The Sierra is showing its true face, with spots, thunderstorms, snowy climb and mosquito swarms. We are officially in the high country now. Our group has been together again, we had our first Alpine Lake Alpine Lake, and we are camping more than 3,000 meters. With wet boots, pain in the legs and full bear cans, we are ready to face our biggest challenge so far: Mount Whitney.
Day 55 – Marmeras, mosquitoes and mountain views
Last night it was warm enough to sleep with just the sleeping bag covered on us. The morning was a bit revolt to dig up our disinfectant for hands and wet wipes of the bear can, but we did it. The packaging still takes time, we are getting used to adjusting all our food in the can, but we finally reach the road. A long awaits, and we are happy to have had an advantage over the rest of the group.
The landscape is completely transformed. No more desert: we are walking through a fresh and shaded forest, sometimes even going through old snow patches. Instead of snakes, we see a marmot. Yes, now we are in the mountains. We stop for breakfast in a beautiful look and has not yet been caught by our crew. Strange.
Veary finally updates during the sandwich. The path falls to lunch. It turns out that Timo and Lea were delayed: they forgot to collect water and even had to establish their store at breakfast to escape the mosquito apocalypse. Apparently, the season has begun. We were lucky with a ventoso and insect breakfast place, but the Swiss were swarmed. And to worsen things, a mouse chewed a hole in Lea’s sock.
We have lunch next to a stream but do not delay: dark clouds are being formed. The prognosis had warned of storms. We still have to climb a crest, so we advance. Fortunately, the clouds move to the other side. The views are spectacular, even dry lake beds are dramatic.
We walk more than planned. The original camp is too early and the weather is maintained, so we do it. Our new camp is beautiful, but the water source is a hiking downhill. At 5 in the afternoon, we have tents, we stretch our legs and count the 70 steps to dinner at rock. That’s where bears of bear and anything smelly go at night.
We are camping at 3,144 meters. We will see how the dream goes, apparently, mosquitoes have no problem with elevation.
Day 56 – Storms, snow fields and a glacial lake sauce
Rain during the night! Not everyone was ready. Some rushed to throw their spokesman from the store, Patrik left to grab their tree backpack, and some of us slept in the entire three -minute shower as champions.
Outside the camp at 6 am, the path is beautiful: forest, meadows and snow more and more frequent. Our shoes begin to moisten. The clouds begin to meet late in the morning, and when we get to our lunch place in Chickn Lake, thunder is rolling.
On the way, we lose the path while sailing for a snow patch and we have to do a little to find it again. Fortunately, we see Lea and we follow her to the lake.
The sun is still out, so we take advantage of the moment: the Glacial Lake Nade! Absolutely ice cream, but refreshing and wonderful.
The Swiss plan to wait for the storm here: they have already set their store. We eat quickly and return to the road again in jackets. The climb is steep and the rain finally begins, but we are well prepared. There are no lightning near our ice axes, fortunately.
After filtering water for the night (without a source in the camp), we find a mass snow wall, that is the path. We climb it, feeling small in the landscape. Just before the camp, we stop for a snack, without eating at the camp in Bear Country.
The camp arrives early today, which is good. We stretch, build the store and relax. The Swiss arrive much later: they were trapped in the rain after packing.
Dinner is 70 steps again, and the night is dedicated to making a plan for the attempt of the summit of Mount Morning. We are sleeping at 3,362 meters. He is cooling, it’s time to get.
Day 57 – River Crossings & Ready for Whitney
There is no alarm this morning, we are taking it easy. Today is only 11 miles from the base of Mount Whitney. We plan to arrive early and rest before tomorrow’s big climb.
I try to pack the bear can inside my backpack for once. It’s not great. First, we have to cross a river to go to breakfast. It is an appropriate river, but fortunately there is a fallen tree on it. We use that to overcome.
Breakfast next to the water. I am still playing with my package: the can is difficult and presses awkwardly on my back. Finally, Lea arrives … but not Timo. After a while without signs of him, we do it in Garmin. It turns out that there was a lack of communication, and she returns to find him. Finally, we are all together again and ready to move.
What a climb. Steep, relentless. We shys and swell and reward ourselves with an epic view, and the construction of storm clouds once again.
The descent feels more like a climate withdrawal. We cross another river, this time without trunks, so in We Go, boots and socks soaked.
Fortunately, the camp is just around the corner. We launched quick tents and save the ice axes very far, just in case. We hope in the store, waiting for a break in the rain so we can eat.
The sky clears just in time for late lunch. We met with the group, then we return to a nap.
Later, the sun rises: we hang our shoes and socks soaked to dry before dusk. Sap the nap until six, then it’s dinner time.
We sat in a cozy circle of hikers with our little family of paths, and a surprise guest. A trot coyote casually beyond our camp!
Doug begins a new tradition: an issue of dinner conversation. Today’s books are books. Yes please.We prepare our snacks for tomorrow’s climb, keep everything in the bear can and drag ourselves in our bags. It’s time. Whitney tomorrow.
