I was (to be blunt) too big/fat to do the trek justice. I struggled badly on the hills and this made me very slow. I was walking 7-8 hours yet at times felt like I was treading water. Whilst I had no great schedule that I had to stick to, there are practical issues to going so slow. You need enough food and fuel basically.
I turned around just before the top of Donahue Pass. I didn’t want to get to the top then turn around because I may have been tempted to push on (2-3 days to Reds Meadow). Also I wanted to save the great views.
When I did turn around I headed downhill to Tuolumne Meadows, this was only around 12 miles, yet I was ready to drop when I reached the campsite. This made me happy that I had made the right decision.
Things I got wrong –
Obvious really - No training and gaining weight (20kgs since April). The heat hit me hard, over 30 degrees most days, but this is again can be linked back to the weight.
Things I got right –
The gear. The pack weight was not an issue (14-15kgs inc. food and water). Pack, shelter, quilt were all pretty damn great. At no time did I think I had forgot or needed something.
We've been backpacking in Yosemite and the High Sierra quite a few times over the years and the first time we went we got it all wrong because of the altitude. After that, we got it down to a bit of a fine art! We used to spend a week camping and walking at Tuolumne Meadows first (8,600ft) to well acclimatise, before setting out on long backpacking trips (long meaning 6 - 8 days). We also used to reckon on a speed of no more than one and a half miles per hour with a heavy backpack.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful country isn't it, though? Look forward to hearing more when you return :)
I don't 'think' I had altitude issues, but who knows! Tuolumne is a great area too, so are the parts round Reds Meadow. I like the American campsites in general, especially in the woods.
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