The last three weeks have been challenging. Lots of snow, and lots of navigating. I have not been able to post much due to the lack of time in towns and lack of cell service, but here is a bit of a summary of the last 180 miles.
I left left Mammoth late in the afternoon with furniture and Ishmael and immediately made a wrong turn. Just a detour so we could get a few bonus miles. Back on track, we did about eight before dark.
The next day, we did 27 miles over snow, with mostly no trail, and ended a Tuolumne Meadows just before dark. The ten miles into Tuolumne were flat and snow free, and possibly my favorite section of trail yet. As I was blindly wandering the roads here, trying to find the trail, the most amazing trail angel, Tom, pulls up and asks if I need a ride. I got in, got handed a bag of chips, and we drove back to the trail to wait for the fellas. Tom offers to drive us to the little town of Lee Vining for some extra food and ice cream. We got down the hill and bought some supplies, and camped off the highway near town. In the morning Tom took us out for coffee, and we were back to the trail by 9. We had about ten more miles of beautiful snow-free Yosemite hiking, then back up into the slushy.
The days between then and now have been mostly a big blur. I don't much remember all the details, but Ishmael did have a birthday, and I brought libations and rice crispy treats. We passed 1000 miles, and we had to ford some of the coldest scariest rivers I have ever been in. Most of all, we have
been in endless amounts of snow, traveling 2 mph or less, and navigating most of the day with map and compass with no trail to be seen for most of the day.
The hope is that after Donner Pass in 50 more miles, our average elevation drops, and I'm dreaming of more trail than snow.
I have run out of time to really finish this post, but with more frequent power and hopefully cell service in the miles ahead I will be able to update frequently.
Be well!
Rally
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