New Valley Hills

For the first time since starting I had a lie-in in my tent. A leisurely start with unlimited cowboy coffee for $5.

I’ve got 32 miles, 6000ft up and 5000ft down to do in three days – this’ll be a breeze – arriving in Mammoth Lakes on Friday to hit the Post Office for a resupply box before it closes at 4pm for the weekend.

A final big breakfast feed, the portions here are enormous, before I pack out.

I’m reaching the end of the High Sierra and getting a bit nostalgic for them, even though I’ve got another 220 miles in these mountains. The passes are gradually dropping from 13,200 to 9,500ft and the creek/ river crossings becoming less arduous.

Maybe the walk up the lake instead of taking the ferry was a mistake – it was 800ft of up and down through thick clouds of mosquitos just to get to the water’s edge at the other end.

My plan was to get over Silver Pass today but it defeated me. I’m loosing a toenail so each step is painful, plus the mosquitos are a constant presence. I wear long sleeved shirt and trousers to keep sun and bitey things off me. With the head net as well it’s quite warm!

I camp at the lake 500ft below the top. Before I know it up walks Beans who decides to camp with me. The breeze keeps up long enough blowing mozzies away we can sit outside enjoying our meals and conversation. He’s from Seattle, so effectively walking towards home on the PCT.