Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 12

 9/11/09

BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  That statement never seems more true than when it comes to vacations.  As I sit here in my apartment in Austin having gone back to work, I can’t help but wish that my vacation had been a couple of days longer.  However, you cannot shirk the responsibilities of civilization forever.  I really am glad that I took the time to record my thoughts throughout the trip.  As I have typed them into these blogs, it was almost like reliving the events of the past couple of weeks.  I could taste the food, see the views, and feel the pain of my hiking boots.  I hope that by reading this, it gives you some indication of what the trip was like.  

        To sum up the rest of the trip after leaving Mammoth Lakes, I would say it was a classic case of culture shock.  The 5-hour drive back to LA was a change from the slow pace of backpacking.  I found it hard to focus on things for awhile as there was just so much stuff going on.  I ate pretty consistently throughout that day and the next few days.  I found it difficult to get full.  LA was crazy.  The LA area is just massive and the freeways are like a roller coaster.  The people don’t necessarily drive bad, just really fast.  My hotel was right off of Hollywood Blvd.  I can’t and won’t try to convey what it was like to leave the serenity of the mountains and dive head first into Hollywood.  After taking a glorious shower, I went down and walked the Blvd. just to get a sense of the craziness.  It was a very unique experience with all of the people dressed up as celebrities, the people on the street trying to make it “big”, and the tourists eating it all up.  

        The next day I woke up and drove down Sunset Blvd., Rodeo Dr., and past Bel Air.  I hit up the Getty Museum which was very nice.  After that, I headed back to Hollywood as just a few blocks from my hotel, a bar called UWink was hosting a UT alumni watch party.  I know I was in LA, but I had been telling everyone on the backpacking trip that the biggest thing I was looking forward to when I got back was UT Football.  Thus, that took precedence over everything else.  After watching UT win and OU lose, I went and watched a movie.  Then it was back to my hotel to get everything ready to fly back to Austin the next day.  I would have needed two weeks at least just to gain an understanding of what LA was all about.  Austin seems so tame in comparison.  

        I didn’t mind going back to work since I had been off for so long.  Now I’m starting to remember why I wanted to go on vacation in the first place.  At least I know that no matter how crazy things get in life, I will always have experiences like The Sunrise Special to look back on.  People have asked me to summarize the trip for them.  As you can tell by the previous 11 posts, that is no easy task.  If I were to put it in one sentence though, here is what I would say:  It was the highest of highs and the lowest of lows involving some amazing scenery and an awesome group of people that created the ultimate experience.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 11

 09/04/09

California Part 11

Day 13 – Today my backpacking trip through the Yosemite area came to an end.  I would venture to say that it was a trip of epic proportions.  In terms of the length, the scenic views, the relationships that were cultivated, and the experiences that were had, epic seems like an accurate way to describe The Sunrise Special Backpacking Trip I took part in.  

Saying goodbye was difficult, but getting to that point was a little easier.  We awoke very early and were eating breakfast by 6:30am.  The hike out was a little over 8 miles to Mammoth Lakes, and we were on the trail by 7:30.  The first mile was a nice stroll to the end of Thousand Island Lake.  From there it was a mix of ups and downs to a nice overlook of the Sierra Nevadas.  The next few miles traversed a fairly level trail that maintained the mountain vistas.  We stopped for a light lunch around 12:30 in a shaded area that looked out over a gorgeous lake, Shadow Lake, nestled back in the mountains across the valley in front of us.  Lunch was cheese and crackers followed by pieces of a Toblerone bar.  With our final meal together behind us, we began the steep descent out.  Whether it was due to the slope of the trail or a desire to complete our trek, our group moved at the most rapid pace of the entire trip.  We emerged into Agnew Meadows at about 2.  Awaiting us were the first cars we had seen in a week and a half.  From there it was a short walk down a wide dirt road to a bus stop for the Mammoth Lakes Shuttle.  

Though I don’t think any of us were too concerned with our level of cleanliness, I cannot say that the people on the shuttle felt the same way.  You couldn’t help but laugh and at the same time feel bad for the unsuspecting bus patrons as 14 exhausted, dirty, and smelly backpackers loaded on to their shuttle for the 15-minute ride back to Mammoth Lakes Ski Resort.  Some of the passengers were kind and either asked to hold our gear or even offer us their seats.  Others cringed at our presence.  We piled out of the bus at the ski resort to a waiting cooler containing soda and beer.  A friend of Cathy’s, Alice, had been waiting for us with these first treats of civilization.  For the next half hour we sorted out our gear and took countless group photos.  

At about 3:00 we began to figure out who needed what transportation as the group had cars scattered all over the area.  Once that was settled, it was time to say our goodbyes and go our separate directions.  As difficult as it was to say goodbye to what had been my family for the last week and a half, the thought of the trip in front of me pushed me to go.  I had a 5-hour drive to LA to complete and knew I needed to hit the road.  I said my goodbyes to everyone, made my way to my rental car, and tried to take in all that had occurred in the last 10 days as my trip came to a close.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 10

09/03/09

California Part 10

Day 12 - What a bittersweet night it is.  As I brushed my teeth on a rock, I realized that tomorrow night I would be doing it in a hotel.  At the same time, I realized that no bathroom could compare to the one in front of me.  The full mood glistened off Thousand Island Lake, while illuminating the massive surrounding mountains and snowfields.  It will be a while before I am able to enjoy that level of beauty and grandeur again.   

Today was a very relaxing day.  I awoke for breakfast and sunrise around 6am.  Breakfast was Spam and hash browns with Tabasco Sauce.  At about 9:30 most of the group went on a hike to some of the surrounding lakes.  I stayed back to enjoy my last day in paradise, and allow my feet to heal.  Another camper, Michelle, also chose to stay behind.  We left at about 10 for a walk around the lake.  I went in my sandals not wanting to put my boots on.  

We worked our way up to a little snowfield.  It was quite icy at this point of the year, but I managed to build a little snowman anyways.  The two of us discussed all manners of life on the walk, everything from relationships to our favorite desserts.  I think we spent the same amount of time on both topics.  We stopped about 12 and ate lunch on a little rock outcropping while dangling our feet in the lake.  After that we made our way back around the lake to camp.  I decided it was bath time, so I stripped down to my boxers and into the 40-degree water I went.  It took awhile to get up the guts to get all the way in, but I managed to eventually.  It didn’t take near as long to get out.  

From there I headed back to my tent and changed clothes.  Then I laid around camp for a couple of hours reading until everyone got back from their hike.  Tonight’s dinner was greatly appreciated, as I had been hungry since about 2pm.  Happy hour started the festivities with pink lemonade, 151, crackers, and a sun dried tomato mix that was delicious.  We followed that up with onion soup, and then a huge portion of pasta and smoked salmon.  Dessert was believe it or not, cheesecake with blueberries.  It was a great dinner for our final one.  

Today was exactly what I needed.  There was ample time for relaxation and reflection.  Alas it is time to go back to a world involving electricity and automobiles.  Though it offers many comforts, it creates an equal amount of trials and tribulations.  The chance I’ve had to come together with a group of complete strangers and share ideas and experiences about the crazy world we call home, while enjoying some of the best of what our planet has to offer, has been a very privileged experience.  Not really knowing what I was getting into, I couldn’t ask for a better result.  If you don’t leave here re-energized and just amazed at what is possible when you put mind on accomplishing a task, then frankly something is amiss.  There will be many sad goodbyes tomorrow as I bid adieu to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a cherished group of people.  At the same time, I leave here knowing that after traveling over 50 miles through the mountains in the last week in a half that the world I’m a part of is an amazing place.  There are many people and things I have missed, and I will be very glad to reacquaint myself to them.  Though I have some ideas, I do not know what exactly lies ahead of me in life.  If the journey contains experiences as pleasing and powerful as this though, then I know it will be an amazing ride.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 9

09/02/09

California Part 9

Day 11 – Today was the first day that I really started dreaming of the world outside of these mountains.  It’s hard to say why, but I imagine it stems from a couple of things:

1) Food: Though the food has been amazing, there really just hasn’t been quite enough.  I don’t blame Cathy.  Planning for 14 people across 10 days is extremely difficult, and she has done a wonderful job.  I’m just ready for larger portions as I am hitting a point where an hour after a meal I’m already starving and thinking about the next one.  

2) My feet: I can’t tell you how much my feet hurt.  Between my blisters and the soreness of pudding away with a pack, they are ready for some rest and relaxation.

3) A warm shower and a bed: The thought of a shower really hit me when I soaked my feet in some water we had heated on the stove.  I actually jumped when my feet touched the water as I sort of forgot what hot water felt like outside of using it for cider and hot chocolate.  As for the bed, I think that is self-explanatory.  My air mattress is great, but how much nicer a bed would be.  

It is crazy though how quickly your mood can change out here.  I find at home, if you’re having a bad day, it can be difficult to turn it around.  Out here though, when you hit camp, get your tent setup, and take off your boots, the world quickly perks up.  Take a walk to the lake, soak your feet, and admire the 13,000 feet mountains that surround the lack covered in snow and ice, and I promise all your worries will slip away. 

Essentially, that was my day.  Pain and thinking of home while walking to camp, and then pleasure and serenity once the boots were off and the views took over.  It started with pancakes, had some crackers with hummus and dried fruit in the middle, and then finished with cream of mushroom soup, Shepard’s pie, and cookies.  

One funny thing about our national parks is the way they deal with the wildlife.  Take bears and food for instance.  Here in Yosemite and the surrounding mountains, you put your food in a canister or a bear box.  If it is in a canister, you leave it on the ground.  If you leave anything in your car, the bears will break into it.  In Yellowstone, they tell you to put your food in the car and leave nothing outside.  If you are backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, they tell you hang your canister in eh trees to get it off the ground.  I don’t understand why they are training the bears differently at each park.  In truth, it is inter5esting to think about how bears have developed differently based on the area and the human interactions they have had.  I guess I’m thinking about this because we are in a prime bear area again tonight and tomorrow night here at Thousand Island Lake.  

I can’t forget to mention the other two highlights of the day.  Being the Sunrise Special, we thought it would be criminal not to see a single sunrise.  So, about 9 of us got up at 5:30am and sat around watching a beautiful sunrise while sipping on hot chocolate.  Then this evening, we did a tent tour.  We walked around sipping Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light and 151 while we visited everyone’s sights.  They showed the rest of the group their tent and talked about their favorite thing they brought.  Mine was my sandals, because I hate my boots.  

Since tomorrow is a layover day again, I think I am just going to hangout.  I want to enjoy one more quiet day before the hike out.  It is crazy to think we are done in just a couple of days.  It will be weird going back to technology.  I think this is the longest I’ve gone without access to a computer in about 16 years, and the longest I’ve gone without a cell phone since I first got one.  In truth, it has been quite nice.  I don’t know what is happening, and out here where staying warm, fed, and alive are the most important things, it doesn’t matter.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 8

09/01/09

California Part 8

Day 10 – Today might have been the best day yet.  We had a crazy adventure that was primarily cross-country, and it confirmed my feelings that aside from Yosemite Valley, the best scenery in the area is outside of Yosemite.  

The day started early enough and cold of course.  For breakfast we had oatmeal and crumpets.  Then I got packed up with a much lighter pack, and I set out with 7 others on a search for the Lost Lakes.  We followed the JMT back the way we came yesterday for about a mile, and then we cut east and followed a creek drainage off trail.  From there our goal was about 1,000 feet above us.  It was purely judgmental as we picked our way up rock shoots, past boulders, and around trees.  After some steep stretches we reached a nice little flat area with the best views I’ve seen on the trip.  Since it really can’t be described, I’ll simply say imagine being able to see every mountain peak for over 100 miles stretching out into the distance.  

From there we did a little bouldering it the west up to a cirque that contained a quaint little lake.  At this point we though we would be able to traverse our way back east at the same elevation around a ridge and hit The Lost Lakes.  Well, we tried.  Once we hit the ridge though, we were literally between a rock and a hard place.  We had been hopping boulders and sliding through narrow seams in the rock until we reached a point that none of us felt comfortable going any further.  The boulders were too big and the ravines were too steep.  We looked for ways higher and lower, but it really seemed too technical for any of us to risk trying.  So instead we traversed back to the first lake a different way than we had just come, because none of us could recall the exact path we had just taken.  Upon arriving back at the first lake, we properly dubbed it “Found Lake.”

Exhausted form route finding and bouldering at 11,000 feet, we settled in for lunch.  Crackers, summer sausage, Gouda, Kashi bars, and little chocolate almond snacks filled our bellies.  Then we laid on the grass and rocks for about 20 minutes for a nice lakeside rest.  At this point, all hilarity ensued.  I know it probably wouldn’t be funny unless you were there, however let’s just say it started with me pretending to be the crocodile hunter as I tracked a duck from the shored by crawling on my stomach, to conversations about chicken wire being kinky, to numerous one-liners, to me trying to date the duck, to watching people trying to take pictures with their cameras pointing in the wrong direction.  It was easily the hardest I’ve laughed on the whole trip.  

After lunch, we decided not to pursue The Lost Lakes.  Instead we took another steep route down off of the ridge requiring more scrambling and butt-sliding.  We worked our way in a circle back to the JMT and then back to camp.  What was to be a 14-mile hike turned into the best 10-mile hike of the trip.  Looking back, we undershot the ridge.  We needed to be about a mile further to the east before attempting to scramble up about 1,000 feet to The Lost Lakes.  Instead we went somewhere that Cathy had never gone.  The Lost Lakes were here idea as she had done it a few years earlier.  It turns out that “Found Lake” was just as good of a hike.  

Upon returning, I jumped out of my hiking boots as fast as possible.  My feet hate me.  Between the stress the backpack puts on the bottom of my feet, and the blisters on my heels and toes, I can’t wait to not have to put these boots on anymore.  I also had to clean my tent out as somehow everything had become covered in sand.  I know I’m dirty and so is my stuff, but I have to draw the line somewhere.  Even though this valley is beautiful, the wind blows non-stop.  I guess it found a way to blow sand past my rain fly and through the closed tent door.  Oh well.  I then proceeded to dunk my head in the steam, wash my shirt, and wash my upper body.  It felt great.  Dinner followed and the menu read: soup, some kind of carrot slaw, turkey, dressing, and cookies.  That was a perfect way to top off a great day. 

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 7

08/31/09

California Part 7

Day 9 – Sometimes this trip is akin to a 5 star luxury vacation.  After a tiring day, we found ourselves sitting in front of a stream being fed by a nearby waterfall enjoying red wine, smoked clam and oysters, crackers and olives.  Between the spread and the views we felt like we were in the lap of luxury.  That was followed by a dinner of cheese and spinach tortellini with German Chocolate Cake.  I encouraged Cathy to write a book on eating in the wilderness.  Between the recipes, preparation, and storage, I wouldn’t even know where to start.

Today was a really gorgeous day, but it was quite tiring and cold.  We climbed from our campsite this morning at 10,200 feet to Donahue pass at 11,056 feet.  It marked our exit from Yosemite and our entrance into the Ansel Adams Wilderness.  That doesn’t mean the scenery took a dip, as it might have even gotten better.  It was a cloudy day so it stayed cool, especially at the pass.  It warmed up slightly as we wound our way down about 800 feet for lunch.  The mile descent really took a toll on my feet.  It was constant pounding down rocky steps, and I couldn’t wait to take my shoes off at camp.  

Lunch was light.  It was peanut butter, dried apples, and raisins wrapped in a tortilla.  I joked with everyone about the difference between Mexican Food in CA and TX.  I said we would never have a peanut butter, raisin, and apple burrito in TX.  The mountain vistas on the way to camp continued to amaze me.  Though it took a lot of searching with Cathy not having been to the spot in three years, we finally found camp in a little valley surrounded by towering peaks.  

Not long after arriving at camp, the packer showed up.  It was a local girl named Shelly on her horse leading two mules.  Each mule had about 75 lbs. of stuff.  It takes a lot to feed 14 people apparently.  Personally I was quite excited to have a chance to refill my snack pack.  That is basically what I get to eat on the trail between meals.  I ran out of snacks at the pass today, so I was due.  The Dove dark chocolate pieces were heavenly.

As I look out my front porch, I have a stream with a waterfall flowing through a meadow backed by towering snow-capped peaks.  Not too bad if I say so myself.  I don’t know if the wine or the hiking made me tired, but I’m ready for bed.  Tomorrow is a big day as we are doing a 14-mile cross-country hike.  We don’t have to carry all of the stuff though because it is a layover day.  Given the extent of the hike, I’m sure I’ll be ready to return to my tent tomorrow night.  7am comes early, but I don’t mind waking up for pancakes.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 6

08/30/09

California Part 6

Day 8 – So it is that time again, tent time.  We seem to have a pretty regular schedule, up between 6 and 7 each day and bedtime around 8 each night.  I’ve gotten to where I really enjoy my time in the tent each night.  For one, the sun is gone behind the mountains by about 6:30 or 7 each night so it starts getting really cold.  Secondly it is a great chance to reflect on what I’m doing.  I usually get in the tent, roll out the sleeping bag, blow up the air mattress and pillow, take some Advil, write in my journal, read and look at the map, and then begin the adventure of sleeping.  

I have found that this trip is much harder to write about then the last one.  I realized that when I was writing in the community journal tonight.  We are keeping a group journal that will be transcribed when we get back, and tonight was my night to write.  I easily put down over five pages, but I often find it difficult to write 3 pages in my personal one.  I think that is because it is difficult to really express what this trip is about.  Yes the scenery is gorgeous, yes it is cold at night, yes it is tough at times, but this trip isn’t about the little details.  Instead it is about this community that has been created here in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on a trip called The Sunrise Special.  I was quite detailed in the community journal about what people said, calling out all the scenic spots from the day, and highlighting some of our inside jokes.  However, I can’t expect anyone reading this to know what Lyell Canyon looks like, or to remember bouldering up to a glacially carved cirque.  The scenery is so breathtaking each and everyday that it becomes increasingly difficult to express it.  

What I do hope to express though is the way in which our group has come together.  A common bond, our love for the outdoors, has brought together a judge, a project manager, sales people, a health inspector, a criminal investigator for a DA’s office, a county worker, a journalist, a book conservator, a scientist, a retail manager, and a couple of retirees.  We function as a mini society here in the backcountry cooking, cleaning, helping each other through difficult times, each just trying to do our part to contribute.  As we reach the halfway point, we have gone from 14 people wanting to experience something fun, to 14 people operating in a way to make each other’s experiences as enjoyable as possible.  Though it will come to an end in a few days, it has been a remarkable thing to watch develop, and something that will surely only grow stronger until we part ways in Mammoth Lakes.  Despite the trials and tribulations, my desire to contribute makes me want to be here as much as the scenery does.  

As for the day, it was a great day again.  It was 34-degrees inside my tent when I awoke, so that means it was likely below 32 outside of it.  The grass across the river was frosted over.  Breakfast was good, but freezing (the temperature outside, not the food).  We hit the trail at about 9:30 and made our way through Lyell Canyon.  It is basically a very large meadow with a meandering river that is fed by the glaciers and snowmelt of Mt. Lyell behind it.  After 3 miles we went up in earnest.  1,000 feet in a mile to be exact.  We ate lunch at the top of the climb by the river.  Triscuits, cheese, sausage, apricots and Oreos did the job.  We camped at about 10,200 feet on a spot with great views of the canyon on one side and Mt. Lyell on the other.  Half the group stayed in camp to rest, relax and play in the river.  The rest of us went up towards the Lyell Glacier.  We cut off the main trail at about 10,850 feet.  This culminated in a cirque with a lake at the bottom surrounded by mountains on three sides.  It was well worth the effort.  We came back to camp at about 5.  

I soaked my feet and blisters in the river and dunked my head as well.  The 40-degree steams are refreshing to say the least.  This was followed by happy hour (that means 151 and Crystal Light).  Dinner consisted of asparagus soup, cuscus, chicken curry with nuts and coconut, and then wafer cookies.  It was delicious again.  

Tomorrow is a short day.  We are meeting our packer for a re-supply.  That means more food, so I am quite excited.  We do have to go up over 11,000 ft which should be fun as well as that usually means great views.  There was no bear action last night thankfully, but we are in a prime spot again tonight.  The threat persists.  We will see what happens and on that note, I’m out.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 5

08/29/09

California Part 5

Day 7 – Today was a very good day.  Yes my blisters hurt, yes we are apparently in a prime bear area tonight, and yes waking up at 6:30 is way too early, but it is glorious out here.

Today’s hike was a nice 7-mile jaunt, the majority of which was downhill.  There was a section at the top where for about half a mile or so we were hiking through this gorgeous alpine meadow surrounded by alpine lakes and snow capped mountains.  The rest of the hike was down a mountain and through a forest.  Tonight we are camped about 200 yards from a picturesque mountain stream.  

When we set up camp around 2, most of us headed down to the stream.  It was washing time after 4 days of camping.  The washing off was very quick, as the water was freezing.  I submerged myself and then spent the next hour and a half trying to warm up.  The rest of the night was spent preparing and eating dinner.  We have assigned crews for the cooking chores.  The rotation consists of 4 groups that do breakfast cleanup, lunch, dinner, dinner cleanup, and breakfast the next day.  Today was our day on the rotation.  That means we have to make breakfast in the morning and then we get a few days off.  We are making fiesta eggs in the morning.  

I will say that the food is amazing.  I think I’m eating better here than I do at home.  I had dried pears with Brie for lunch to go along with tabouli in a pita for crying out loud.  Tonight was a rice and tuna medley filled with fresh vegetables, nuts, and soy sauce complimented with miso soup and coleslaw.  The preparation done by Cathy for this trip continues to amaze me.  

I don’t know how well I’ll sleep tonight since this apparently is a bear hot spot.  We have triple checked to make sure all the stuff that smells appetizing has been moved down to the bear canisters.  We have also been told to leave our packs open so they can sniff tem without tearing them.  I was going to sleep without the rain fly, but I would rather only hear the bears and not see them.  If we do hear them rummaging around camp, we are supposed to yell really loud, so we will see how that goes.  I hope I’m laughing about it in the morning as much as I am right now.  

Tomorrow should be a short hike.  There is an optional side hike up to a glacier.  As long as my feet can take it, then I will definitely do that.  Blisters stay away.  I had Cathy doctor them up for me tonight.  I will find out tomorrow if that made a difference.  I now it will still hurt, but nobody ever said living in the wilderness was easy. 

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 4

08/28/09

California Part 4

Day 6 – What a trip it has been so far.  It’s 7:56pm as I lay down for bed right now.  That’s early, I know, but when you are getting up at 6:00am it is the thing to do.  Besides, when the lights go out, your options are limited out here.  We just got done eating dinner and watching the sunset over Yosemite Valley.  It was a crazy purple and pinkish sunset.  The fire on the other side of the park probably intensified the colors.  Dinner was ground turkey tostadas with tomato soup.  Out here that is 5 star quality.  

Yesterday was brutal for me, I won’t lie.  Maybe I’m a wuss, but I got some nasty blisters on my heels and pinky toes.  I think it is obvious, but I will say it anyways.  Getting blisters on the first day of a backpacking trip really sucks.  That combined with the elevation threw me for a loop.  I had the biggest headache when I got to camp.  I didn’t want to talk, and I didn’t even want to eat.  Yippee altitude sickness.  At least the scenery was gorgeous as we are camped next to a serene mountain lake.    

I don’t think the altitude is too much of a problem, but because of my blisters I took the day off.  Almost everyone climbed the nearby mountain called Vogelsang Peak.  I however stayed at camp with our leader Cathy.  I went down to the lake and watched everyone hike up until they were out of sight.  I would have stayed there, but it was freezing cold.  There were clouds blocking the sun and the wind was blowing about 30 mph.  I went over to another lookout to get out of the wind for a little while.  I read and ate my lunch.  Finally I got tired of the wind, so I went in my tent and napped.  

I got up when everyone came back.  They said the hike was gorgeous, but really windy and cold.  I spent the rest of the afternoon meandering around the lakeshore, stopping to read from time to time.  Finally it was dinnertime, my favorite time.  We all came together for that as most of the day hikers had gone to their tents to nap.  

So here we are on the second night.  I couldn’t be more thankful that today was a layover day.  I don’t know if my feet could have taken more.  I’m going through great lengths to keep my blisters from getting worse.  Tomorrow is an 8-mile hike, and it will certainly be a test.  I do feel much better after today.  Resting in the mountains will do that for you.  All I can do at this point is stay positive and take my time.  There is a long way to go, so my feet need to get better.  They don’t have a choice.  It really is amazing out here, and time will tell what tomorrow brings.

P.S. I really hope I don’t have to get up to pee at 2am.  Peeing in sub 40-degree weather in the dark isn’t my idea of a good time.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 3

08/27/09

California Part 3

Day 4 – So it has begun, a trip of 14 strangers trough the Sierra Nevadas.  That is if you don’t consider the married couple, the trip leader Cathy and the co-leader Roger that know each other, and the two trip participants, Michelle and Jane, who have been on trips with Cathy before.  I guess it is more or less 14 strangers.  

The day started at 7:30am.  I didn’t have anything to do; I just wanted to keep the trend of getting up early since I knew I would be doing that on the trip.  I spent about an hour getting my pack together, enjoyed my last bit of hot water for the next 10 days during a 30-minute shower, and then watched TV until 11 or so.  After that I wend to a couple of stores, and then grabbed lunch.  I decided to treat myself to dessert as I also figured there would be a dearth of sweets on the trip.  The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory had something called an Avalanche Cake with rice crispies, peanut butter, white chocolate, and chocolate chips.  Yes, it was awesome!  From there it was off to meet the group.

As it turns out, Cathy wasn’t joking when she said it would be an older group.  Everyone but Michelle and myself are over 40 as far as I know.  It works out though because they all have tons of stories.  Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Australia and Peru are only a few of the places these people have been.  Personality wise, it is a very diverse group.  There are plenty of talkers, plenty of reserved people, and a few in between.  

We all seem to get along pretty well.  We went over a few logistical things: safety, food, and things like that.  I am really impressed with all of the work Cathy and Roger have put into this.  Trying to bring 14 people together, manage the food, the route, the permits and transportation, and doing it all as volunteers says a lot about them.  After sorting through formalities, we dropped the cars off and then went to dinner.  It was Roberto’s Cantina again, and the Mahi-Mahi tacos were still delicious.  

I really think this is going to be a great trip.  Listening to everyone talk, we share a lot of similar interests, yet there is enough diversity that everyone won’t be talking about the exact same thing to everybody else.  Roger laid out some of the peaks we might try and summit, so I hope I’m up for that.  I don’t want to jinx myself, but I’m expecting a great week and a half.  We shall see. 

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 2

08/26/09

California Part 2

Day 3 (Relaxation) – Today was a day to simply relax. Since I start my backpacking excursion tomorrow and I did a big hike yesterday, I just wanted to rest today. I woke up at 7 and was on the road by 8. My destination was Mammoth Lakes, CA on the other side of Yosemite, about 130 miles away.

The first two and a half hours were pretty boring. There was a lot of traffic, roadwork, and a top speed of about 35 mph. When I say lots of traffic, I mean 6 or 7 cars were in front of me. I know that doesn’t sound bad, but when it is a two-lane road that you can’t pass on it might as well be rush hour. About halfway across the park you finally start to come out of the dense forests, giving you some nice views. The first standout view is Olmstead Point. It looks down into Yosemite Valley from the opposite side of Glacier Point (where I was yesterday). About a mile past there, you come to Tenya Lake. It is a fairly large lake surrounded by mountains and it is beautiful. The water was pretty cold, as one would expect. I would say it was too cold for what I saw on the east side of the lake, a long sandy beach with people sunbathing. Sunbathing on the beach by the Pacific, of course. Sunbathing at 9,000 feet in 65-degree weather, I guess.

The next big point is Tuolumne Meadows. This is where we start our backpacking trip, and if the views from the road are any indication, then it is going to be an awesome trip. The road peaks out at 10,000 ft at the east exit of the park, and then it quickly descends past numerous mountain lakes and a huge valley down to Hwy 395. From there it is only 25 miles to Mammoth.

I pulled into Mammoth Lakes at about 1:15. Yes, it took over 5 hours. However, with an hour of the drive spent walking around taking pictures and given that the only way was through a crowded national park over a lot of mountains, it was kind of expected.

I drove around the town and then checked into my hotel. Since it was early, I decided to kill some time at the movies. I saw Inglorious Bastards and I do recommend it. Dinner was at Roberto’s Cantina, recommended by Lonely Planet’s California Guide Book in the bookstore next to the movie theater. They were correct, as the Mahi-Mahi tacos were delicious.

So tomorrow it begins. Granted it is an easy day. We are just meeting, eating, and setting up camp. We don’t actually start hiking until Thursday. Still, this is what I’ve been building towards for four months and I'm very excited to get going. Am I apprehensive? I would say yes given the condition of my back and knees, but that is what they invented positive thinking for, right? It will also be fun to finally meet the 13 people I will be hanging out with for the next week and a half. People have asked me if I’m nervous about doing this trip with all of these people I don’t know. No, as far as I’m concerned the more people I meet the better. Life is all about the people you meet and the experiences you take from them. Therefore, tomorrow begins an opportunity for 13 great experiences.

Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Part 1

08/25/09

California Part 1

Day 2 - So I have to say that I feel much better tonight than I did last night. After a great hike and a shower, I can’t complain.

Yesterday was a different story. I flew into LA at 8:40 and was on the road to Yosemite by 10:30. It was weird driving out of LA past all the signs you see on TV and in the movies: Wilshire Blvd, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and many others. It took about 5.5 hours to get to Yosemite. Overall it was a pretty standard drive. I went up through he Central Valley, so there was not much scenery until I got past Fresno.

When I got to Yosemite I walked a couple of miles through the Mariposa Grove. It is home to numerous Giant Sequoias. If you are wondering, they are as big as people say they are. You can even walk through one of them. (Stat of the day: On the tree called the Grizzly Giant, one of its limbs is 7 ft. in diameter. That is larger around than the trunk of any other non-sequoia in the grove.) Leaving the grove, I went back to Oakhurst, CA where I was staying the night.

What made yesterday so rough? There was a lot of physical pain. I threw my back out 9 days ago, so the three-hour plane ride and over 6 hours of driving kept it really tight all day. That wasn’t so bad though. The real problem was my knees. I don’t know why, but a few days ago they started getting really stiff and inflamed. Anytime I wasn’t walking they would just tighten up, so sitting on the plane and driving was really difficult on them. It got so bad that even driving to Subway from my hotel, a drive of about 3 minutes, put me into lots of pain. Trying to stand up out of the car or go up a flight of stairs was awful.

Since I have a backpacking trip in two days and I wanted to get a hike in today, I decided I needed to do something about the pain. I went to the drugstore and got some pills that said they were specifically for knee pain along with something called Tiger Balm that is similar to Icy Hot. Having taken the medicine, I went to bed at 8:30 hoping for the best.

I woke up at 8:00am this morning, and as luck would have it, I was virtually pain free. I could bend my legs with no problems. Now I never would have purchased the Tiger Balm had I not thrown my back out. I have a friend at work that just finished backpacking through SE Asia for 6 months. When I told him about my back, he said it was too bad I wasn’t in Thailand because they had this amazing stuff called Tiger Balm. Thank you Oliver for your recommendation.

My goal today was to hike Half Dome. However, given the pain I was in last night and the part where I needed to wake up at 5am to do the hike, I decided to pass. Instead I picked a shorter trail called Glacier Point. IT was 4.8 miles and 3,200 ft. up from Yosemite Valley. I don’t know what it is with steep hikes, but apparently I like them. This one did not disappoint.

Though steep, it was a very nice hike. On the way up I was mostly in the shade as the majority of the hike was through a forest. Every now and then the trees would break giving way to great views of the valley below. The top of the hike is a huge rock outcropping with views up and down Yosemite Valley. Directly out in front of you lies Half-Dome. It is an amazing sight. You get the first views of Half-Dome about halfway through the hike. There was a part of the hike where there were about 8 guys doing trail work. I didn’t envy them as they had a large amount of heavy gear and tools. They said they had to bring it in all themselves. Rope, wheelbarrows, sledgehammers, metal cables; it made the hike seem less difficult.

The trail wasn’t too crowded. Most of the people were going down. This is because you can actually drive to the top. A lot of people will drive up, see the views, then hike down and take about an hour bus ride back to their cars at the top. I needed to see how my legs and back would take hiking, so I took the waling option both ways. The people going up were all very nice though.

The views at the top were awesome. It was crowded, but I didn’t mind. I was just glad I made it. Aside from Half-Dome you could also see two large waterfalls and the Sierras stretching out into the distance. I spent about an hour taking it all in, and then made my way back down the mountain to my car.

I drove through the rest of the valley since this would be my only day there. As you would expect, Yosemite had a very nice visitors center. The Ansel Adam’s Gallery was very well done, and you should definitely stop by if you are ever in Yosemite Valley. After checking out some roadside wildlife, I took off for the hour and a half drive back to Oakhurst.

I certainly feel better about this trip tonight than I did yesterday. I really couldn’t see how I was going to walk 60 miles with a 40-pound pack if I couldn’t even standup to get out of the car without stumbling. Today, thanks to Tiger Balm, I think I’ll be just fine. Time to eat!