The land of passes

I’ve just emerged from seven beautiful, difficult days in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The first couple of below freezing nights put my sleep setup to the test, and I am happy to report that I woke up frostbite-free both mornings. Outside of those couple of nights, I couldn’t have asked for better weather to tackle the high elevation passes with. It’s bittersweet to only have two more high passes to go once we get back on the trail tomorrow. The high altitude and elevation gain almost killed me a few times, but few things beat the way it feels to finally make it to the top.

I’ve found the Sierra to be slightly easier than the North Cascades, despite the general belief that the Sierra are the hardest part. I wonder if I’d feel the same if I went northbound.

We spent the night in the hut at the top of Muir Pass, which I didn’t realize we weren’t supposed to do until the morning after. Oops. I got up and headed outside for a few minutes to watch the sunrise before succumbing to the cold and going back inside.

Even though I’m only in the tiny town of Lone Pine, the number of humans and sounds here feels overwhelming. I hope I’m not permanently ruined and unable to rejoin normal society someday, ha.

Oh, an ant bit me on my neck while I was eating lunch the other day. Ouch and weird.