Day 57: 719-736

Cow creek was freezing cold this morning. It took me forever to get up, eat and pack. Plans changed and we decided to do 17 miles today so tomorrow is a shorter trek to my first major challenge: Cottonwood Pass.  Mountain passes are critical points on the trail - they are the portal between two valleys, and there is no way around them.  You have to hike up and over them, and they are plentiful in the Sierra.  They will start to get bigger and bigger over the next few days, and will last all the way through South Lake Tahoe. The hike out of camp was steep and ascended to 10,600 feet in a matter of miles. The air is getting thinner and it's generally much colder. A strong breeze never stopped since this morning. 

I'm feeling all kinds of new and uncomfortable pains in my feet and back from the weight of my bear can. Over the course of several miles my left Achilles started to hurt bad. I pressed on until I could ice it in a river and take some ibuprofen. I'm generally hiking much slower because of the weight and the climbing up and over felled trees and debris constantly. The trail is in pretty rough condition out here. 

The weather took a turn for the worst and a cold front blew in. It was extremely cold and the day was full of violent gusts of wind on top of the peaks and traverses I climbed.

The views are spectacular. The space is big and expansive. The Sierra mountains tower over massive Meadows. Snow peaks off in the distance. This is all the result of millions of years of geological violence. Everything is extreme. 

Tonight we camped at 10,400 ft. It's still super windy and we all pitched our tents. Sub groups of hikers are forming within the larger cohort and it looks like some folks may split off soon. I immediately set up my tent and started cooking food. I desperately want to eat some of my 9 day supply to reduce the weight and the space in my pack. The more I consume, the lighter it gets, the less my feet and knees ache. 

I woke up at 11pm to some racket outside my tent and I realized it was dumping snow on us. Everything is covered! Looks like all the wind was actually the beginnings of a cold front and storm which landed directly on us.  My watch said it was 23 degrees the next morning - making getting out of my sleeping bag and packing up super unappealing lol. 

Scotty realizing today isn't going to be awesome

Day 56: 702-719

The trail is changing and becoming spectacular and more beautiful than before. It was also the first of roughly 8-9 days that we will be in the back country of the High Sierra. 

Most folks had already done mock-packing sessions over the past couple days but I sort of avoided it because I knew that it was going to suck.  This morning I woke up and finally packed everything that I have.  With the extra 12 pounds of food, the bear can, ice axe, and crampons, my pack is extremely heavy. I was sort of shocked that I was even able to get everything inside or on it. 

The climb out of Kennedy Meadows is beautiful, but painful with the new weight. We are definitely moving slower than before and the altitude will start to affect us as well. Several miles into the hike Scotty rolled his ankle.  My feet are feeling all kinds of new pains, and the same goes for other parts of my legs.  The good news is, each day the pain shifts…so I think its just my body making its own adjustments and not some recurring chronic injury.  I have to keep a lookout for any serious issues.  

Our group earned a trail name: The lazy fucks

Me and Earwig - a lazy fuck and Medic for Ventura County.

The valleys we walked through were impeccable. Imagine two mountains on either side of you forming a perfect V. It gives way to a massive field, a meadow. It’s a real emotional boost to finally walk into these meadows and great expanses. No more damn desert. It runs miles long and is pristine and untouched. The Kern River snakes and meanders through the valley floor. It's breezy and cool, but sunny. Snowy peaks in the distance tower over everything, giving you a preview of what's to come. It is a spectacle to see first hand. With all that is happening in the world, it feels selfish to be here. I am awed by it and I can't wait to see what is next. 

That evening, Earwig and I finally pulled into our first camp for the night.  20 hikers were already there, too many for my taste. I decided to cowboy camp because this may be the last night that it's warm enough to do so. It's very cold and the temp dropped fast tonight. I can hear the Cow Creek flowing hard in the darkness. Good night world.

The Kern.

Note: my camera is getting more filthy and its been hard to keep my lens clean.  excuse the spots in the photo!

Day 55: Zero Day 2 Kennedy Meadows

Today I had foot pain this morning when I woke up which was concerning me. It hurts to bend my toes. A big group of hikers left this morning, so it was more quite. By noon 50 new folks including Blue Crew got here.

I haven't seen them for a few days and was happy that they made it in.

It was super hot so I walked to the river with Speck and Spacejam. Jumped in and briefly froze my ass. It was nice to wash off in some ice water though. We got a hitch in a horse trailer back to KM which is a first for me...riding with a horse on a trailer

Walking to the river for a swim  

Back at camp, I did chores and charged all my electronics. Sorted out my 'food' for the next section. I use air quotes because we eat utter bullshit out on the trail.

Sparrows make cool little nests under the bridge  

Lots of marijuana is being smoked by hikers and locals alike. It's sort of funny how little people care about that sort of thing. I guess it shouldn't matter anymore considering we are hiking through 3 legal states. The small grill on the side of the general store makes amazing burgers. You have to order them an hour in advance. I ate a Justin burger again. After deliberation, I mailed my boots forward to Bishop. If I want them by the time I get there I will just use them, otherwise I'll send them home to my dad. Our crew had a second team meeting. There was some tension among group about size. Some folks splintered off. The core people I want to hike with are in tact. Our plan is to go 8-9days on this next stretch, which lowers our daily mileage. The whole stretch is 112 miles including the detour to Mt. Whitney and the hike out to get into Bishop. Tomorrow we will attempt 17 miles to acclimate.

The Blue Crew. Love these guys.  

I have no idea how big my pack will be. I fitted and adjusted my crampons. Helped Hitch with her IT band issues. Mailed a couple post cards. Texted and spoke with jessica today to confirm my plans. Ate pizza dinner and watched the NBA finals. Going to bed early. Leaving with Earwig, Righteous, and Big Daddy (heroin eyes) tomorrow.

Filthy people on their way to Tom's for the evening movie: Old School