Yosemite Valley

Spent the day in the Valley and the South Rim overlook of Glacier Point. Visited the Ansel Adams gallery taking in the great photo artists work. Photographed from the Wawona Tunnel view of the Valley, a classic view.

 Pizza for dinner. A nice relaxing day. 

Day 4 and Final Day of the JMT

Slept in till 6:20-luxury. Easier day today. Headed down from Clouds Rest, passed the Half Dome junction and Little Yosemite Valley. Took in Nevada Falls, which is now a lot smaller due to the extremely dry conditions. Was followed by a coyote for a brief spell as I commenced the long hot descent into the Valley. Soaked my feet in the Merced River and freshened up before meeting Katrina and Tom near Curry Village at 3pm.  Drove out to our accommodation at El Portal. A restaurant dinner and a real bed! Bliss. 7.5 hours and 17 km. 

Day 3 of the JMT

The fire was still burning as I left Cathedral Lakes in the shadow of Cathedral Peak. Crossed Cathedral Pass and onto Sunrise Lakes for lunch. More magnificent granite and towering conifers. I can see why the Scotsman John Muir fell in love with this place and lobbied for it to be a national park a 125 years ago. 

Made the long hot climb to the top of Clouds Rest, overlooking Half Dome and Yosemite Valley beyond. Camped just below the top at about 10,000' and caught the moon rise over the high Sierra. A fitting end to the day. 8.5 hours and 21km. 

Day 2 of the JMT

Up at 6 and travelled down the Lyall Canyon, past meadows and through tall stands of conifers, all under a blue sky surrounded by towering granite. 

Mid afternoon found me at Tuolumne Meadows. Continued on South towards Cathedral Lake and camped within a mile  of an active forest fire. Heard trees crashing and saw the orange glow during the night but it didn't get any closer. A nervous night. 32 km and 11 hours. 

On the John Muir Trail

After collecting my permit I started on the trail at 7:30 am. It was a gradual climb until crossing Island Pass at 10,000', passing Thousand Island Lake and Banner Peak, one of the most picturesque spots in the Sierras. 

The day finished after crossing the 11,000' Donahue Pass, and camping beside a lake at 10,500'. 30km and 11 hrs in total. 

100 degrees Fahrenheit

Spent Sunday at the Orange County Fair Ground in Costa Mesa. There is a weekly swap meet where you can buy all manner of cheap stuff from sunglasses to barbecues. The photo shows us quietly melting in the 100 degree (38 c) heat. A real test of endurance. Even the locals felt it. The cool thing was the Stadium off road truck racing next door. Even the girls were impressed. 

To Mammoth via the Trona Pinnacles

Left L.A today for Mammoth. Turned off in the Mojave Desert to see the Trona Pinnacles, ancient calcium carbonate towers which grew from a now dry lake bed. The heat was hot and the ground was dry. 

Drove north through Lone Pine and Bishop up the Eastern Sierras as a local rain storm brewed over the Sierra crest. 

Finally arrived at Mammoth on dusk. 

Pack Prepping

Spent the day sorting food and gear for my assault on the Sierra Nevada mountains. My food works out at about just over 3000 cal per day with a total pack weight of 9.8 kg which includes the nearly 1 kg bear canister.  I'm happy to keep it under 10. I'll refine it further on Wednesday in Mammoth once I know the latest weather forecast. So far it looks fine and mild. (Doesn't it always?!;-)

Thursday I start on the Pacific Crest Trail out of Mammoth, heading north to Tuolumne Meadows then on to Yosemite Valley, a trip of about 100 km. All going well I'll be out late Sunday with a pickup from Katrina. 

My pack fully loaded an raring to go. 

Found the coffee!

Katrina's dad took us to this great little cafe in Tustin called Keans where they make real coffee. 

My triple shot espresso. 

Percy admiring his large latte. 

A Day at Disney

Crazy Tom driving me around the bend. 

Saw Mike Mouse and Don Duck and some fairy. Here are a few other sights on a hot Southern Californian day. 

Our own plane

Well, almost. We were the first on board.