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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Jul 28, 2012 - 12:27pm PT
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sorry about katie's knee.
still looks like a pretty outing.
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stilltrying
Trad climber
washington indiana
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Jul 28, 2012 - 01:28pm PT
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Great trip report and awesome family.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2012 - 05:08pm PT
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I've been having real trouble getting photos to upload to Flickr which has made posting them very slow. Here are the next two installments:
July 23, 2012
As always I woke up before the girls and had breakfast. I either needed the coffee I drank, or I didn't need it, I'm still not sure which (I was bone tired and I desperately needed the caffeine, but I was utterly/totally wired and stressed too, and so I didn't need it).
I wanted to make sure that Katie slept in since she's a teenager and needs the sleep. I waited under clouds that covered three-quarters of the sky and which extended well to the west (although the night had been crystal clear). Eventually the girls were up and getting ready:
As they continued to wake up we started talking about options. Katie's knee was stiff and it hurt enough to know it wasn't well, but that was no surprise. It was dark and cloudy too and so we knew we were in for something less than perfect weather. Going 122 more miles to Lake Thomas Edison was out of the question. But neither girl wanted to hike back out to Horseshoe Meadow either (and neither did I). We talked about two options: going another forty-something miles to exit at Kearsarge Pass, or going eighty-something more miles to exit at Bishop Pass.
Eventually we decided to "make Lemonade." We'd cut back the mileage and nurse it along to Kearsarge and then call it a trip. We started packing (and I started a daily process of transferring weight from Katie's pack to mine):
On our April backpack with Vicki we saw no other people in the San Rafael wilderness for over 3 1/2 days. The Sierra isn't so "uncrowded," and this morning I let this popularity work in our favor. I was able to give notes to two outbound parties letting Vicki know we'd be out early and where. And letting Dave and the crew know not to bring in the extra food (and the messages got through).
The first mile of the hike was very pleasant and easy along Rock Creek. We then humped up to Guyot Creek and then started up Guyot Pass. Along the way we played the "rain shells or not" game. At one point even I put on my shell. But every shower was followed by some sun, which dried us out:
Katie's knee was definitely hurting, but we able to keep a decent pace. We made it to Crabtree Camp, a staging area for climbing Mount Whitney from the west:
I'd never seen the view from here east to Mounts Russell and Whitney:
We decided on four more miles to make camp at Wallace Creek. This remaining hike was relatively flat and was made under clearing skies. We passed the point where the PCT and JMT join up:
Wallace Creek was very pleasant, if crowded. We made camp in dry, warm, clear and daylight conditions. Very pleasant indeed:
Dinner was good and we went to sleep shortly after dark. Katie's knee was definitely hurt, but no worse and she was clear that she could keep up this pace. The night was calm and totally clear. Except for Tricia's sharp little elbow poking me now and then as she moved in her sleep, I slept well. Things were looking up.
July 24, 2012
Our third day dawned crystal clear and with Sierra-blue skies. We'd chosen our campsite well; it got sun relatively early. Breakfast and visiting with our (very nice) near neighbors was followed by packing and a discussion of how far to go that day:
Both girls knew that the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada was coming up. Both knew it would be work, and we all knew that Katie would have to take the down side of the pass slowly and carefully. Would we cross the pass that day, ensuring easier days ahead, or would we leave it for tomorrow?
Luckily the first several miles of the day's hike were relatively flat. They were also incredibly "viewful."
We crossed the amazingly flat Bighorn Plateau:
Very quickly we reached Tyndall Creek where a long and gradual ascent starts to Forester Pass:
We passed tree line and ate lunch overlooking the Tyndall Creek drainage, Mount Tyndall and the Diamond Mesa:
We arrived very quickly and early at the base of Forester's switchbacks. The decision was easy: we'd do the pass, take it very easy on the way down and bivy at the first place we could find:
At the top we stopped and rested. Of course we weren't alone; the group of young men with whom we shared the pass were very nice, good kids indeed. They took a true interest as I told Tricia (now age 10) about my favorite Sierra Nevada flower: Polemonium ("Sky Pilot"). A fresh sample of the flower was growing right there next to the trail. Tricia carefully smelled the intense, intriguing smell of the flower and then she pronounced it "like Lupine, but better." Katie followed course (although it wasn't new to her - she'd seen and smelled Polemonium on Whitney years before). Then the young men, one at a time, went and smelled the flower too. Their eyes showed their surprise and delight as they too experienced this special bloom.
Anyone that says young people nowadays are not "like they used to be" hasn't been around enough young people. One of the young men was waiting at the top of the pass for his mom and sister, who were coming up from the north. Eventually he decided to descend to help his sister with her pack. Having learned of Katie's knee issue, he politely and gallantly took her pack down with him. He left it nearly half a mile below the pass as he then took his sister's pack and started back uphill. Katie got to do the steepest part of the descent with no extra weight.
The first and best place to camp turned out to be about two miles north of the pass at the headwaters of Bubbs Creek:
One very persistent marmot in particular shared our camp. Tricia made sure he didn't get into our stuff. But he was around enough that I hung our (empty) packs from a nearby cliff to prevent nibbled straps:
We ate (again with daylight) and read until dark. (As can be seen, Tricia isn't' a real fan of lasagna):
This brought to an end a truly great day, one in which Katie had to push herself through some pain, and did so without complaint. A day in which I got to see Tricia beam as people slogging up Forester Pass looked at her with astonishment and asked her age. And yet another day that I got to spend in wild country with my two girls.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2012 - 08:30pm PT
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Our camp on Bubbs Creek didn't get early sun and so the first part of the morning was fairly cold (lots of clothes were in order):
Once we got going the day was fun and relatively easy. The whole Center Basin/upper Bubbs Creek area is wonderful. Views upstream to the Forester Pass area are matched by views of East Vedette (a name that Tricia in particular seemed to like):
As planned we met Dave, Bart and Jerome. We visited for quite some time. Then Dave started hiking on, and dumb move on my part, I only then thought of photo of the girls with them (so Dave's not in the photo):
The climb out of the canyon was hot, but it afforded good views:
We found a nice place to camp not so far from Bullfrog Lake and passed the afternoon reading, doing crosswords and taking in the views:
It was at this camp that "the pudding incident" occurred. But I caught only the aftermath since I'd walked up the trail for a few minutes with the camera in my pocket:
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Jul 28, 2012 - 08:57pm PT
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YAY!
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Jul 28, 2012 - 09:43pm PT
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Your kids are as hardy as any pioneer and an inspiration for all trekkers.
Truck on ya'all
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GhoulweJ
Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
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Jul 28, 2012 - 09:55pm PT
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So good!
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2012 - 11:58pm PT
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July 26, 2012
Our fifth day involved about a mile on the PCT itself before we exited on the Kearsarge Pass trail. We met a couple at the trail junction who were short on water. Tricia happily shared a quarter of our water with them (and made a good deposit in our karma bank):
More pretty pictures resulted from more pretty views (this time across Bullfrog Lake toward Junction Peak):
At ten years old she's pretty self-sufficient in the outdoors. At some point do I become superfluous?
Kearsarge Pass and the trail out passed fairly quickly, although the 2,500 feet of elevation loss played hell with Katie's knee pain and made us truly glad we'd called a halt where and when we did:
After a long hike we like to eat out (who doesn't?). Katie has the legendary Young family capacity for food:
And both girls wanted donuts (I swear we usually eat very healthy foods, and why Vic and Katie picked up a whole dozen of them is beyond me… and yes, I ate my share):
And so ended a good trip, one that, had it been all that we planned on doing, would have been great. Unfortunately it's the only hike that we'll be able to do on the PCT for 2012. We have already made an appointment for Katie with the only orthopedic surgeon anywhere near here that I trust (for answers at this point, and a diagnosis and options for making it better). She's 16 and a knee is fixable and should fully recover.
And then there will be 2013.
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John M
climber
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Jul 29, 2012 - 11:38pm PT
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Bummer about the knee, but good for her for toughing it out for the 50. That is beautiful country. Thank you for sharing the trip with us. Your girls are troopers. And yep.. there are still good youngsters out there.
Think about trekking poles next time. They really help the knees on the downhills.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2012 - 12:34am PT
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"Think about trekking poles next time. They really help the knees on the downhills."
Yes, poles for sure.
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Jim Herson
climber
Emerald Hills, CA
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Jul 30, 2012 - 08:25pm PT
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Awesome! What an outstanding family project. That's some hefty mileage for anyone but especially for little Tricia. Hope Katie's knee bounces back.
Well done!
-Jim
ps. I'm sure you have the lightweight tricks dialed but wouldn't a Kindle be lighter than a book?
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2012 - 10:24pm PT
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Jim, yes, we try "all" the lightweight things. That is, except those that I'm too curmudgeonly about. Like taking a Kindle. My wife has one, loves it and offered it to us for the trip. But it seems wrong, and, besides, only one person can read it at a time (just like with a book or magazine). Katie leaves her I-Pod at home too.
I've also received two comments this year alone about how old my backpack is (it's a Lowe from 1983), and I'm not rushing out to replace that either. Someday, someday...
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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"The Donald", as is his trail nickname, was near Sisters, Oregon, two days ago, is now near Mount Jefferson, and is hoofing right along. He may make Cascade Locks this weekend - it seems fairly common for PCT through hikers to get through Oregon in only two weeks. In any event, he's well-positioned for getting through Washington in August, long before the weather usually craps out.
Donald now has a SPOT link direct to his Postholer blog, which makes following him a bit easier.
http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?sid=cbc8a679a7e0f7d9a385cd2abb97476a&event_id=1363
I may be in Seattle this weekend for some research, and if so hope to get down to Cascade Locks for a visit - Donald is resupplying there and taking a day off. Plus, of course, visit Hood River Coffee - he's desperate for good coffee!
Some seem to get rather carried away with the lighweight hiking thing, often less-experienced hikers who may not be able to judge what's safe. It catches up with them in places that are snowy (Sierra) or where the weather is poor. Also, mature males can comfortably take a larger payload.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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that burrito looks really good
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old toad
Trad climber
yosemite, Ca.
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Lovely country, lovely dog and lovely girls, but who is that old man?
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Aug 18, 2012 - 03:47pm PT
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The Donald (left) at Cascade Locks last Saturday. Two other through hikers in the photo, centre Matt and to right Rest Stop. [The group adjective is a smell of through hikers.] Cascade Locks is about half an hour east of Portland, in the Columbia Gorge. At that point they've finished about 80% of the hike, and given that it's barely mid-August and the long-range forecast is for stable, warm weather, they can be fairly sure of finishing by early September. Still, North Cascades to come. They typically lose 10 - 15 kg during the four months or so of the hike, despite eating continuously.
We visited Hood River Coffee on Sunday, but it was closed. (It turns out it's not really a coffee shop.) Still, Donald got some new shoes at Shortt Supply there, and groceries for the next leg, plus talked with his wife. I got some HRC at a local store, and we rehydrated at the Full Sail brewery. A nice town.
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splitter
Trad climber
Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Aug 18, 2012 - 03:57pm PT
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Really great thread! Thanks for sharing your wonderful family & adventuress trip with us!!
Good Luck & Godspeed!!
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 22, 2012 - 08:16pm PT
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Following up about my older daughter Katie and her knee.
She and I met with her orthopedic to talk about the MRI results. The news was mostly good; she's definitely got a left knee problem, and it is a residual of that fall in 2009. But it's not surgical. Instead the problem comes from a kneecap that isn't tracking properly due to injury. It's not too uncommon and it's fixable with physical therapy and, then, home exercises. She's already been doing the exercises daily.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Aug 22, 2012 - 08:19pm PT
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Good luck with it - I have a similar problem, due to being knock-kneed. Subpatellar chondromalachia. Exercises to strengthen quadriceps and hamstrings help quite a lot.
Donald left Cascade Locks on the 14th, and got to Snoqualmie Pass on the 21st. Half way through Washington, though the easier half.
ps Hopefully the Youngs don't mind the occasional digression from their adventures.
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