Day 64 – 25 May 19. Over Glen Pass and slogging through deep snow

Today 18 km (11.2 mi), Total Distance 1287.2 km (799.8 mi). 10 hours 5 minutes (0655-1700)

It continued snowing for much of the night but when I woke up around 0500 it had stopped. I knew with the fresh snow I was not going to get nice crisp snow to walk on so did not get up early and slept in a bit longer.

I had breakfast and carefully packed away my sleeping bag and mattress, making sure not to knock the tent as that would cause ice to fall down on everything. The temperature was just under 5 degrees C but it felt colder. I packed everything in my pack and then wiped down my tent to remove the snow and ice. I used my wet weather gloves and these seemed to catch on the tent material as I had fine threads coming off which is not good on the first day of 10. Hopefully it will not affect the waterproofness.

I was finally on my way and was happy to see blue sky. I was still in the shadow of the hill but it looked like it was going to be a nice day.

The trail headed up a steep short hill and then seemed to meander around before finally going along the side of the hill where it was meant to. There were tracks ahead of me which looked one or two days old. Even with the snow overnight they were easy to see but were not nice to walk in. Every step I sunk a little bit but if I tried to walk away from the footprints I sank in even deeper so It was better to stay with them. The snow was deep in places and I could see where the people had potholed. If I tried to go around I ended up postholing to so I just stuck to their tracks.

I was feeling tired, noticing every hill and having to stop often for breaks. I was also feeling the weight of my pack.

The trail climbed up along the side of the hill then at the end of the hill climbed up and around the hill, dropping down to a valley and then up very steeply. At the end of the hill I noticed fresh tracks of two people who must have camped and started this morning.

The steep hill seemed to go on and on and then when I got to the top I could see the pass, and the path to get there. It was a short steep climb, then along the side of the hill, climbing continuously, then straight up a very steep hill to some rocks before heading along the hill to the pass. I could see one person approaching the pass and another was starting the steep up part.

I was having to rest every 20 meters to catch my breath and rest my legs. This was feeling much harder than Forester Pass did. The 5 day break had affected my altitude acclimatisation and the heavy pack was playing a part as well.

At the top of the really steep and straight up part the trail turned slightly and went up between some rocks. The snow was soft here and I had to be really careful, cutting new steps as the old ones were either to far apart or had collapsed.

Finally I made it to Glen Pass at 0950, 2 hours and 45 minutes for just over two miles (3.2 km). There was no sign but I took some photos of the amazing views on both sides before starting my descent.

The trail went along the side of the hill, maintaining height before dropping straight down the steep side. I had removed my crampons and got out my ice axe for the descent. It was not as bad as it looked but the snow was deep so it was slow going.

I could see the two guys at the base having a rest but they continued before I got there. I stopped where they had to put away my Ice axe and strip down to my shorts and merino top as it was getting really hot. I put more sunscreen on as well, concentrating on my lips, nostrils and bottom of my chin. I had burnt my lips on the last section and didn’t want to do that again.

Now it was a slog through horrible condition snow. It was deep slushy and occasional postholing. I was fortunate I could following the guys footsteps, though they were to far apart most of the time.

The trail continued dropping down to a lake, though all I could see was a flat field of snow. The trail went around it, up and over to avoid some cliffs and then crossed between two lakes. It dropped to a stream and it was awkward to get off the steep snow and down to the first rock. I ended up jumping and rushing across, desperately trying to keep my balance. The rocks had good grip and I made it across.

Cheese was sitting by the stream having a break. He is one of the group I did Forester Pass with. Their group has split up with some going home and some heading north. Only him and Scout are continuing. Scout was sitting on a rock at the top of the short climb out of the creek.

I continued on as it was only just past 11. The trail crossed between the two lakes and then went along the side of the lakes. It was constant ups and downs over little mounds and small hills. The snow was in much better condition, not having been exposed to the sun for as long. I was actually making ok progress, through I was still having to stop for breaks often.

I saw a Ranger Hut below but did not bother going to it, knowing it would be locked.

Shortly afterwards a small patch of stream was visible and I stopped for lunch. I laid out my tent on a rock to dry and had lots to drink before sitting down for lunch. Periodically I turned my tent around and it was dry pretty quickly.

I continued on and the nice snow was no longer. The sun had done it’s work and the snow was back to soft and deep. On the steeper hills the footsteps were giving way so I had to be very careful, and often kick my own steps.

It was still up and down for a while and then the trail dropped to another lake/field of snow.

I crossed a big stream over a snow bridge and looked up at a pretty waterfall. There was some more climbing to get around some cliffs and then the down hill started. It was now downhill for nearly 3 miles.

The sun had disappeared behind the clouds and the weather seemed to be deteriorating. It started snowing a little which I ignored but then the snow got heavier so I put my jacket and pants on. 10 minutes later it stopped and the sun came out so I stopped to take my jacket and pants off.

As I was doing that Cheese and Scout passed me. They are a lot quicker down the hills but I would catch them briefly when they had a break before they pulled away again.

I was getting really tired now but decided to continue all the way to the bottom of the hill to the camping area by the suspension bridge. There was meant to be more snow tonight so it would be good to be at the lowest elevation I could. It looked like there was no snow down the bottom.

I continued my careful way down the slippery snow. I was especially careful on the steeper hills as I did not want to posthole as I was going fast and break a leg.

With about a mile to go the weather packed up and it started snowing heavily with no sign of stopping. I put my jacket, pants and gloves on and continued. The trail was going all over the place, sometimes logical but sometimes not. However it was better to stay with the footprints as it was much quicker than trying to make my own.

Finally I arrived at the bridge. The two guys had set their tents up and I set mine up by them. The snow was hard, then turned to rain, then a brief spell of nothing before the light fluffy snowflakes began falling in earnest. I was glad to be in my tent.

I was not impressed with the dinner. It was AlpineFare Macaroni and cheese. It was flavourless. Thankfully I had some nuts, lollies and a hot chocolate to make up for it.

I am tired. Today was the most physically challenging since being on trail

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