First Full Day

First full day. Took my time packing up. Phone GPS still wasn't working, but navigation is relatively easy in these huge valleys.  I messed around with settings, and found some sort of location setting that uses nearby Bluetooth devices. My watch and InReach knew where they were--I don't know if that's what did it, but it worked. Hallelujah! 

Went up to the first pass. The mosquitos were out but not terrible--didn't need to wear my headnet. Then skeeters went away and we got to the snow. I lost a trekking pole basket in one of the very first drifts I crossed. Only noticed it a few drifts later. I went back to look but it was hopeless. 

Saw the heel straps from a pair of Crocs. I'm not the first person to hike here. Wonder how the croc person did on this terrain without sport-mode engaged! 

The pass was steep, and slow, and my pack is much too heavy. The upper 500 feet or so had snow, but it was mostly avoidable by climbing up rock instead. I sent a pin and had a snack at the top. It took some wallowing to get through the snow on the other side, but it wasn't terrible.

Further down, the terrain was lovely. I took a break and read some Tale of Two Cities. Clouds rolled in and it started raining. I crossed a couple cold creeks and started climbing to the pass, but set up camp around 6pm at perhaps the last good campsite this side of the pass. There's an easy pass over the divide, but I'd like to stay south and keep going east on this side if possible.

Generally speaking, a great day. Tough climbing, good weather before bad, and a heavy pack, but I should be able to eat my way out of that problem. Pack felt less miserable by the end of the day, too, like I was getting used to the weight.