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Day 53 – 14 May 19. Slogging through the snow

Today 26.4 km (16.4 mi), Total Distance 1216.8 km (7596.1 mi). 10 hours 45 minutes (0640-1725)

I was warm last night so I was surprised that there was frost on the tent and the temperature was only 0 degrees C. I had set my alarms for 0515 but didn’t want to get up. Eventually I got going and it seemed to take ages to do my morning routine. Part of the reason was my frozen shoes taking a bit of time to soften up enough to get my feet in. My socks had frozen solid so I put on my alternate socks, with plastic bags overtop before putting on my shoes. I also put on my long gaiters.

Frozen sock

Taking down my tent was not fun. I shook it to clear as much ice and then folded it up with rapidly freezing hands. It did not fit in the bag so I wrapped it in a plastic bag. Unfortunately I did not secure the bag properly and lost in during the morning.

I was finally on my way at 0640, not exactly an early start. I had my crampons on from the start and the now was lovely and firm giving me excellent grip. The trail continued on the flat part for a few minutes then started the descent on the side of the hill. I had my gloves on and my wind jacket and was comfortable.

After 30 minutes I came to a stream that appeared through a tiny gap in the snow so I made the most of it and filled up my water bottles as I was running low.

I was feeling good and enjoying the descent. At the bottom the trail came into an open area and I realised I had missed the junction and come out at the river. I backtracked and got back on trail.

Now it was flattish for nearly a mile and almost clear of snow. I was getting hot so I stopped and took off my wind jacket and gloves. My feet were also hot so I took off the gaiters, plastic bags and dry socks and put my now thawed, but still wet, socks on

Now the trail climbed up the side of a hill and it was back in snow.

From the saddle the trail went on the side of the next hill but on the other side so there was not as much snow. I was actually able to take my crampons off, for 15 minutes until the trail came to Mulkey Pass which was covered in thick snow.

Once clear of the pass it was back on the sunny side and I was able to take my crampons off again, briefly.

The trail came around the hill to the next pass, which leads to HorseShoe Downs and the town of Lone Pine, a long walk away.

From this pass the trail swapped sides for the next hill and it was solid snow for a long time. Luckily there were tracks which meant I could relax a little and not have to constantly be worrying about navigation.

It was just about 10 O’clock and the snow was already starting to get soft. However I was not postholing and the footholds were holding so I was not concerned.

At the next saddle the trail switched back to the sunny side but it was still predominantly snow, as the altitude was much higher than before. The tracks were not as clear and kept disappearing. It seemed to take ages to complete this section.

I stopped at an area clear of snow with a little stream. I put up my tent to dry and had lunch.

I continued around the hill and then I followed tracks that lead up to what I thought was the saddle but was in fact higher so I had to make my way back down to the track and to the junction.

This sign was clear and the tracks leading from here were clear. From this point on there were easy to follow tracks for the rest of the day.

Now it was across a short flat and then climbing. I had been struggling with the climbing all day. I was out of breath quickly and my legs felt tired, however the minute it went flat or downhill I felt fine. I think it is the altitude affecting me. I was above 3000 meters all day and went up to 3450 m.

The trail climbed up for a while and then a slight down to go below a lake and then up steeply to a ridgeline. One set of tracks went around the ridge and one went up. I chose the up and climbed a ridge which gave me amazing views. Near the top I could see the lake and there were mountains stretching into the distance.

Chicken Spring Lake

Though I have been physically tired today with the climbing and slogging through snow, I have enjoyed it much more than yesterday and am loving the mountain vistas.

Now it was following the side of a hill again, maintaining height. At a bend in the hill the trail took the long way around but the tracks went straight down. Someone had slid down on their plastic board and I decided to give my rubbish sack a try and enjoyed a quick ride down the hill. I did what is normally a big no no when Glissading which is wearing shorts but I had the rubbish bag pulled up between my legs and it prevented any snow from going up my shorts.

Once across the bowl it was a steep up which I managed to make with only two rests.

Thankfully from here it is downhill for the rest of the day. I was going fast down the hills and made better progress than I expected.

At 1715 I started looking for a place to camp. Ideally a dirt patch but there were only tiny patches around the trees so I just found a flat piece of snow that was getting the sun, and would get the morning sun without being blocked by trees.

When setting up in the snow the first thing I do is place my sitpad in my tent. I sit on that while taking off my shoes and socks and having a wash (with a Wet One). I laid out my shoes and socks to dry a little. Then I inflate my mattress so I can sit on it while I melt snow for dinner and breakfast. The sitpads remains underneath the mattress for a little more insulation. One sits around my shoulders and the other (bought as padding for the bear can) is around my hips.

The first cup of water is for dinner and the second for breakfast but while it is hot it sits in the bottom of my sleeping bag as a hot water bottle.
After 10 minutes my dinner is ready and I added the two spoons of Olive Oil as usual for extra calories and this time I could barely taste it. The dinner was more filling than last nights. I had a few nuts and lollies afterwards before closing up my bearcan and placing it away from my tent.

I then settled in for the night. I think it is going to be cold as it is 3 degrees C already (2000 hrs).

Visits: 616

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