Thursday, June 28, 2007

Day 34 - Tuesday, June 26

I've decided to join up with Wisconsin Kurt for the Sierra section coming up. I want to start doing higher mileage and think that Kurt can do 25-30 mile days. Litsl decided to head out last night about 5 PM with Dude, Tracy, and Champ since they would be going at a pace that he would be more comfortable with.

I waited to see if my watch would come today but it didn't so I asked the guy at the store to forward it to Muir Trail Ranch. Kurt has a good watch with an altimeter that we can use. I was going to do a bounce box but decided to just send my box back home and let Jerry send gear I need back in my resupply boxes. I've gotten my pack weight down to 18-20 lbs by offloading items. I will need to carry a lot less water and I am sending home my steripen since I drink the water from here through Yosemite without treating it. I will have Jerry bring it to me in Tuolumne.
I forgot to congratulate all the finishers at Western States on Sunday, especially my friends, Andy Kumera and Xy Weiss. I think both are doing the grand slam this year. Good luck at Vermont. Jerry paced a runner who finished his 15th WS under 24 hours.

From here to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite is 241 miles which is about 9% of the total PCT mileage but has over 20% of the total elevation gain and loss - and that doesn't even include going up and down Mt Whitney which is not on the PCT. This section doesn't look as extreme as the Southern CA elevation map but it is because of the scale. We go over 6 peaks that are 11,000 feet or higher. We plan to summit Whitney (14,494') which will add about 15 miles (roundtrip) to our hike. Kurt also has a resupply at Independence over on Hwy 395. It is about 24 miles (one way) off trail over Kearsage Pass and down through Onion Valley. We haven't decided if we will take that time off trail or not. If we do and are lucky, we could catch a ride from Onion Valley to Independence and back. That would cut the distance in half both ways. I won't have any cell reception until probably Reds Meadow near Mammoth Lakes unless we go into Independence so I am listing my expected itinerary in case anyone wants to try to come out and join me. Although, it will probably be difficult to connect with me between here and Reds Meadow if you can't catch me in Independence. This will likely be my last blog post for several days.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
John Muir

15 comments:

Ultra Okie said...

Hi Catra,

You're doing great!! Keep it up!!!


Steve

Anonymous said...

I bet your looking forward to the big climbs. Have fun!

HERC DRIVER said...

God I'm proud of you!!!! I can't wait until my Son is old enough for him to be inspired by You as much as You've inspired me...... Thanks Catra!

Namaste,

Tom

Olga said...

Get the weight up while stopping, Catra, or we won't be able to see you:) Kick on, girl!

Anonymous said...

Catra!
I've been loving following your blog. Fantastic trip!!! What's your schedule look like for coming past Tahoe? I'm heading down to CA next week to do the TRT and then link it up with Tahoe-Whitney. I'll be getting on the TRT around the 10th if all goes as planned, doing the Nevada part first then the CA part, opposite direction that you'll be coming. Maybe luck will have it that our paths will cross. Anyway, you're an inspiration, girl! I'm glad to see that everything's going fantastic for ya!
Love,
Flora

Andy said...

You're doing great Catra! Have a safe journey. See you again soon.

EnergeticRick!!! said...

You rock Catra! Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

howzit catra - looking to reading about your continued adventures on the trail. sitting here on the pct watching the birds,deer,gray fox(and my dog kaya) drinking from the water trough at pct/desertview trail at burnt rancheria at mt.laguna. if you make it back down here give me a holler and i'll join you for a trek if'n that's cool....good fortune on the days ahead....jp

GB said...

You're almost to Yosemite already!!! Amazing, Catra. I bet being there will give you so much extra energy for the rest of the trail. I'll be thinking of you over the weekend of July 8. Yosemite is in my neck of the woods!

rockhoundkathy said...

Hi Catra, you are my hero! You are doing what I have only dreamt of doing. I made an intinerary 12 years ago to fast-pack the PCT then I got pregnant with Ruby. Now she is 11 and she wants to do it with me when she is older! She wants to thru-hike the Tahoe rim trail this year--just wait until I show her your blog tomarrow--you are such an awesome influence! Love ya- I'll call Jack D. and see if he knows your schedule so we can intersept you in the Tahoe area.

JMT Reinhold said...

Catra,
You have worn out 2 guys so far, I wonder how long Wisconsin Curt will last?
Now that you are through the desert and halfe way through the Sierra, your best bet will be to go solo and put the pedal to the medal.
Those guys are a drag on you and are slowing you down.
Forget those ''Wanna hike with Catra'' loosers and do your own thing and cruise at your own speed.
Now, if you can catch up with Tattoo Joe, he is hard core and would be a good hiking partner the rest of the way.

JMT Reinhold
Still dreaming about Catra and that moon-lit summer night on top of Mt. Whitney

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