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.