So once again, my monthly visitor came last night, but 8 days early. It must be all off bc of all the processed crap I'm eating and the hiking. My hormones are all whack. It wasn't that bad this time or maybe it's just something to deal with that I'm getting used to. I'm out of tp so I started using my red bandana, guess I'm going to have to get a new wash cloth now.
Meadow.
We took it easy today, had no specific wake up time. I think I headed out around seven. I hiked to the first water crossing and waited for the Texans. It was shallow and not too bad. Then we had yet another crossing .7 miles away. This one was a little bit stronger. Nate and Meg went upstream and found a lot to balance beam. There was no way I was gonna do that so I went back down to cross. It wasn't that bad. I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of them now and it's not as scary anymore...yet, until we get to the waist deep ones.
Pretty meadow views.
Today was really beautiful. We crossed a meadow with views of the mts all around us and passed several JMT hikers. They have such huge packs! We climbed up to this area called bighorn plateau and it was so pretty but windy and frozen. It was wide open with 360 views. As I headed down, I passed a ranger who asked for my name and if I was carrying a bear can. I guess she was asking all pct hikers going by. I've heard Rangers will tap your pack to see if you have one in there but I guess this one trusted that we were all being honest.
Buckhorn plateau.
We crossed our final third creek for the day before lunch. Yes, three. They're mainly annoying bc you have to take off your shoes and dry off every time but also the water is so cold that it hurts. I went numb halfway through the first crossing since it was a longer one. After lunch, we decided to go and see where we feel like camping before forester pass. Our original plan was to camp right at the base at 12k but it'd be really exposed and freezing. We ended up 3 miles from the approach and figured we can get up at 230am tomorrow. The pass is the highest point on the pct at 13,152 ft. I have a feeling it'll kinda be like Whitney but much steeper and a bit sketchier. There's been so much talk about it that it psychs you out. I'm just really hoping it's not as scary as people talk it up to be, kinda like Whitney. And hoping I won't have to use my axe. It's going to be cold and windy up there. I'm also hoping the ice isn't insanely slick. And coming down early enough before it goes to slush.
My hair is looking whack these days. Also I am tired, can you tell?
We camped right before the tree line but it's still windy here and there. I hope my tent stays up. I feel like my walls are going to tear soon bc the fabric has been so stretched out. I am not sure how long it will last since I've had it for almost two years now. We're supposed to do a 20+ tomorrow. It's going to be a long and interesting day. Our bodies are going to hate us for doing the pass and then exiting through kearsarge pass to independence. I think we can push it through though. I'm looking forward to a bed and I really need to do laundry since I have blood on everything. I might just get a hostel. Everyone probably thinks I'm dead bc I haven't scheduled any blogs since lake Isabella nor updated anyone in 7 days. Guess that's the sierras for ya. I have a lot of things to do so we talked about zeroing. Can't believe the first section of the sierras is just about done! Independence seemed like so far away and now we're supposed to be there tomorrow. This stretch was definitely tough. There was not a single boring day.