With the Sierras looming in the distance we left Kennedy Meadows. Our brief respite at the general store was over and it was time to climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Everyone was in high spirits as we moved closer and closer to the Sierras. Jokes became funnier, smiles became wider, and laughter became louder and more frequent. The thought of finally ridding ourselves of the desert was at the front of our minds. Shelly especially could not contain her excitement. She was constantly reminding the group that we were entering the Sierras and her good humor was absolutely infectious.
Our route from the KM store took us into the South Sierra Wilderness, part of the Sequoia Natl. Forest. Even the names began to reflect the changing landscape. That day we passed through fire-charred burned areas, wide open meadows, and thick pine forests-no more yucca and chaparral!
After our first day out from KM, the passes started. We were finally in the mountains but that meant lots of elevation gain was in store. We climbed trail pass, cottonwood pass, and found ourselves suddenly quite high up. The trees gave way to alpine meadows and the views reminded us why we were on the PCT. Every turn brought something new and beautiful. And so the miles flew by.
We ended our second day a couple miles down from Chicken Lake- one of the more poorly named lakes in the Sierra. And this is when we discovered the more raw, intense side of the Sierras. That night we were at what felt like the epicenter of an enormous thunder and lightning storm. I was terrified, Shelly was unphased. Atleast one of us got some sleep...
The next morning was wet and grey but we pushed on. A couple miles into the day we entered Sequoia Natl. Park. I was stoked! Our first park of the trip and it just happened to be one of the oldest. I nerded out all day and Shelly graciously put up with my ravings as we raced to Crabtree Meadows.
After some serious elevation loss and gain we arrived at CT meadows and waited for the boys (who promptly showed up). We were all wiped so after dinner we went about a mile up the trail and set up camp-our Mt. Whitney base camp.
Crabtree meadows is the lowest base camp for Whitney on the west side of the mountain. The other option is to go about 3 more miles up and camp at Guitar Lake-one of the better named lakes of the Sierras. We chose a lower spot due to our exhaustion which meant about a 7 mile hike to the top of Whitney the next day.
Summit day: we rose early, broke camp, and Shelly and I headed out. We churned out the 3ish miles to Guitar Lake in an impressively short amount of time. Just above the lake we filtered water and discussed the climb the come. A couple nearby overheard our discussion and chimed in when I mentioned I was low on food. And low and behold, our first trail magic of the Sierras! They gave us a bear canister full of food. And not just crappy hiker food, fancy hiker food. Probars, trader joes, and fancy dehydrated fruit. The day immediately got better. Janessa and Gabe saved me from food rationing and we were all very grateful. They rocked the trail angel thing!
After the trail magic, Shelly and I started The Climb. 2000ish feet in two miles. Holy moly it hurt. As we went up Shelly asks, "how do you think we are going to get out of this basin?" That question was immediately answered as we came to the base of a giant wall of switchbacks. Let the pain begin!
We slogged up those two miles. Well, i did. Everyone else went up with a little more dignity. The elevation was getting to me and I was cranky, tired, and nursing a headache. But, we all made it to the Whitney Portal junction. Here we dropped our bags and continued with just our poles. From there it was 1.9 to the summit. Home stretch.
After navigating narrow ledges, large rock stairs, and more switchbacks, we made it! 14,508 feet. The tallest peak in the lower 48- and we were standing on top of it. The desert we had struggled through suddenly became completely worth the toil. We literally had reached the high point thus far.
I have never been so proud of myself and in awe of my body. 770 miles, thousands of feet of elevation gain and loss, and the highest peak in the lower 48. That summit day changed my way of thinking. At the beginning of the trip, I was constantly asking myself "what can I do?" Now I ask"what can't I do?"
-smokey
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