Date: 6/11/16
Miles: 19.6
Total Miles: 750.4
Strange. I don't recall saying it....then again, a lot has changed in the last 48 hours. From sweating in the sun of Kennedy Meadows to looking like it might possibly snow tonight in a mere 48 miles of trail. At 11,000 feet, none of this is a terrible surprise, but it's hard to comprehend such drastically different conditions in such a short span of time. A trail of extremes, yet again.
Today was a pretty mellow day, mostly spent chatting about all sorts of miscellaneous topics, all while easing our way up and over our second high pass—Cottonwood Pass—before settling in early to a camp spot as protected from the wind as we could find. Sometimes getting lost in conversation, whether it be about gear or music, other long trails or politics, seems to propel the day forward.
Just before midday, Sweet Pea asked if I was feeling an extra breeze on my bum before I came around to the fact that a six inch seam in the back of my shorts had torn open. I knew I felt more comfortable than usual. After ten years and 3000+ miles of hiking, I was sad to see their run come to an end. Combined with the newly sprung leak in my sleeping pad yesterday evening and the lens that had popped out of my eyeglasses, both of which I managed to repair, it's been a banner 24 hours for gear malfunctions.
Before settling in for the evening, we watched an ever-darkening storm move closer as threads of lightning began to split the sky, the thunder building from a distant rumble.
But before we could turn in, Beardoh and I had to pose for a quick glamor shot. There are some striking similarities to our hiking ensembles...
Moments later, I'm in my tent writing this post while a torrent of hail rains down with a clamor. Another day in the mountains.
