Day 56: Ups and Downs

(Mile 796 to 813 = 17 miles)

Good morning, Kings Canyon!

  Ups and downs, ups and downs ... we are figuring out the rhythms of the High Sierras. 

Second breakfast at the 800-mile mark.

 Today, we hit Pinchot Pass.  The pass itself was relatively easy, but the five miles leading up to it were quite a pull.  We got down to the 8000s' prior to the climb which had lead us to a fantastic swinging bridge and the 800 mile mark (up & up!), but did not set us up well for a 12132' pass (down).  But!  Just after our lunch, we found Kindergarten Cop!  He'd somehow gotten in front of us.  The three of us raced up the perhaps prettiest pass yet and took headstand photos (up & up!)  And then headed down for a delightful dinner by the water (up). 

One hiker at a time on this shivering wooden bridge. We loved it.

 But.  Now we've lost Kindergarten Cop.  He was going to be right behind us, but never showed up (down).  And we have two days of food and three days of travel to our resupply (down).  We start tomorrow with Mather Pass (down & up).  Hopefully, we find Kindergarten Cop.  He has extra snacks.  :)  And somehow makes the miles easier.

Back together again! Gumby and Kindergarten Cop on our way up Pinchot Pass.

 We'll see what kind of a roller coaster tomorrow brings...

I am beginning to think that Sierra "passes" are a lot like Cascade summits ...

Headstand for what might have been our hardest pass! (Yes, KC did one, too!)