PCT Day 186

Bushcamp to Bushcamp

21.1 miles

Sobo mile 1877.9

Total mileage 4530.5

I woke up pumped to meet up with FedEx. He’d be waiting at Bullfrog Lake with my resupply for the next two days. Being that I was completely out of food, this was a good thing! The storm that had pestered me the previous evening had given way to a clear star sprinkled sky as I jammed my way down the trail towards Glen Pass.

As I made my way up the mountains’ steep snowy pass the rising sun began to glitter off the surrounding ice capped peaks.

When I reached the top of the pass the incredible morning lit vista nearly made me forget how incredibly exhausting the climb had been. After giving my lungs a chance to find some oxygen, I cruised down the southern side in anticipation of food to come.

An hour later I veered off the PCT at the Kearsarge Pass junction and made my way to Bullfrog Lake. As I meandered along its perimeter I ran into FedEx! Woot! Once we’d found some rock in the sun to chill on he broke out a Big Mac and a couple sugar buns he’d picked up from the famous Schatt’s Bakery in Bishop.

It was an awesome reunion, and I can’t begin to thank him enough for all he did to make it happen. After I absolutely crushed the food he’d brought, I organized my resupply and hooked him up with my accrued trash to hike back out. We hung out for a bit before he headed back up and over Kearsarge. I on the other hand exploded the contents of my pack to finally dry out in the mid morning sun.

I ended up lounging at the lake for three hours. I used the time to eat, catch up on journaling and eat. By noon I decided I should probably get moving if I wanted to make it over Forrester Pass that day, so off I went.

During the few hours I’d spent relaxing, nearly all the snow had melted. As I approached Forrester Pass I began having doubts whether I should attempt it due to the dark cloud shrouding it.

My inReach reported solid weather, and I could see some sun poking through the gloomy cloud, so I decided I’d give it a shot. Up I went!

The gentle grade made the climb surprisingly easy, despite being over 5000 ft. in elevation gain.

Just as I reached the top, the cloud I’d been hiking in for hours gave way to sunshine and rainbows! There weren’t actually any rainbows…but you get the point.

To make the moment extra special, I ate a celebratory cheeseburger. At 13,300 ft., it just tastes better when you’re high.

It was just past 4pm as I began the steep set of switchbacks down the southern side. These guys were completely buried in snow when I’d last been here, so it was nice using them for the first time.

A couple hours later I found some flat dirt to call home for the night. It had been a good day, and sleep came quick.

P.s. Thanks Jennifer for the breakfast burrito mula! I didn’t end up going into Lone Pine, so please forgive me for buying a pizza in Kennedy Meadows with it instead.

Cheers!