Independence-VVR

Day 14

Town- 793 (11 ish)

We had a slow start in the morning but we were quickly able to hitch back out to the trail. We made the climb up kearsage pass with no plan for when we made it back to the trail but after looking at a few maps realized we'd better cross another pass. Glen pass ended up being the sketchiest one so far, lots of slippery loose rocks, slushy snow, steep climbs, and a disappearing trail. My total fall count...7. We made it down to Rae lakes around 7:30 and ate some dinner before heading to bed. P.s our bear canisters are filled to the rim with food (yay mom for the treats!)

Day 14
793-808 (15 ish)

We've made it two weeks! They say after two weeks you will have your "hiker legs" and things will stop hurting so much. So naturally we are both very eager for tomorrow:) we got up this morning a bit late and had to wait for socks and shoes to dry out from the night before. I stayed back since mine were taking so long but eventually just threw my shoes on and started waking. I didn't make it far before I realized I needed water so I stopped aired out my shoes more and then went on my way. The lakes were beautiful and you could see the fish swimming around from the trail above. About 2 miles in the trail disappeared underwater (and a cloud of mosquitos) so we had to ford the river. After this our feet were wet yet again and this became the theme for the day. Walk a mile, river crossing, pause to dry, walk a mile, river crossing, pause to dry, etc. all of those pauses added up and we found ourselves dragging from never getting into rhythm. We crawled up Pinchot pass in the evening and looked forward to our dinner and cozy sleeping bags. You know you're tired when you can't wait to lay down on a centimeter thick bed. We made it to a small lake and called it a day in our state of delirium with a plan to get up early the next day and drag our feet a bit less.

Day 15
808-826 (18ish)

We got up early this morning to get a bit more momentum and we did! We reached the base of Mather pass by 10:30 and were able to take a long lunch break by a beautiful lake (absolutely striking). We sat for about an hour and a half, cleaning legs, eating, and watching marmots. We pushed another 6 miles after lunch and set up in a mosquito filled camp.

 Day 16
826-844 (18ish)

amazing day! We must really have our hiker legs on because we finished an 18 mile day with a 12,000 ft pass at mile 11. We spent most of the day climbing in elevation to make it to a snowy "trail" which we took almost straight up to Muir pass where the famous Muir hut sits. The morning was stunning and we were constantly stopping to take pictures in aw of the view and once we made it up the pass we hung out in the hut before descending the pass. The descent was about 4 miles of postholing into icy cold waters but we made it down (sopping wet) and took a break to dry off before crossing another creek about a half mile later! We made the push to find a campsite that someone in the hut told us about. We found (we think) the spot he was telling us about that sits on the cliff of the valley next to a waterfall. We watched the sun set over the valley and fell asleep to the sound of a waterfall on a nearby cliff.

Day 17
844-863 (19ish)

We woke up early to our beautiful view and started making our way down the valley to a big, supposedly dangerous river ford. We made it to the ford (mile 7) by 9:30 in the morning and made it across with the water level reaching both of our waists, mid thigh for most people out here. We took the day slow with lots of breaks and had reached our day goal of 15 miles by 3:00. We relaxed for a while and decided to make the climb up and out of the valley another 5 miles. 5 miles of mosquito hell (or so we thought)  with occasional breaks. I had been almost at a jog trying to escape the mosquitos and when I found a breezy ledge to sit on my nose began to bleed. I sat there wiping up blood and waited for Marissa. There was a creek about a mile and a half up trail so I decided to be on my way so that I could wipe my now blood smeared face and hands. I only made it about a half mile before I ran into some people day hiking who stopped me to talk. With blood all over me, i talked to them about what I was doing and where I was from. Then the most amazing thing happened, one of the women offered me a slice of her fresh crisp juicy Apple. With the look of pure excitement on my face she handed over a slice and it was the most delicious thing I could have asked for. As I was saying my goodbyes, the older gentleman, gave me a bag of trail mix WITH M&Ms and my day was made. So next time you're hiking near the PcT in summertime, pack a little extra food and you'll make someone's day. I was able to clean off in the stream, socialize with some friendly PCTers, and hike the last 2 miles of our 19 mile day. As soon as we reached camp, we were absolutely swarmed. I know I've said there's been tons every night and certain sections were "hell" but I have literally never seen so many of one bug flying around my body and neither had the 60 year old man with us. The only thing that I think I could compare it to is when you see a thick swarm of bees fly over. Put that swarm around your body, and there you have it. Our hectic night of setting up camp. Fortunately after my tent was set up I did a nice dive roll in, only bringing about 6 or so with me. I ate some quinoa that I was rehydrating all day with some delicious salami. A great day to be thankful for my tent, my lack of stove, and humanity out on this trail.

Day 18
863-878

Today we hustled out of camp to try and beat mosquitos but we failed. THERES NO ESCAPE!!! We only had heard rumors about when the ferry could take us across Edison lake to our next resupply so we quickly walked our 15 miles and walked even quicker when the rain came down on us. There were lots of day hikers who would stop to talk to us as we got closer and one even packed out snacks specifically for PCT hikers. I've reviewed 3 bags of trail mix in 2 days!! We made it to where the "ferry" picks up and ended up sitting there in a storm for a few hours when a little aluminum fishing boat drove up to take us across. We payed the extra fee for the bunk bed at VVR and enjoyed the evening with a few beers and some cars games. We met quite a few JMTers (including a dad and his 6 year old son!) that said we have lots to look forward too:)

quite literally walking on a snow bridge over a waterfall...hoping it doesn't fall down!

We love ourselves a good bridge!

So many big pine cones! 

Hello Mr. Deer!

Rocking the mosquito proof suit and loving some Sierra water

The marmots are everywhere!

The water is so clear everywhere that you can see the fish

Toes are getting better :)

yummy camp dinners

My portable bedroom

A bit scary to walk across but I love myself a quick adrenaline rush

and then the trail is ankle deep with water

We love wrappers because they are our "reading material". We also get a philosophy quote and a riddle each day for some brain food. 

My flip flops make great toe separators 

The start of a bloody mess

My trail magic for looking like a bloody hungry lady

No tan lines, just dirt lines

Nothing makes my day like a snickers bar does

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Ferry ride

Sitting in the rain for 4 hours waiting for a ferry ride 

Just a couple of homeless ladies enjoying some ice cream

Surprisingly not the river I fell in

Just relaxin in a hut way up high

Mid-pump up dance before Muir Pass

A Military plane flew over my head just as I reached the top of a Mountain and was only about 150 feet over my head. I could see the pilot, my body was shaking and I was completely scared shitless

being a goofball

Luxury tent at VVR