Journey Day 61 | PCT Day 61

High in the Snowy Sierras

6/16/85

Up to Jeff, Father’s trash strewn, apparently by scavenger deer. Keith and mine safely suspended on bear cable provided at site. Rope breaks, bringing down food, but no injury. Untangling takes Jeff and me more than 30 minutes, but it needed to be done.

Exchange addresses with Father, then off we go. Up steep grades on way to Kersage Pass, we “fiercely attack” the ridge. At a junction at the top of the climb, we part with Father Andrew and Chuck, interesting people, fine hiking companions. We wish each other well. Then the threesome, later dubbed “Team Ohio”, climbs again toward Glenn Pass. A pass a day keeps the doctor away!

Climbing, snow crossings looking for the trail. We take a break at rocks before another snow climb. Then up to the trail through snow, sheer rock climb. From here ascend to the pass with little problem.

But there’s more snow at the top. We begin our drop through a long snowfield with nothing but footprints to guide us. Up to our hips at times, we walk, fall, slip and slide down looking for the trail. After some searching, I’m stuck at the edge of the rock. Keith makes foot holds, I cross. Soon I find a possible way out, then cairns. We hike by these, find a trail. Break. Eat big, dry out our footwear.

After a lunch break, shits hit with cramps. Also more snow, path as creek. But the beauty is awesome. At Rae Lakes, tough ford. Throw Jeff my stick. It ends up floating out into freezing waters. Keith’s stick breaks on impact. I almost swim for it, but decide to let it go.

Jeff, the mad Alaskan, goes around and in. Even back in for bug juice he lost retrieving my stick. We hike on down, but cramps in my intestines make for painful going. Fear of giardia returns.

Dump multiple times, stop in pain amid beautiful mountains, lakes, rocks, water running everywhere. It gets better, we hike down hard, tired after about 12 hours on the trail. Eventually make camp next to raging stream powered by snowmelt. Megabugs. We combine effort, one stove, big pot, one bear-bag rope. Eat, quickly to bed. Third high pass in three days coming tomorrow.

Note: My food is never enough. I eat for nourishment, but never satisfy my monstrous PCT appetite. Talk of food, think of food, crave food.

Think of friends, Mary, but it all seems so far away. Thoughts almost dreams.