Wonderful People and Heavenly Places

Meeting people along the trail has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hike for Amy and Allan.  Here Legs and Powerhouse met up with...

Here are three trail friends Willard, Amada, and Carlos,

who graciously invited them for a rest and dinner at Taboose Campground, CA.

Carlos

shown here, was busy catching trout for dinner and landed this one specifically for Amy.  "He's really cute kid".

Willard prepared the fresh Trout, avocado, green salad, while Amada, Amy, and Allan enjoyed a sip of wine.

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Back on the trail, here are some pics as they wind along the pines of the Sierra Nevada's...

Climbing this steep slope, they encounter a Buck ahead of them.

Shown center of pic to the left of the pine tree.

Through forest and streams.

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900

On 7.16.2012 Amy and Allan met mile 900 of the hike and visited a place called...

"Rafters"

A restaurant and lounge owned by northern Californian "Jimmy the Greek" shown below with Amy... 

JTG who is also a "Trail Angel", hooked Legs and Powerhouse up with a brand new Sawyer water filter and a load of beef jerky for the trail.

Pics of their trek through Yosemite National Park.

From granite walls to alpine lakes, views like this lends to what it must have been like when John Muir and Ansel Adams first hiked through the very same.

To see the sheer mass of this granite rock Half Dome from this vantage point, a splendor.

We've not heard from them in at least 5 days, but are receiving their "Spot" trackers, so we know they are on the move north to Lake Tahoe.

  Here is the last pic we've received...

for you and...

Happy Trails from the PCT!

A Dark Night

To all those who have suffered at the hands of one of our own I express my deepest condolences with the greatest remorse.  I have always tried to make sense of the senseless acts of others, however this touches one to the core in such a way that sense cannot be made of it.  My heart goes out to all in Colorado that not once, but twice have suffered such a tragedy.  May family and friends help to console each and everyone of you.

With Heavy Heart,

Dave and Family

800 Plus

Legs and Powerhouse have behind them 800 plus miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.  During the past week they've been to elevations of 7,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level and are currently at about 10,000 feet.  Their highest climb of the week was to the summit of Mt. Whitney, which they hiked at night.  They are into the Sierra Nevada's.

Pictures worth a thousand words, yet I have only four...

wish I were there.

The Sierra Nevada's

Shown above is a topical map of the Mt. Whitney area and the black circle represents where our hikers Legs, Powerhouse, and Treble are currently located.   The last Spot.com locator reading I received showed them on the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trail ascending Whitney at the 12,000 ft level.  Today they should reach the summit of Mt. Whitney at an elevation of approximately 14,498 ft above sea level.  I hope to have pics to share soon. 

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Their last stop and layover was in Kennedy Meadows California, population: 200, elevation: 6,427ft.  Here they took a couple days off from the trail to rest and let blistered feet heal.

Kennedy Meadows General Store...

Like back in the Old West Days (less the late model Fords, lol)

Horse and/or human troughs...

Ahhh yes, just like the Old West.

A hefty bear track on the trail reminds that we are in "Their" neck of the woods.

"Powerhouse" seems not be phased by the 600 + miles trekked.

Lookin' like a Aussie in the Outback with that stash!  Aye Mate!

Yet again, another one of those wonderful souls who provide a quenching drink for those thirsty hikers...

Mary, shown above with Amy, provides water at miles 616 and 631.

The PCT has taken them along the east slope of the Sierra mountain range with temps slightly milder than those of the Mojave and the foothills ascending into the Sierras shown here with virtually no shade or trees to shelter one from the sun. 

Small streams like this one helped to cool the body and quench the thirst.  As you can see, trees are now beginning to show.

A great spot is found to set up camp with plenty of fire wood, shelter from the wind, and a place to spend the night.

I hope to bring you more pictures soon of our hikers and the trail as they head further and further into the Sierra Nevada's.  700 + miles of trail behind them.  Here I'll leave you with a glimpse of the summit at Mt. Whitney and what they will be seeing soon.

14,498 ft.