Day 5 ccw: the final impulse: leaving the best for the last

We knew that with 22 miles and 8,200 feet of elevation ahead and the fact that we had a great climb before arriving at Panhandle Gap, we would have to finally use our headlights and have an early start at 0f 5:00 am the goal was to walk through the ascent to the beggar’s gap as early as possible in the morning, so the snow would still be compact in case we need to use our microspikes. In addition, once we finished the walk, we still had to drive back to Seattle and find a place to sleep during the night, so finishing early was a priority.

The walk through the Indian bar camp

It was full of a lot of emotion, anticipation and restlessness. Approximately an hour to walk, my knees were starting to act again and had a lot of pain. I am sure it was because I was pushing the rhythm. It was going to be a long day, so we had to have a purpose in each step. My anxiety grew when we were starting the day and there was a lot of escalation ahead. I stopped my rhythm and finally my knees calmed down.

Surprisingly, there was very minimal, and minimum, I mean a snow patch on the road to the Indian Bars camp. The views before our descent do not disappoint! It was a beautiful morning and we were alone in the heart.

Top of the climb before our descent to the Indian bars camp

Debuting with panoramic views collapsing behind her before our descent to the Indian bar camp

The descent to the Indian bars camp was incredibly steep, so it was slow, but the views of the Valley kissed with the dawn compensated. The greatest gift of this path was how abundant the water of the glacial fusion was. There was a ton Water on the road to the Indian bars camp. Throughout this walk, we had constantly found water sources that were not labeled in the Farout application. I think mid -July was a perfect time to walk this path. It allowed us to take advantage of the abundant sources of water and minor snow levels.

Speaking of snow, apart from that lonely patch on the climb, there was no snow on the path to the Indian bars camp. I was surprised. We made a boxes stop there before continuing. You know … OLE, «Bathem Break Bro?» Or «Do you need to fill?»

Go ahead to Panhandle Gap!

Leaving the Indian bars camp was somewhat confusing since much of the path was below a few inches of water or a little washed. With the help of some marrows and magic, we wandered through the Arroyo bed until we start our rise to the Panhandle space.

Up to this point, he had not found that none of the climbs was ridiculously challenging. Yes, some were short and steep, but after walking along the path John Muir and the Colorado path, I could not help comparing the level of difficulty of this path with those. I concluded that this walk was alone different. The promotions and descents were short and steep and before having the opportunity to process a type of topography, it was thrown to another. In addition, this walk did not have the challenge of elevation like others. Once we started the ascent to Panhandle Gap, I finally thought: «Oh, wow, okay, that’s fine. This is steep. This is challenging. This is what I am talking about!»

It was not even a mile of the climb to the Panhandle gap that we started to find snowfields. We had spent multiple hikers and now we were all for ourselves sailing to the highest point with impressive views that surround us. We had a perfect climate composed of blue skies and warm sun, like every two days. This had been our magic of trails for the week.

Hit our first snow patch on the climb to the Panhandle gap

Views for days in our ascent to Panhandle Gap

Before the sunglasses were put on while heading to Panhandle Gap

We were lucky with the conditions of paths in this section. Yes, there were snow fields, but in the distance you could see where the path was recovered, so navigation was very easy. They were around 8:30 am and the snow was already becoming muddy. We chose not to put our microspikes, since anyway they would not be of great help. This was, with much, most of the walk. He was wild and expansive and with excellent climatic conditions, we could actually enjoy it.

Navigate through the snowfields to the Panhandle gap

Debbie’s most great image walking on the snow on our way to Panhandle Gap

Path conditions to cool and easy navigation on our way to Panhandle Gap

Our most exciting wildlife sighting was a large group of extended mountain goats in the snowfield. It was such an incredible experience! We make sure to stop for a moment, assume everything, present our respects with a hat inclination and continue.

Mountain goat party on the way to Panhandle Gap

Panhandle Gap and the descent to White River Campground Junction

The vibrations of the path had already been good, but once we arrived at Panhandle Gap, the vibrations elevated to Great. We were having a great time and most of the path for the day was behind us. The views were exceptional. We met a lovely couple who had risen in a schedule and had the kindness of giving us the beta version to descend. It was safer for us to follow a starting line established under the real path. It was a bit incomplete since the snow was soft and we were down. I concentrated on one foot after another and before realizing, I had ended.

See from Panhandle Gap watching in a schedule

The descent to the Summerland camp definitely had a small saw atmosphere with irregular snowfields, race currents, granite rock formations and impressive mountain backgrounds. Senderos traffic increased from the highest point in Panhandle Gap to Summerland Camp. We saw most of the people we had seen on the road so far, most likely because these sections were the most popular parts of the path. The snow on the path had gone completely after the Summerland camp and our remaining descent encapsulated us in alpine and forests meadows to the crossing to the White River camp.

During our descent from Panhandle Gap to Summerland Camp

Deb in sites in our descent from Panhandle Gap to Summerland Camp

The magnificent view of our descent from Panhandle Gap to Summerland Camp

Alpine Meadows and Snowless Trail greeted us after we passed the Summerland camp

The final climb to the end (drowns of dawn)

The climbing for the day was not over. We had a moderate climb to the White River camp, then a final climb of 3 miles steep until the beginning of the path. When we arrived at White River camp, it really hurt. About half of the White River camp rise, I started getting pain in my right leg. I had to stop several times. The bigger the step is, the worse it felt. I had to increase my cadence and take super small steps to avoid pressing it excessively. Made the climb feel like forever. It was a disappointment. Here we were about to finish this epic path and was limping to the finish line. It was a verification of reality. Although it may have had a level of aptitude more than adequate to complete the walk, my mechanics was completely out of place and I had a lot of physiotherapy to do when I returned home. Debbie was really supportive! During the last mile, she said: «I need you brother! Take your time. It’s just 1:00 pm. You have it.»

Views of Mount Rainier from White River just before arriving at the White River camp

Vista del Monte Rainier during our final climb to the path of dawn from White River Campground

We finished the path at 1:30 pm we were proud of ourselves. Shoot. We start at 5:00 am and complete our lifting gain walk of 22 and 8,200 feet early in the afternoon not only for one, but also for one, but also for one, but also for one, but also for two Ice cream sandwiches before returning to Seattle. This was an incredibly rewarding experience and I am more than grateful. I entered with my own expectations of myself and, like life, those expectations were set upside down and learned difficult lessons about me. At the end of the day, that is why I choose walking and why I chose to make this trail. I learned where my preparations were defective. I learned that when I thought I was taking care and listening to my body during training, not.

I also learned that I am strong and when I say that I am going to finish something, I finish it.

I learned that it is totally well, the injuries are common and we do not need to take a tea party on it! We have just made an epic, incredible and incredible path and we finished it. Huzzah!

The final photo of Deb and I in Sunrise Trailhead | Full of emotion, gratitude and all emotions!

This website contains affiliate links, which means that the walk can receive a percentage of any product or service that you buy using the links in the items or ads. The buyer pays the same price that would do it differently, and his purchase helps to support the continuous objective of the walk to address his quality backpack advice and information. Thanks for your support!

For more information, visit the page about this site.