What a day...

There are days, and then there are days like today. Today was long, stunningly beautiful, surreal, and probably the most challenging day of hiking I've ever had. We got on the trail by 4 am for the the hike to Mount Whitney. Spoiler  alert....we did not make it to the summit. Now, the rest of the story. Started hiking at 4 and there were probably 9 of us with our headlamps lighting the way. 

Only lost the trail twice due to dark and snow. Incredible sight as the sun began to come up.

So much of the trail was covered by snow, that we were pretty much just following footsteps, hoping they belonged to someone who knew where they were going. Got off trail a few more times and had to scramble down rocks to get back on.

We started up the switchbacks which towards the bottom were relativey snow free. As we made our way up though, there was more and more snow on the trail. The snow was firm from refreezing overnight. We were all wearing our microspikes and carrying an ice ax, to use to 'self-arrest' should we start to fall. Crossed a lot of snow fields going across chutes .

At one point, Movin' On lost a grip on one of her hiking poles and we watched it cartwheel down a few hundred feet. Then we came to a particularly long, steep chute crossing. Maybe 30 yards. We all kind of looked at each other, and made the right call for us, and turned back. We'd hiked up for 3 1/2 hours and it took us another three to get back to our campsite. The good news is, the scenery was absolutely some of the most beautifully dramatic I've ever seen. 

I  summited Mount Whitney several years back on a July day with no snow. It's a tough climb without snow. I didn't have any regrets about our decision. Plus, I got to get up close and personal with some of these cute little marmots.

We got back to camp before noon with 11 hard fought miles behind us. But the day did not end there. We ate some lunch, packed our gear and set out to hike another 9 miles , to get to the bottom of Forrester pass so we can do that early tomorrow . But the trail threw a few more obstacles in our path, in the form of swollen creeks. The first few were no biggie. Number four was a little more ....exciting shall we say. We watched as this tall Swiss guy struggled across and debated what to do. Another hiker, Straight Fire, came along and we all put our heads together . I had my rope that I used on the AT for hanging my bear bag. We tied it to a tree on our side of the creek, and Straight Fire took the other end across with him and tied it to a tree on the other side. The current was strong, but by using one pole, the rope and leaning upstream, the three of us, plus a girl named Tater Tot, made it across safely. We renamed Straight Fire 'Hero' and gave him a round of applause.

A few more up and down climbs and we came to our campsite for the day. Almost. First we had to cross Tyndall Creek. It made our last crossing look like wading through a baby pool. The three of us just stood there, dumbfounded and searched up stream for an easier crossing. Then we heard people yelling at us from across. It was Tater Tot, Hero and the Swiss Guy. They'd come down to the bank to give us some guidance and cheer us on. 

So, after 20 miles, 14 hours, half of Whitney, five stream crossings...we are settled in to our tents for the night. And we are tired. 

Tomorrow is another early day. Hopefully on the trail by 6 so we can be up and over Forrester Pass while the snow is firm. Bedtime for me!