Day 61

17 Miles (Pinchot Pass, Mather Pass)

Lots of climbing today. First, we were the last to leave camp at 8. The other hikers were all good about noise because I didn’t hear anyone packing up. The mosquitos were already swarming so teardown was quick. We then started climbing up to Pinchot Pass. When we stopped to get water, Shade caught up to us. Chatted a bit and learned that they were headed to the same spot we were so they also intended to do both passes. We continued on and climbed up and over Pinchot, which has an amazing red-colored mountain to the west. We dropped down the other side until we got to a nice shady spot near a lake. After lunch we descended to the river. It took some scouting a viable path, but we were able to rock-hop across. The climb up Mather is similar to the others, gradual ascent until the last mile when you switchback up the wall. The view from the top was incredible. We hung out for a few minutes and then started down towards camp. We headed for the tent sites above Palisade Lake. We passed Pepe on the way down, he was glad to be away from the mosquitos tonight. Finally at camp we could eat and get off our feet. Studio 54 showed up about an hour later. Shade and Trashman arrived about half an hour after Studio. Not much talking tonight, everyone seems tired and ready for bed.