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* Shelly’s third log of her hike …
Shelly Skye has sent more to the Fast Track To Work Office with a continuation of her experience on her hike this summer.
Day 10
Quite frustrating. I can’t get to a good phone to call Angela. If the phone here works (it wasn’t earlier) it costs $2 a minute. And it doesn’t take phone cards. So I have a list to make sure everything I need to say gets said as soon as possible.
Vermillion Valley Resort (VVR) is quite a spot. Good food, nasty showers, comfy cots inside platform tents and laid back folks. I’m running up quite a tab here so it’s best I get out ASAP. I leave tomorrow.
The last part of my hike yesterday was delightful. From the beginnings of the day in Alpine country, I slowly went down, down through different zones. I don’t know the scientific names but I describe them by smell and color. First was the green, moist smell of the canyon where the creek was slip sliding along the rocks. Lower down was the hot smell of sun on rocks and sagebrush with the steeper sound of water crashing down slopes. The flowers were brighter, bolder and more full where the green smell was prevalent. Where hot, the flowers were thinner, lankier but just as bright. And Aspens! They were swaying and glittering in the breeze. Got so happy about seeing them that I started to thinking they were waving hello to me. Goofy, I know.
Quite an olfactory, visual and auditory experience. Won’t forget that one in a while.
Thousand Island Lake
Day 11
11:30 am; 9,835'
Went 7 miles this morning since 7 am. Mostly up from VVR, which is about 7,700'. I’ve rejoined the JMT/PCT from Bear Ridge Trail. The goal for today is Rosemarie Meadow, or somewhere thereabouts. Tomorrow, Seldon Pass and Muir Trail Ranch.
2:35 pm
I made pretty good time this morning but I am dragging myself along this afternoon. I’ve probably only gone a couple of miles in the last 3 hours. My feet hurt today and my Achilles are tight …took that day off and I probably stiffened up. Anyway, I’m not making good time at all. I need to do a couple more miles and stop at least at Upper Bear Creek Meadow. That will leave me 4 miles to Seldon Pass for the early morning when I’m the freshest. I don’t like being so tired …I could take a nap I’m so sleepy.
6:40 pm; 9,575'
I just couldn’t go a bit farther today. Had to stop at Upper Bear Creek Meadow. My dogs are howling tonight. I’ve eaten, stashed my food, etc., tried to wash up as much as possible with the mosquitoes chasing after me. I’m lying in bed, tired and achy. When I added up my mileage this evening it seems I went 12 miles. I guess it’s OK I didn’t go on tonight. Tomorrow is Seldon Pass and Muir Trail Ranch. 10.7 miles. The two women I met at VVR will probably be there tomorrow night; they are taking a ferry from Florence Lake and walking in from Lost Valley. They are nice gals. One lives in Santa Barbara. The other in Kodiak, Alaska. Both special ed teachers.
Had mac & cheese with tuna for dinner. Couldn’t finish it so I put the extra in my bear canister and I’ll have it for breakfast! Yum. Odd what seems exciting out here.
All day today I’ve been hearing jet planes overhead. What is interesting is that I noticed it. I haven’t heard anything up in the air besides birds for days on end. Well, and insects. Plenty of them. I guess I must be under a flight path for major jets going to and fro.
I do feel compassion for the 50 or so mosquitoes that are swarming around the screen door of my tarp. They are only looking for nourishment so that they can reproduce and make more mosquitoes. I’m only glad I have a way to avoid being that nourishment. Mosquitoes are like any being, they just want to be happy and do what it is they do on their life’s path. Thank goodness for mosquito netting.
Day 12
9 am; Seldon Pass; 10,800'
Got here in 2 hours — 3.9 miles. Did well for three reasons:
#1— I was rested.
#2— It was cool.
#3— The mosquitoes wouldn’t let me stop. At least up here it’s breezy and they aren’t too bad. It will be a good test of my beliefs to see how long my compassion holds up!
Need to buy Chapstick and TP at Muir Trail Ranch.
3:58 pm
Got here to Muir Ranch and will have to leave some food behind. Was able to buy most of what I needed here at the old log cabin store. They only take cash so I’ll have to do an IOU and mail them a check when I return.
I’m disappointed the gals have left already and Rene is off as well. I had hoped for some company during these next few days. It’s not to be.
I’m halfway there, or almost halfway there. From right here where I stand, it seems like a long way off. All I can do is keep one foot placed in front of the other.
It’s over 100° today. Too hot for hiking. Fortunately I’m going right back up to altitude and that should help. I’m a wimp in the heat.
Continued …see
below
See Page 4 of Shelly's log
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