Monthly Archives: June 2012

Hey Howdy.  I have some catching up to do, as I always do, but as I hit South Lake Tahoe, a ten mile hitch from PCT Mile 1094 (that’s right – I passed the 1000 mile mark !!!) I found 70+ facebook birthday messages, a lot of wonderful donations, and before I forget, I want to tell you about my birthday on the trail  …

The day prior I ended up hiking with a group of people including an Israeli guy named Udi.   We all celebrated the 1000 mile mark, left Yosemite, and set our goal for camp that evening.  With Kennedy Meadows Resort planned for Friday, we wanted to get as far as possible to get us to town faster Friday.  Sonora Pass we understood to be the last of the big climbs before the trail gets a bit easier.  The granite mountains turned to beautiful red/brown volcanic beauties.  In just two hours time, I was shocked at the complete change in scenery, which reminded me much of my pre-PCT hike around Mt. Saint Helen in 2011.  We turned up a canyon, passed through the last of the trees for ten miles, and fought strong winds as we climbed up, and up, and UP switchbacks to what must have been the best view I’ve seen on the PCT.

Udi suggested we stop and camp here on the saddle, where the others – Memphis, Nightengale, Knut (from Norway), Opus (from Seattle), and Castle slowly arrived tired, yet invigorated by the vista.  The rock fragments proved to be too difficult to sink tent stakes, so cowboy camping it was.  A rock circle, likely erected long ago, served as a one man wind shield so we could cook dinner.  After eating, our sleeping bags all in a line, facing south, we stared at the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain peaks that we just climbed out of.  Within an hour, we all turned around out sleeping bags and watched the sun set over the hills behind us.  It was stunning.

The night proved to be difficult.  The cold wind howled over the saddle and pushed it’s way through all of our sleeping bags.  Knut relocated to a spot behind a rock formation.  By 2 a.m. I had pulled out my pack cover and wrapped my feet in it, then pulled my rain skirt and put it on to keep the wind from my legs (I was already encased in my thermal underwear, puffy coat, rain coat, gloves…..) and when that proved to STILL be cold, I pulled the big ol’ wedding gown from under the rocks I had piled on it, and stuffed it in my sleeping bag.  Finally I could get some sleep.

We all woke before 5 a.m. to see the sunrise and Nightengale led everyone in a ‘Happy Birthday’ tune.  The view all so grand that I think we’d all lose sleep again to experience a night like that.  Opus shared with us all the temperature – 34* and risiing. Slowly we trickled from camp, over crazy rock chipped mountain sides, over more snow than I expected to see on June 22,  pelted by blustery cold winds, and again the landscape changed.  Purples, Blues, Greens, Browns, Greys… all part of the volcanic rocks that we traversed…. And then – THE ROAD !  It’s always invigorating and exciting to see the road that will take a weary hiker to FOOD! (and takes 3 times longer than you expect it will)

A trail angel was set up at the trailhead with Cake, Cookies, Coke, Beer, Strawberries, and other big wonderful bowls of fruit.  We spent an hour eating and chatting.  ‘Speed-Stick’ , a tripple crown hiker was there to see her boyfriend off on the PCT, and offered to mail off my bear-canister and wedding gown.  She gave us a ride to Kennedy Meadows Resort where we planned on staying for the night, and where my trekking poles and food resupply waited.

This is where things went wrong.  But just in going through my journal and notes, I realize that I’ve let a few silly things ruin my thoughts of what really was a stunning beautiful day.  The back-woods resort had nowhere for us to stay, so we settled on the back porch of the store and restaurant and sorted through our resupply.  My sister sent 7 days of food for 75 miles (3 days more than i really needed) and another wonderful birthday surprise, so I wasn’t sure what to do with it all.  Since my family knows I usually travel in a pack when it comes to resupply, my FANTASTIC Sister included an entire party pack for my birthday.  I’m a big kid, so this may seem strange to you, but it came complete with balloons, party hats, Compass rings, horns and a Tiara LOL.  Yeah… big kid fun !!!  But by the time I left Kennedy Meadows, there were little girls running around with these trinkets.  The weight was too much to take on the trail, and no room in my pack with the extra food.  My mom sent a HUGE Gooey Butter Cake, which I took back to the trailhead and was happy to be able to share with 8 other hikers that were sitting around with the Trail Angel, who was still set up and serving.

My trekking pole parts arrived as well, and when I opened up the box, I didn’t find a few parts, I found two brand new Carbon Fiber trekking poles.  Josh from www.rutalocura.com took great care of me. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I may be sponsored by rutalocura, but I LOVE my YANA trekking poles.

From the trailhead I was able to get in 8 more miles.  So I still pulled off a birthday resupply, and 16 miles on the PCT.  I’ve been stewing over my experience at K/M Resort, but glad I took the time to share this, because between the scenery, and the love and support of my family and friends, it really was a fantastic day. =-)