After some really grueling Sierra sections, I didn’t have the mental energy to blog daily. So this will serve as more of a recap of the last two weeks as I hit Lake Tahoe, from mile 881 to mile 1093.
It appears that 20-30% of the trail in the Sierra is an active stream, which directs runoff and makes it muddy and precarious. Mixed in with the soft, slippery snow, every day involves tiptoeing over exposed rocks, crossing streams, and carefully placing steps through snow-covered traverses. Snowy journeys are not my favorites. Even when I try to sidestep in the snow to keep my balance, I end up slipping, punching a hole in a post, or doing something that brings me to my knees. The snow will be around for a few more weeks, so I have to accept and move on.
Every day is a new challenge, but from time to time I like to treat it like a game. The ability to analyze a flowing stream in seconds and decide on a flow of effortless movement and balance to reach the other side with dry feet. 5 minutes later, another level in the game – a muddy field – and a chance for my body and mind to work together to overcome these obstacles. It reminds me of life. Every day, presented with obstacles and challenges. We become frustrated, angry and disturbed. But there is no other way to overcome it than through it. «Oh no, not this again. Okay, how am I going to get to the other side of this?», for every patch of snow, stream on or as a trail, standing water and mud pit, and even steep descents over loose rocks. There’s no thought of backing up, you can’t turn around (you’re on a steep ridge), and there’s nothing to help you cross (e.g. a log). You just have to find a way forward. Life doesn’t stop, it keeps moving forward.
The mosquitoes are out and looking for blood. Most of the time, walking at a brisk pace is fine, but once you hit a steep climb or descent, you slow down a bit. They will find you. Bug spray helps, but they always find a little patch that you didn’t spray. If you stop walking, say during your lunch break, little by little they will start bringing more and more friends to disturb your peace. I wanted to have a quiet lunch next to these beautiful alpine lakes. Maybe even take a dip in the lake. However, I wasn’t willing to risk the onslaught of mosquitoes, so I mainly ate snacks and tried to find rocks exposed to the sun to lessen their presence.
I was very happy to get out of the Yosemite desert. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. Yes, they were beautiful and unique rock formations. But the road was brutal, steep and long. Mosquitoes were everywhere. Those 2 or 3 days in the Yosemite Desert were some of the most difficult along the way. Mostly hard physically, but also mentally. Again I was wondering why I am doing this and what I get out of this.
I am learning about myself, my mind, nature, the shape of things and life. These lessons are not structured with a clear direction of something to learn. But a new interpretation of something we already knew. This path is life. It’s not different. I changed the cubicle life for the traveling life, in the end it is a whole life. Time passes the same. We need food and water anyway. We need sun and an occasional rain anyway.
I went 18 days without zero. Yes, I took a few nearos along that stretch (VVR and Mammoth). My body held up well and although I was tired many days, my body was able to continue walking and cover 18 to 20 miles a day. I have some of the longest days ahead of me and need to make up about 100 miles I’m behind based on my leave dates. Which means I need to start riding 25 and 30 miles a day consistently so I can catch up and still be able to take a few rest days in my last three months on the trail.
Now I am being passed by people who started more than a month after me. Hikers who hike 30-35 miles a day, and that makes me feel inadequate. But I have to respect my rhythm, my plan and my body. I’m just another average person trying to do something difficult and there’s no use comparing myself to others.
Physically I am healthy. Mentally I’m questioning it, but I’m determined to keep going as long as I can. It’s been two and a half months and I still have another month to hopefully complete California. How lucky I am to have the opportunity to try, learn and experience what this trail has to offer.
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