Halfway Through the Sierras: The Good and the Bad Days

OK, maybe the title is a bit misleading. As was on a postcard we found in a trail log near Tehachapi, ‘we do not remember days, we remember moments.’ As can be expected when you do something for half a year, there will be some bad moments as well. In the first section not as much, as the ‘we’re on vacation!’ mood was still overwhelming, but as being on trail becomes more normal, there are some moments that are not as awesome as others. Luckily, there have been far more good moments that are still overshadowing the bad ones. As every tough climb comes with beautiful views, I have not wanted to go home for even a second.

The Good Moments Are When:

• I feel strong (and I probably am stronger than ever)
• The view is awesome
• We’re having dinner with fellow hikers
• I meet new people
• I’m relaxing in the tent in my sleeping bag
• I feel like I achieved something I never thought I would (climbing Whitney and getting over Forester)
• There’s trail magic!!
• I see cute animals
• There are hot springs (Reds Meadow one is worth the little detour)
• There’s a lake we can swim in

The bad moments are when:

• I roll my ankle (happened 5x so far)
• We have to hike through mosquito swarms
• I’m just tired and every step seems to cost a lot of energy
• Postholing (I hate this, especially when my ankle still hurts 😂)