Robert Francisco

Destination: Second Saddle

Starting Location: So Fork Kern River in Monache Meadows

Today’s Miles: 20.90

Trip Miles: 737.90

South Fork Kern (716.7, 7820) to Second Saddle (737.6, 10,260) ascent (5220) descent (2799) High (10,633)

I am exhausted beyond description. And while it is only 7:30 I can barely keep my eyes open. The extra weight, ascending 5000 + fet and the altitude took everything out of me. Had hoped to do about 24 miles today in order to set up for better timing (condition) of the snow, but we simply could not go on.

But it is so worth it. The mountains are spectacular and by being this early we get to see a lot of winter storm damage across the trail. Natural forces are amazing and to see huge trees uprooted or exploded by lightning demonstrates it.

This morning was by far our coldest & we woke up to heavy frost & frozen water bottles. It was so hard to get out of my bag and get going that it was 6:15 before our first steps. I am really glad I brought extra clothes for the Sierra. In the last 24 hours I have used them all.

Scott passed us about 9:30 and while we tried to keep up we could only hang with him for about 10 minutes. I hope he completes another yo yo. We will likely see him again in Southern Oregon as he is heading back to Mexico.

Thought a lot about my late great uncle George today. I actually did not know him very well but the man of my memories is still huge in my mind. George was reclusive & spent his summers in the Sierras near Bridgeport, his winters at the Colorado River, and the middle season at Tonopah. We visited him every year in the Sierra & I remember his hot cakes that he would keep warm in a double boiler, his grizzled stubble that he would shave with a straight razor and his willingness to spend time with a young boy who loved the woods. He and my grandfather let me play cribbage with them while they told stories and lies about days gone by. I have not thought about that in a long time and as I write this I find a tear in my eye for those great men. I missed George’s funeral because I was stationed out of the country & when I heard he had died I did not give it much thought. Interesting how 25 years later I grieve the loss but also celebrate the life lived in these mountains.

Destination: Second Saddle

Starting Location: So Fork Kern River in Monache Meadows

Today’s Miles: 20.90

Trip Miles: 737.90

South Fork Kern (716.7, 7820) to Second Saddle (737.6, 10,260) ascent (5220) descent (2799) High (10,633)

I am exhausted beyond description. And while it is only 7:30 I can barely keep my eyes open. The extra weight, ascending 5000 + fet and the altitude took everything out of me. Had hoped to do about 24 miles today in order to set up for better timing (condition) of the snow, but we simply could not go on.

But it is so worth it. The mountains are spectacular and by being this early we get to see a lot of winter storm damage across the trail. Natural forces are amazing and to see huge trees uprooted or exploded by lightning demonstrates it.

This morning was by far our coldest & we woke up to heavy frost & frozen water bottles. It was so hard to get out of my bag and get going that it was 6:15 before our first steps. I am really glad I brought extra clothes for the Sierra. In the last 24 hours I have used them all.

Scott passed us about 9:30 and while we tried to keep up we could only hang with him for about 10 minutes. I hope he completes another yo yo. We will likely see him again in Southern Oregon as he is heading back to Mexico.

Thought a lot about my late great uncle George today. I actually did not know him very well but the man of my memories is still huge in my mind. George was reclusive & spent his summers in the Sierras near Bridgeport, his winters at the Colorado River, and the middle season at Tonopah. We visited him every year in the Sierra & I remember his hot cakes that he would keep warm in a double boiler, his grizzled stubble that he would shave with a straight razor and his willingness to spend time with a young boy who loved the woods. He and my grandfather let me play cribbage with them while they told stories and lies about days gone by. I have not thought about that in a long time and as I write this I find a tear in my eye for those great men. I missed George’s funeral because I was stationed out of the country & when I heard he had died I did not give it much thought. Interesting how 25 years later I grieve the loss but also celebrate the life lived in these mountains.