Thursday, June 26, 2008

June 24:1000 Miles!!

We busted a move out of our mosquito-ridden camp and headed downhill toward our creek crossing. I ended up keeping the headnet on for a good chunk of the day because the first 10 miles or so were fairly flat (a great relief from the intense climbs of the day before), but the flatness walked us through meadow after meadow (read:mosquito after mosquito).

We soon ran into another hiker, Sarong, who we had been leap-frogging with for a couple days, and ended up hiking with him for the rest of the day.

Two things were significant about today: 1. We left Yosemite, which also means the terrain leveled out a bit, and 2. We passed the thousand mile mark on our trek!

I remember back when we started, thinking that 1000 miles seemed so far away, and yet here we are. It's crazy to have hiked this far and not even be half way yet!

So we headed over Dorothy Lake Pass, which officially led us out of Yosemite, and began what would be our last climb up to higher altitudes (10,880 ft). We crossed the 1000 mile mark and someone had put a rock line across the trail and spelled out in rocks "1000." So we took a few pictures, swated at a few mosquitos, and rolled on toward higher ground.

Evenually the trees gave way to gravelly, snow-patched mountains, and we climbed up onto a ridge that offered great views of the surrounding peaks (although they were a bit hazy due to the fires that are raging somewhere in Northern Cali. We don't see fire, but we sure are getting the smokey haze).

We climbed up to 10,640 ft and made ouselves a camp on a very rocky mountainside. We tossed aside the bigger rocks, smoothed and leveled the gravel, and fell asleep thankful: 1.we had sleeping pads to cushion us from the rocks,
2.there were no mosquitos, and
3.we only had 5.8 miles left to walk with the extra weight of bear canisters and ice axes.

Tomorrow, Sonora Pass...

Total Miles:1012.5
Miles Today:27.1
Camp 58:Rocky Ridge with Sarong

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3 comments:

Keith Drury said...

CONGRATULATIONS! To both of you! To Jess: hey gal, in less than 50 miles you will have done a hike with mark longer than anyone else ever! Mark: "Keep walking" and "see what the trail gives you."

Josh Jackson said...

CONGRATS!! Wow!!

Hey, have you run into Voyager or ParkBench or Cruisin (German) or Ice Bag????

I know Voyager, an older guy who thru-hiked the PCT last year is right around the same mile marker that you guys are at!! Make sure to say hi from Snakeyes. :)

Have fun guys!!

The Chinlund Family said...

1000 miles! WAY TO GO YOU GUYS!!! I am so impressed! You are doing such an amazing job keeping everyone informed, and I know you'll love having your journal to look back on. You're not missing much here in the QC. Caleb has popped 4 new teeth in the last couple weeks, we sold our old house (PTL!), Chad turned 27 yesterday and my brother's getting married in 12 days... that's pretty much our excitement :) We miss you and can't wait to catch up when you get back! Oh, and Amber just gave us Settlers about 2 weeks ago, and neither of us really remember how to play, so we're gonna need another night of playing with you guys when you get back! Love you guys :)