The High Sierra is more beautiful than I can describe. I truly lack the language to convey the feeling of being in this wilderness. Although photos can *help* illustrate what it is like to be out there (and I’m sorry I’m no professional photographer), they still somehow fall short of duplicating the feeling of wonder and awe that comes from wandering through this magical place. In an effort to share as much of it as possible with you, this post will primarily be photos of the wild landscape we have been backpacking in for the past two weeks.
We have reached Mammoth Lakes, where our close friend Peter lives, and are enjoying a couple days off visiting with him. It’s been a long wonderful stretch. After leaving Kennedy Meadows and the California desert, the High Sierra has been everything we dreamed it would be: endless mountains, alpine lakes, deep woods, beautiful vistas, crystal clear rivers and streams, wildflowers, wildlife – everything. We haven’t crossed a single road or been into town for two weeks. We did have to hike 12 miles off trail, up and over Bishop Pass (and then back up and over it), to resupply at a small resort. But for the most part, we have been blissfully in the wilderness – no internet, no cell service, no contact with the outside world (also, no showers).
The terrain has been the most difficult yet – we have ascended and descended at least one mountain pass nearly every day over the past two weeks – but it has been an amazing leg of this journey. We are feeling on top of the world. (And when we took a 17-mile side trip to summit Mt. Whitney, we were literally on top of the continental United States.) We hope you enjoy the pictures!
The beginning of the Sierra!
Nap time
Setting up camp in a meadow at sunset
Approaching Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states, the clouds obscuring its top
Climbing Whitney
Top of Whitney!! 14,505 ft.
These little marmots are rascals. They try and steal your food, or anything that smells of food, which is just about everything a thru hiker carries.
Ashe looking up at Forester Pass (that bit with the patch of snow), the highest point on the PCT
Forester Pass! 13,200 ft.
The descent from Forester was steep at times
The view on the north side of Forester
The valley we descended into on the north side of Forester Pass was stunning
Climbing Glen Pass
Glen Pass. 11,947 ft.
The descent from Glen Pass
A beautiful day to be hiking!
Pinchot Pass. 12,139 ft.
Mather Pass. 12,096 ft.
Climbing down from Mather Pass
Camp by Lower Palisades Lake
Hiking with friends Hermes and Lotus
Cooling off under a waterfall
Bishop Pass. 11,973 ft.
Hiking up Muir Pass
Muir Pass. 11,973 ft.
Selden Pass. 10,910 ft.
Silver Pass. 10,937 ft.
Purple Lake
Mile 900!
Continuously cheering for you and loving that you guys look so happy 😀 xoxo
Dearest MandA. This experience, this journey is unfathomable to so many of your readers, this one at the top of the list. What is it they say about running marathons? If it was easy everyone would do it. I’ve said this before in a post here that didn’t seem to make it online, you may know some ways in which you will be changed by this journey right away, and then again you may not. It will unfold in front of your life for a long time to come, I’m certain. And I’m so happy for you. The photos are stunning, and you both radiate the fun and joy. I’m so incredibly happy for you. XOX Lyd… P.S. Maru video 7. P.S.S. You look SO SKINNY!!
(Oh, looky there – it did get posted! Ma bad!) XOX!!
Mark/Ashley: loved the pictures. I did not realize that the Sierras got as high as 11-15,000 feet. Both of you look happy and fulfilled. This is a time of your life you will never forget. Love you both-Dad
What an experience! Thank you for sharing your journey. Though I would love to it’s more than likely I may never be able to do the PCT through, but having a glimpse of what it’s like on the trial is awesome. I love the pictures you share. Best of luck to you. I’ll be following your blog till the end.
Beautiful photos! And the people in them aren’t bad either. 🙂
Proud of your both