Wiping Off the Rust and Preparing for the Snow

Yesterday was the 7th day since we finished to Kennedy Meadows and started our break to wait for better weather and safer hiking conditions in the Sierra. And in those days we hiked a grand total of zero miles. We did a short hike yesterday in a local canyon to see if the legs still work. No Name Canyon had a weekly eBird gap and makes for a moderate 6 mile round trip in desert riparian habitat. It was pleasant and we turned up 32 species of birds including three Long-eared Owls, two Phainopepla, and a Scott's Oriole carrying food for an assumed nest. 

Hiking in No Name Canyon, the PCT is at the top of the ridge just a short distance away

We start into the Sierra tomorrow, Sunday May 29. There are multiple reports of relatively safe conditions over Forester Pass, the highest point on the PCT at 13,200 feet elevation and only 75 or so miles north of our starting point in Kennedy Meadows. As we ascend to Forester and beyond we must be prepared for snow, ice and high water river crossings. There are 9 major passes above 11,000 feet elevation we will cross before we get to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite at mile 943.  We start in Kennedy Meadows at Mile 705.  That's a lot of snow covered miles. It will be SLOW.  And for the most part it will be without cell phone signal. It is likely after we leave tomorrow that this blog will sit silent until we get to Vermilion Valley Resort (Lake Edison) for resupply in about two weeks. I may be able to post a short message to my Facebook page occasionally from the Delorme InReach. And remember you can follow the blue dots on our real-time map page, updated every two to four hours:

https://share.delorme.com/bobsteelephoto

As long at the dots keep advancing, we're making progress!  Either that or a bear ate me and made off with my satcom...  :-)

We'll be adding some gear for the next few hundred miles. First is the mandatory bear canister for food storage in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. 

Bearikade Expedition

For footwear we'll be using slip-on traction devices over our trail runners.

Trail Crampons

For secure ascent and self-arrest in case of a fall on an icy slope we will have a combination hiking pole and ice axe called the Whippet.

Whippet Ski Pole

We are bringing a few pieces of warmer clothes as well. And our first two food supplies are a week long each.  That's 20 lbs of food per week for the both of us!  Ouch!  It's a good thing that the long water hauls are over, because all the rest of this crap will be heavy!

I spent a day earlier this week finishing the rest of the resupply boxes. Out of the freezer came our home-made dinners for the rest of the trail. Each box got the appropriate number of dinners sealed inside a vacuum bag. All the boxes are stacked and numbered, ready for Trail Mom Terri to send them when it is time.

 

We have a few hand deliveries we are looking forward to. Terri will meet us at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite in mid-June. The post office there is likely to still be in winter closure so this will ensure we get food. Friends Ron and Nancy (who took us to the start of the trail in April) will be meeting us in late June at Sonora Pass to simplify that one greatly. And finally, the most epic resupply of all will happen next weekend after we clear Forester Pass. Our friend Chris is hiking 20 pounds of food over Kearsarge Pass out of Onion Valley to meet us on the trail. That is so cool and saves us two days of off-trail resupply. Thanks to all for the help, we really appreciate you all!!

Okay, so wish us luck in the snow and follow the little blue dots on the map. I promise I will continue to write and take photos, it will just be a while before I can share!