Silver Pass
TWO MONTHS!! Today marks my two month mark of being on the PCT!! Even though I am not as far as I had initially predicted that I would be at this time I am pretty happy with my progress, especially considering the snow levels.
I woke up this morning to fresh snow blanketing my tent. AH and I ate breakfast of sorts at the VVR restaurant and then were shuttled across Lake Edison in a little boat by two of the four people manning the resort at the moment. Instead of having to walk the seven miles back to the PCT we only had to walk two to get to the junction.
We did not have any of the typical water crossings today where we had to take off our shoes and socks, but we did have to cross under a waterfall that got everything wet. We took lunch shortly after and attempted to dry our gear.
It seemed to take forever to get to the top of Silver Pass but we made it. I’m one fourth of the way to Yosemite in terms of passes! Three more is manageable.
Because of the new snow on the ground I decided to try glissading out again. It was easy to stay slow by collecting snow in between my legs while I slid on my toosh. Most of the time it was actually extremely difficult to keep sliding because I would get stuck in the powder and have to wiggle over the pile of snow I had collected. After a few slow slides I got brave enough to follow one of AH’s tracks down at a faster pace and it was actually really fun!
I think I am getting a little more comfortable with snow but still extremely careful. I am pretty sure I psych myself out most of the time. I know I can do all this snow stuff because I have been doing it for the past three weeks but I also know that prior to this trip I have had no snow experience and I guess that is all I remember when I am trying to calm myself down and needless to say it is not very calming.
At one point today AH and I crossed a frozen lake that you could see some of the edges begin to thaw… Sorry dad! I know you told me to watch out for snow covered water ways.
We are currently sleeping next to a gravestone if not an actual grave... Its freaking me the f out. Sorry for swearing but seriously. THIS IS NOT WHAT I NEEDED TO SEE. It was another reminder that this mindbogglingly breathtakingly beautiful place is just as dangerous and even the most experienced mountaineers can take their last breath here if they take a wrong step.