June 18, 2008 Pacific Crest Trail

Destination: King's Canyon N.P.
Miles: 18

Adrian:
Forester Pass is more than 13,100 feet and steep. We camped about 4 miles from the summit and started hiking around 7 a.m. as to arrive early enough to prevent postholing (stepping on the snow and plunging up to the thigh) but late enough to assure the snow was not all ice from the night before. The plan worked and we summited without any issues. The switchbacks were very steep and there was only one tricky snow chute to cross. All in all, not bad.

On top were about 12 other PCT thru-hikers and it was a real party. Everyone was very excited to have climbed the highest pass of them all. This is also the border of Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. Our second national park of the trip so far.

This is the highest point on the PCT, so technically it's all downhill to Canada :) The descent was snowy and our feet were soaked. We didn't know it at the time but our shoes haven't been dry since due to snow and deep river fords.

Tomorrow on to the scariest pass, Glen.

Kirsten:
We forded a creek the night before so this morning we awoke to frozen shoes. Ever try to put on frozen shoes? Try to avoid this scenario. The normally mundane act of putting on my shoes became a WWF match this morning.

So, my first true mountain, snow-covered pass. I was nervous coming up it. It looked hard and I was worried about the altitude. The going was slow for me. And then without warning I was on top. Just like that (snap of the fingers) my first and the highest pass was complete. On top was Gary or Drive-by, Snow Kittens, Lil Wrangler, the Deuce, who broke out his guitar for a little summit pass music, Shake n' Bake, Slow Ride and the Italian Lorenzo, who now goes by UNNNNCCCCLLLLEE LOOOORENNNZOOOOOO.