Desert Experience: Day 3

12 August, 2000 ~ 9:00am
Elevation 7,000ft. / 2,133.6 Meters
Temp: 50 F. / 10 C.

Boy did it get cold last night! There was frost on the ground this morning but i was toasty, warm, and snug in my down mummy bag. i woke at 6:15 AM and it was a very beautiful morning!!! Clear sky-sun rising- clouds ringed by mountain peaks. It looked like the lake of soft cotton gently blowing in the breeze.

i got dressed and decided to go and find a place to watch the sun rise and pray. i found a flat altar like stone resting on a pedestal of granite. When i arrived at the spot i noticed that the rock was split in two. i name that place "Asland Rock." This is a very cool place to pray, marvel at God's creation, and meditate.

The pesky mosquitoes were out in force this morning! i broke my sunglasses while swatting one near my ear. It is off to the "Snowy Lakes" later today. My morning routine has been the same as the yesterday.

5:45 pm. - "Snowy Lakes"
6,900 Feet / 2,103 Meters
Temp: 71 F. / 21 C.

Arrived at 3:20 & began my normal routine of setting up camp. i just replenished my water supply from the lake. While hiking over another pass i decided to quit the hiking thing and just settle in to pray and study. i went from 7,000 ft. (2,133.6 Meters) down to 5,476 ft (1,669 Meters) then back up to 6,900 ft (2,103 Meters) It made for a rough eight kilometers (5 miles). So this is going to be my base camp.

This is a more elaborate camp. i've built a stone circle around my whisper lite stove to block the wind a bit. Tomorrow is the Sabbath so i will rest : pray and read the Bible. i'm soo tore up. The last 500 feet of elevation was nearly straight up a mountain goat trail. It was brutal! With the temperature my 3 quarts (2.8 liters) of water was used up by lunch.

By camping so high up i avoid most of the mosquito's during the day. i prefer the wind over being food for an insect. Time to pray.

8:55 pm. - Temp: 48 F. / 21 C.

When the sun goes down it gets very cold. There is a meteor shower tonight and at this elevation it should be awsome. My alarm watch should go off at 11:30 pm and i'll stick my head out of my tent and enjoy the show. There is a couple up here with their dog. [PN] i miss Cheryl!! The sunset was awesome & my best friend was not here to share it with me. (Sunset 8:15 pm)

Now i remember why i usually spend only 3-4 days in the bush. i get bored. When all your chores are done what do you do? Pray and whittle on my walking stick so the grip is more comfortable. Hiking up a ridge to pray sounded like a cool idea but then i remembered that i'm here to pray more than i am to hike. [SN] going to a high place to worship? Not proper context but still ironic none the less.

[PN] i miss the companionship of my wife. Her voice, laugh, smile, bright eyes; i long for her touch.
~ Moonrise -WOW!!!
~Time to sleep. Tomorrow i'll read my Bible

[PN] = Personal Note
[SN] = Spiritual Note

Comments

[Belle]

Wow.

God bless your journey.

[Matt Brennecke]

Sounds like a great trip.
I hope you have iodine tablets or a serious filter for that water. Giardia is nasty.

[Darren]

I have a serious water filter! It was recommemded to me by a micor-biologist at the UW. I could not afford to be ill on a 10 day solo trip. Iodine tabs are my backup incase the filter breaks.

[Matt Brennecke]

Good job. I have done some backpacking in the mountains of New Mexico, and on one trek we lost a guy to Giardia (he didn't die, just that a jeep had to come take him off the trail). It wasn't pretty.