Day 36 – The ascent begins
Originally published on Mason Hikes the PCT 2017.
Mileage: 23 to mile 735
We’re not in the desert anymore!!! Ahhhhhh! What that means is that it was freezing cold when we woke up. Everyone was trying to get moving by 5:30, so we were up early for the start of our alpine hiking.
We spent the first few miles getting used to the cold and trying to warm up, but after a short climb and the sun coming up, I was ready for a swim in the river. I stripped down to my skivvies and hopped in before anyone else made it down to the river, so they are all surprised to see me in the water at 7AM. After getting a bit of water, we headed towards our first major climb of the day.
The first climb wasn’t too bad, but we did get up to 10,500 feet, so the altitude started affecting some people. We had decided to meet for lunch/siesta at mile 12, which was right at the top of the climb, so I raced ahead to get some extra rest in. The hike was absolutely beautiful with jagged, snow-covered peaks and evergreen trees all around. This place is much more my style.
When I had chosen a spot and everyone showed up, we ate some food and took a short siesta. We had decided on a campsite ten miles ahead that was at the top of the next climb, so while others continued to sleep, I marched onward through some beautiful rocky scenery.
Things just kept getting better and better as the day went on, and we stopped at one of my favorite spots so far to camp for the night. There were views of the valleys on both sides of the mountain and it was a perfect place for both sunrise and sunset views from 10,600 feet.
I can’t wait for more of this!