New Valley Hills

I feel much better today – no quitting for me! I’ve decided I’m still happy to skip sections which I’m not comfortable with, after all I’m doing this only for myself.

For the next ~200 miles the PCT runs on the same trail as the John Muir Trail (JMT). The JMT runs between Yosemite Valley in the NW to Mount Whitney. It’s quite fun meeting JMT hikers who started at Whitney – they have no trail legs and they look shiny and clean with new gear. Makes me realise how fit I am, but also how crusty and weather beaten.

A lovely walk today bouncing through high altitude forest and above tree-line alpine rock formations. 2 knee deep creeks crossed which had to be forded – no logs or boulders to use.

Good views of Mount Whitney, though glad that’s behind me.

Despite a day feeling sorry for myself yesterday I find myself 2 miles ahead of schedule tonight. Willem and Olga are a day ahead of me. I keep meeting new people and have never crossed a creek without company. I feel safe here.

Busy campsite tonight with at least 15 people, some JMT mainly PCT.

Tomorrow morning it’s a 6am start to get over Forester Pass at 13200ft. Higher than I got on Whitney, I’m confident there will not be a repeat of that episode! 2100ft up in next 5 miles then 3600 down in 7.5 miles. Forester is the highest point on the PCT, rest of the Sierra passes get increasingly lower as we head north.