Day 18 Aug 18, 1982<br>We slept in the wind
tunnel last night. We were right nexx to the trail with
the shore of Lk. Marjorie close ahead. I slept with
my coat on instead of using it as a pillow. For part
of the night a stiff wind blew off the lake and
rattlesmy plastic ground cloth. Fortunately it was not a
cold wind but there was a touch of frost on Owen's
sleeping bag this morning. I was up early and looked
around a little, which is what I should have done last
night. I found a spot in the rocks completely surrounded
bysmall trees. I was sure it was a 3 foot depression in
the flat rock somewhat like a bathtub, however, when
I looked for it the next time it wasn't like that
or I couldn't find it. If you go west over the top
of the rock there are some small trees that provide
a cozy and snug place to sleep. I especially enjoy
the little hidey holes to sleep in. Just as we were
about to leave along came a guy who had started from
Upper Basin this morning. He is headed the same
direction but expects to be at Whitney Portal on Sunday. We
won't be there until next Wednesday which means we have
8 days left. We slowly hurried and were off to
Pinchot Pass at 8:55 which we reached in just over an
hour. Once again we threw down our packs, found a rock
to sit on and gasped for air, but we did it with
finesse. Once again we were the first ones up, well maybe
second. We spotted Fin Dome and Mt. Clarence King then
marveled at the view before us. Soon we were joined by
others, including hippy dippy ranger man. It took me
about 10 minutes to figure out he was the ranger. We
descended a steep trail with many shortcuts to the basin
below. Soon we passed Twin Lks. and the trail to Woods
Lk. A CCC group is relocating trail from a meadow.
They fill in the old trail with 5 gallon buckets of
dirt, over and over. Glad we are walking because trail
work looks like work, It started to sprinkle and we
stopped for lunch then it rained . We waited until the
rain stopped before going on. I wore my coat and soon
discovered I shouldn't have. I didn't want to stop to take
it off so I sweated my way to Woods Ck. where we
made camp on the north side of the crossing. There was
a scout troop there so we visited for a while then
went back to what we are good at, laying down. The
clouds have cleared up so we won't need to put up the
tent fly tarp. Because of the bear stories we decided
to hang the packs. We put them about 8feet off the
ground directly above our feet. Figured we would know if
the bear was after them at least. 9.1 gorgeous miles
today. I am starting to feel that I am ready to be home.
Long trailers must really have toughj mental moments.
i don't know how they do it but I would try if the
chance arose.
