7/1, Tyndall Creek to Vidette Meadow, Mile 787

[Aaron Doss]

yippy! an other beautiful day! also an exciting day: today we are
climbing Forrester Pass. the stories about the passes and snow
conditions have been different every time we heard someone talking
about it. since we waited for the snow to melt, we are confident that
we will be fine. we packed up our stuff, wondering if we had to use
our ice-axe and/or crampons that we have been carrying since Kennedy
Meadows. we hiked up towards the base of the pass, in a rocky, snow
patched landscape when all of a sudden we saw Donna Saufley, packing
up her gear. she was very happy to see us, so she could go over the
pass with us. we were glad to have her company so of we went; squatch,
zack, aaron, donna and me. at a fairly steep snow slope with a save
run off, aaron gave us all a refresher course of ice-axe self belay.
it's important to know the technique in case you slip while traversing
the snow and you fall down. after this we started our way up over
snowfields and rock scrambling and w!
e found the trail after a very strenuous hour. besides that it is
physically hard it also takes tremendous concentration which is
draining. when we found the trail, it was alot easier although the
trail was very steep. slowly we made our way up, enjoying the
wonderful views of the blue lakes in the rocky valley. also there were
some type of blue flowers growing from the rocks that had a very nice
fragance. we were amazed how these plants can survive in the rocks,
but we were glad they did. the last part to the top was the tricky
part: a very steep and exposed snow ridge. although it was short to
cross, it was quite intimidating. one slip and you drop down with no
way to stop. we all made it and we cheered. we soon were at the very
top where we met Beard and Beards's Mom. we were proud and happy to be
at the highest point of the PCT (Whitney is not part of the PCT). we
all shouted out No Way Ray's name again and it felt great. the top was
so much more awesome then we expected!
. these purple flowers were growing everywhere and there were hundreds
of butterflies flying among us. imagine; 13,400 feet and here we are
surrounded by butterflies! it's maybe a bit romanticized thinking, but
i liked to think that these butterflies were Ray's little sign from
heaven. i wish alice could have been here to share it. we talked some
more about Ray while having lunch and indulged in thew moment. we were
being checked out by a marmot that squatch named Bosefus ... don't
ask. after the lunch it was time to make our way down, before the snow
would be to soft from the sun. Donna and i lead the way over a wide
stretch of snow. it wasn't too scary and Donna and i talked as i we
were having tea and cookies. slowly we made our way down the valley,
over snow and rocks, again with big concentration. in the valley the
snow melt had caused many little and big rivers, soft grassy meadows
and flooded trail. it was beautiful but by this time we were really
tired. it's maybe hard to imagine but we were continuously navigating
dry spots to put our !
feet and it just wears you out. i was glad that after a few miles we
were finally up dryer ground in a forest area. Aaron an i wanted to be
there where we were going to camp and we set in the pace. we did 3
miles in less then an hour! we set up camp, and soon all thew others
came too. we cooked diner together and Donna shared some tea with
honey with me. It was a treat! extremely tired but nice and toasty we
fell a sleep. we didn't write a journal again. for your information: i
am writing this on 7/8 while taking shelter in a cave for the rain.

Aaron and Nathalie