Today was like one giant roller coaster ride. Our morning began with a 7 mile descent into Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. We started at 11,500 and by the time we hit the bottom of the mountain range we were at 9,500. Alas we didn't stay long at the lower elevation according to the map’s instructions and sure enough within an hour we climbed back up to 10,500. All the ups and downs made my knees feel like pins and needles, but the adrenaline rush-like that of the big drop from the tippy top of the coaster- made me want more. The funny thing about long distance hiking is that I just can't get enough. It seems that every mile I add to the the total PCT distance I can't help, but crave those extra two miles at the end of a long day. In just 5 days, Carter and I have surpassed our mileage expectations. I really think we will end up covering more of the PCT than we planned. Each day on the trail brings different adventures and they are never the same. One day it is a test of our ability to locate a clean water source and the next is how to ford an overflowing creek. It is sometimes annoying to have these two extremes within a day, but I suppose this is part of the challenge that keeps my mind active during the day. Thankfully, today's particular challenge- a swift moving knee deep creek- wasn't too terrible. Earlier hikers had been kind enough to fashion a bridge out of two downed Aspen trees. Reminding myself to use my grade school gymnastic skills I gingerly placed one foot in front of the other. The logs were a little wobbly due to the rushing water and the width of the bridge surely would never be acceptable in an engineers mind, but I successfully crossed it without a mishap. Whew!
Next up on the list of challenges for the day was the climb from 9,000 feet to 10,500 in less than 2 miles. In a normal hiking setting, I might ignore the quick altitude gain. While carrying 40lbs extra on my back I was very aware of every hill and bump that crossed my path. I don't think I've ever stopped to catch my breath so often. I even stopped counting the number of switchbacks - it is kinda like counting sheep- once I got to 20. For those of you who are new to the world of hiking a switchback is essentially a crisscross in the trail. It is used most often when the trail gets a bit tight or climbs quickly in altitude. This particular part of the trail did just that. Tight turns, steep inclines, and rocks galore provided the ultimate workout for my calve and butt muscles. Needless to say I was all too excited to see Carter at the top of the climb relaxing by a stream icing her ankles in the cold water. Of course in true Carter form she enjoyed every minute of the uphill battle and thought is was amazing! We compliment one another so well!
Diaz Creek was definitely a welcomed relief especially for my tired bodies. Even better than the cool chilly water that soothed my tired feet was the large flat rocks that provided the perfect napping spot. I've never been a fan of napping, but I must say there is something about snoozing in the wilderness that is just too tempting to pass up. Before I knew it 30 minutes had past and it was time to move. We still had 4.5 miles until Crabtree Meadows which was to be our base camp to Mt. Whitney. Even writing the word makes my skin crawl. There is something about the idea of climbing the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states that just scares me to death. I've never thought of myself as a chicken, but every snow covered mountain we see I shake with fear. Actually come to think of it I saw a wolf fun by me today and I wasn't the least stressed about it. Yet Mt. Whitney makes be a bit crazy with fear. Finally we did make it to the base of the mountain. I was surprised to learn that none of one of my "it" mountains was the real Mt. Whitney. In fact the one mountain peak that looked the least scary from the our new vantage point is actually the mountain we were going to climb tomorrow. I guess it won't be that bad after all.
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