Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Day 5. Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Mileage: 753.6 – 767.2 (13.6 miles)


The PCT winds unpredictably over passes, around boulders, across rivers in ways that portray a definite but not easily understood narrative. Even though every mile of the PCT seems to vary from the one before, there is a sure, consistent flow and quiet rhythm in the path. There are enough stories laid bare by the trail to keep me occupied all day long.


Today consisted of a couple tough ups and downs. At peaks we could see Mount Whitney in the increasingly accessible distance. We told ourselves it didn’t look too bad, but I am nervous about how I will handle the altitude. We crossed a lot of creeks, one of which I used to ice my tired ankles. We camped at Crabtree Meadows about 8.5 miles from the top of Mt Whitney, so we can spend all of tomorrow getting up and down the mountain.
I’ve discovered that the morning and evening are my favorite times to hike; there is extra space around me. I also like hiking in the early morning just because I am desperate to warm my limbs. My sleeping bag has lost its down from improper storage over the last 5 years and I’m super cold at night.

My big animal count has reached but two deer and the rodents, but Dangermouse thinks she saw a wolf this afternoon. We are not even sure if wolves are around this area, so I think it may have been a coyote.
Today’s song: Rainbow Country, Bob Marley. (Mostly just the line “sun is a risin’; moon is a risin’”.)

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