Another Flat-Footed Adventure: June 24, 2012

Day 10
La Conte Canyon, along Middle Fork Kings River
Miles: 19
Trip Miles: 147

Another day of miles, marmots and magnificence. We approached Mather Pass separately, me taking lots of pictures in the soft morning light and Andrew moving quickly now, without my weight slowing him down. It feels good to be hauling all my own weight again - something I haven't done since our first day. I noticed it slowing me down today, but didn't really have much discomfort. My feet seem to know when we've hit the 15-mile maker and start protesting any more hiking. I know they'll toughen up and take more mileage without complaint, but that might take a little while. By the time we're out of the Sierras and in the Northern Cali desert, I'll be cruising. Who wants to go fast through the Sierras anyway?

Last night I started feeling a little homesick. I didn't think I'd miss my family until at least a few weeks in, but I had the urge to talk to my parents, brothers, friends, anyone else who knows me well. Being with only one person for days on end can be a challenge, even when those two people get along as well as Andrew and I. I'm so happy to be hiking with him, but I miss talking to my girls about things he doesn't understand: gossip, female body issues, hair emergencies...intellectual stuff. I'm sure we'll meet other hikers who will relieve the pressure of being everything to another person. It would have helped to start in Campo, get to know the rest of the 2012 PCT class. There are advantages to hiking in the desert, even if it means putting up with dehydration and cactus spines. Adversity brings people together.

Tomorrow we'll do another 18-19 miles, or push on to a spot nearer Muir Trail Ranch - a 23 mile trip. I did 22 to Independence, and in un-supportive shoes. Shouldn't I be able to hike further now that I have shoes resembling blue marshmallow Peeps?

Shaggy says:

Got the much needed sleep last night. I always try to find a site that has many pine needles, nice and soft, even for my well used z-rest. Every time I look at Lauren's, two inch thick thermarest I am slightly jealous. I am considering buying one in South Lake Tahoe. But for now I make sure we have a soft spot to sleep!
We woke up early and were hiking by 7 am. It was so cold! Lauren has a gadget that told us it was 33 when we started hiking. But the uphill climb to Mather Pass had us sweating in no time.
I decided to hike at my own pace and meet Lauren at the top of Mather. It felt so good to be outside early in the day, headed up a pass that I am fond of. It looks like it did in August a couple years ago. Nothing like the June of 2006. I still love the pass, so beautiful all the way up.
The descent down to Palisades Lakes felt so good. When at the lakes we took a long break. I played in the creek trying to catch fish with my bare hands. I had my hands on more than one good sized fish, but they slipped away. Hopefully one of these days I will snag some trout for lunch.
This is really livin though. Sitting on a shore of a crystal clear lake. The outlet cascades over a cliff, over a thousand feet before it begins to level off. The trail does the same in a series of short steep switchbacks, eventually leading us to the Middle Fork of Kings River. I cooked a quick dinner of a Mountainhouse I bought on clearance a few months ago. It was cheap and tastes great, but contains 37 grams of fiber, 142% of your daily value. Needless to say, it offers gas that is almost painful sometimes.
Luckily we walked another three and a half miles to a beautiful campsite along the river. Some of the gas escaped, some will escape throughout the night. I suppose the smells may really be a test for our relationship. But hey, she farts too!
We made 18 miles today, and it felt great. Happy to be here. We will head up Muir Pass tomorrow. I cant wait!