7/5/20; mile 1,017; elevation: 9,649 ft.
I’m usually the first to leave camp, but when town is involved (and a scheduled shuttle pickup), others can be quite motivated to hit the trail early. Thusly, I was the last to leave camp this morning. The joy of this morning was a big climb and big water carry. At least the food bag is mostly empty. This area is reminiscent of the earlier Sierra; raw exposed landscape with snow patches still hanging around. Yup, the snow isn’t over yet.
Once I top out, I’m ecstatic. It’s all downhill to Sonora Pass and Sarah. However, I also can’t help but take advantage of the cell reception and sending pics of the views to loved ones. It’s a perfect morning, clear, kinda cool without being cold, and a downhill mostly well-maintained trail. The miles start flying by. Within sight of the highway at Sonora Pass, I finally start catching some of the other hikers. I end up in quite a deep conversation with one, that occupies me all the way down. At the bottom, I see that the shuttle bus is there, people I know who are getting back on trail are getting out while the ones I’ve been hiking with are getting on.
I’m so focused on this that I completely miss Sarah just standing quietly by a tree. But once I do, I run back across the highway, drop my poles and give her a big hug. I tried singing to her (Ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough to keep me away from you….), but the tears get in the way. I’ve hiked over 300 miles of arguably the most arduous terrain of the PCT since she dropped me off last month. And she came back for me. I am just overwhelmed with emotion. After giving some introductions to the hikers who are getting back on trail, Sarah and I load up the car and follow the shuttle van west to Kennedy Meadows North.
We don’t have firm plans for where we’re staying tonight, but we agree a short break at the resort is a good start. We luck out with a cabin cancellation and they even give us a discount since it’s a large cabin but only two of us. How lucky for us on a holiday weekend.
The afternoon continues with us eating lunch with hikers and then we take a walk around the area and hang out at the river while waiting for our cabin to be prepped. It’s such a relief to be off trail with Sarah. I feel like I’ve accomplished so much and with such support from friends and loved ones. How can I be so fortunate? Though Sarah brought food for us to cook, we decide to eat dinner in the restaurant (prime rib night!) and are joined by Vader since he lost the musical chairs game with his party of five at a four person table. I spend a good amount of time in between all of this sorting gear and food that Sarah lovingly packed into the car. Tomorrow is back on the trail. Gotta make the miles.
Savior out.