Page 23 - 2012 AMA Summer

snow only made a brief appearance at our altitude, cool tempera- tures and rain were never far away.
As a matter of fact, although not severe – this was the most unsea- sonal weather in the Sierra Nevada for last 12 years! We neared our ultimate goal Mt Whitney, but were strongly advised by the resident National Park Rangers at Crabtree Meadow about the risks of walk- ing on up rocky mountain trails that would eventually be covered in 10” of snow at their highest, and steep drops to the sides. Reluctantly but sensibly, we carried out ‘plan B’ – moving South to lower altitudes (and warmer weather) and closer to our exped exit point. We spared a few thoughts though to the hardy trekkers who had walked almost the whole of the John Muir Trail (250 miles) only to be turned back within 10 miles of the trail’s end on the big mountain itself.
As scheduled – from Cottonwood pack station, our re-supply mule train arrived at the expedition halfway point. Personnel gleefully swapped their rubbish and laundry for 4 days food and fuel re- supply. The support team had also thoughtfully included soft drinks and some very welcome fresh fruit. With the aims of AT met despite the above disappointment, we could leisurely stroll along taking in the sheer remoteness, solitude and continuing to ‘get the system out of our system’.
Our last night by a quiet lake was shared by Neil & Jed, 2 retired Californian cowboys who were leisurely drifting north over 3 weeks, each riding a horse with 2 mules to bear their tentage and provi- sions. They invited us over for a coffee and a chance to sink my weary bones into the first chair I’d seen for 6 days. Ahhhh - REAL coffee made by REAL cowboys! Altogether it was a sombre occa- sion; we’d not seen a vehicle or even a road for almost a week. I felt fully contented that over the last fortnight we had ‘seen the world as it should be seen’. After a cool night, we enjoyed our final back- country breakfast before a cloudless pleasant morning oversaw our departure to journeys end. The welcome from our support team was a warm one as we loaded our dusty rucksacks onto the cargo truck at Cottonwood Pass. We then headed into Lone Pine, a real wild west town and a popular jump off point for short time hikers tackling Mt Whitney from the east. At a renowned hiker’s café dear to Col Webb’s heart – I tucked into a full breakfast I thought I’d need two men to lift! Before we knew it, it was time for our end of course dinner and a real bed. Next stop – the flight home, via some R & R in Las Vegas, but that’s another story!
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 21