The climb up the pass seemed to whiz by in retrospect. Matt knew the route, giving us confidence when we were reaching the top, which was not visible through the cloud cover. Visibility was actually contained to within several yards around us at times, making it difficult for my mind to reconcile how high I knew we actually were. The pass was brutal for me. Maddie and Matt seemed pretty sure-footed, but I was struggling with the same dizziness I have come to associate with dehydration. The biting cold also made it particularly challenging, but we kept looking on the bright side (or, one might call it, less grey and gloomy side) that we weren't being drenched in the rain. We still weren't sure whether we would exit with Matt, so we kept pushing that decision off until we got to his junction.
Second to last pass!
The pass was actually really cool when we made it, you could see just how sheer the drop off was on either side, but the thick clouds blocked any further sight down. After snapping a couple photos, we continued down the pass, talking and laughing about all kinds of things. On this stretch the sun made it's debut and Maddie and I felt glimmers of hope that we would be continuing on and em aunt even Matt would come for this one more day as well.
By the time we got to his junction over Kearsarge Pass, we had decided to tough it out, whatever the weather may bring. Matt, however, confessed to being what he labeled himself as, a "mental midget," unable to bare being apart from his family and fiancé for another day. I understand his decision completely, and we are more than envious that he gets to enjoy all those comforts we dream about sooner rather than later. We are so incredibly grateful for his help and company. Matt, one of my few faithful blog readers, thank you again!
Not to start a thank you parade here, but it cannot be emphasized enough how much we appreciate the support of our family and friends along this journey. The company of Kelly, Lauren, Liam, Anne, Tricia, and Matt has been so comforting, and John, we are so looking forward to seeing you! Matt will be relaying a message of good tidings to our parents when he exits, so hopefully they haven't been worrying too much.
As Matt walked his separate way, our sadness was quickly replaced by cold, hard determination. Let's finish this. We walked pretty quickly, covering more miles than we had originally planned under the threatening sky above. We made it to a campsite at around 10,500 feet, populated by the group from Redlands, and another friendly couple we've seen over the last couple weeks. Apparently, as the Redlands group climbed over Glen Pass in the rain the day before to get to their resupply, they ran into a guy who had planted 11 blue moon beers atop the pass in 2011, and he was just now retrieving them, giving two of them to the Redlands group. How crazy is that?! Someone associated with the beer guy's group also told them that in his 25 years hiking in the sierras and doing the jmt several times, this is the wettest he has ever experienced. Lucky us. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I guess. Or whatever doesn't kill you makes you never want to backpack again, in Maddie's case. Just kidding, we are still loving it and we have already talked about which sections we would love to hike again!
So we camped somewhere along Bubbs Creek, and we decided it was just too chilly to cook, so we snacked instead. Having just received their resupply, Collin and Dave from the big group even delighted us with freshly cooked asparagus and an apple! Seriously I cannot express how much an asparagus spear changed the complexion of our frigid evening. Not only that, but we had a good time talking with them. Although we commiserated with our fellow hikers about the maddeningly muddy trail and the ubiquitousness of horse shit along it's entire length, we now found ourselves next to the pleasantly babbling creek, surrounded by a great austere mountain scale with a velvety fog draped over its peaks and saddles. Sorry...that sounded a smidge out of a creative writing essay, but it gives you the idea because I didn't take many pictures.
As we watched snow settle on the adjacent mountains, a sporadic drizzle reaffirmed our decision not to cook. Instead, we chugged some water, got into bed, and are now ready to tackle our final pass tomorrow. Given the weather forecast, our decision to carry on has us a little on edge, but we're glad to be doing everything in our power to complete our goal. Also, hiking with our new friends has us more confident and energetic to continue. With that, I'll say goodnight, and hopefully Maddie will get service over the pass tomorrow!
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