Gourmet dinner
I'm sitting on a smooth granite slab overlooking Arrowhead Lake and wolfing down dehydrated chicken teriyaki. Does it get any better? And except for the military aircraft zooming overhead, the scenery could not be more peaceful.
Today was a difficult day on the trail. We hiked about 9.5 miles from Upper Paradise Valley, gaining more than 3,000 feet elevation.
We met up with Jim and Emily yesterday evening, but they outdistanced us today and likely camped 2 miles ahead at Rae Lakes.
Tomas and I went as far as we could. Now, I'm having a relaxing moment watching sunlight shimmer off the water and listening to fish rise while waiting for the sunset. The sun is just about to go down behind the King Spur.
All in all, a little pocket of paradise.
Reception with our new satellite phone is improving. Alas, Tomas has not been able to file photographs. Tomorrow, Marek and Tomas tackle a major challenge: 11,980-foot Glen Pass. Still ahead is 13,200-foot Forester Pass.
Comments
If you guys/gals like some real "Gourmet" eating try eating what we Mono and Owens Valley Paiutes did around that area. Around Mammoth Lakes and Devil's postpile we Paiutes used to eat the larvae of the Pandora Moth which we called Piuga. It is only found in few areas like that area. One of our Paiute bands is called Piuga-ticutta which means Pandora Moth larve eaters in our language. In fact when James Savage first entered Yosemite to capture Chief Tenaya and his band in 1851, it was recorded that they found roasted Kutzavi(Mono Lake Brine fley larve) and Piuga larve which could only be found in Paiute areas at the abandoned camp in Yosemite. We stored it after it was roasted. We also ate many plants and roots...plus roasted chipmunks, squirrels and rats. I heard they all taste like chicken...yum. We would make small pits and bury them whole with the skin still on them and bake them in the ground. First you have to catch'em of course.
Posted by: R. Dandridge | September 3, 2006 02:12 AM
It doesnt matter who "outdistanced" the other you are all winners just being with mother nature.
Posted by: Rich | August 31, 2006 09:30 PM
...hey, I found the blogs finally - it took me long enough!
dixie
Posted by: dixie | August 31, 2006 10:07 AM
If your rehydrated chicken teriyaki was anything like my rehydrated chicken teriyaki, it was GOOD.
It still kind of sounds good.
Posted by: Christina Vance | August 31, 2006 09:43 AM
You can report those aircraft if you catch them flying too low, that is, low enough to see the pilot inside waving at you. Good luck on Glen Pass (my advice - don't look down until you reach the top of the pass) and Forester Pass!
Posted by: Katherine Nichols | August 31, 2006 09:20 AM
A table with a view... what more could you want? And no smudged glass to separate you from the environment you crave. I 'll take foil pouch food enhanced with vaccum sealed chicken any day under those conditions. Enjoy Marek. Your days of such luxury are numbered!
Let's do dinner at the Elderberry House when you get back.
Posted by: Yosemite Dan | August 31, 2006 04:45 AM
I hiked over Glen Pass twice this summer and once last year as well. Glen Pass is very steep, but luckily for you there will be no snow or ice. Earlier in the year it was very trecherous with it ice covered, you couldn't make it without Ice axes and crampons. The trail is very good, just watch your step. Forester is even more grouling since it's over 1,200 feet higher, good luck!
Posted by: Jacob Ray | August 30, 2006 10:32 PM
All in all dehydrated food has improved immensely over the years. Being at elevation and hungry, after an arduous hike, helps the dried stuff taste truly gourmet! Best of luck as you begin your ascent.
Posted by: Patti Ogden | August 30, 2006 07:58 PM