Hiking Together: Meetup: Day 35 – Sunday 8/16/2020 – 1852.6 – clear, sunny, some clouds, pleasant. I woke at the campground at 4:45 am. I used my headlamp to pack up. I put my regular backpack next to the ladder. I took my day pack and poles. On the way to the trail I stopped at the toilets. I was on trail about 5:35 am. I only had to use my headlamp for 15-20 minutes until it was light enough to see. I did wear gloves and vest to keep the chill off. I left campground and circumnavigated Twin Lakes. At the start of the Hope Pass climb I sent a message to Justin telling him I’ve started [“At 1846.6 and beginning ascent” Aug 16, 2020 10:49 AM]. Steadily I climbed without stopping for all 4100’. It took until 12:15 pm or about 37.5 minutes per mile. At the Pass Justin was not there so I sat and ate my lunch. Milkshake, another hiker, was there as was a couple. After lunch I began to descend because I was cold from sitting still. A few minutes later I met Justin on the way up. He was nearly at the summit. So I waited for him to summit and return. Then we began the arduous descent in earnest. Down and down and down on a steep and rocky trail we went. About an hour and a half of repeated braking with my poles and pressure on my poor sore ankle. When we were almost at the bottom Justin offered to Milkshake and another hiker who were hiking behind us to come to the Jeep and get sodas. They did even though they hike down and up 0.2 mile. We chatted and then they left to continue their hiking. I did my resupply, set up my tent and am trying to relax after quite a long and strenuous day.
