Given my current troubles with altitude, Kevin and I decided it would be a good idea to sleep the next night below 10000′ so we gunned for 17 miles.

It was very tough, I broke my previous altitude record (above 11500′) and we walked in snow most of the day. We arrived just before sunset and collapsed into our tents, or at least I did!

I had a bit of a lie in, only leaving after 8am. While most of the group were doing another 18 miler, I preferred to keep the miles down so I could camp on dry land and, more importantly, at lower altitude. A good maxim is ‘walk high, camp low’.

This meant most of the group (apart from Kevin, now known as Dickbag) went ahead, which was a thoroughly good thing.

Lots of snow on the ground, though none too arduous, and the weather was for the most part excellent. We climbed back up to 10700′ and dropped down to 9974′ to camp, which is my highest camp spot yet.

At camp we were joined by a lovely Quebec couple, and Kevin built a great little camp fire in the existing fire ring.

A chilly morning followed by a climb to my highest altitude yet, about 10600′. This altitude is really starting to tell, I have to drink as much as I would in the desert and when I climb I’m like an OAP! So quickly out of breath, and if I don’t rest can get a little faint.

I think tomorrow I should start to acclimatise.

There was a reasonable cover of snow above 9000′, especially on North facing aspects. I wore crampons for a bit, not because they were necessary but to ease walking.

A hard, long day with issues unrelated to walking making it more so.

My pack is insanely heavy. A lot of food combined with a Bear Cannister, ice axe and crampons make it the heaviest yet. I didn’t dare weigh it.

Everyone who were waiting on packages received them and we all set out around 2-3 in the afternoon. We followed the valley of the South Fork Kern River for a while then veered left up to an altitude of 7989′, a climb of nearly 2000′ which felt worse than it was due to the weight.

The good news is that I’ve already started eating it lighter…

I know it looks like I’m lazily drinking beer and eating burgers, but I really have to wait for the group so I don’t enter the Sierra alone.

Some of them have packages coming tomorrow, so hopefully we can set off then. However a bear can and 10 days food, combined with walking in snow at real altitude (10000′ plus) could be tiring!

In the meantime, I can cuddle Banjo

We had a nice campfire after dark. Jessica from the general store allowed us to buy beer, and Madison from Grumpy Bear’s was also there:

A day of resupply and thinking.

People are doing many different things – some are flip-flopping North to avoid the snow (though it’s difficult as this is an exceptional snow year and much of the trail in Northern California and Oregon is still snow covered).

Others are heading in to the Sierra, which is what I intend to do once I find a group to join. My trail family dispersed yesterday, some to see family, some to hike the Sequoia trail as a side trail.

To the North the trail climbs well above 10000′ , Forester Pass is over 13000′, with an optional ascent of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous US.

The next 50 miles is relatively straightforward, and at that point I can bail out to Lone Pine if it looks too tricky. Otherwise can make for Kearsage Pass and out to the towns of Independence and Bishop.

It snowed today in Kennedy Meadows.

A chilly and damp start turned into the warmest day for quite a while. Even though it was a short walk into Kennedy Meadows, we still left at 7am because those going to the Sequoia Trail were on a timeline.

And then, the 700 miles!

To digress, I had the Backpacker’s Pantry Louisiana Red Beans and Rice last night. I woke to a green haze in my tent, and immediately understood that the slightest spark would engulf me in a fatal inferno. I carefully opened the tent door, and aired the tent. Lucky escape. Needless to say Energizer, who normally walks behind me, walked in front today…

We then arrived at Kennedy Meadows, gateway to the Sierra and our first major milestone!

The general store is above, and this is Grumpy Bears

I picked up my packages, ice axe, crampons, boots and gloves I sent on earlier. Plus, my REI order including the compulsory bear box

And the sad farewell, after over 700 miles to my beloved Saloman XA Pros

Today was a long one, with two tiring climbs. It would have been harder had it not been for the trail magic provided halfway by these ladies, near Chimney Creek Camp:Drinks, fruit, sandwiches (including one packed for later)!Most of the day was sunny and pleasant with just a little rain later. But I’m aching quite a lot…

Up reasonably early and packed up before heading over to the cafe for a little breakfast of pancakes.The usual four (me, Energizer, Chairman and Little Red) augmented with two new people (Boomerang and Yann) attempted to hitch but found it difficult. Freddy and I had just given up and were moving to another location to try again when a lady pulled over and asked if we needed to go somewhere! Her name was Keira, mother of five who had just dropped her smallest off at daycare and was at a loose end. More than that, she drove down the road and picked the rest up too!So we got back to Walker Pass around 10.30 I think and headed up back into the hills. Unlike recent times there was negligible wind but the cloud cover remained, so a nice cool walk for the whole day.Lunch at Joshua Tree Spring was followed by a short afternoon to Spanish Needle Creek where there were a selection of nice campspots and plenty of water.A campfire and a meal later and I’m ready for sleep.

Given the weather decided on another day of recovery. By the evening the air was still and it wasn’t looking too bad.By chance met up with Thomas who I hadn’t seen since Idyllwild, and Outloud, Caitlin (now Poppins) and the bunch from Casa da Luna turned up in the room next to us!Lots of others turning up in Ridgecrest now too – Beerman, Ranger, Lost and Found and Chicken Champion amongst others.