dear john muir...

It took a bit longer than anticipated to get this post up, but I hope you can forgive me. Things around here are pretty normal, although we’ve had some rain this week- This is my interp weekend, so I have my slate of programs to give, which is always nice- and then next week, my aunt, uncle, and cousin come into town, which I am ridiculously excited about, because I love showing off this area (I guess that enthusiasm makes me good at my job.) Coming up on my adventure radar is a three day backpacking trip next weekend, a five-day two weeks after that, RENT in Visalia the weekend in between, and then the arrival of Nathan on the first of August, an adventure which will begin with traipsing across San Francisco and end with a road trip back to the Carolinas, with Mineral King in between.

But that’s what’s coming up in my quickly-progressing summer. The past  three adventures are each worthy of their own blog posts- but I’ll just put them all on here for now.

1) Mt. Whitney

Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states, topping out above 14,000 feet (the offical height changes year to year.) We made it about 12,000 feet up, which is the highest I’ve ever been, so that was an accomplishment in itself. Why didn’t we summit? Well, there are a lot of if’s… IF we had left earlier than we did (and we left at 4 a.m.) maybe we would have made better time, IF we had hiked faster (we did eight miles by 10:30 through some pretty heavy snow conditions), IF there hadn’t been 20 mph winds with harder gusts the whole day (which was just cold), IF Rachel and I had been more experienced with snow conditions and gear (as it was, I learned how to self-arrest with an ice axe, a very, VERY useful skill)… then maybe. But as we were going up, some other people were going down, and we asked if they summitted - and they said they had, but they didn’t look very happy about it at all. They looked cold. And all told, when it was time to turn around, all three of us were on the same page, and ready to head back, and it was still a long day (12 hours on the trail.) So no, we didn’t summit- but I can say with absolute truth that I hiked Mt. Whitney (and used a WAG bag. Google it.)

2) Hockett Meadow

In yet another rough day at the office, Tor and I hiked 11 miles out to Hockett Meadow (where neither of us had ever been), camped under the stars (on the front porch of the ranger station), and came back the next day. We saw some beautiful wildflowers, Native American hieroglyphics, awesome views of the west side of the valley, and the Milky Way. And had hot chocolate. Stream crossings were high, about knee deep, but nothing really that complicated… and the snow wasn’t too bad. I know, I know- it’s a rough job, but someone has to do it.

3) Franklin Lake

I. Made. It. To. A. Lake. FINALLY. In the hail and rain and cold, but I made it. I got pretty thoroughly soaked between mid-thigh stream crossings and the aforementioned rain, but it was amazing, and I was so glad to have made it up that far. I only have four weeks and some change left… but hey- it’s melting. I can finally get to my lakes. And to paraphrase Les Mis, “and rain will make the flowers grow.” And the wildflowers… God. Words don’t even describe the fields of blue and orange and minty green (aka stickseed and bluebells and Indian paintbrush and sagebrush). Eagle and Monarch next week hopefully… Finally.

I’ll post more on Monday- more adventures to come with the Tor-Kristen backpacking trip to hockett meadow tomorrow through Sunday.

But anyway. No summit, but I still consider it a success. 15 miles round trip, absolutely gorgeous views, wonderful camping, hiking, and road tripping with some amazing friends up here, and I learned to use an ice axe.

So a success. Full report and pictures to come.

It’s hard to believe that June is nearing its end already- but I guess that’s what happened when you work hard and play hard in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Not a lot to report- just working on programs (first campfire program tomorrow night (on research in the parks), so we’ll see how that goes, in addition to an audit on my afternoon program on bears and my glacial geology walk on Sunday morning. After I get the research program and the flower walk which begins next week up and going, I’ll be done developing programs and will have more free time…

There’s a lot of snow here, still, which is killing me, since there’s just over a month left in my season. I’ll be getting out into the wilderness next weekend, though, thankfully, so after my Mt. Whitney trip next Wednesday I’ll head out for an overnight down to Hockett Meadow- first backpacking trip of the season. And it’ll be my first solo one, so I’m thrilled about that.

We’ve had some fun adventures at Silver City- I introduced them to shrimp and grits, and they introduced me to rockclimbing at Empire Peak and the joys of flying kites off ridges.

Andy and I are still writing, still excited about our musical. It’s going well and the composition part on his end is flying, so we’ll have a lot to show come fall.

This summer is harder being away from home than last - staying in touch is more essential now, and with that constant contact comes frustration - but it’s worth it.

I’ll keep you all posted on the Whitney adventure!

Things are going well here, despite the handful of medicals we’ve had (got to start the season off with a bang, I suppose.)

The passes are slow to open, with so much snow (160% of “normal”) so it’s frustrating hiking, but I’ve gotten to do some trails that I wouldn’t otherwise have bothered with.

I finally made it to the top of Paradise Ridge on Tuesday, which is a very special trail for me as it was the first one I did last summer. While I was there I got to check on a very special tree.

The station is up and running for the season, finally with power and internet- water is still to come, though. Hopefully Wednesday. (We have it at housing- don’t worry.)

There’s not a lot else to report. Life’s pace is beautifully slow here- I run home from work (literally), play guitar, cook some dinner and maybe walk over to Silver City for some company. I get nine hours of sleep a night, and lots of exercise and sunlight. I love my job, meeting fascinating people from all over the world, and I get to share nature with them.

What more can I ask for?

24 at my evening program tonight. It’s on bears. And it went amazingly. And it got a great review from my boss.

And I had a great walk this morning- first one of the season. It’s a winter and snow-themed one… I will post full details later.

Work is taking off and eating into free time- but that’s why I’m here.

I love this.

I love that I wake up every day and can’t wait for work.

Thanks for sharing with me.