June 11, 2007

There was an earthquake that measured 4.3 at 12:30 a.m.  I slept right through it as well as the three aftershocks.  Several hikers did not.  Newly named Quake apparently camped on top of the epicenter and spent his night in motion while watching rocks slide down the mountain.

I hiked 17.5 miles today with 30-30 and Fireball.  We hiked up and over Muir Pass (which is an elevation of 11,955 feet).  I was the first to leave camp at 6:00 a.m.  I saw several deer within my first mile.  Seeing deer in the High Sierras at elevations of over 10,000 feet in their natural habitat is very different than watching them munch on my Hostas in Ohio.

I hiked past Chigger, Data, Four Winds, and Jacob who were asleep in their tents.  I hiked beside and eventually above beautiful waterfall.  30-30 navigated for Fireball and me since he carries a GPS and he is the strongest hiker.  The trail was partially covered in snow and sometimes hard to find.  There were a couple of false passes during my ascent.

camping at McClure Meadow

quad muscle strain

ugly feet

cut toe

mosquitoes swarming