This morning I slept in until 7:30ish, only to find a snowstorm outside when I rolled out of bed. Of course, today was my last day in the hotel, so I had some figuring to do. I went to the cafe and had a large coffee while I thought. Wolverine showed up soon after, and we ended up spending the time talking about immigration, the Appalachian Trail, and aboriginal Australians instead. I was two hours from check-out and no closer to a decision. I went back to my room, enjoyed one last hot shower, and packed up.
So here's the deal, if I hike north I hit a ton of snow. Reports from the ranger station suggest 22 hours just to traverse one small section of trail. Now I don't have a four season tent. I don't have a three season tent. Hell, technically I don't have a complete tent at all. I have a footprint and a rain fly from a two season tent. I was counting on a mild winter to get me to the southern sierras, and I could take time off the trail then if needed.
Similarly, if I hike south I hit snow. Not only did today's storm add inches, there os another storm coming Friday.
I can stay here at the campsite, but that could mean 5 to 10 days before Wolverine and his experienced buddy head out, and even then it will be across snow fields. And lastly I can take a couple weeks off the trail, which will be hard because it is already killing me not hiking.
Regardless of what I decide, my feet are a little too messed up to be ready for heavy hiking for anothe day or two anyway. So for now I am huddled in my tent waiting.
When I got to camp it immediately started hailing and raining, so my stuff is a bit wet at the moment. Not to mention my rain fly is not strictly, what's the word? Waterproof. Mu bag is a tiny bit wet, and I have a feeling I will be a tad frosty by morning. By the way, the gepund was so soaked I had to set up my tent on top of a picnic table. The tent is bigger than the table thpugh, so the corners overhang the edges and make the height of the tent much smaller. There is hardly room to sit up halfway. Still, it's almost dry and reasonably warm for now. It's home :)
