From Sarah's View - The High Sierra's and Pack Weight

The High Sierra's!

Crossing a steep snowy slope

It's my first day hiking with Jay and I'm so excited! After all these weeks of listening to his adventures, here I am, embarking upon the adventure with him!

Our son, Daniel, drove us to the trailhead for Kearsarge Pass. We started hiking about 3:00 p.m., planning to climb the 2,500 feet from trailhead to pass, then down the other side and camp when we reached the PCT. The climb was fairly easy, with a gentle gradient and smooth trail tread the whole way. The scenery was spectacular as we ascended away from hot dusty desert valley into steep snow-kissed granite peaks.

At one point I was following the trail across a wide rock-strewn slope. Towering granite peaks reached down to the slope on my right. Two cliffs were on my left, forming a long narrow V-shape with a creek tumbling out of their mouth. "Where does the trail go?" I wondered. Just then the trail took a sharp turn around a rocky outcropping, and suddenly I was traversing a 2-foot wide path that had been dynamited across the middle of the cliff face! Above me soared vertical granite. But my attention was held by an emerald jewel, a bottomless triangular lake caught in the pincer grip of the two cliffs. The lake lay 600 feet below, still and inaccessible. Only the sun could reach it, and as I looked, a beam of sunlit fire sparked an answering gleam deep in those emerald depths. It was as if sunlight and water shared a secret only glimpsed briefly by cliff walkers such as I.

Pack Weight

Sarah feeling the altitude on Kearsarge Pass

Usually when Jay and I hike together, we each carry our own gear and food. Jay will carry the tent for the two of us. Since he eats more than me, his food usually weighs more than mine. Between tent and extra food, his pack is often 5-6 lbs. heavier than mine.

On this trip, Jay decided to redistribute the weight according to muscle mass. He was very concerned about me beginning the hike at such high altitudes (between 8,000 and 12,000 feet), and he wanted to give me a chance to acclimate. So he took the tent, 2 bear barrels, and all the food. Total pack weight for him: 35 lbs. I took both sleeping bags, all our extra clothes and all non-perishables such as sunscreen, first aid, maps, etc. Total pack weight for me: 21 lbs. Jay says he'll carry the lion's share until I get a chance to adjust. Besides, when he carries more weight it is easier for him to walk my slow pace. :-)