A New Strategy and a Bath

Friday, July 18th

Day six

Deer Creek to Fish Creek camp

12.5 miles

“Little by little, one travels far”

~J.R.R. Tolkien

Slept poorly last night. Mostly due to not getting cleaned up before bed.  I felt sweaty and clammy all night, which made me cold. Will have to do a better job tonight at cleaning up.

I am on my afternoon break right now at Purple Lake, about 8 miles from last night's camp. So far I am on track with my new game plan. I had a Probar for breakfast because I couldn't could not get the stove to light. Probably due to canister being cold. I left Camp at 7:10 AM. The first part of the morning was a mostly gentle climb up the Duck Pass Trail. The trail did a lot of easy contouring, making the walking pleasant. I am having some small foot issues today. I have small blisters on the outside of each foot between the heel on the ankle. Same place on each foot. I taped them before leaving this morning, but I will put a little duct tape over the Luca take before I get back on the trail.

Lunch/dinner today is Moroccan Delight. A favorite at home so I hope it tastes even better on the trail. I saw two fish swimming nearby. I am not sure if it is worth breaking the right out or not. Will look to see if any more are swimming around.

It turns out Moroccan Delight was no delight on the trail. I loved it at home but it had a bad/spoiled/rancid taste out bad out here. I think I have one in the MTR resupply, so I will have to trade it out with something from the other hiker barrels. 

From Purple Lake to the trail climbed up to Lake Virginia. I made decent work of the climb, though there were a few short steeper sections, when compared to what I have been encountering. Lake Virginia is beautiful! The water was not that cold, so I cited to go for a quick skinny-dip to rinse off some of my stink and grime. I had the whole place myself as far as I could see, so why not? I let the sun dry my body as I gazed at the lake, before getting dressed.

The trail skirted the east side of the lake. Looking down from the trail, the water was the beautiful Sierra blue-green once again. The lake looked deeper than most of the lakes I've been passing, based on some of the very large boulders submerged just off the shore.

Shortly after leaving the lake the “trudge” began; a 2.2 mile, about 800 foot decent into Tully Hole. By this time I was dragging ass! Both feet were very sore and I just wanted to be down; but not before what seemed like an endless string of switchbacks. As soon as I made it to the McGee Pass trail Junction, I sat down on the last step and relaxed and ate a bag of regular M&Ms; 230 calories per bag.

By this time I decided I was not going to make it any farther the Fish Creek today, less than a mile away. The hike along Fish Creek was beautiful despite the aching in both feet. The creek was appropriately named as every pool held fish. I really wanted to stop and fish, but did not have the energy to do so. I missed another great opportunity!

When I arrived in Fish Creek camp, there were three other tents three already there, but they welcomed me in. I recognize all three from being at Deer Creek last night. It turns out we have the educator site tonight. Chris and I met earlier today, he teaches sixth grade math and Tom and Larry both teach college.  It's great to be in camp with these guys tonight as I have been feeling really alone this afternoon and down because both feet are hurting. 

Tomorrow starts off with a 1,700 foot climb over 2 miles. Sounds like fun! The uphills did not hurt my feet today as much as the downs so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. After the climb I will have to make some decisions, as there is a good campsite about 10 miles, then another 2,000 foot climb, with another campsite at mile 14. I guess it will all depend on how I'm holding up. Looks like there might be 3 creek fords tomorrow as well. Hoping for a better and stronger day tomorrow than today!