Thanks to Doug for the excellent Hostel accommodations! It took 3 showers to get rid of the Sierra I collected in 10 days!
Started from Edison Lake on July 16th and ended at Kearsarge / Onion Valley on
July 26th, the last 90 mile segment of my JMT piece left over from last year.
Resupplied at MTR. Total 102 miles including the approach and exit. Memories of
incredible vistas of mountains, Lakes and meadows still swell up my heart.
Some high lights:
All water crossings done on rocks or logs except evolution ck, which is swiftly
flowing and around a foot deep.
Almost swept away while picking water in my clean platypus in the middle fork of
Kings River! 4 trail angels from Massachusetts helped me in getting back to dry
land.
Met Dario, the Rae Lakes Ranger after 20 years!
Heard about the 76 yr old Japanese lady who is hiking 6 m per day on 3 cliff
bars per day!
Met 3 teenagers (Amanda-Mom, Whitney, Maya and Betsy(?) at Bear Ck crossing,
Marie Lk and MTR and their parents who are doing the whole JMT.
Met a few north bound PCT hikers, one couple at Bear Ridge, checked my hydration
pack, my brand new osprey backpack, advised about how much water I need to carry etc. Thanks!
When it was getting dark after the Muir Pass, found and camped on a sheltered
flat ledge overlooking the Helen Lake which was not listed in Wenk book or Erick
Atlas. But had fantastic views of the placid lake in the morning!
Here are some photos (the pics are loaded in reverse - so click left to have correct sequence!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25552148@N02/7699772642/in/photostream/
Again thanks to many discussions on this chat room which helped me!
Krishna
