A Little Alpine Anxiety – The Trek

Every day we advance towards the mountains it seems to be more and more beautiful. At Jug’s request, we slept until 7 in the morning. We took it easy with plenty of breaks to rest our legs for the next few days. It was a warm, sunny day and the tree cover provided plenty of shade.

I was behind Straight Up and Jug approaching a water fountain when I saw them talking to someone in a purple shirt. I didn’t think much about it since as I got closer, I couldn’t see this person anymore. Then from behind a tree Rascal appeared! Living up to its trail name.

Along the way there are days we call Zeros (usually two nights in the city, a full day off, and zero miles walked), Neros (almost zero miles walked to a city, one night in a bed, then leaving the next morning), and then there’s the Hero. The Elusive Hero is when you walk into town, do all your chores, and then leave that same day. Rascal somehow walked over the cottonwood pass and caught a group of fish and wildlife employees who took her to Lone Pine. He had time to go to the post office to pick up his package, go to the grocery store to buy more food, and then return to the trail to hike over Cottonwood Pass until he reached the campground around 10 pm He might be the toughest person I know.

We slowly made our way to Crabtree Meadow to set the stage for Mt. Whitney. This might be the nicest campsite I’ve ever been to. Wow. There is a huge meadow, a rushing stream, and plenty of trees and shady campsites. All the equipment is here and the entire camp is filled with anticipation for tomorrow. In addition to my group of 4, there are over 20 other hikers preparing to take on tomorrow’s side mission. We’ve been walking together the last few days, so it will be fun to overcome these next challenges together.

I can’t lie, I’m incredibly anxious for tomorrow. I know we have excellent conditions on our side, but Mount Whitney is a long-awaited moment on this journey. It’s something I’ve thought about over and over again, even before starting the PCT, and inflated it into a huge obstacle in my head. I have been through many worst case scenarios and things that can go wrong. I can’t help but feel the nerves take over this moment.

I’m very lucky to have Straight Up, Jug, Rascal and the others around me. Everyone is so positive, excited and optimistic about our ability to handle this climb which definitely helps calm my nerves. I know I’m strong after walking over 700 miles and have felt great at altitude for the past few days. I know I can do it despite the anxiety that has been whispering in the back of my mind. I know once I achieve this I will feel amazing. And I know I’ll have an amazing nap afterwards in my tent at this beautiful spot in Crabtree Meadow.

It’s currently 6pm and I’m already curled up in bed with the alarm set for 11pm. It will be a real alpine start. Let’s do it.

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