It’s just a cliche now, but Mt Whitney took it out of us. I slept until 7, but Bunny was having none of that. I made my princess breakfast in bed (as usual). Surprisingly, we got out of camp about 9:15. On the way out, we discovered an outhouse. We’ve spent a wasted 2 mornings digging holes that were unnecessary.
We met a father and daughter heading up Whitney Creek to camp above Timberline Lake. They asked if we had gone up Whitney. They are planning a side trip up tomorrow. We were expecting a deserted trail after Crabtree. Instead, we ran into more than a dozen people starting at Horseshoe Meadows. Here’s the secret: it’s much easier to get a JMT permit from Horseshoe and it still includes a side trip up Whitney and permission to camp above Crabtree. PCT permits don’t allow camping above Crabtree. On the downside for starting at Horseshoe, you do have to “blue bag” it above Crabtree Meadows (i.e. poop in a bag and carry it out with you).
Bunny was not feeling energetic. We made it to Rock Creek after 2. We quizzed several people about water ahead of us and everyone said the same thing…”No water until Chicken Spring Lake.” That’s 10.6 miles further. We either: a) hike another 10 today (it took us 4 1/2 hours to make an easy 7), or b) we carry water for 5 miles then camp, or c) camp here. We have a winner. Who chose option a)? LOSER!
We decided to stay here and have a leisurely recovery day. I went through food to make sure we can go 6 days to Kennedy Meadows South (KMS). Only one breakfast short (and a few thin days). We have a new plan, 7 miles today, 9.6 miles tomorrow, less than 8 the day after that. This will leave us with a couple longer days as we get closer to KMS, but our packs will be lighter and we’ll be at lower elevation. The terrain will also be a bit less extreme as we transition from the Sierra to the desert. This way we can camp at water each night and not do big water carries.
We did discover a new concern tonight—electrical power. We failed to take into account the additional strain of 10 days (vs 6) on keeping our phone charged. We only have digital maps. Bear carried paper maps. We also need to charge our InReach so someone can find our dead, dehydrated bodies in the desert.
I’m hopeful we can find someone heading out at Horseshoe Meadows that still has some excess power they’re willing to donate to a couple of dumbasses. This is where we will most miss Bear. There is no better yogi in a situation like this. We’re just going to have to put on our big kid pants and learn to beg for ourselves.
EFG