Tied up in knots
Funny how quickly things change in the mountains, and I'm not just talking about the weather.
When I woke up this morning at Arrowhead Lake, my stomach was tied up in knots. I felt weak and nauseous. And the hike up to Rae Lakes and the beginning slopes of Glen Pass were pure torture.
But then something miraculous happened. As I approached the pass where Jim and Emily were awaiting our arrival, my strength kicked in. I felt like a new person. Maybe it was the astounding view of Mount Brewer and the entire Rae Lakes basin. I don't know how it happened, but I'm sure glad it did.
All in all, we hiked 11.5 miles today, camping along Bubbs Creek below Center Peak.
Tomorrow we tackle Forester Pass. At 13,180 feet, it's the highest pass on the entire Pacific Crest Trail. Wish us luck! Hope those stomach demons don't reappear.
Comments
Forester Pass is my favorite on the Trail. I was in my 60's the first time, my 70's the second time, in 2000. JMT is my very favorite subject.
Posted by: helen kramer | August 31, 2006 08:26 PM
I'm glad it got better for you. Keep those demons at bay!
Posted by: Lisa | September 1, 2006 12:03 AM
I agree Forester Pass is awesome. Had my favorite campsite on the JMT at Center Basin, overlooking the creek during a spectacular sunset.
Enjoy the trek onto Mt Whitney!
Posted by: Ted Macaulay | September 1, 2006 08:18 AM
Those stomach pains could be from the altitude or the dehydrated food. Hang in there. You are doing great!! A few years ago when a hiking buddy and I hiked the Rae Lakes loop there was still snow on the Rae Lakes side of Glen Pass. It was an exciting experience coming down all that snow. Hope it was clear for you. Forrester Pass is a grouling climb but worth the effort. Beautiful scenery, and a good tutor for when you climb Mt Whitney.
Posted by: William | September 1, 2006 09:03 AM
It sounds like you had a taste of altitude sickness. I remember our first night at altitude and we both thought our heart's were going to pound their way right out of our chests. Consequently we didn't sleep well. When we got home we finally figured out it was altitude adjustment and that kind of surprised us because we live at 4500 elevation...guess that's not good enough for 10,000 or higher adaptability.
Take care on the 13,000 pass and on Whitney. Slow and easy.
Posted by: Patti Ogden | September 1, 2006 02:12 PM
Marek is our own fresno bee mountain goat. he IS the sierra. throw a dart at a map of the mountains, he's been there. stomach pain? less than a flesh wound. i'm surprised he took the time to write about it. must have been suffering writer's block ;-)
Posted by: eric | September 1, 2006 02:23 PM