A leisure trip to one of my favorite spots in the Sierra. Leisure as in bringing the beer, the big tent, fresh food, taking my time…Given a cough and sinus infection and that I'm still recovering from a fractured wrist and sprained elbow, it's about the only type of trip I could muster right now.
Not crowded yet…A few other backpackers, all with HUGE loads, all just as happy as me. Pack weight? Who cares…Have fun and get out.
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I was out the door at 6am, picked up my permit in Lone Pine at a little after nine…I love coming in from the east side. Desert to 14,000 foot peaks in the span of mere miles.
On the trail by 10:30, heading into the sky. The Kearsarge Pass trailhead at Onion Valley is at ~9,000 feet. The pass is at ~12,000. I'm fortunate I've never had altitude acclimation issues given I live at sea level.
Intense sun…All of the ice you see in this lake below the pass was gone the next morning.
Not a bad spot to be napping at 2:30pm. I brought the inner nest for my Shangri-La 3, something I typically never carry solo; after all, this was to be a comfort trip.
A good thing I did. The mosquitos were the worst I've seen them at the lakes…I don't wear DEET and I forgot my headnet.
Me, fully and completely aware that I am living the Good Life.
I was awakened from my nap by thunder echoing through the valley. Directly behind me some serious clouds had amassed but produced only noise…
Time to retire to the tent, sip some whiskey, and read. I really need to get a super-cushy inflatable mattress for trips like this. It was a surprisingly warm night; I slept in nothing but shorts, and used a WM Summerlite as a quilt. I'm not sure how I wasn't cold…
Morning. The coffee flowed, my instant potatoes with veggie sausage patties were delicious, and the mosquitoes were still sleeping. After a leisurely breakfast and walk around the lakes I packed up camp and took a slow hike out.
I was back at my car at 10:30am…exactly 24 hours since I left it.
The good life. I'll be going to get some more very soon…
