Trail Miles: 18.3
Miles Walked: 18.8
It was 34 deg inside the tent this morning and the condensation from my breathing had frozen on the tent walls. We’d camped above 10,300 ft after it had rained and hailed. Nothing to do but pack up and hike. At lunch we pulled everything out of our packs to dry in the sun. It looked like a massive yard sale. Tents, rain flies, sleeping bags, clothes spread out everywhere.
Now that we’re in the Sierra the average elevation is higher. Today we spent most of the day above 10,000 fr and camped just a hair below 11,000 ft. We’ve decreased our daily mileage intentionally as a result. While the trail keeps to a moderately low grade with switchbacks, you’re still climbing at elevation with a heavy pack (5 days of food today ).
At least water is more plentiful. There have been a few 10 miles stretches without water but that distance will decrease as we continue north.
There was a Ranger at Cottonwood Pass one of the exits to Lone Pine. She was checking permits and for bear canisters. It was the first time someone had checked me on the PCT. I wasn’t surprised because the Sierras are highly travelled and overuse is a concern. I spoke with her and a day hiker about the weather forecast and conditions on Mt Whitney. The day hiker has been in KM and caught the fear monger bug. The ranger gave me what I thought was an accurate assessment – people were summiting, bring an ice axe, May not need it. — I later heard a hiker who didn’t have a permit yelled at the ranger when she asked to see his required permit. I don’t know who the hiker was but it really irks me that someone would do that particularly when that individual is the guilty party.
We stopped atChicken Spring Lake, our first taste of high Sierra alpine lakes. It was ringed by the granite of Cirque Peak. The water was cold, but everyone took the opportunity to bathe and wash clothes – an by that I mean rinse with water. -You don’t use soap; doing so would pollute the lake.
I spent nearly 3 hrs there before getting back on the trail. The remaining 6 miles descended to a bench/plateau that had stunning views of a high meadow and Mt Whitney to the north. I felt excitement and elation over the beauty of what’s to come.
We made Camp at 10968ft at Mile 756.6. It was a cold night. My thermometer read 32 deg inside the tent. So far my 20 deg Western Mountaineering sleeping bag with silk liner and air mattress are keeping me warm, but I did sleep in my down jacket, merino wool pullover and capilene base layer (Thank you Parker!!) as well as tights and wool socks.
Tmrw will be a shorter day – positioning for summiting Whitney. 14 miles to guitar lake.
Mt Whitney in the distance
