Journey Day 342 | CDT Day 5

I passed the Medicine Grizzly Trail, closed due to bear danger.

6/16/87

After a wild night of weather, Carl let's me know it's clearing and 7:20 a.m. So I stuff my bag, organize and exit my shelter for the "food preparation" area. I eat dry with tea made with lake water and we walk away from Red Sky Campground in gaiters and pack covers, having wrapped Leonard's ankle for the third time.

Easy ups and downs, but the brush soaks us, soon rain begins anew. We do our first wet ford, then three others in rain and wind. Begin our ascent to Triple Divide Pass. Great waterfalls from ridge top.

I take lead, as all prepare for climb. The weather gets worse, the wind stronger, the rain cold and pelting. One long snowfield subverted by walking below, then cross the next easily. Lose others at this point, as I push hard in cold, hypothermic conditions. Little is visible as clouds hang low. Climb as cold grows, wind builds, rain pelts. I eschew clothing to continue, switch-backing up to pass. Wind blows hard, driving me off balance, my legs red and numb outside shorts and gaiters. Feet soaked, getting numb from stream crossings. Final climb to pass!!!

Cloudy at top. So on down the other side, enjoying warmth with elevation loss and view of Medicine Grizzly Lake and lake near ridgetop above. Rocks, quick drop. Stupidly get water at cascade, soaking already cold hands. Stick hands in pits, push on down. At snowfield, reckless approach almost costs me as I  slide, but veer to edge and climb away, shaken, but safe.

Drop farther, pass Medicine Grizzly Trail, closed due to bear danger. This and large scat put me on guard. I reach camp, scout it, raise tent before others arrive. I finish organization, talk briefly, then climb into Starlet and bag for rewarming.

Awaken, hang clothes, as sun is struggling to make skies blue again. Wind strong as ever. Eat, catching up at tail end with others. After chili feast with tea, I dump, clean pans and do bear bag for Carl and me. He's volunteered, as I hung up my rope earlier and forget to replace it. After usual travails, I finish, hoping it foils pillage attempts. From there, I check clothes blown about, take a seat to get last feel of outdoors and update before heading back to bed.

Up once during the night to clear the clothes line, I was awed by the definition of the solar system on the clear black sky and thankful for the likelihood of a clear morning.