Echo Lake Resort
7/8-
Day
89 - Last night we camped at Sonora Pass with Team Bluefoot. Bluefoot had gone
into town during the day and had talked to Gabe. We were expecting Gabe about
ten miles west of the pass in the early afternoon. He rented a minivan and drove
our 3 1/2 hours just to pick up Maria and I.
Ben was trying to hitch up to South Tahoe to visit his sister and her family.
I waited with him in the early morning and very few cars drove by. After an
hour or so a guy pulled over and said, "you must be Ben." It was Chris,
cousin of our thru-hiker friend, Stitch. Chris had given the Menacing Vegetables
a ride into Independence a few weeks earlier after dropping Stitch and Pretzel
off at the trail. This time he was conveniently driving to South Tahoe and could
take Ben all the way. First, though, he brought all three of us down into Dardanelle
for breakfast and showers. Thank you, Chris, for everything.
A local woman named Barbara brought Maria and I down to our meeting spot with
Gabe and before long he drove by with a passenger. As they turned around I saw
he was with John Goldthwaite, a great friend of ours from New Hampshire. John
was quitting his job and visiting the West coast. When he found out we would
be at Gabe's this week, he left his job two weeks early so the trips would coincide.
What a great surprise for us. - Jonny
Days 90-96 - I probably could have written this entirely before the week began with some accuracy. We spent the week in San Francisco and ate a lot. We are talking about burritos, nachos, Chinese, fish, salads, fruit, Indian, cake, pizza, burgers, huge breakfasts, homemade chocolate chip cookies, more burritos, popcorn, homemade spaghetti sauce, and ice cream. Watched the new Jim Jarmush film Ghost Dog at the Red Vic Theater where Jonny used to work. Caught the Red Sox game that Pedro pitched. Cleaned our clothes, gear, and selves for the first time since Independence. The week, of course, has flown by and I haven't really even talked to anyone outside of the city. It has been great to see all the people I did see, though, and to eat those burritos. - Jonny
Our time
in San Francisco has given me an opportunity to do some math.
As of the All-star break, here are our stats for the first half of the season:
1013.4 Book miles (PCT)
983.0 PCT miles walked (missed 30.4 PCT miles)
179.0 Extra miles walked
1162.0 total miles walked
11.17
- Average PCT miles per day
13.20 - Average total miles per day
5 - True zero mile days
7 - 20+ mile days
4 - 100+ mile weeks
14 - Town days
94.0 - Miles walked on town days (6.7 miles average)
93 - Thru-hikers that have passed us (many more are surely passing us this week)
- Statistician
7/16-
Day
97 - At last I am back in the mountains! Strikes against me:
In my favor:
You're with the Menacing Vegetables? I hear they eat really well! - Hawkeye
Hello
everyone out there in internet-land. This is Pitch (Hannah) saying hello and
good-bye in the same week. But what a week! The best day was from Ebhetts Pass
to Raymond lake. The day started with a hitch from Lake Alpine up to the pass.
Pickle and I rode with a couple from San Jose who were on their way to Nevada
to gamble for the day. The husband told us all about his exploits hitching around
Europe and Morocco as a young hippie in the sixties. We listened to Celine Dion
all the way up to the pass and is has stuck with me all week. I can't get her
out of my head! Yech! After some mild confusion in searching for our fellow
hikers, we set off walking amongst enormous granite slabs sticking out of the
ground. After only 1 1/2 miles we came upon a lake which could not be passed.
Several hours later after swimming, sunning, and snacking, I headed on down
the trail. After a mile or so of walking through scrubby forest growing out
of dry, dusty soil, I gradually came into meadows filled with wildflowers. Lavender
daisies, orange and red paintbrushes, yellow asters, and tons of deep purple
Lupin. I picked some Lupin and stuck them in my hat and into the straps on my
pack. I thought about taking Lupin as my trail name, but I think Pitch has stuck
(get it?). The meadows were surrounded by enormous volcanic formations that
were deep shades of red, purple, and gray. A short time later I thought I spied
Krumholz behind me, but as soon as I whistled to him, I realized it was someone
else. It turned out to be Hawkeye, a thru-hiker from Maine. He passed me by,
but I caught back up with him and Squirrelfight taking a break at Pennsylvania
Creek. I spent the rest of the afternoon climbing after them through open meadow
and scrub. Finally, Squirrelfight and I reached our evening's destination, Ragmord
Lake. The lake is set into a bowl near the top of Ragmord peak, and is ringed
on three sides by 300 foot granite cliffs. It was one of the most amazing places
I've ever been.
At least until the wind kicked up. 70 mile/hr gusts were sweeping through our
campsite blowing fine, black grit into everything, including the food. And it
only got worse when we went to bed. I lay al night in my little pup tent, barely
sleeping a wink, sure that the tent would either blow away with me inside, or
shred to pieces, leaving me to run after my gear in the dark. Well, neither
happened, but the wind didn't die down until dawn when the sun rose and lit
up that east-facing bowl with a fiery pink and orange glow. It was absolutely
the best sunrise I have ever seen! After snapping some pictures I crawled back
in my sleeping bag and finally caught a few hours sleep. - Pitch
7/17-
Day
98 - San Francisco -> Sonora Pass
We had planned on leaving the city Yesterday, but convinced Gabe to take today
off from work ("hey, Gabe. Why don't you call in sick?" "OK").
Rachel and Ben had lots to do still in the city and staying an extra day meant
Sunday night dinner at the Mac House. Maria and I cooked up the last of our
groceries and had a wonderful potluck with about a dozen people. This weekly
tradition will be ending as soon as our five friends have been evicted from
their residence of several years. This is the way of San Francisco right now,
and it is a serious shame that the rich people are displacing all the interesting
people.
Ez hiked back to the trail at Tuolumne Meadows yesterday to catch up with us
in about a week. Gabe came along with the rest of us (Maria, Ben, Rachel, Hannah,
and me) in our rented mini-van. We went out of our way and dropped some midweek
food at Lake Alpine to lighten our packs a little. Gabe probably didn't get
home until 1:30 am but had no complaints. A real trooper, that one. Gabe is
a super-hero. - Jonny
Day 98 - Have I mentioned how much I love my "Mosquito Coffin?" It is a bundle of netting sewn into a rectangular shape, with loops on the corners so it can be tied to trees. I have set it up tonight and there are literally dozens of mosquitos right now bouncing against it, wishing they could get a taste of my luscious, warm blood. I laugh at them - HA! They'll never get a piece of me! - Staggerin' Willie
7/18-
Day
99 - There is a column in the Guardian (in San Francisco) called Cheap Eats
by Dan Leone. He does food reviews for inexpensive restaurants. It is one of
my favorite things in the Guardian, but for some reason I didn't realize its
popularity. During dinner tonight, Rachel brought is up and Hannah and Ben both
read it regularly, too. I enjoy the humor and articles that are often more about
baseball than food. I'm pretty sure he's from UNH like Burnham and Pickle and
me, but that is unsubstantiated. Rachel says she want's to be him and
is apparently going to start a cuisine review column on this very website. I
hope she likes beans and rice. - Squirrelfight
Day 99 - Today we have returned to the trail after 9 days in San Franlingo. The luxuries of the city were wonderful. We ate, drank, shopped (for food) watched movies and spent quality time with good friends. We cooked incredible foods and ate out Thai, burritos, Indian, and pizza. Ohhh! I can't describe how happy I was eating hot foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I gained 7 pounds! Wohoo! I tried for 10 lbs., but oh well. Even though the city trip was great, I couldn't be happier to be back on the trail. - Pickle : )
7/19-
Day
100 - Wahoo! Back on the trail after a rejuvenating if hectic visit to San Francisco.
What a visit! I stuffed myself silly with Sushi, Indian food, burritos, and
anything else edible that came within a dozen feet of my metabolism. I had a
wonderful visit last weekend with my sister, Rona, and her family and in-laws
in Tahoe. Then Rona and couple of others drove me to San Francisco for a day
of sightseeing and a long awaited reunion with my sweetie, Rachel. Town was
a blast but boy am I glad to be back on the trail. Especially because Rachel
has joined the Menacing Vegetables and will be walking with us for six weeks.
You can't imagine how thrilled I am. We also picked up our friend, Hannah with
whom we hatched the idea for this walk several years ago. Welcome new Vegetables!
Staggerin' Willie is behind and catching up this week, so for the time being,
Squirrelfight and I are outnumbered by women. Life is good. - Krumholz
7/20-
Day
101 - Ben had told me that the last ten miles before Sonora Pass were spectacular,
unlike anything we had yet seen, and they were! Rather than trying to describe
it, I will just write the word a bunch of times: Spectacular! Spectacular!!
Spectacular!!! Spectacular!!!! And no mosquitos! - Staggerin' Willie
7/21-
Day
102 - Took a photo of our new friend, Hawkeye, today. He is named after the
character on M.A.S.H. but specifically the Donald Sutherland movie character,
not the Alan Alda TV character. - Squirrelfight
Day 102 - The wild flowers have exploded here in the Sierra Nevada and we seem to be in peak bloom. Every day I encounter several new species of flower. The trailside is stunning, covered in mixes of red, orange, purple, gold, blue, and white. We've seen irises, scarlet grilia, sego lillies, and lupine to name but a few. In Tuolumne Meadows I picked up a Sierra Flower Finder and have had a wonderful time botanizing along the trail. - Krumholz
Day 102 - When I set out on this leg, I was kind of excited about hiking alone, exploring the Sierra solitary-style like my hero John Muir. And it was pretty nice, for a while. For the past couple of days, however, I have had a hiking companion, which I prefer. Her name is Natasha (trail name Chrysalis), she is from England, likes going swimming as much as I do, and is generally good fun to hike with. We will most likely hike together until I catch up to the Vegetables, and then she will probably cruise up ahead, since it takes special endurance to hike as slow as the Vegetables. - Staggerin' Willie
7/22-
Day
103 - About 10 miles south of Sonora Pass, the Sierra changed from granitic-type
mountains to volcanic-type mountains, and since than it has been wildflower
heaven! Using my handy pocket wildflower guide, I have identified the following
species: Mtn. Bluebell, Mt. forget-me-not, Aster, Yarrow, Alpine Stonecrop,
Wallflower, Pennyroyal, Horse Mint, Lupine, Scarlet Fritillary, Mariposa Tulip,
Hollyhock, Sky Rocket, Phlox, Sulfur flower, Pussy Paws, Shooting Star, Snow
plant, Columbine, Mule's Ear, Paintbrush, Owl's Clover, Elephant Snouts, Mtn.
Pride, Penstemon, Delphinium, Golden Monkey Flower, Mtn. Monkey Flower, Cow
Parsnip, Pretty Face, Blue Flax, Meadow Iris, and Pine Drops.
I have probably seen an equal number of species that I haven't identified. Of
these, the Lupines have been the most plentiful, here covering the ground in
mats, and there growing in shoulder-high clumps. The Sierra Nevada in late July
-"the Range of Lupines." - Staggerin' Willie
7/23-
Day
104 - Our first days back from the city, the animals have all come out to greet
us. Fat little chipmunks and butterflies on the trail. Too many birds to name
even if I knew them. Loud crickets and grasshoppers that can fly way above our
heads. We've seen deer, Pika, marmots, caterpillars, snakes, and squirrels and
the humming birds are still buzzing us.
Also, the wildflowers are in full bloom. We've had flowers the whole trip, but
lately we see new ones every day. Reds, Blues, Yellows, Greens, White, Oranges,
and Purples surround us. Don't feel bad for the color blind Krumholz, though.
He is enjoying the plants more than anyone with his Sierra Nevada Flower Finder
- Squirrelfight
Day 104 - We are taking is relatively easy this week (10-11 miles per day) since Rachel and Hannah aren't used to this kind of thing. It's nice for us, too, after our week of softening in the city. Staggerin' Willie, however, took 2 weeks off and is supposed to be hiking 18 miles each day this week. He got back on the trail the day before us but 77 miles behind us and plans to catch us in the next two days. There's tough and then there's smart. - Squirrelfight
Day 104 - Seems like "the pack" of thru-hikers has now passed us. Much like in the early days on this walk when we were ahead of everyone, we haven't seen too many folks out here (except on the weekends). I'm kinda proud that we're not even halfway to Canada and already most everyone has walked by. - Krumholz
Day 104 - Mmm... The sweet hum of the automobile. - Pickle
Day 104 - Camped above Carson Pass, about 18 miles from Echo Lake, and we're close to catching up with the Menacing Vegetables. I have recognized Ben & Jonny's boot prints, and have heard form south-bound hikers that they are just ahead and moving awful slow (no surprise there). Tomorrow we will start hiking early, and I bet we catch them still in camp. - Staggerin' Willie
7/24-
Day
105 - Well, unfortunately Rachel's boots are grinding her feet to mincemeat.
She walked most of her miles today in aqua socks, including several treacherous
snow crossings. Upon arriving at Carson Pass we decided it was probably wise
to head into South Lake Tahoe, get some new boots, and give her feet a chance
to heal. So, tonight and tomorrow we're in town and will indulge ourselves in
all the comforts that civilization has to offer. - Krumholz
Day 105 - 'Twas a happy reunion this evening at Echo Lake Resort! Four full-time Vegetables, plus Hannah (Veggie for a week), Rachel (Veggie for 6 weeks), and Natasha (who will be leaving us tomorrow), together again. I hitched into town to pick up a big bottle of Bailey's Irish cream Liqueur, which was heavenly. Natasha and I attempted to make Scottish-style chips, with limited success. After a week of hiking 17-21 mile days, I am feeling a bit wiped out - greatly looking forward to going through lake-filled desolation wilderness at a more leisurely (much more leisurely) pace. - Staggerin' Willie
7/25-
Day
106 - After a free cab ride (!) to Echo Lake, Rachel and I are reunited with
the other Vegetables, including Staggerin' Willie! At long last we are complete,
though only briefly because Hannah will be leaving us tomorrow. Oh, woe. We
had a nice little trail party at the lake with Willie and our new friend, Natasha
and a bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme- Krumholz
The
Real Squeal on the Meal Deal
by Knergneemergh
As an enthusiastic San Francisco "Cheap Eats" column reader, I'm compelled to
emulate the great Dan Leoue and take to the pen to critique what we Menacing
Vegetables take to the mouth. "What do you guys eat on the trail?" is one of
the most frequently asked questions of thru-hikers. Let this column whet your
palette, tickle your taste buds and leave you salivating for dehydrated food
like you've never drooled before...
When this still-clean-behind-the-ears Veggie joined this wondrous cluster of
culinary wizards 6 days ago, she was naive to the jaw-dropping, eyes-bulging
unparalleled artistry of meal preparation by chef Squirrelfight. Pickle and
Squirrelfight's home-dried, never touched the shelves of any store, we-did-it-ourselves-HA,
dehydrated vegetables serve as the robust essence of many and evening meal.
And are these vegetables, once mercifully rehydrated, menaced into edible form?
NO, my friend, NO! These vegetables, colorful and aromatic, are lovingly
caressed and nurtured by soaking in a hot tub filled with gargantuan hunks of
butter. That's right, folks. You read me, butter. Chef Squirrelfight spares
no extravagance. In fact, the first Squirrelfight meal preparation I observed
left me gasping for air and clutching my heart by the mere sight of a giant
scoop of butter meant for human consumption. I thought it was a scoop of ice
cream that had inexplicably materialized from the depths of his pack. I thought,
maybe, unlike the dinner veggies, I hadn't rehydrated enough.
Squirrelfight's signature scoop packs a punch (oy! right in the arteries where
it hurts!) but delivers a mouthwatering concoction of pasta, potatoes or other
dishes not yet discovered by humankind. This week's SpiceGirl and SpiceBoy,
Hannah and Kaptain Krumholz, have entertained our taste buds with the likes
of pesto, cumin, Cajun, Italian spices, etc. Cuisine's of the world, unite!
Yes, the global kitchen exists out here in the mountains. Spices range from
the subtly sublime to the outrageously overt (did I really once have a tongue?
hmmm.) yet seem to bode well with all eaters of the pack. I leave you with this
final squeal: More over, Lipton's noodles, these culinary geniuses of our time
cook like buttah...
This week's ask Squirrelfight-
Arnold from Austria writes:
Dear Squirrelfight,
"I have been looking at you photos closely online and
you all look HUGE! Are you really that huge? What is your secret?"
Dear
Arnold,
Yes, we are quite buff. Thank you for asking. I can't speak for the others (I
suspect steroids) but my recipe for a massive physique is lots of butter, lots
of chocolate, and a heavy pack. Walk 10+ miles each day for a few months and
you, too, can look like this. Thanks for writing. E-mail your questions to Ask
Squirrelfight c/o this website.
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