Stats

Start: Monache Meadow – Mile 716.5
End: Tentsite – Mile 733
Elevation Max: 10,388
Elevation Min: 7,816
Elevation Change: 3,118 up & 1,754 down
Average Heart Rate: 121
Walking Time: 4 hrs 53 minutes
Date: 5/17/2022

The Walk

My sleeping bag was frozen. Quest (formerly CJ), Grahm, and my last conversation was how wet the night was going to be. The condensation off the running river, and the tall grass was going to be thick.

But I didn’t care. I wanted to look at the starry sky, listen to the rushing water, and feel the brisk air across my face. It’s my first night in the Sierras!

I was up with the sun around 5, and out of my sleeping bag at 5:30. I quickly packed up them relaxed and got some breakfast and water. Around 6:20 Spilly Billy was flying out of camp and I started just behind him.

We had a pretty relaxing day. Two big climbs were broken up throughout the day, but it didn’t feel too hard. The weather was perfect for hiking and the trail was well graded. The PCT is made for horses, so it isn’t that steep.

I turned a corner and saw huge snow capped mountains in the distance. That’s where we are headed! Only a few more days and we will be up there.

We got to a water source and relaxed, waiting around for friends. I dried out my tent and sleeping bag. Then after lunch laid them out and napped in the shade. It was a beautiful day.

A few military planes flew over quickly, which was a mix of cool and lame for taking me out of the wild. They don’t belong here!

I hiked with Zoe for the last two miles and found a good spot to camp along the mountain. There is so much flat and open space here. Way different than the unlevel areas we’ve walked through.

We had dinner and watched an epic sunset over the mountains. The mountains in the sierras are so much more rugged than before. And I’m excited to see what comes next.