Brrrrr, I was borderline warm enough at 7,000′ last night in my 40-degree quilt. At least the cold sent the mosquitos to bed… When I woke up, I was able to spend at least part of the morning away from my netting and spray.

Kirk and I took our coffee up the mountain a short way and absorbed the layers of mountains on mountains the stretched as far as the eye could see.

Our goal today would be to turn around and hike back towards the start….out and backs aren’t usually my thing, but when traversing around a mountain, the change in direction does bring different aspects to light.

We hiked the hike, passing just one hiker going north who looked suspiciously fast and lean….a PCT thru-hiker trying their luck on this northern section? The unprecedented levels of snow in the Sierra mountains this year have thru-hikers scrambling to find suitable sections to hike. July seems doable up here right now….

This trip has been particularly helpful in letting some new ideas percolate (ideas for the new business that is….). One outcome from the hiker survey that I launched in March were the very high numbers of long-distance backpackers who want to learn about, and be engaged in, environmental and conservation issues that affect the trails they hike. I had been primarily focused on infusing that information within the trail materials by working with the trail organizations, but now I see other opportunities to work directly with hikers….thus some of my expanded services I announced recently. But I have other ideas too. Oh yes! On this hike, I kept working at one particular idea that has been floating around for about six months now. I would pick it up, think on it a bit, put it away, pick it up again, modify it a little, and little by little, I think I have a really great concept. Walking helps me work these ideas out. Walking is the best.

The incessant bity bugs made stopping for breaks unpleasant, so we kept going, taking small respites in windy spots when we could. We did notice, though, that when we got closer to the south side of the mountain (and an old burn) that the mosquitos lessened. Perhaps there were fewer pockets of trees for them to hide out in?? The wind had less resistance in the burn and could blow them all to the northwest side of the mountain? We weren’t complaining! Whatever the magic that kept them away was most welcome.

We both got stumbly towards late afternoon and settled in a creek-adjacent campsite just a few miles from the trailhead. All of our good food was gone, and we regretted the last-minute decision a few days ago to leave extra snacks in the car. They wouldn’t have been extra after all. We would have eaten them all!

We played cards and closed our eyes early. It’s nice to have sounds of rushing water tonight.