10th June

Arrived at Kennedy Meadows South, the end of the desert section and beginning of the high Sierra. A bell is rung for incoming hikers – you’re received by a cheer from those already there, eating and drinking on the deck of the general stores. I welled up a little as I was welcomed, and then each time I cheered newcomers.

Olga and Willem had also flipped up, we regrouped and spoke about hiking together. The following morning their plan changed so I headed out myself, with a rough plan to meet again in the next town 3.5 days up the trail. This bit of the mountain section is quite easy so I had no qualms about being solo. The following mountain section needs different kit than the desert – microspikes (junior crampons if you will), ice axe for self-belay across snowy slopes plus self-arrest if one falls on snow. Supplies were running low at the outfitters and because I’d flipped up my cached mini-crampons wouldn’t make it to me in time, I was a little twitchy about being under-prepared- snow hiking is my biggest fear. I procured a more-expensive-than-I-wished-for pair of microspikes but no axe. Whiling away an hour doing a decent kit inspection I found my footwear in less than ideal condition for the mountains. A quick convo with Aaron my resupply agent got me a pair of my cached shoes posted to Mammoth Lakes, 250 miles north. Hum, still nervy I’ll need replacements before then, neither of the outfitters had my choice and size.

At least I’d had a face freshen-up in Acton three days prior-