INTRODUCTION:
The Sierra High Route (SHR) is a 195-mile trekking route that runs north-south across the heart of the Sierra Nevada Range, through Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park. It is a rugged alternative to the John Muir Trail (JMT)– it boasts about 100 miles of cross-country travel, numerous Class III scrambles, and endless miles of boulder hopping. SHR hikers are rewarded with pristine alpine settings, long stretches of solitude, and a sense of true adventure as they climb and descend 33 mountain passes.
This is an adventure I’ve wanted to attempt for more than 20 years. Never before did I believe that I had the time, physical strength and navigational competence to make it happen. I did what I could to make this the summer to make that dream come true. In the end, I only completed about ¼ of the 200 mile route and in the process, learned a lot about myself.
Day# 1
Daily Miles-17.31
Total Miles-17.31
Elevation Gain-8042
Elevation Loss-2400
Today was a big day. Paula and Melody got up with me early, 3:45am and had me on the trail by 5:30am.
Steve Roper’s Sierra High Route guide is a treasure. It’s not only a trail guide but it’s packed full of historical information dating back to the mid 1800s when the US Government decided that it wanted to send a survey team into the Sierras to start mapping a world completely unknown. Even the Native Americans rarely traveled in such rugged and high elevation terrain. Throughout my journal if I borrow information from Roper’s book I shall put that information in quotation marks.
The first seven miles were up and out of Kings Canyon. And they were up. A 5500 foot climb right out of the gate. “Optimistic hikers who seek the brighter side of unpleasant situations, however, will quickly discover mitigating factors on this interminable slope. The well-manicured trail zigzags up the north wall of Kings Canyon with such a gentle gradient that the traveler can slip into a rhythmic pace where the miles pass far more quickly than would be possible on a steeper, rockier path.” Roper was spot on.
Lots of bear scat and deer tracks all morning.
About 2/3 of the way up I was finally even with the Sphinx, a pinnacle on the other side of the canyon at almost 9200 feet. Around that same time I met Erin and Zach. They are also hiking the SHR and planning to do it in about 15 days. They did about 2/3 of the route in 2019 but had to get off as they ran out of time. Erin’s sister owns The Mill in Sacramento. Small world.
I played leap frog with them for the next hour and we had breakfast at the water source in Lower Tent Meadow.
I finally reached Monarch Divide and left the trail staring on my first off trail section. The climb to Grouse Lake was straightforward and I got there quickly deciding to take a 45 minute break resting, drinking and eating.
It was time for the first pass of the trip. Grouse Lake Pass at just over 11,000ft. The climb was pretty straightforward as well. I followed the grassy ramps all the way up to the pass. Well, I thought I was at the pass. Turns out I was about 150 yards short. But the view was amazing. To the south, beyond the Mt. Brewer group of peaks rose the Kaweah Peaks, all over 13,000ft. Directly next to me was the imposing contour of Goat Mountain and to the north, two beautiful unnamed lakes.
The mistake I made meant that I started down the pass in the wrong place. And in the end I had to do about an extra mile. Lesson learned.
I never saw Erin and Zack again today. Not sure if they passed me, because it’s not a trail, they could have been higher or lower than I was. I only saw 4 others. Two backpackers hiking out early this morning and two hikers camped in a meadow before Grouse Lake.
Next was Goat Crest Pass. At about 10,900 feet it was once again a routine climb finding the best route and footing. The north side of the pass was a different matter altogether. “For the first time on the High Route the hiker encounters steep and rough terrain, along with year-round snow-fields. Massive aprons of granite drop abruptly toward the highest of the four Glacier Lakes.” The all year snow fields were non-existent. It took a while longer to pick the best route and footing down this pass.
Glacier Lakes below were stunning as was the entire valley they rested in. This was where I was supposed to stay tonight but it was early and I wanted to do more miles. I followed the outlet of the lowest lake which led into another tricky section. Navigating the ups, downs, cliffs and willows took a lot of physical and mental effort. So much that when I emerged from that section I was pretty tired. And being pretty tired led to me coming down wrong on my left ankle (my good ankle) and twisting it pretty badly. I laid on the ground for quite some time before finally deciding it wasn’t a deal breaker and I got up. I spent some time stretching it but it was pretty painful. I decided to use some of the tape I'd brought for the other ankle on the new one. Got it all taped up and headed on. The next 2 miles to the first of the States Lakes was painful. At a creek crossing I didn’t have it in me to rock hop so I walked upstream to a fallen log instead.
I reached the first lake at 5:30. I wasn’t ready to stop but decided to give my body and ankle a rest. With sunset around 8 I had lots of time to get into the groove with nightly chores. Dinner was yummy, the sunset amazing, and the fish are having a heyday with the bugs.
Just got up to do a few things and the ankle is no worse. If anything it’s a bit better. Tomorrow is one of the 3 most difficult passes. Should be interesting to see how the ankle does.
I’ve built in lots of places to get out of the backcountry should I absolutely need to. Sure hope I don’t have too.
Day# 2
Daily Miles-13.17
Total Miles-30.48
Elevation Gain-4748ft
Elevation Loss-3335ft
Ankle wasn’t worse this morning when I got up. The hike from States Lakes to Horseshoe was enjoyable with the exception of very painful twinges every now and then. I worked hard to stay in the moment and think about my steps.
About a mile and a half in I came upon Erin and Zack. They had stayed the night about 4 miles below me and had passed me before I got going at 6:15AM. I stopped at Horseshoe for some coffee and breakfast. My appetite has still not kicked in and it’s extremely hard for me to get much more down than water and dinner last night.
I continued on up toward Windy Point with the intention not to do the 1 mile side trip.
The hike was beautiful. “The panorama increases with each step; soon, for the first time, the traveler is able to gaze straight down the great gash of the Middle Fork toward the naked hump of Tehipite Dome, one of the range's preeminent landmarks.” When I finally got to the lookout I had caught back up with Erin and Zack. I would hike with them for the remainder of the day.
We dropped way down to cross a beautiful valley before starting the climb to Gray Pass. It was the most beautiful terrain possible, where streams meander through meadows strewn with granite boulders and wildflowers.
Gray Pass took a lot out of me and almost immediately afterwards we would drop down to climb White Pass and then do it again to cross Red Pass. On Red Pass we spent a bit of time with a couple married 40 years and hiking together for many more than that. Amazing.
Next was a big drop with a series of 150ft drop offs on the way to Marion Lake. After about a 1000 foot drop we got to the crux. A series of shoots dropping down at an extremely steep angle.
How the 1935 Sierra Club Annual outing group of over 100 hikers managed to convince their mules to go down this crazy obstacle is a complete mystery to me.
I got to the lake about 20 minutes before Erin and Zack and took a swim before washing my clothes. Once they arrived they did the same. We were treated to a bald Eagle first grabbing a fish from the other side of the lake and then, a bit later, flying straight towards us at eye level. After a well needed break we got started again. I was quite behind my goal for the day but my ankle was feeling better and better. No more painful twinges adding to my nausea. We climbed into Lakes Basin. This was truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my entire life.
The goal was to get over Frozen Lake Pass. But as the sun got lower and I became more exhausted it was apparent I’d camp at the lake just below the pass. I was pretty far ahead of them at this point and it looked like the lake would be in the shade, so I took some time to soak up some sun, dry out and work on my journal.
8:15PM. No energy to write. Food coma setting in. Erin and Zack are meeting relatives in Dusy Basin tomorrow so today will probably be our last day together as I plan on going further and taking advantage of all the trail miles. Zzzzz
Day #3
Daily Miles-14.76
Total Miles-45.24
Elevation Gain-4511ft
Elevation Loss-4668ft
Early start up Frozen Pass at 5:30AM. At 12,300+ feet, this fabled pass is supposed to be one of the three hardest. Later Cirque Pass would prove much harder to me.
Frozen Pass was large stable talus on the way up. It’s the way down on the northern side that’s known to be so tough. From the top of the pass we were able to look south back into Lakes Basin and 180 degrees opposite, able to see Upper Basin still in the shadows from the hulking Mt.Sill at 14,154 feet on the far side of the valley. The downhill was loose and unstable but with my trekking poles extended I was able to descend in a controlled slide. Below this loose gully was talus for about another half mile. Moving through talus slows my speed to somewhere between .5 and 1 mph. Uphill is all about strength and balance. Downhill on the other hand is about moving nimbly from one rock to another staying on each rock for only a second or two. It’s a total mental game, always planning the next 5 or more moves so you don’t get to a point where you have to stop. Exhilarating and mentally exhausting.
About a mile past the lower tarn we hit the JMT. We would share the trail for six miles and in those six miles see nearly 40 hikers. A bit of a change from the quiet off-trail SHR. Two miles later on a well groomed and graded trail (the JMT/PCT is graded to not be more steep than 3%. A big change from the terrain we had been on the previous two days). We topped the 12,100ft pass quickly and took about 30 minutes at the top enjoying the views in both directions.
The walk down to Palisade Lakes was a grind at about 4 miles an hour. Almost a jog. We took another extended break at the outlet to the lower lake knowing the rest of our day would be off trail. After food, washing and relaxation we headed back off trail towards our next goal 1500 feet higher, Cirque Pass. It was grueling. It rose in three steep 500 foot climbs. All hard. All taking a toll on my body. The kicker was we were attempting 2 more passes after that. In the end, we finally made it to the top of the pass before dropping down and climbing Potluck Pass. This pass wasn’t as physically demanding but finding the safest route up took a very long time. A couple, who was way off route, used our assent to get back to the right place.
By then we knew that our intended site in Dusy Basin (where Erin’s sister and brother-in-law were camped) was out of the cards. We collapsed after a long day at Barrett Lake, just a couple miles from where they were camped.
Tomorrow Erin and Zack are getting up early to try to catch their family before they leave. I’ll either hike with them and continue when they stop, or sleep in a bit. More to come. Very tired.
Day# 4
Daily Miles-11.75
Total Miles-56.99
Elevation Gain-2345ft
Elevation Loss-4077ft
Today didn’t go quite as planned. I got off the SHR in Dusy Basin. Done.
Woke up at 4AM for a 5AM departure. Got going with headlights and 10 minutes into our hike, I twisted my ankle. Not the one I’d twisted 3 days ago. The one I twisted badly in Sequoia National Park just one short month ago. I’d done PT for a month and was about 85% before the trip. Today’s twist wasn’t quite as bad as a month ago, but it was bad enough to cause immediate doubts about being able to finish the SHR.
The next mile up to the top of Knapsack Pass was very painful. By the top I’d decided I needed to at least take a long break in Dusy Basin to reassess. Our goal was to catch Zack and Erin’s family in the basin but it was gonna be close as they needed to hike out early. Communications with the InReach were confusing. We didn’t know if they had left camp or were still sleeping.
Then it was downhill. It became obvious immediately that the injury was worse than I thought. Maybe a down day in Dusy. Even though I was already a full day behind my schedule (that’s with hiking from sun up to sun down every day) taking a zero day wouldn’t prevent me from still finishing before my drop dead date of the 15th.
Once we figured out where they were we began the tricky line to try to meet them in their ascent to the pass.
We caught them at about 8AM and it was wonderful to see the family embrace and enjoy their time. I decided to send a message to Paula to see if she could come get me. Friday was the soonest but friends could be there by late afternoon after the 5+ hour dive. This was when Ilah, Erin’s sister, asked me where I was headed. When she heard I was going to Sacramento she immediately offered me a ride. I was floored and so very grateful. Another perfect example of “the trail provides.”
That was it, it was kinda meant to be. I had a ride home without anyone having to come get me. I was excited and crushed all at the same time. My dream would have to wait.
We said our happy and sad goodbyes (for so many reasons) to Erin and Zack and I started the 6 mile trip up and over my last pass, Bishop Pass to the trailhead.
It was super sad to say goodbye to Erin and Zack. Not only were they continuing on the SHR, a route I’ve wanted to do for years, but they are amazing, exceptional, good people. Every encounter, every relationship one is blessed enough to create, makes one a more COMPLETE PERSON. That’s what Erin and Zack gifted to me. I’ll be forever grateful and wish them the best on the SHR and beyond.
Ilah and Nick were no different; we kept finding things we had in common. The number of things we connected with over those hiking and driving hours was astonishing. They are amazing people and I couldn’t be more grateful for the generosity of the ride and the friends I’ve formed.
This trip was not what I had planned in a million ways. The miles, effort, appetite, solitude and pain were all either unexpected or expected in different ways.
But, the meaningful connections, relationships and shared experiences were far more rewarding. I have no permanent injuries. The mountains will appear as the snow melts every year I have left. There will be many more adventures.
I’m a very lucky man.
The Sierra High Route (SHR) is a 195-mile trekking route that runs north-south across the heart of the Sierra Nevada Range, through Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park. It is a rugged alternative to the John Muir Trail (JMT)– it boasts about 100 miles of cross-country travel, numerous Class III scrambles, and endless miles of boulder hopping. SHR hikers are rewarded with pristine alpine settings, long stretches of solitude, and a sense of true adventure as they climb and descend 33 mountain passes.
This is an adventure I’ve wanted to attempt for more than 20 years. Never before did I believe that I had the time, physical strength and navigational competence to make it happen. I did what I could to make this the summer to make that dream come true. In the end, I only completed about ¼ of the 200 mile route and in the process, learned a lot about myself.
Day# 1
Daily Miles-17.31
Total Miles-17.31
Elevation Gain-8042
Elevation Loss-2400
Today was a big day. Paula and Melody got up with me early, 3:45am and had me on the trail by 5:30am.
Steve Roper’s Sierra High Route guide is a treasure. It’s not only a trail guide but it’s packed full of historical information dating back to the mid 1800s when the US Government decided that it wanted to send a survey team into the Sierras to start mapping a world completely unknown. Even the Native Americans rarely traveled in such rugged and high elevation terrain. Throughout my journal if I borrow information from Roper’s book I shall put that information in quotation marks.
The first seven miles were up and out of Kings Canyon. And they were up. A 5500 foot climb right out of the gate. “Optimistic hikers who seek the brighter side of unpleasant situations, however, will quickly discover mitigating factors on this interminable slope. The well-manicured trail zigzags up the north wall of Kings Canyon with such a gentle gradient that the traveler can slip into a rhythmic pace where the miles pass far more quickly than would be possible on a steeper, rockier path.” Roper was spot on.
Lots of bear scat and deer tracks all morning.
About 2/3 of the way up I was finally even with the Sphinx, a pinnacle on the other side of the canyon at almost 9200 feet. Around that same time I met Erin and Zach. They are also hiking the SHR and planning to do it in about 15 days. They did about 2/3 of the route in 2019 but had to get off as they ran out of time. Erin’s sister owns The Mill in Sacramento. Small world.
I played leap frog with them for the next hour and we had breakfast at the water source in Lower Tent Meadow.
I finally reached Monarch Divide and left the trail staring on my first off trail section. The climb to Grouse Lake was straightforward and I got there quickly deciding to take a 45 minute break resting, drinking and eating.
It was time for the first pass of the trip. Grouse Lake Pass at just over 11,000ft. The climb was pretty straightforward as well. I followed the grassy ramps all the way up to the pass. Well, I thought I was at the pass. Turns out I was about 150 yards short. But the view was amazing. To the south, beyond the Mt. Brewer group of peaks rose the Kaweah Peaks, all over 13,000ft. Directly next to me was the imposing contour of Goat Mountain and to the north, two beautiful unnamed lakes.
The mistake I made meant that I started down the pass in the wrong place. And in the end I had to do about an extra mile. Lesson learned.
I never saw Erin and Zack again today. Not sure if they passed me, because it’s not a trail, they could have been higher or lower than I was. I only saw 4 others. Two backpackers hiking out early this morning and two hikers camped in a meadow before Grouse Lake.
Next was Goat Crest Pass. At about 10,900 feet it was once again a routine climb finding the best route and footing. The north side of the pass was a different matter altogether. “For the first time on the High Route the hiker encounters steep and rough terrain, along with year-round snow-fields. Massive aprons of granite drop abruptly toward the highest of the four Glacier Lakes.” The all year snow fields were non-existent. It took a while longer to pick the best route and footing down this pass.
Glacier Lakes below were stunning as was the entire valley they rested in. This was where I was supposed to stay tonight but it was early and I wanted to do more miles. I followed the outlet of the lowest lake which led into another tricky section. Navigating the ups, downs, cliffs and willows took a lot of physical and mental effort. So much that when I emerged from that section I was pretty tired. And being pretty tired led to me coming down wrong on my left ankle (my good ankle) and twisting it pretty badly. I laid on the ground for quite some time before finally deciding it wasn’t a deal breaker and I got up. I spent some time stretching it but it was pretty painful. I decided to use some of the tape I'd brought for the other ankle on the new one. Got it all taped up and headed on. The next 2 miles to the first of the States Lakes was painful. At a creek crossing I didn’t have it in me to rock hop so I walked upstream to a fallen log instead.
I reached the first lake at 5:30. I wasn’t ready to stop but decided to give my body and ankle a rest. With sunset around 8 I had lots of time to get into the groove with nightly chores. Dinner was yummy, the sunset amazing, and the fish are having a heyday with the bugs.
Just got up to do a few things and the ankle is no worse. If anything it’s a bit better. Tomorrow is one of the 3 most difficult passes. Should be interesting to see how the ankle does.
I’ve built in lots of places to get out of the backcountry should I absolutely need to. Sure hope I don’t have too.
Day# 2
Daily Miles-13.17
Total Miles-30.48
Elevation Gain-4748ft
Elevation Loss-3335ft
Ankle wasn’t worse this morning when I got up. The hike from States Lakes to Horseshoe was enjoyable with the exception of very painful twinges every now and then. I worked hard to stay in the moment and think about my steps.
About a mile and a half in I came upon Erin and Zack. They had stayed the night about 4 miles below me and had passed me before I got going at 6:15AM. I stopped at Horseshoe for some coffee and breakfast. My appetite has still not kicked in and it’s extremely hard for me to get much more down than water and dinner last night.
I continued on up toward Windy Point with the intention not to do the 1 mile side trip.
The hike was beautiful. “The panorama increases with each step; soon, for the first time, the traveler is able to gaze straight down the great gash of the Middle Fork toward the naked hump of Tehipite Dome, one of the range's preeminent landmarks.” When I finally got to the lookout I had caught back up with Erin and Zack. I would hike with them for the remainder of the day.
We dropped way down to cross a beautiful valley before starting the climb to Gray Pass. It was the most beautiful terrain possible, where streams meander through meadows strewn with granite boulders and wildflowers.
Gray Pass took a lot out of me and almost immediately afterwards we would drop down to climb White Pass and then do it again to cross Red Pass. On Red Pass we spent a bit of time with a couple married 40 years and hiking together for many more than that. Amazing.
Next was a big drop with a series of 150ft drop offs on the way to Marion Lake. After about a 1000 foot drop we got to the crux. A series of shoots dropping down at an extremely steep angle.
How the 1935 Sierra Club Annual outing group of over 100 hikers managed to convince their mules to go down this crazy obstacle is a complete mystery to me.
I got to the lake about 20 minutes before Erin and Zack and took a swim before washing my clothes. Once they arrived they did the same. We were treated to a bald Eagle first grabbing a fish from the other side of the lake and then, a bit later, flying straight towards us at eye level. After a well needed break we got started again. I was quite behind my goal for the day but my ankle was feeling better and better. No more painful twinges adding to my nausea. We climbed into Lakes Basin. This was truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my entire life.
The goal was to get over Frozen Lake Pass. But as the sun got lower and I became more exhausted it was apparent I’d camp at the lake just below the pass. I was pretty far ahead of them at this point and it looked like the lake would be in the shade, so I took some time to soak up some sun, dry out and work on my journal.
8:15PM. No energy to write. Food coma setting in. Erin and Zack are meeting relatives in Dusy Basin tomorrow so today will probably be our last day together as I plan on going further and taking advantage of all the trail miles. Zzzzz
Day #3
Daily Miles-14.76
Total Miles-45.24
Elevation Gain-4511ft
Elevation Loss-4668ft
Early start up Frozen Pass at 5:30AM. At 12,300+ feet, this fabled pass is supposed to be one of the three hardest. Later Cirque Pass would prove much harder to me.
Frozen Pass was large stable talus on the way up. It’s the way down on the northern side that’s known to be so tough. From the top of the pass we were able to look south back into Lakes Basin and 180 degrees opposite, able to see Upper Basin still in the shadows from the hulking Mt.Sill at 14,154 feet on the far side of the valley. The downhill was loose and unstable but with my trekking poles extended I was able to descend in a controlled slide. Below this loose gully was talus for about another half mile. Moving through talus slows my speed to somewhere between .5 and 1 mph. Uphill is all about strength and balance. Downhill on the other hand is about moving nimbly from one rock to another staying on each rock for only a second or two. It’s a total mental game, always planning the next 5 or more moves so you don’t get to a point where you have to stop. Exhilarating and mentally exhausting.
About a mile past the lower tarn we hit the JMT. We would share the trail for six miles and in those six miles see nearly 40 hikers. A bit of a change from the quiet off-trail SHR. Two miles later on a well groomed and graded trail (the JMT/PCT is graded to not be more steep than 3%. A big change from the terrain we had been on the previous two days). We topped the 12,100ft pass quickly and took about 30 minutes at the top enjoying the views in both directions.
The walk down to Palisade Lakes was a grind at about 4 miles an hour. Almost a jog. We took another extended break at the outlet to the lower lake knowing the rest of our day would be off trail. After food, washing and relaxation we headed back off trail towards our next goal 1500 feet higher, Cirque Pass. It was grueling. It rose in three steep 500 foot climbs. All hard. All taking a toll on my body. The kicker was we were attempting 2 more passes after that. In the end, we finally made it to the top of the pass before dropping down and climbing Potluck Pass. This pass wasn’t as physically demanding but finding the safest route up took a very long time. A couple, who was way off route, used our assent to get back to the right place.
By then we knew that our intended site in Dusy Basin (where Erin’s sister and brother-in-law were camped) was out of the cards. We collapsed after a long day at Barrett Lake, just a couple miles from where they were camped.
Tomorrow Erin and Zack are getting up early to try to catch their family before they leave. I’ll either hike with them and continue when they stop, or sleep in a bit. More to come. Very tired.
Day# 4
Daily Miles-11.75
Total Miles-56.99
Elevation Gain-2345ft
Elevation Loss-4077ft
Today didn’t go quite as planned. I got off the SHR in Dusy Basin. Done.
Woke up at 4AM for a 5AM departure. Got going with headlights and 10 minutes into our hike, I twisted my ankle. Not the one I’d twisted 3 days ago. The one I twisted badly in Sequoia National Park just one short month ago. I’d done PT for a month and was about 85% before the trip. Today’s twist wasn’t quite as bad as a month ago, but it was bad enough to cause immediate doubts about being able to finish the SHR.
The next mile up to the top of Knapsack Pass was very painful. By the top I’d decided I needed to at least take a long break in Dusy Basin to reassess. Our goal was to catch Zack and Erin’s family in the basin but it was gonna be close as they needed to hike out early. Communications with the InReach were confusing. We didn’t know if they had left camp or were still sleeping.
Then it was downhill. It became obvious immediately that the injury was worse than I thought. Maybe a down day in Dusy. Even though I was already a full day behind my schedule (that’s with hiking from sun up to sun down every day) taking a zero day wouldn’t prevent me from still finishing before my drop dead date of the 15th.
Once we figured out where they were we began the tricky line to try to meet them in their ascent to the pass.
We caught them at about 8AM and it was wonderful to see the family embrace and enjoy their time. I decided to send a message to Paula to see if she could come get me. Friday was the soonest but friends could be there by late afternoon after the 5+ hour dive. This was when Ilah, Erin’s sister, asked me where I was headed. When she heard I was going to Sacramento she immediately offered me a ride. I was floored and so very grateful. Another perfect example of “the trail provides.”
That was it, it was kinda meant to be. I had a ride home without anyone having to come get me. I was excited and crushed all at the same time. My dream would have to wait.
We said our happy and sad goodbyes (for so many reasons) to Erin and Zack and I started the 6 mile trip up and over my last pass, Bishop Pass to the trailhead.
It was super sad to say goodbye to Erin and Zack. Not only were they continuing on the SHR, a route I’ve wanted to do for years, but they are amazing, exceptional, good people. Every encounter, every relationship one is blessed enough to create, makes one a more COMPLETE PERSON. That’s what Erin and Zack gifted to me. I’ll be forever grateful and wish them the best on the SHR and beyond.
Ilah and Nick were no different; we kept finding things we had in common. The number of things we connected with over those hiking and driving hours was astonishing. They are amazing people and I couldn’t be more grateful for the generosity of the ride and the friends I’ve formed.
This trip was not what I had planned in a million ways. The miles, effort, appetite, solitude and pain were all either unexpected or expected in different ways.
But, the meaningful connections, relationships and shared experiences were far more rewarding. I have no permanent injuries. The mountains will appear as the snow melts every year I have left. There will be many more adventures.
I’m a very lucky man.
