Page 30 - AMA Summer 2023

EXPEDITIONNEWS
Mirror Lake
no cubs. One would assume this was a male bear who had enjoyed a healthy hibernation without the need to provide nutrition to growing cubs. With sore legs, a late, but well-made evening meal by Team 3 provided the fuel to tackle Trek 3.
THE CHILNUALNA FALL
A break from the 45-minute commute down to the valley floor, Trek 3 saw the expedition team depart on foot from the lodge in Wawona up to the summit of the Chilnualna Fall; a trek that provided opportunity for the SML and MLTs to deliver lessons on first aid, navigation and kit packing. The team took the 20km route and ascended the falls through a remote woodland, passing grand oak and pine variations, whilst reading etched wooden signs marking a warning from mountain lions with questionable ‘actions on.’ This trek is less well known to tourists and therefore, the expedition team had the trail to themselves to be fully immersed in their surroundings and relate to the early Indigenous inhabitants that walked the
grounds for thousands of years before the gold rush in the 1850s catalysed the eventual force-out of the Ahwahnechee people. The team paused for a lunch break at the top of the falls, experiencing some more breath-taking views beside rushing snow melt rivers that rolled over the waterfall cliffs as the instructors delivered lessons. On the descent, the team took a detour past the swinging bridge that crossed the rushing water below. Returning to the lodge at a more sociable hour, the team managed to enjoy a couple of cold drinks on the balcony whilst Team 4 stepped up to the plate.
MIRROR LAKE
A trip back into the valley saw the team take on Mirror Lake; a slight recovery day following two days of waterfall ascents, they trekked along a segment of the east valley floor looping the heavily sedimented Mirror Lake, which reflected some fantastic rock faces from its surface. The 15km trail is typically marked as a pathed route for the most part and easily accessible;
Chilnualna Falls
however due to the localised flooding and some treefall/landscape movement, this trek became remarkably entertain- ing, as the team waded through shallow waters, pushed through lush vegetation, and negotiated unforeseen obstacles.
30 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER