Mile 767 to Mile 780.7. 13.7 miles
Today was always a quandary. Being 13.7 miles from Forester Pass meant we were unable to get up & over first thing when the snow has a hard crust. Forester Pass is the highest point on the PCT at 13200 feet. The day staryed ominously when after a couple of miles I had to don wet weather gear and a pack cover as snow flurries arrived. With having to ford 3 creeks as well, progress was slow. The PCT has now joined the John Muir Trail so views like this are common
The first pass of the day was Tyndall Pass at 11350 feet which have 360 degree views including a view ahead to our lunch at Tyndall Creek
After a lunchtime meeting with Two Packs (carried 170 pounds out of Kennedy Meadows & spends a lot of time fishing the remote lakes up here) we started the climb towards Forester Pass
But the weather was looking threatening as we climbed (Banjo in picture)
In the photo below Forester Pass is the small notch in the mountain range with a steep switchback climb carved in to the rock
As we got closer the weather closed in with groppel falling and conditions darkening as lightening flashes around the mountain tops. Rather than risking the ascent at 3.30 pm & dealng with snow on the other side we decided to camp at the base of the Pass on an exposed site. I had to scrape around to get a tent site on what was fundamentally rock with tent pegs wedged by rocks.
Two hikers came through and went over the Pass at 6.00 pm - advising that there was a weather warning for Sunday mid morning with snow. We decided to stay put with 7 others as company. Our plan was to ascend at 5.00 pm and get down towards an exit at Keersage Pass....weather permitting...Weta
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