Mile 789.1 to 793.5 plus 6 miles on the Kearsarge Pass Trail.

My crampons bit into firm snow as I left the campsite and started the trek up to Kearsarge in morning twilight. Vipr, Bedazzled, and Fun Dip followed behind. There has been a lot of attrition in the Sierra with most hikers skipping up to Northern California or quiting the trail all together.

The snow seems to be the biggest problem. People could handle the desert heat and long water carries, but they got frightened off by having to walk and sleep on snow. The hikers that are flipping up north are in for a surprise because the trail is still covered in snow all the way up to the border. Personally, I love the snow. It makes everything that little bit more special and beautiful. I feel like I am living in a National Geographic magazine. The snow covered peaks and frozen lakes of the deepest azure are a feast for the eyes.

Unfortunately, the risks and fears that come with steep snow slopes and high rivers didn’t get everyone equal stoked to go out and hike everyday. In Bishop, I said goodbye to Burnout and Voldy who got off trail to pursue other adventures on the west coast. After visiting some friends and family, they have tentative plans to hike part of the Oregon Coast Trail. I was sad to see them go since we started on the same day and have been hiking together since day three. I wish them the best of luck and hope they make the most of the time they have. If they do plan to hike south bound, I hope our paths cross on trail and if not on trail them off trail somewhere.

With the group now down to four members, we plan to hike in the general vacinity of another large group made up of The Lazy F*cks and other hikers, including Happy Hour, GoPro, Shakedown, and Wing It. Our goal is to get to Mammoth Lakes for the 4th of July. We would like to do it in a straight shot, but if we need to, we will stop at Vermillion Valley Resort to get a small resupply.

The hike up to Kearsarge Pass took us by the beautiful Kearsarge Lake and over snow fields and rock. The 5 days in Bishop and the accompanying heat wave taking temperatures into the mid 100s changed the landscape revealing more rocks and trees. There was still continuous snow cover, but the thaw has definitely made progress.

I got separated from the group for about an hour when I followed some foot prints that took me on a very high traverse across the valley. We reunited at the PCT junction and continued on the 2 miles to Glen Pass, which is reported to be very steep on both sides. About a week earlier, a hiker in another group we know fell down the slope and broke two ribs.

We slipped into a 10,500 foot snow covered valley and slowly kicked steps as we curled around a mountain and started the 2 mile and +1,500 foot climb. We angled to the left of two frozen lakes just starting to thaw. As we passed the azul lakes, we crossed an exposed boulder field and angled left and up.

The climb up was steeper than Forester Pass, but the snow was still of good quality even though we weren’t hitting it first thing in the morning. With 1 mile left, we still had 1,000 feet to climb and the slope loomed over us. Our breath came quick and shallow and I cursed the 4 zero days we took off in Bishop at 3,000 feet. Glen Pass is just a few feet under 12,000 and we could feel the altitude. On the final approach, we were basically kicking in fresh steps at an angle that would make most people’s stomach flip.  Even so, we made it to the top and had a snow free ridge to take a break while everyone made their way up.

The opposite side of the pass was a steep descent that you felt in your knees with each plunge step. The saving grace was the view of Rae Lakes below, covered with snow, but starting to thaw.

We did a long glissade once we were clear of any exposed rocks. As we made our way to the lakes, a helicopter came in and landed near the ranger station. The rangers are just starting to head into the Sierra. Funny because we have already been hiking in them for almost two weeks. We found a nice siesta spot overlooking the lakes and spent over 2 hours drying out clothes, eating, and napping.

Finally, we started the last mile on a land bridge that separates two of the largest lakes.

We were surprised to find part of the land bridge submerged. We were not happy about an unexpected late day river crossing. The flow was slow, but it was fairly deep and came up to my groin. Vipr took a different crossing route and ended up in water past her belly button.

We made it to the farside of the lakes and found the big group already set up. They must have passed us while we slept during our siesta.

Tomorrow, we will hike about 11 miles and camp at the base of Pinchot Pass, which we will climb the following day.

In other news, today was my two month trailversary!

Wildlife: Marmots