 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
* Shelly’s first log of her hike …
Shelly Skye has sent this to the Fast Track To Work Office about the start of her hike this summer.
6/28/03
12:16 pm
Angela and Lynda just left me off here in Yosemite Valley. It was a tearful goodbye, Angela beginning with me joining in. Even Lynda got into the act. What with all the planning and getting to this point — it was a shock for it to happen. They are really gone and I’m on my own. This is what I wanted; now it’s here. I’m scared.
Yesterday was long and a trial. Lynda and Angela were in Lynda’s car and I in my old truck. All went well over Yosemite and down into the Owens Valley. Then the truck started to run rough right around Bishop. It got worse as we got lower and the temp was hotter (101° in Bishop at about 3 pm) till finally before Independence I had to pull over. The strangest thing is when I stopped, so did the chugging. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it to Whitney Portal. The last climb was 4,000' in 13 miles. But we did and there the cluck truck sits for the next four weeks. I’ll worry about that problem later, much later.
6:00 pm
What a day. Didn’t have a place to stay tonight in the Valley but after calling around I got a tent cabin (for $66). At least it’s a legal place to sleep. I’m lying on the bed listening to two young boys run around the tent next door, the one that is three feet from mine. Quiet it’s not.
Went to the all-you-can-eat buffet for dinner. I could only eat one plate! Though I did go back for dessert …Apple cobbler, yum. If I can eat there tomorrow night, I might get the chocolate cake!
I’m less anxious now. I have set my alarm for 3:30 am and will go to the wilderness permit office at 4 am in order to make sure I get a permit for Monday. Once I get that permit I will know it really is going to happen.
6/29/03
10:29 am
I got my permit — I leave tomorrow! Showed up at the wilderness permit office at 4:06 am and was the 1st one there. Two guys (air quality control engineers) showed up at 5:20 am trying to get slots for 10 people …they only issue 12! I guess it was a bit of overkill on my part but I wanted to be sure I got a spot. It’s a go.
I’m in the backpackers’ campground now; tent up and gear stowed in the bear boxes. I imagine it’s gonna be a cooker again today …one report says it was 98° yesterday. I believe it. I think I’ll be spending some time in the river today.
Later
Like I said, I’m sitting by the river with my feet soaking and cooling me off.
This is a great place to sit. I’m watching backpackers come into camp. A motley crew of three mid-teenage boys walked in and one of them had a pack that was a full 1.5 feet higher than his head. He kept wobbling /swaying from side to side. What a funny scene that was. He was so top heavy.
I guess the camp is filling up for the evening. Eight folks have walked by in the last 10 minutes. I hope they aren’t loud — I’d sure like to sleep tonight.
I bought a pair of shorts today. The ones I brought are too short and they keep riding up as I walk. Chub rub to the max. I tried them on and they were scratchy so I scrubbed them in the sink with Dr. Bronner’s soap. Hopefully that will get the scratchiness out and I will be able to wear them. I hate to think I bought them and they won’t work. Had another confidence crash today. It doesn’t take much to push me into “I won’t be able to make it” land. Called Mz. Angela and she reminded me that I was pushing against my comfort zone and thus was scared, but that I would be fine. I hope she’s right. Tomorrow will tell. Stay tuned.
6/30/03
6:06 pm
I left the backpackers’ campground in Yosemite Valley at 7:18 this morning. I’m camped near the junction of the John Muir Trail and the Fosyth Trail, which comes up from Tenaya Lake. I rolled in here about 3ish and found a spot that didn’t appear to have too many ant holes right around it. I have washed, both myself and a few clothing items, eaten dinner, removed all scented items from my stuff and put all into my bear canister. I left it, and my cooking gear, in a hollow area between two logs, in the same area that I cooked in, about 100 yards from here. As much as I gripe about carrying the thing, I do feel relieved to know my food is safe. My tent is so far away from where I cooked — supposedly the bears won’t care about me. Just in case though, I have my bear spray right by my pillow.
The area I’m camped in is at 8,000 feet — I started the day at 4,000 feet. The first 3,000-ft climb was in 6 miles. Steep!
The mosquitoes haven’t been very bad today. In fact, where I am camped, I haven’t seen a one! Yes! It wouldn’t matter now as I am ensconced in my tent and I am safe from all flying critters.
Met a couple today that had attempted the JMT (John Muir Trail). Apparently they started from the south and hoped to have the companionship of other JMTers and PCTers (Pacific Crest Trail). The late snows defeated them and they bailed out at some point. They then rented a car and toured California (they’re from Florida) for two weeks. They got back on the trail at Tuolumne Meadows and were on their way to the Valley. They were very nice. In fact, they knew I was going to Whitney without asking. The guy said when we stopped to chat, “Heading for Whitney?” It was nice to meet someone who just assumed I’d be doing this and was matter of fact about it. Gave me some confidence.
Trail mileage is kind of strange. The guide I am using had today’s mileage as 8.7, but my map with its mileage markers has the distance as 10 miles. I don’t know but my feet feel as though I’ve gone 20 miles. They are tired but no blisters have arrived to curse them. So far so good.
Day 2
8:24 am
Woke up at 1:30 am with the sound of something big walking by my tent. I grabbed my head lamp and shined it outside, looking to both sides but didn’t hear anything else. I lay there, mildly anxious, still hearing walking sounds out there. I finally got up to pee and while out there, I saw a large blocky critter walking off, just to the edge of my site of view. Its eyes reflecting in my light, it glided rather than ambled, so I relaxed some, pretty sure it was a deer. When I awoke at first light, I could see them, 3 or 4 just cruising through the field. Phew! My 1st night out there and no bears.
I was on the trail by 6:30 hoping to make tracks before it got hot. It was 40° when I woke up. It’s 50° now.
I’m part way up Sunrise Mountain with Sunrise Creek to my right. I was walking through dense woods on the lower section of this trail and I started getting scared of surprising a bear, or two. So I started hooting and saying “Hey bear”.
I wish I felt about bears like I do about rattlesnakes. I understand rattlers and because I do, I don’t fear them. Respect yes, fear no. Bears, on the other hand, I fear. Mostly because I only know stories and don’t have first-hand experience.
I guess this is true of people as well. If we only know stories about a person or a group of persons, then fear is a natural, if unwarranted, response.
9:36 am
Just passed a couple of volunteer rangers out on patrol. Asked about bears and they haven’t seen any. They are making too much noise. So it sounds like my “Ho bear” strategy is a good one.
On the top of a flat section on the eastern side of Sunrise Mt. I figure I’m at about 9,600 ft. The air feels thin, looks like I’ll be dropping down to Sunrise at 9,320'. I’m going to have to decide what to do about my evening’s camp. The ranger guys said Cathedral Lakes is the worst for bears. That was my planned stop.
Day 3
I arrived at Cathedral Lakes at 1:30 pm yesterday and still had lots of energy so I decided to push on to Tuolumne Meadows. I pulled in at about 4 pm, footsore but glad to be here. Met up with a nice couple from upstate NY on the switchbacks down into T.M. He a pediatric neurosurgeon looking to change jobs and she a domestic engineer who trains dogs for her passion. They were delightful company and it makes the miles go faster to chat with them.
When I arrived at the backpackers’ campground, I was welcomed by a guy named “Snowman” who is doing the PCT. Most of the through-hikers have trail names; I met a “Prune Picker”, “Petals”, and “Go Slow”. I got a sense of the kind of community that develops among the folks who are attempting the Mexico-to-Canada trail. I wonder if I will do that trail someday? This trip will tell me how I like hiking day after day and always having to stick to a schedule. It isn’t simply a walk in a park. For some people it’s a lifestyle and passion.
So today I get my new food drop at the PO and wash myself and clothes. Rest my feet and repair anything that looks loose or raggedy if that’s how it’s spelled. I’ll call Fast Track and give the gals my love and let them know how all goes. Call Angela at 4 pm and give her an update on where my next phone stop will be.
I’m having fun.
Continued …see below
Back
to Information About the Walk