Day 85 – 15 Jun 19. Forever Sidling, Evettes Pass and Clearing Snow

Today 27.4 km (17.0 mi), Total Distance 1702.8 km (1058.1 mi) 11 hours 35 minutes (0710-1845)

It felt chilly this morning but it was 7 degrees C so warm, relatively. After a quick breakfast I was off up the hill I delayed yesterday.

The initial climb was ok but then it was a sidle (going along the side of a hill) on steep slopes for quite a way before emerging onto a dirt track for the short distance to get to the saddle. On the saddle was a barbed wire fence with a gap in it for hikers to get through.

From the saddle it was a steep descent in the snow and across a heavily sun cupped area to get to a lake that actually had some water. The trail went to the right of the lake and there was some dirt trail in-between the snow slopes.

Once past the lake the hill steepened and the snow lessened and there was a neat patch of mainly dirt trail that zig zagged down the steep hill. It was rocky and there were a few neat trees during the descent. I was really enjoying the dirt and the neat scenery.

Unfortunately the trail went back to snow, up and over a small ridge then a steep drop across a narrow valley before starting the monster of all sidles. The trail would make an appearance for a few meters then there was a long stretch of steep slopes to traverse before a couple more meters of trail. I was really not enjoying this part.

At one stage I wasn’t paying enough attention and had my first slide. It was on a really steep part but I used my hiking pole to slow myself down and after only about 5 meters I was able to bring myself to a stop. Surprisingly I wasn’t shaken at the fall but I was frustrated with the never-ending steep slopes to cross.

I continued on, none the worse for wear, not even snow burn which I was surprised at.

After a long long time I finally climbed up to a saddle. Next was yet another long stretch of sidling on steep slopes, though fortunately these were not quite as steep with a few exceptions. I made better time and did the last traverse across and up to the saddle. On this final part there were footprints of two people and a dog. They had turned around and one back the same way they came.

From the saddle it was a steep drop which I struggled to get down as the snow was too hard. I had to put my crampons on and then go down. From the descent it was a more gentle drop and then a little hill before dropping down to the road. There was regular traffic but absolutely nothing at the crossing point.

I crossed the road and continued. Not even 5 minutes in and I saw two people hiking. They were day hikers just heading to the lakes. They introduced themselves as Francine and Chris and their Golden Retriever was Sky. They had a holiday house 20 miles away and came to this area frequently for hiking. They recognised me as a thru hiker but were nice enough to say I looked in better condition than most they saw in other years. They offered me some chocolate and to take my rubbish which was great. The chocolate was Lindt which is my favourite. They continued as I stopped to take my crampons off as there was a clear section ahead.

I caught them just as they turned off the track. I was about to check my map for the right way to go when they said they were having lunch and I was welcome to join them. Given the lack of people I had seen I readily agreed. The conversation was nice and they seemed like a nice couple. Even better they offered me some fruit and I had a nice peach. I really took my time eating it to savour the freshness. They also gave me some more chocolate and as they were packing up they gave me an apple. It was really appreciated.

I took off in front and quickly left them behind. The clear trail did not last long and it was into the snow. There was a steep drop down to a Sherald Lake that was actually all water, not ice like I am used to seeing. From the lake it was slightly difficult navigational as there were no large features so it was feeling as I went. There was a lake below, Kinney Lake, still in the process of thawing.

The trail curved around above the lake and then went beside a big hill. From here the trail was largely clear for a decent amount of time before hitting a snow patch. There were a few snow patches but for the climb up it was mainly dirt and I was able to look around more. There were also the flowers to look at.

From the top of that climb it down the other side back into the snow down to the valley bottom then along the valley and over a saddle. From the saddle it was another descent in the snow and across the valley and then walking on a largely dirt trail down the valley before climbing up to another saddle.

This time the drop down in the snow was much steeper and longer. At the bottom I crossed the stream on a snow bridge and joined the trail on the other side. The trail was mainly dirt again with occasional snow patches. It climbed up and around a big hill and then up to a saddle. I saw a deer that bounded off down the hill. That is deer number 8.

I was feeling in a much better mood with the dirt track whenever I was on the south face of a hill. It was nice to just relax while walking and I was liking the little flowers. Unfortunately from this saddle it looked like I had more sidling on steep slopes but thankfully it was no where near as bad as I expected and there was more trail than snow.

At the saddle it was covered in snow and I though it would be a descent in the snow but the snow stayed in the treeline and as I emerged out the other side of the trees it was back to the open and no snow. It was windy and I was keen to get down and find a tent site. From here it was on dirt trail with really long zigs and zags until hitting the trees and snow again. Just on the edge between trees and thick shrubs I found a little clearing and set up camp.

I had an amazing sunset which I didn’t need to move from my tent. The mountains were silhouetted by the bright orange once the sun had disappeared – beautiful.

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