Journal pages, no. 3

1. First sighting of Donahue Pass || 2. After climbing up out of the meadow, we came to this stream, which gets its water from the lake we would hike to that night - also visible in picture 5. || 3. A panorama of that area. The sight was shocking after spending all the earlier miles in forests and meadows. We were really gaining altitude. || 4. Ben filled his water bottle here - no filter necessary. || 5. A panorama of our campsite that night. || 6. This lake was just below our campsite - crystal clear and freezing cold. We captured it in the morning light before starting out on day four.

On mountain passes: 

Day 3 meant hiking our first mountain pass - this one, Donahue Pass, led us out of Yosemite and into Inyo National Forest. The thought made my stomach hurt, which led to two lost hiking hours beside a creek (a seriously beautiful creek that I do not have pictures of), debating whether I had the guts to keep going. I remember telling Ben, Maybe this is how we'll grow as a couple, by failing at something, and forgiving me for it. He was devastated, but I couldn't shake the gnawing emptiness in my stomach. At this point, my appetite was non-existent during the day. Fear, maybe? Survival instincts? Anyway, I looked at Donahue Pass on the map and really wondered if I was going to make it. If we crossed over that first pass, I was committed to 12 more. I knew that. I had only hiked one mountain before, Longs Peak, and it kicked my butt. Was I committing two weeks to feeling like that every day? I had to ask the question, and, really, I had to find the answer for myself. The truth was mixed, but we can wait for those sorts of details... for now, here's Day 3 of my trail journal. If you haven't already, you can read Days 1 & 2 and see their associated photos. The introduction to this little trip down memory lane is available on Day 1.

July 11, 2012, Day 3 - 14 miles: 

We hiked 5 miles. We almost turned around (seriously - almost. On the trail.) We didn't. I'm sleeping on top of a mountain - the sun is setting orange over the surrounding mountains. Seriously? Fourth & 99. So thankful. So in love.