I went in to get a mani-pedi today. The woman took one look at my still black toenail from the MR a month ago and turned to her co-workers in dismay. Suddenly I had three women clucking over my foot as I tried to explain that it was Richard's fault.
MC (Mountain Climber) had talked to me a few months ago about heading up the MT for an overnight, and I had excitedly accepted. So she drove down from Vancouver late last week, and we met up at the Portal this past Friday night. S^2 was also there to go up the MR that night, so we had din-din with Doug Sr. and Chris from Mammoth. I sat there spellbound at their stories for about two hours, realizing all along that I have so much to learn and experience yet! The next morning, Doug Forbes showed up to acclimatize for his one-day assault, and joined us for a warm-up to Lone Pine Lake.
So, here's the skinny on the current (last weekend) conditions:
1) Can you say summer? Well, at least the trail is that dry. It was warm during the day, but definitely got chilly that night up at Trail Camp. No frozen water bottles, but it was an up-tick from earlier in the week for sure. Richard put it best when I asked about the switchers: "The snow is trivial, just don't slip." Really, you're on rock all the way past them now, except maybe first thing in the a.m. where the top has one step that's a bit, well, crumbly-icy.
2) It was new-gear weekend for me: new Osprey Ariel 60 pack; new North Face down jacket; new bivy sack; new 40deg sleeping bag; new Montrail Comp Trail shoes (which arrived at work about 45min before I left!). What does this all add up to? Well, about 38#! For those that know me, I was doing the "OMG MY PACK'S UNDER 40#!!" dance of joy! Thank goodness it all worked out well. And yes, I'm aware that that's STILL too much weight to be carrying.
3) MC hung in there really well all day. She also had a heavy pack and showed a lot of determination to get to Trail Camp on her own two feet. She's in the final throes of prep for Kili later this month, and even though we ended up hiking separately, she looked strong. When I saw her on the backside traverse, she was moving steadily towards the summit. This was her first time back to the MT in 20 years, hence the milestone. I wish her all the best for Kili.
4) Trailside Meadow Rocks.
5) I got to Trail Camp at about 4:15 (we had a late start), so I decided to romp up Wotan's Throne. Good times climbing the northwest ridge side, mostly Class 2 with a few "Class 3" moves I guess. Couldn't find the register anywhere, though. Oh well, some more unique and beautiful views of the Whitney and Pinnacle Ridges.
Took about an hour to get up, and down in time for dinner! (BBQ chicken in a white wine reduction sauce with shallots and capers over tri-colore pasta!) Oh yeah, you know you want me on your next trip!
6) Left TC at 5:15 a.m. to start working up the switchers, summited at around 8:30 or so. Second on the summit that morning after getting passed by PCT guy who was
flyin' up the trail. Gorgeous morning, no wind, and fantastic air quality. Looked at Muir on the way back down (from it's base, I did scramble up there), and he looked at me, and we mutually decided that I need more prep in the climbing department. I'd have to save the bubbly (yes, there was bubbly) for another time. I was particularly worried about the downclimb. I'll get there, I'm sure.
Maybe I jus' need a big shtrong maaaann to help me... 
7) Hiked out with Doug Forbes, and got to the Portal around 4:30. And, really, this is why we do what we do:
I think this needs to be called the Moose Burger. Dbl cheese and when Sheridan asked if wanted bacon, how could I say no???
Great times, gorgeous weather, and one long haul of a trail. As always, the pics are at:
www.flickr.com/photos/moosepics621And on to the next adventure...
-Laura
