The Sierra

We went over the highest point on the PCT today; Forester Pass, at an altitude of 13 200 ft, 4025 m. The day was packed with epic views as we walked 12.3 miles, 19.8 km through the most stunning mountain landscapes on trail so far. When we left camp this morning, we were immediately climbing Read more

I needed a rest day today after Whitney yesterday. It was pretty slow going most of the day but I made it 8.6 miles, 13.8 km from Crabtree Meadows to Tyndall Creek. Forester Pass is 4 miles ahead and will be the highest point on the official PCT route. This morning I left from Crabtree Read more

Today we left camp set up at Crabtree Meadows and pushed up to Mt Whitney summit. The trail runs 7.3 miles each way, which means today was a 14.6 mile day, 23.4 km return. The summit is at 14,505 ft, 4421 m and the air up there is thin enough to really affect energy. I Read more

Today I covered 14.4 miles, 23.1 km from the tarn to Crabtree Meadows. The campsite at Crabtree Meadows is used as a basecamp for hikers to set up, rest and then summit Mt Whitney without having to pack, or carry all of their heavy gear with them. The day starts off very gentle. I walk Read more

One of the great things about Lone Pine is how easy it is to walk around. This meant I was able to get breakfast, last minute resupply, fully packed, and even a visit to the local film museum, all before noon. A shuttle driver named Kurt picked up 6 of us and took us back Read more

A couple of days ago I realized I wasn’t carrying as good food as I’d thought. Three of the meals I was carrying turned out to be only 6 g of protein, and less than 250 calories each. Rather than trying to stretch that to Kearsage Pass, I headed off trail earlier to buy more Read more

Today marks a full two months since I started from the Southern Terminus in Campo. It’s actually kinda hard to believe it’s been such a long time, and yet such a short time too. While it feels like I’ve only just got here, it also feels like a lifetime has passed as well. As I Read more

Today I covered 12.8 miles, 20.7 km. The trail traverses the mountainside high above the meadows from yesterday, before dropping into a canyon to cross onto another mountain ridge. The trail quickly climbs back to 10 689 ft, 3258 m, where I made camp for the night. I got on trail at 8 am, and Read more

Today I climbed to 10 067 ft, 3069 m, properly into the High Sierra. My distance today was 9.6 miles, 15.4 km, and I could feel the effects of elevation from about 8300 ft, 2500 m. I woke up this morning to the first cold morning I can remember in weeks. I made breakfast at Read more

I finally managed to break the Kennedy Meadows Vortex, for real this time. I stayed late at the trail magic, left around 2 pm and made it 8 miles, 12.9 km into the Sierra. Tomorrow I will climb above 10 000 ft, 3000 m, putting me in what most hikers consider the High Sierra. I’ll Read more