From Tehachapi to Kennedy Meadows we had a long stretch of 9 days. We decided not to stop for a resupply in Onyx and go straight through and save some time (after our little desert adventure) so we could still get to Kennedy Meadows by the 15th.
This next stretch we hoped to be heading higher into the clouds but quickly came to realize that we'd be experiencing the desert once again, only at higher elevations. I think Will summed it up nicely by saying, "water is scarce, the weather is hot, and spirits are low".
We made it into Kennedy Meadows (the Gateway to the Sierras) on June 15th. Just the day we had planned on. We decided to take a few days off to get our heads back in the game, get hydrated, and take some much needed time off.
At this point Will and I have pretty much figured out what it is we wanted to "DO" with the rest of our lives. And we both felt like that part of our jouney was over and the rest was a journey of finishing. It was a hard call but I decided it was time to go home, be an adult, and head in for that surgery that I had put off before the hike. I felt in a really good place about the decision because I had figured out 'my plan' for after the hike and I didn't want to be air lifted out of the Sierras or anything.
The decision was a hard call to make and even tougher to make without some sort of regret no matter which way I had decided. Will decided to give it another week without me (though I know he'll finish). I'm working on his next resupply boxes and saw that he's near the Whitney Portal tonight (getting ready for the big summit tomorrow). I really wish I was there with him. And seeing how the timeline looks for surgery I'm hoping to make it back out and at least catch Will in Oregon, if not sooner.
Making adult decisions doesn't always satisfy the soul, but they may become necessary to one's physical well being. For Will, I hope you are staying warm with my sleeping bag liner and know you are missed.
Will, will be sending me updates (seriously he's actually going to write stuff down and mail it to me) and I'll be updating that as soon as it becomes available. Oh and some great pictures to come, as soon as Will gets out of the Sierras.
Best Wishes,
Steph
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