Day 56 – 17 May 19. Climbing Forester Pass

Today 25.4 km (15.8 mi), Total Distance 1266.6 km (787 mi). 11 hours 05 minutes (0620-1825)

Several times during the night I cleared snow from my tent but not as much as the previous night. Just after 5 someone came round to wake me up. It was cold but after a hot breakfast and hot chocolate I started to warm up. I packed up and started. There were a couple of people still packing up so I was around the middle of the group.

It was cold but I was warm. I put on my wet weather trousers over my shorts, dry socks with a plastic bag over. I put on my homemade synthetic insulated jacket for the first time over my merino base layer and put my rain jacket over top. I put my baseball style cap on with my possum down hat over top. I had a buff around my neck ready to pull up over my face if necessary and finally my merino liner gloves under my waterproof chemical gloves.

It was snowing, windy and cold but I felt warm as I was walking. The trail continued up the hill and dropped down to a stream. I had caught up to some of the others by now.

At the stream we needed water and I gingerly approached the bit clear of snow. I had to be careful that the snow I was standing on did not collapse, putting me into the stream. Once I was in position the others passed me bottles to fill until we were all good.
Now we continued in a group, along the side of a steep hill, down hill and then started the big climb.
According to the maps there were lakes all around us but it was just white everywhere. The clouds started too burn off and it was looking like a nice day. I had stripped off my buff and hat and then also my synthetic insulated jacket as I was getting too warm.

Going up the next steep hill we caught up to Bird and Patience who had left much earlier than all of us. I was feeling strong and left everyone behind going up the hill. I think they all took a break when they caught up to the two girls.

At the top of the steep bit I sat down for a break and some food while taking in the amazing views. The mountains all around were steep and rugged and beautiful. I had forgotten the beauty of the mountains as it had been so long since I had done mountaineering.

The others caught up and we cotinued climbing. As we came over a rise the pass was in sight. I recognised it from the photo in Guthook and pointed out to the others where the actual pass was. They had been looking at a snow covered pass slightly to the right.

Now it was a steady climb to get to get to the start of the steep ascent of the pass. At the base of the steeper but everyone stopped to put on crampons and get their ice axes out. I struggled to get one of my crampons on as some ice had got stuck in one side of the clip and I could not get it out. Thankfully Bird came to the rescue and she gave me her small pocket knife and I was able to dig out the small bit of ice and do up the clip.

We all made our slow way up the snow. I gave a few reminders to the others around me on ice axe technique but they were all pretty good having been given excellent instruction, and practice, by Ultra.
There was a trail in the snow to follow. The trail zig zagged up the steep snow and then entered an area of rocks.

Looking back at the others still climbing the snow section

Looking forward

The actual trail was hidden under the snow but was obvious through the rocks. There was a few more zig zags then the trail went under some cliffs. There were a couple of narrow parts here, and there was a steep drop off to my left, but it was still pretty easy.

Now the trail crossed the snow chute and zig zagged up to the most difficult part which we took one at a time. The pass itself was covered in a cornice so we had to go above it. This meant one steep climb up some nice firm snow. For novices this was pretty scary but there were nice steps kicked in the snow and it was pretty easy.

Looking back

Looking forward

Looking back

Bird climbing

Looking back, under the cliff and across the chute

Looking forward at the hardest part

Now I was at the top of the pass. I was buzzing to have made it, especially after thinking I was going to be stuck in a storm for days and possibly have to evacuate via the Whitney Portal. This was the highest point of the PCT at just over 4,023m (13,200 ft). The views were amazing in all directions and it was hard to stop going “wow”.

We took photos and then headed down the other side. The descent was much gentler. We descended on the side of the hill down to a ridgeline and we followed the ridge until it was impassable with cliffs.

Ultra coming down from the pass

We were hoping to just drop of the end of the ridge but that was not possible so we backtracked and went down the side. It was still really steep but there was a bit of snow. Ultra glissaded down but the rest of us thought he was crazy as there were rocks below and it was really steep. Instead I kicked steps for us to get down. I did slip at one stage as the snow gave way but self arrested easily. I decided to keep sliding a little in a controlled slide to get to the rocks and then continued with the steps.

Finally we were down from the steep bit and it was a more gentle descent. Xena and I tried to slide down a couple of places but the snow was too deep and soft and we just ended up accumulating a pile of snow in front that brought us to a stop. On the last steep bit there was finally a good spot and we enjoyed a decent length slide down.

Xena ready to slide

And away

My turn

The ones in front had spread their stuff over a large rock and we joined them. I set up my tent to dry and then had lunch. The others joined us a little later. We were all happy too have done the pass and felt fortunate to have such good weather for it.
It was a long lunch break, 2 hours.

Just before we finished Sherpa came down the mountain. He was telling us stories about climbing Mt Whitney in the storm and other things before starting his usual questions about gear everyone was using. He is enthusiastic and intense.

We packed up and were on our way again at 1600, intending to do another 4 miles to get to the last campsite before the climbing began again.
It was all downhill from here and we made decent time, considering the snow conditions. I was still feeling full of energy.

For a while I talked with the others and the rest of the time I walked in silence, with someone in sight either in front or behind.

At the campsite Ultra found a nice spot and we all set up our tents, on the snow again. I got straight into cooking dinner and setting everything up. Just as I started eating dinner someone called out that they had a fire going. I declined as I was nice and toasty in my tent and did not want to get up. I was asleep not long after finishing dinner.

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