5/20/20, mile: 644, elevation 6,693 ft.
The wind is predicted to die this morning, and so far it’s off to a good start. But again, it’s cold. Cold enough to wear my puffy and insulated gloves (sexy red!) to start the day. I’ve got something like 6 miles to get to the next water source (a cache again), and thankfully most of the climbing was completed yesterday in exchange for my sanity. Other than that, the trail is just like yesterday; sandy with rocks, few shady areas, but massive views of more of the same.
Walking below a ridge during the 6 mile stretch to the water cache, I had a run in with a disabled local. The tree had a broken branch stub that happened to be the same height as my head. With my hat-wearing head down and powering through my trekking poles listening to music, I didn’t see it coming. It certainly felt worse than it looked at first, but the knot that formed later was formidable. Right after impact, I was immediately on my hands and knees wondering just WTF just hit me. Once I realized I wasn’t going to end up looking like a horror movie extra with blood flowing down my face, I just beared down and continued on.
The water cache was another wonder for us thru hikers, and again I took the time to take a longer break and cook some food. There was a good climb coming up, taking me over 7,000 feet, so I need to fuel up. The added challenge is that the next close water is almost 14 miles away. This desert water carrying crap is getting old….did I say that already?
The food certainly helps me on this climb, and with it still being somewhat early, the trail isn’t fully exposed to the morning sun, but there are still sections that get a good blast of wind. Which turns out to be about perfect (finally!) once I start working up a slight sweat on the constant climb. I’m getting fired up as the upper ridge appears with trees instead of shrubs, and more rocks than sand. Yes, give me mountains. Once on the ridge, the trail traverses the eastern side, giving views of more desert (way down below, thank Dog), including views way back to Big Bear with it’s still snow-covered peaks and then looking to the north I get the first views of Mt. Whitney. Wow. That’s just a couple weeks of walking away. Incredible.
From here on out to the next water, it’s almost completely flat or downhill. I’m pushing for another almost 20-mile day to make it to the spring at McIver’s Cabin. The trail remains in trees, and the views disappear as the elevation drops, which also keeps me out of the wind. I finally decide I need an eating rest before I tackle the remainder of my day. This is a full-on deploy my ground sheet, lay down and eat as much food as I can stomach. More calories for me to energize my afternoon, less weight to carry. It’s tempting to stay here, it’s such a nice campsite, but I want to make it further, and I’m sure most of the people around me are just ahead.
But they’re not at the spring. Nobody is. The cabin is a mouse-infested fire trap, so no thank you to sleeping in there, but I will sleep close and gorge on water. And more food. Tomorrow is an easy walk to Walker Pass, the challenge is getting transportation to town.
Savior out.