the river and was going to filter when I needed it. I just needed to get moving before I became cold in my wet clothes. Just about a mile from Luc’s intended campsite Dude caught up to me. Dude and I discussed setting up camp there and shortening the planned day, but then agreed camping next to water would be better–which was actually the original plan for the day!!! I say that because we are close to Mt. Whitney and in order to get a jump on the mountain early you want to be further down trail, mile 767. I had agreed to go that far today. Anywho, lost in translation or bad communication, Dude and I are camped at mile 766 and Luc is camped a mile behind.
As I had never made a decision to summit Whitney before I arrived in the Sierras, seeing what the next day would bring, I sadly will not spend a day on Mt. Whitney. I’m more concerned with going over Forester Pass on Thursday. Tomorrow will be a few short miles to Tyndall Creek and some down time for the legs before Thursday. Let’s hope the weather holds as it is. Goodnight.
KLubs on a Long Dusty Walk 