Mono Pass to Tuolumne Day 3

Today's goal was Purple Lake, 12 miles, with a climb over Silver Pass, topping out at 10, 700 feet. I was beginning to realize this trail was just a series of very high ups and downs.  Climb, climb, climb and then down, down, down.  A giant rollercoaster of granite, forest, meadows, lake, creeks, rivers, mosquitos and endless possibilities.

We began our climb up out the forest and back into the granite then back down into another valley. We went through a long, narrow meadow canyon filled with marmot and pika.  The little pika would chase each other out into the meadow and across the trail.  The air was filled with their chirping noises.

We began the ascent up Silver Pass, taking one slow step after another.  It was tough. When we made it to the top, we splayed out to eat lunch.  It was hot as usual so Nancy stripped down to her bra.  I was sitting in the dirt, spread eagle in my skirt, when a PCT thu-hiker rolled up and plopped down to cook his lunch.  He was a weirdo.  Got an immediate pervert vibe off him.  I asked him what his trail name was and he held up a sign that said Czech Mix (from the Czech Republic).  He stared at Nancy's boobies and stood too close to me when we got up to leave.  Buh bye, Czech Mix!

We continued on and down from Silver Pass, walking through high apline meadows and no-name lakes.  We had many water crossings and some were really scary.  Some had logs to walk across and some were just rock hopping.  The rocks were sometimes too far apart and it got the adrenaline pumping.  We were crossing a river and I was on a rock, smack in the middle, thinking about listening to some music, when I felt a presence.  I turned my head and Czech Mix was standing on the rock right behind me.  Crap!  Really! Not only was it creepy but it was bad river crossing ettiquette.  We made it to the other side and I stepped aside to let him go by but he said he needed to stop and filter water.  Okay, well I think he could have done that on the other side and avoided scaring the crap out of me.

Down and down we walked, running into people here and there.  One guy was high on benedryl because his mosquito bites were too itchy.  Ran into a couple of ladies eating pizza so we had to ask about that- they were only doing a couple days so were able to carry in delicious food. 

When we finally reached what seemed to be the apex of the downhill and started going uphill again, I thought "What fresh hell is this?"  None of us realized that there was an additional 1500 foot climb to Purple Lake.  Up we go again!  Is this a pass?  I don't know.  All I know is it's hotter than the hinges of Hades, the climb is gnarly, and I'm tired and hungry.  This was definitely a mind over matter scenario.

After what seems like an eternity, we reach the top and I'm stuffing snacks into my face as fast as I can.  We make it to a lake.  What lake, I don't know, but we decide to stop and cook our dinner and then walk the remaining 2 miles to Purple Lake.  For this, I'm grateful.  I do need to eat dinner.  We eat; Nancy and I still sharing a spoon.

Then we continue walking.  We have the scariest rock hop so far but we all make it across.  Everyone speeds ahead and then it's just Nancy and I plodding along.  I'm sure Nancy could go faster and she's probably hanging back for me because I'm reaaaaaaalllly slow especially when tired.  We start going down, as is the way of this trail.  This has got to be the longest 2 miles of my life.  Darkness is setting in and we're going on 9pm.  It's a 13 hour walking day.  No bueno.

Nancy and I get to a junction in the trail and we go left because I see some people camping and think it's our group.  No, it's a bunch of dudes, smoking cigars.  I'm uncomfortable.  We continue a bit down and decide this is the wrong way.  A bit of panic spurs me back up the trail, past the cigar-smoking dudes.  Then I see the PCT sign and continue along what, I assume, is Purple Lake.  We come upon some people camping but I can't see if it's our group so I stand in the dark and stare at them.  I hear Carolen call out "Tina?"  It's them.  Phew, so all is well.  No, all is not well!  It's been 13 hours of walking and it's dark!  I'm pissed!  Upset that I took the wrong trail, upset that I've been walking so long, and upset that I have to pitch a tent on a slope.  I'm so tired, I don't even pull out my inflatable mattress.  I just lay on my foam pad with my legs elevated on my backpack, feeling my spine release and my feet throb.  Then it's a night of sliding down the slope and crawling back up in my tent.

This was the worst day.

Positive Thought
The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. ~Christopher McCandless

Mono Pass to Tuolumne Day 2

We awoke with stuffy noses from the dry Sierra air and puffy eyes from the atlitude.  Our goal today was 9.2 miles to North Fork Mono Creek so we would descend to 8300 feet.

As we descended, the walk took us through pretty meadows and dense forests.  We had many creek crossings and gazed upon alpine flowers.  It was hot and muggy.  We had a nice long lunch break overlooking a meadow and I didn't want to move when it was time to start walking again.

We passed through groves of Aspens that lined the trail, their shimmering leaves magical in the breeze.  It was a fairyland in the Sierras.  I stopped to listen to the leaves and a quietness settled over me.

Towards the end of the day, we had a bit of a climb to get out of the canyon and up to Mono Creek.  It was frickin' hot and we were all pouring sweat.  I found myself switching through peacefulness to agitation.  I was irritated and feeling claustrophobic.  A weird thing to say while I'm surrounded by wilderness, right?  This is just my way.  Switching through these emotions when tired and hungry, just like everyone else.

We made it to a pretty sweet campsite at the top and set up for the night.  The mosquitos were out in full force so head nets came out all around. 

It was a good day despite my bipolar emotional swings.

Positive Thought
Did I offer peace today?  Did I bring a smile to someone's face?  Did I say words of healing?  Did I let go of my anger and resentment?  Did I forgive?  Did I love?  These are the real questions.  I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come. ~Henri Nouwen

Mono Pass to Tuolumne Day 1

We took 8 days to walk 75 miles in the Eastern Sierra, from Mono Pass Trailhead to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite.  Carrie, Carolen, Ingrid, Nancy and I started the trip on a hot and muggy Tuesday, after shuttling vehicles, so that one vehicle was at the start and one was at the end. 
We had 15 miles from Mono Pass Trailhead to get to the PCT/JMT junction and the remainder of miles would be a combination of PCT/JMT.

Left to right: Ingrid, Carrie, Me, Nancy, Carolen



The first day our destination was 7.4 miles to  Fourth Recess Lake and a 2000 foot climb over Mono Pass.  I took no notes the entire trip because I was so exhausted so hopefully my memory serves me well here.

Within the first hour, we had taken a wrong turn and ended up on a pack mule trail.  I think we were about a mile in before figuring out it was wrong.  Carrie was far ahead of us and Ingrid went after her.  A pack mule train went by and Ingrid asked the cowboy to tell Carrie to turn back if he saw her.  He did end up catching up to Carrie and told her she was lost and to turn back.  Very stoic.  I wonder what he thought about us 5 chicks out on the wrong trail.     

When we got on the right track, we began the climb up Mono Pass.  We started at 10, 234 feet and climbed up to 12,000 within 4 miles.  Man, that was hard.  Carrie and Carolen powered ahead while Ingrid, Nancy and I took frequent breathing breaks.  It was 80 degrees.  I was so glad to be wearing a skirt!  Nice air flow in the heat.









Carrie realized on the climb up the pass that she had left her car key in Nancy's car so when we finished, we would have no way to start her car.  We would have a few days to figure out that dilemma.



Back on the right track.











The top of the pass was like a moonscape.  When we reached the top, we still had quite a ways to go to reach Fourth Recess Lake.  We passed a VVR ranger who gave us some info on where we could stop for the night.  We were exhausted and didn't think we could make it to Fourth Recess Lake.  We did end up at a lake but I can't remember the name of it.



Nancy in the distance.







12,000 foot selfie.





We set up camp near a lake and ate our dinner.  I realized when I opened my kitchen stuff, that I didn't have my spoon.  This is a horrible thing for a backpacker not to have their spoon!  Nancy was kind enough to share her spoon with me though.  We sanitized it with wet wipes and passed it back and forth for breakfast and dinner all four days to Red's Meadow.  Crisis averted!

Ingrid is filtering water here.



Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the lake we were at the first night.  Too tired to think of it, I guess.

The first day was really weird while we were trying to get in the groove.  Things went wrong but we rolled with it and continued on.

Positive Thought

Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. ~Joseph Campbell

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Final Day

We had 5 miles left to get to the South Rim via Bright Angel Trail.  It was nice to leisurely enjoy breakfast and coffee before packing up.

Sunrise against the cliffs at Indian Gardens.



We had nice walking the first part of the morning.  I made a conscious effort to cherish and prolong this experience.  Prayers of gratitude floated through my mind.







We saw the 3 younger guys from Camo Pant's group and leapfrogged with them for a bit.  They took a picture of Nancy and I.






I was amused by these signs.







As we got closer to the top, dayhikers started to increase.  There was an obnoxious group of 3 boys who were swearing and yelling and creating general mayhem.  I passed by a group of dudes taking a break and said "Man, those guys are obnoxious."  They said "Tell us about it!"  That started a comraderie of mutual pain and I leapfrogged with the group of dudes for the rest of the way to the top.  They would be taking a break and I would pass them and chat for a minute, then I would take a break and they would pass me and say things like "Almost to the top!", "Way to go!" and do some fist pumping in the air.



Nancy was ahead of me by about 10 minutes, Ingrid by about 30 minutes, and Carolen and Carrie were about an hour ahead.

Dayhikers were getting really, really thick and super rude.  Kids running amuck, people bumping into me, and just acting like downright douchebags with no trail etiquette.  If you see someone with a heavy pack, going at a slow and steady pace uphill, looking dirty and bedraggled, chances are you should make way for them!  Hello, lady with a heavy pack who just walked 50 miles coming through!  On the flip side, you've got the super nice hikers who are genuinely interested and caring.  The below picture is the group of dudes that cheered me the last few miles.  Great group of guys!



As I came up the final stretch, I could hear Nancy and Ingrid yelling at the top so I waved my poles at them.  I had a perpetual grin on my face- I just walked Rim to Rim to Rim!  Not many people do that trek.  I crested to the top and let off a nice YEEEEEEEEEEEEHAW!!  Nancy and Ingrid engulfed me in hugs and I felt overwhelmed and got a bit teary eyed. 



We re-connected with Carrie and Carolen to head on out for some good eats. 





We drove out to Ingrid's house in Joshua Tree and got to see her re-model and meet some of her friends and daughter.  It was great to see her place and to put faces with names. 

Ingrid with her daughter, Kali.



Carrie runs a beautiful bed and breakfast inn in Joshua Tree.  Check it out!  http://www.thedesertlily.com/



We got home and reunited with family.  Little Kahuna still remembers me even though I'm looking a little rough.



I can't believe we accomplished Rim to Rim to Rim.  What a fabulous journey!  I wish I was there right now!

What's next!!!!????