Total Miles 217.5
After arriving at Kennedy Meadows, I took 3 hours to prepare for the Sierra section. I Charged my stuff, ate a bunch, got my ice axe and bear canister, and reorganized my pack. I took off up the trail at 4pm.
I wanted to do the 201.1 miles to Mammoth Lakes Pass faster than I did it last year–under 6 days.
I did 11.5 miles out that evening from Kennedy Meadows. The following day 38 miles, about 2 miles before the entrance to Sequoia National Park.
The next day I entered into the high mountains and started dealing with the snow pack which was significant. There had been a recent storm so any part of the trail above 10,500 feet was covered. I topped out on Forester Pass (13,200) at 6pm. Getting down was tough but I pushed hard and made camp 35.5 miles in for the day.
Looking at what was ahead I saw that I was only 4.1 miles from the top of Glen pass and 16 miles from Pinchot Pass and another 9.7 from Mather Pass. I decided to do all three in one day. This was one of my greatest hiking days. I felt so strong, I just fuckin sent it! Pushing hard nonstop for 16 hours. Had to bring out the ice axe for a sketchy, steep section. Post-holed a lot, but did all 3 passes and finished with a 32.4.
The following day I went over Muir Pass with 3 miles of snow on each side and camped 37.2 miles in for the day.
On Sunday I was running really low on food, so I had no choice but to pull a 48 miler and get as close to Mammoth as I could. Went up and over Seldon and Silver Pass, ate my last BOBO’S oat bite at 7:30 pm and still had 15 miles to go to make it to Mammoth Lakes Pass. I finished at 12:45 am and camped on the side trail leading to Mammoth.
7 mountain passes, 201.1 miles, 5 days, 9 hours, and 45 minutes. A 37.5 mile overall average. By far the greatest hiking achievement of my career. The conditions were tough and I still have 2-300 miles of snow pack to deal with.
Took a rest day in Mammoth, ate my face off and now I’m going back for more pain😄. Going to see if I can reach Tahoe in 5 days, it’s about 185 miles.✌🥾🥾
