PCT update: mile 789, Bishop,Ca. I left Kennedy Meadows full of ice cream and rest, and set off into the wilderness again. Instantly, something was different. Rivers flowed everywhere from the mountain peaks into lush green meadows. Life was everywhere. The desert was over and a new section had begun, The Sierra Nevada mountains. Big climbs lead to spectacular views, and every day the mountains would get bigger. Every day seemed to better than the last. I would often just stop to reflect where I was and how I had gotten there. On Saturday, we made it to the basecamp for Mt. Whitney at Crabtree Meadows. We climbed up at 4 pm to catch the sunset, and set up camp for the night. I think it was below 20 degrees, but I stayed up most of the night looking at the stars. Without any light or sounds for many miles, the sky lit up like Christmas lights. Skyline to skyline stars. I got everyone up for sunrise at 4:30, and was well worth the lack of sleep. We climbed down later in the day, and snuck a nap in before hiking out. The following day, we started hiking up to Forrester Pass, at elevation 13,200 feet. The views were spectacular, looking down into Kings canyon. I then dropped into the valley of Kings Canyon, surrounded by huge mountains. The rivers roar with snowmelt, and old trees fill the trail with shade. I had to climb up and over Kearsarge Pass to get to the trailhead. The Kearsarge Pinnacles tower all around you, while waterfalls drain into gorgeous lakes. Deer were bouncing around. I got a ride into Bishop, and have been eating pints of ice cream and meals that would feed 3 regular people. Lots of rest and some hot tubbing. Back to the trail now. I actually cannot wait to get back into the mountains. One of the coolest things about the mountains are marmots. They are like high elevation groundhogs. They do cute things and we perk up every time we see them. One of the reasons that they are so great, is because they only live above 10,000 feet. If you see them, you are really somewhere special. We are planning on shorter mileage days through the next week in the mountains. Time spent reading next to lakes, and enjoying the amazing beauty of the mountains. I definitely want to stop and enjoy this section. Every day brings spectacular views where reflection is necessary. I will post more from Mammoth Lakes, in about 7 or 8 days. Be well, and I will keep the pics coming. Know that there is nowhere else that I would rather be. I am having the best time. If you get the chance, come to the mountains. It will change your life. Much love. Kitten
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:09:13 +0000