Slept through my alarm and woke an hour later than intended. Oops. Apparently I could use the extra sleep. No problem, just a little less relaxed morning-routine. Today we’d be hiking over John Muir Pass. It’s one of the passes in the high Sierras which tends to get lots of snow. But based on the info we got from other hikers and our interactive maps, it would not be something to really worry about. After a sweet mile downhill it would be a twelve mile climb out of the valley up to the pass. Our packs are getting lighter (there was no longer need to hang my food in a tree last night, because everything fits in my bear-canister now), but twelve miles is still a long way. Today there was hardly any wind, thus it heated up in the valley.
The first miles were still below tree-line, and we crossed several creeks within the pine-forest. During the last morning break we made the plan to hike just short of two miles of the pass to have lunch, and then book it up and over.
I struggled this morning, couldn’t really hit my stride. I knew that from the spot we’d taken a break, it would be several miles before we’d stop again. Figuring it would take me approximately an hour and a half to get there, I counted out loud the songs that we’re playing on my phone. Around song number 30 I should be there. Before hitting song 20 however I saw the others already chilling in the grass next to a lake; they’d decided to break early, and I was real glad to join them. We didn’t swim in the lake because a ranger had passed us and told us the lake was a breeding spot for (endangered?) frogs, so swimming was prohibited. In the sun we gave our legs a breather and had lunch, mentally and physically preparing for the last grind to the top. Pretty soon after leaving the lake, the views changed spectacularly as we gained elevation. Rock, water, snow our companions all the way to the pass. A moonlike-landscape with snowy patches, lakes and countless streams. Pristine but rough, and very beautiful.
A little after 1630 I was the last to make it to the John Muir Pass, where the John Muir Hut stood solemnly, providing hikers with shelter. Today’s hiking was very exposed, and even though we made it to 12000 feet, it was very warm, and the sun was burning hot. The past days I forgot to cover the back of my hands with sunscreen, so they are now a nice and crispy shade of red. I wore finger-less gloves for the rest of the day as means of damage control.
The final designated six miles downhill would take us to camp and put our total mileage for today at 18 miles. Not bad for a day in the mountains. The first stretch went by, fairly well, we chatted about the United States, must-see places, and different types of food of various states. Talk of food is a common topic on trail, but a very masochistic topic at that. After eating trail-food for a week, listing all the fantastic meals available in town but now out of reach for you, will make your hunger seem ten times worse. For some reason we can’t stop talking about it though. The last 2 miles for me were a pain, but like all preceding days we made it and quickly set up camp. We’re camped on a massive slab of granite, surrounded by lakes and mountains. Because there is no soft ground to hammer my tent-stakes into, I had to stack large rocks onto the guy-lines to secure my tent. Was the first time I didn’t use my stakes. Works just fine. It has cooled down significantly, and after a chilly dinner outside of my tent, I am happy to be toasty in my sleeping bag now with all my thermals on. It was another tough day, and I wish I could’ve enjoyed the beautiful scenery more than I had. But in all honesty I know that the fatigue caused by the daily strenuous exercise we do out here sometimes takes its toll. Tomorrow is another day to try and soak up more of the beauty of the Sierras.
I’d like to say,
That you’re my only fear
And when I dream,
It slowly disappears
And when I wake,
I’m right here by your side
To feel your heart
Beat in and out of time
When I dream,
I feel your heart…
I feel your heart…
I feel your heart…
Call to Arms – Angels and Airwaves
