Day 12 - Leak after Leak

 

Mary Lake

Seven Gables trail to MTR. 7798ft elevation.  

We passed Selden Pass  10898ft

Today we traveled: 12.67miles 1854ft elevation gain 3606ft elevation loss. 

JMT mile marker: 107.4mile. 

Last night I realized that my air mattress had a hole in it. I tried inflating it, but it deflated after 2hr. I was tired and fell asleep knowing that Bob will be able to fix it in the morning. Our mats are identical and we often switch between them. Last night I was thankful that I got the one with the air leak. I was able to sleep, even if it wasn’t quality sleep because I had to move every so often to get comfortable. If it was Bob - that would’ve been it! No sleep for no one until we solve this problem, right there and then. In the morning when we talked about it, he made the same point, that if he had gotten the leaky pad, that would be the end of the trip unless fixed! I’m laughing about it still. I know my husband too well. 

Happy at the top of Selden Pass

We started the hike with a moderate climb up to Selden pass. We passed beautiful Marie Lake and had breakfast. I been struggling the whole climb and didn’t have an appetite. I made myself eat knowing I need the energy. 

In that meadow I was able to spot for the first time a pink paint brush. This made my day. I was on the look out for one and here it was - incredible!!

On the other side of Selden was a more dramatic scenery with tall granite mountains and beautiful rock formation. There was a lot to look at. First we passed Heart Lake, looks like a heart shape on the map, not in real life, and I got really excited: we saw another flower that was new to us! A white, pink and yellow Colombine. Very exciting indeed!! (Later we found out it was a Golden Columbine) 

Feeling like I’m getting my energy back I miss step during one of the many rock hops we need to do over water and step in (crossing streams have been the theme of the day). I have one foot wet and I tell Bob it’s a good time to stop and fix my pad while I dry my shoe. We (Bob mainly) fix the mat and we are back on the road. We are feeling good and starting to pick up the pace: we can make our next resupply point by 3pm. And we go for it. I suddenly feel something is off and yes. It is. I got my fucking period. Early and unexpected. After dealing with that… we are back on the schedule. 

At MTR: Muir Trail Ranch we get out resupply for the next 9 days and we make a decision to take only 8 days worth of food since we looked at the schedule and we think we can save a day and lighten our load. 

Organizing our food by days

Bamba!!!

Us with our biggest and heaviest backpacks

Our bear vaults are full to the max. By regulation it’s the only way to keep food safe away from bears.  

We hike one more mile out and camp for the night. At camp I discover a hole in my water bottle. Can you believe it?! Luckily for us we brought some emergency sticky tape and fix it. 

I’m not sure if this is an omen for the rest of the trip but after eating Super Ramen we are in the tent hoping for a good night of sleep and less drama tomorrow! 

We’ve been watching the clouds for the last few days and today it drizzled on us for the first time - luckily we were under a shelter at MTR sorting our resupply. We ate Bamba and domes while we were there and it tasted so good. I’ll be dreaming of Bamba, Yifat