PCT mile 887

This morning, July 8th, I received a call from Dave. He was finishing packing and anxious to get back on the trail. The day before, July 7th, while they were on the trail, they were hoping to get to the ferry to take them to VVR to pick up their resupply package. They realized that they were cutting it close. Missing the ferry meant one more day not hiking. The ferry only travels twice a day, once in the morning and once at 4:45 pm. Fire Marshall ran ahead to try and keep the ferry from leaving. Dave led Zero and they moved as quickly as they could. They arrived at the ferry at 5:00, and Fire Marshall had done it - he had held the ferry. If they had not made it, they would have had another 4.5 miles to walk, or wait for the ferry in the morning. They were really in need of rest and were happy to avoid unnecessary walking!

Dave was told in the morning that there was one spot that AT&T mobile customers could get a signal. (No other cell phones received signals in this area). He called me to check in, see what was happening at home, and let me know they are planning on being at Mammoth this Saturday to get the new supplies I had sent on. (The supplies arrive Saturday!) Let's hope they both get there on time!

They got on the 9:45 ferry this morning, heading back out to the trail. The SPOT came in at 7:06 pm. They are at PCT mile 887. Check this out at the PCT Half Mile Maps California Section H, page 19.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html

Today they went over Silver Pass, PCT Mile 885 at 10,910 feet. They are in the John Muir Wilderness area. There are a multitude of lakes in this area. Silver pass lake, Chief Lake, Squaw Lake, Papoose Lake, Warrior Lake, and Wilbor May Lake are just a few. Tomorrow they will be walking towards / past Lake Virginia. I'm sure Dave will be thinking about his Mom when he learns the name of that lake! I know he thinks abut all his family all the time. He told me that he has so much time to think and miss people. He has also been passing places that he and I have backpacked, and was getting a bit choked up talking about it. Dave is already planning another hike with places that I've not been to that he wants me to see... hummm, do I have 6 months to take off and hike??

Update from Dave:
When they left Mammoth the other day, they took the bus into Bishop. On the bus they met two employees from Fish & Game. These two have a job counting sheep. They offered to help out the guys by giving them a ride to South Lake. They didn't waste much time getting back on the trail. Dave was excited that they have been able to hike about 15 miles each day since. Today was 10 miles because of the late start. He is really hoping to ramp up the mileage in the next few weeks. He is enjoying all the adventures that they are having. That is always the best thing I can hear from him, that he is happy and enjoying his experience.

Trail Angel Jane