July 5, 2022 Campsite at mile 1153.8 to campsite at mile 1174.9 21.1 miles We’d all agreed last night that we would sleep in today because we stayed up late for the fireworks. So when I wake naturally just before 6, no one is moving and it’s beautiful. Jumbo is still curled up in his …
July 4, 2022 Campsite at Five Lakes Creek, mile 1136 to campsite at mile 1153.8 17.8 miles I’m not as tired as I thought I would be after a 28 mile day, but I’m still so sluggish waking up. Tribute and Jumbo leave before me again, around 6:30, and I’m packed up and walking by …
July 3, 2022 Campsite at mile ~1107.9 to campsite at Five Lakes Creek, mile 1136 28 miles I’m cold. I’m tired. And I do not want to get up. I ignore my alarm and the rustling of my friends’ quilts and the deflating of their sleeping pads until I’m guilted into moving. Platypus comes over …
July 2, 2022 US 50 crossing at mile 1090.8 to campsite at mile ~1107.9 17.1 miles I wake up before everyone else and creep into the common area, where we’ve stored Tribute’s massive balloon. Finding it, I return to our room and clip it to Tribute’s bunk. “Happy birthday!” I whisper, trying not to wake …
July 1, 2022 0 miles Oh, it is a slow morning. I wake up naturally around 6:30 and think about going to write, but it just doesn’t happen. It’s too cozy, too early. I stay in the room. Eventually, though, the thought of breakfast becomes overpowering, and when Jumbo and Tribute are eventually awake enough …
June 30, 2022 Showers Lake at mile 1081.9 to US 50 crossing at mile 1090.8 to South Lake Tahoe 8.9 miles Town day! Town day! I wake up marginally quickly, pack up, eat a quick breakfast, and get ready to hike the 9 miles into Tahoe. I feel like I’ve been fairly effective, but Tribute …
June 29, 2022 Campsite at mile 1061.5 to Showers Lake at mile 1081.9 20.4 miles The mosquitoes went away in the night, but they’re back this morning. Still, it’s not as bad as it could be. There are just, say, three or four. Jumbo is packed up and ready to go long before we are, …
June 28, 2022 Wolf Creek at mile 1039.3 to campsite at mile 1061.5 22.2 miles Cowboy camping is so nice. You can set up fast, take down fast, and see the stars. But it’s all fun and games until the mosquitoes start whining in the morning. Then it’s time to move. I walk with Jumbo …
June 27, 2022 Kennedy Meadows North to Sonora Pass to Wolf Creek at mile 1039.3 22.4 miles We try to get breakfast at the restaurant, but because they’re short-staffed and a lot of hikers descend at once, it’s ages before anyone even gets to our table. Tribute and I decide to go to the store …
June 26, 2022 Campsite at mile 1003.8 to Sonora Pass at mile 1016.9 and Kennedy Meadows North 13.1 miles I’m very pleased with my decision to make a sneaky little coffee this morning. It warms and wakes me up for this big climb we’re about to do. Somehow Tribute and I manage to pack up …
Sarahmarie Specht-Bird 