Intro

Welcome to a story, or stories I should say. A compilation of adventure tales. An ongoing itch to see, smell, and touch the world, or at least the deserted roads and rarely trampled mountains of America. Characters within the descriptive paragraphs of these stories carve out the coming and going companions in life; vital life people and pieces that parallel a universe for moments, days, years. And then spear off, leaving granules of magnificent memories of magical places. They leave a lasting trace, a gained sense of courage to stand tall on oxygen deprived mountains and shout absurdities like: I love you Ralph! Ralph is a teenage reindeer stuffed of the finest synthetic polyester fiber poof; he says made in Indonesia but really tells me he is from the North Pole. Delivered through a chimney one December night 20 years ago, we instantly became cuddle buddies upon that morning's sunrise. He is the instigator. The inspiration. And the imagination. He breathes creativity. Laughter. His is a dear companion. And yes, at 4lbs he tags along atop a pack or strapped to a rack. In delirium of 107 degree heat, the small possession of material belongings gain a persona. Innate objects become friends of the road and trails. And as for the humans who accompany, their presence reads priceless. Without O'Reilly, a 29 year old New Hampshirian with superior taste buds, the mathematical six foot four inch tall German, or handful of organic peanut butter and 99 cent jam eating munchkins, there would be a lot less excitement. The encounters we make with our specie, encapsulating the world with their awkward ways and over consumerist love, somehow we have managed to become overly adored creatures. Their generous hearts restore a faith that goodness prevails in the upheaval of a sometimes lost humanity. As for myself, I'm just the navigator, paddling up the stream of life munching on Clif Bars, with an iPhone documenting the frailties and goodies underneath all the simplified complexities in the world we reside. So again, I welcome you to get lost and dream a little through this typed text and your imagination. My name is Kristen Gentilucci. I live in Berkeley California and I love dogs.


Friday, September 6, 2013

Day 11


Miles: 13.2
Elevation gain: 2700ft
Elevation loss: 1180ft
Altitude: 10,815ft at camp

They call it the golden staircase, but it is far from gold and definitely lacking an escalator or cable car. Completed in 1938, this was the last section of the JMT to be constructed and the only section unnavigable by LeConte with his stock on his 1908 expedition. Standing at the base, one walks almost literally into a granite wall. Unable to transverse a trail with the naked eye, this 1500 foot climb was nothing like the evenly planked stairs of an american home or even a lovely stair master at your local gym. Built by dynamite, these man made stairs of toodler high steps careened uneven slopes up and back and forth and around the granite wall. Exhausted at the top lay a lovely icicle lake where throbbing feet soak.

As dinner rolled through the campsite with growling tummies we realized we had made a big mistake. Bear canisters packed full of dehydrated veggies galore we left the one necessity of life 45 miles back at Muir Trail Ranch. Salt. Now, if I had been raised with an ounce of British blood, things might have been different. But I am American and salt comes in overdoses. Lack of, creates angry withdrawals and unhappy campers.

Craving salt like pirates trading spices for sugar, upon return to civilization I will continue to appreciate my over use of salt like a kid eating candy. 

Far enough in, we have made a few fellow friends stepping similar steps and days of length. Not many words are passed, but a warm hello or chat about the lack of bear sightings. With 2 passes to summit tomorrow and a 17 miler ahead we may leave behind our fellowest friend on the trail yet. With a farewell and best wishes, we carefully place a handful of precious M&Ms on the path ahead, atop the summit, with a note, "happy trails rebecca from Arizona" - Conrad Kristen and the Reindeer.