Tuolumne to VVR ---the training sections

7/30(土)

シングル・ウォールなのでテント内は結露だらけ。手ぬぐいでぬぐうと無問題。6時に起きる。マフィン、バナナ、チーズ、コーヒーの朝食。マフィンは非常に甘い。大滝さんが来るという話だが、来ない。連絡が取れない。やむをえず、出かけることにした。Wilderness Officeに行き、Permission をもらう。一端、テントに戻り、10時、日帰りハイキングに出発、Cathedral Lakeに向かう。朝から雲が多めで天気は良くない。雪が残っていた。Upper Cathedral Lakeの側で休憩、昼食。蚊だらけで、落ち着いて食べられない。トレール・ランニングの人に「蚊だらけだ」というと、「だから走っているんだ」と答えた。12:50、引き返すことにした。遠くの雷鳴が近づいている。気持ちはよくない。15時過ぎにstoreに戻る。土砂降りになってしまった。携帯電話のSIMカードは料金切れで使えなくなった。storeで小銭に換えてもらい、大滝さんの奥さんに伝言をする。Storeも満員、野菜とソーセージと全粒粉の食パンを購入。よく見ると、価格は高めだし、旨そうな物はない。16:20、テントに入る。外は雷雨。夕食はソーセージのサンドイッチとスープ。ソーセージは塩辛い。若者が近くにテントを張った。ボクシングをやっている。ハイキングはトレーニングの一環という。小雨になった時にゴムチューブをベンチに通し、上半身の筋力トレーニングをしていた。良く寝るためだそうだ。少し離れた所には6, 7人の集団がブルーシートをかぶって、そのまんま寝ている。

7/30(Sat)
My tent was full of condensation, So I wiped it with a towel. I get up at 6:00. I ate a muffin, banana, cheese, and coffee. The muffin was too sweet for me. Mr. Otaki did not come. I decided to go to Wilderness Office. I come back to my tent at 10:00, and started day's hiking to Cathedral Lake. It was not fine weather, cloud was thick in the morning, and snow was left. I ate lunch at the vicinity of Upper Cathedral Lake. There are a lots of mosquitoes and I could ate calmly. I said to the trail runner "a lots of mosquitoes!". He responded "That the reason why I am running." I decided to return at 12:50, because thunder storm approached. I felt uneasiness.It became pouring. I came back to the store at 15:00.　The SIM card of the cell-phone was running out of a rate and was not usable.　I had change money into coins at the store and made a telephone call to Mrs. Otaki. The store is full of people. I purchased vegetables and sausage and graham bread. The price is expensive as compared to Yosemite Valley. I entered the tent at 16:20. The thunderstorm came. The dinner were sandwiches and soup of the sausage. The sausage was salty. A young hiker set up a tent near my tent. He was doing boxing, so the hiking was a part of its training. When it became gentle rain, he put a rubber tube through the bench and trained his upper body. A group of people lay and slept covered with a blue sheet, slightly remote place.


7/31(日)

5:00に目が覚める。皆さん寝ているので、ベアボックスから食料をそっと取り出す。全粒粉食パンとマンゴーとコーヒーの朝食。アメリカのパンで食えるのは食パンらいかな。他は激烈に甘い。少し頭痛がする。高山病の初期症状。腕時計では高度2500メーター。7:20出発。隣の若者はまだ寝ている。朝から雲があり、やばい印象。川の水位は高く、渦巻くように流れている。釣り道具をもったハイカーがいたので写真を撮ってもらった。9:30、最初の岩のある場所で休憩。2年前にも休憩した。10:20、昨年、休憩した場所の少し先で昼食。パンとココア。少し頭痛がするので、ロキソニンを一錠飲む。今日は早くからガスが出ていたのでThunderstormが近づく。10:45、出発、曇り。11:30 Island Lakeの分岐。3人のハイカーが向かう。小雨と雷。幸いに雷は比較的遠いので無視して歩く。小川があり、これがかなりの増水。ぐるりと周り、思い切って飛び込むが、皆さんは躊躇している。12:45小雨、靴が濡れて気持ちが悪いので、ネオプレーンのソックスを履く。意外にいける。13:30登り開始。14:10休憩、パンを食べる。雷雨がやむ。2865m地点。15:10橋を渡る。すごい水量になっている。果たして徒渉は大丈夫か、心配になる。16:00徒渉点に到達。水位は高い。少し上流の広い部分を渡る人が数人。腰までの水位。ぐるっと上流へ回る手もあるのだが、まあ、無理しないで、ここでテント泊とし、明日の水位を観察することにした。山にはかなりの残雪。テントは4方から引っ張ってポールを入れるとお仕舞い。立てやすい。1人で使うと広すぎるのが欠点だが、結露はたいした事ない。ビーフジャーキーは塩辛いので、一度ゆでてからお湯を捨て、その後、料理の材料にすることにした。まあ、何時もの夕食だが。20時頃に目が覚めたのでミューズリとミルク。

7/31(Sun)
I wake up at about 5:00. I took out food quietly from a bear box, because all were sleeping. I ate graham bread, dry mango, and coffee. I have slight headaches. It might be an syndrome of altitude sickness. My watch indicated 2,500 meters from the sea level. I started to hike at 7:20. There was a thick cloud in the morning, and it seemed to be an sign of thunderstorm. The water level of the river was high and drifted to swirl. At 9:30, I took a break at the place with the first rock appeared, where I took a break two years ago. At 10:20, I took a bread and cocoa as a lunch at the vicinity of the place, that I had took a break last year. And, I took one tablet of loxonin, because I have slight headache. At 10:45, I started to hike. At about 11:30, three hikers went to Island Lake. A gentle rain and thunder. Fortunately, the interval time between lightning and sound were relatively long, I ignored the thunder. There was a flooding brook. I jumped into the brook, but several hikers
hesitated. My boots got wet, so I wore neoprene socks, which worked very well. A climb started at 13:30. I took a break, and ate bread at 14:10. A thunderstorm ended. I was at a 2,865m spot. I crossed the footbridge at 15:10. The water level was very high. I began worrying whether the fording was possible. I arrived at the fording point at 16:00. The water level is high. Several hiker crossed the upper part of the river. The water level was to a waist. I decided to stay and observe the tomorrow's water level. Considerable snow was remaining on the mountain. My tent was very easy to set up. The beef jerky was salty, so I boiled the beef jerky, and threw away hot water. I ate usual dinner. I woke up at about 20:00, so I ate muesli and milk.


8/1(月)

4:30に起きる。パン、マンゴー、コーヒーの朝食。少し頭痛がするのでロキソニンを一錠飲む。6:10出発、川の水位は30センチばかり下がっている。飛び石伝いに渡った。水は踝程度。簡単だった。防水ブーツだから濡れない。ゴアでないシューズが良いという意見もあるが、ゴア入りブーツだと濡れにくいので、冷たい思いをしなくても済む。雪は見たほどではない。トレール上の雪はほとんど溶けていた。Donohue Passだけはさすがに真っ白。せっかくだからアイゼンを付けて直登する。傾斜が緩いので、本当はアイゼン不要。峠越えをすると、雪も消失。9:30 Rush Creek、ココアを飲んで休憩。10:00 Marie Lakes分岐。本当は寄り道したいが、先に進む。12:00Island Pass、雪はほとんど消失していた。オスプレイのバックパックの青年が休憩中。たまたま近くで昼食とした。大きなMarmotがいた。12:30出発、Emerald Lake, Garnet Lakeが見えた。雪がかなり残っていて、人が急に少なくなった。ほとんどの人はPCTのルートを使っているようだ。16:00 Garnet Lakeの出口付近の高台にテント設営。なかなか良い場所。人もいない。テントは2カ所、ステイクが効かないので、岩で固定。その後、1時間以上して男のハイカー二人きて、さらに高台の岩の上にテントを設営した。自立式は意外に便利。ただ、その後、二人とも下りてこない。疲れているようだ。18:20食事終了。

8/1(Mon)
I got up at about 4:30. My breakfast were bread, dry mango, and the coffee. I took one tablet of loxonin, because I have slight headache. The water level of the river went down by approximately 30 centimeters at 6:10.
I forded the river on the boulders. The water level was about my ankle. I wore the waterproof boots, so I did not get wet. There was an opinion that the waterproof shoes were not needed, but when you wore waterproof shoes you hardly get wet and feel cold. Most of the snow on the trail was melted. But Donohue Pass was covered by snow. I attached the crampons and climbed Donohue pass directly. Then, the snow disappeared. I took a short break and drunk cocoa at Rush Creek. At 10:00, junction to Marie Lakes. At 12:00 Island Pass. Most of the snow disappeared. The young hiker was taking a break, his backpack was Osprey. There was a big marmot. I took a lunch. I started to hike at 12:30. Soon I saw Emerald Lake, and Garnet Lake. Much snow was left, and hikers disappeared suddenly. Most people went to the the route of PCT. I set up my tent on the hill at the exit of Garnet Lake at 16:00. A very good place. No one was there. I fixed two guy of lines of tent by rocks. One hour passed, two hikers came and set up tents on the rock of the hill. The self-standing tents were versatile. They never went down, they seemed to be tired. I ate dinner at 18:20.


8/2(火)

5:00に起きる。パン、マンゴー、コーヒーの朝食。朝のGarnet Lakeを撮影。Garnet Lakeから少し登ると、ハイカーが3人いた。昨日1人落ちた、気を付けろと言われた。昨日、夕方通った女性だろうか。クランポンを持っていると答えた。ただ、雪は大したことない。ブーツだし、クランポンの必要はなかった。シューズの人は多少危ないのだろう。8:10見晴らしの良い場所で休憩。側に水が流れているので、テントサイトにもできる。9:00 Shadow Lake とEdiza Lakeの分岐。バックパックを木陰にデポしてサイドトリップ。Shroomerが小さい頃、お父さんに連れて行かれた場所という。途中もなかなか綺麗。10:10 Ediza Lake着。湖の手前で道が地図と異なり、川を渡る。メモ帳を落としたことに気づく。ハイカーに聞くと、歩いて1時間くらいの所で見たという。帰りを急ぐ。しばらくするとハイカーの集団が登ってきた。10:45。そのうちの一人がノートを落とさなかったかと聞く。そうだと答えると、日本人だと思ったといって渡された。それでメモ帳は無事に手元に。サイドトリップに出た所で落としたらしい。途中で今晩の夕食ように野生のニラを少し頂く。11:30、元の分岐に到着。バックパックを整え、12:00 Shadow Lake。ニラが一杯生えている。アメリカ人は食べないようだ。12:30 昼食、キャーキャー鳴く鳥がいる。猫のような声。13:50 Rosalie Lake ファミリーキャンパーがいる。大きなテント。14:20 Gladys Lake着。ここから下ると蚊の王国。食料は山ほどあるし、テント設営した。Red Meadow方面からハイカーが二人。少し話しかけると、日本人だった。岡夫妻。予定があるのか、急いでいた。少し話す。雨具上下着て、Gladys Lakeで水を6リッター確保。蚊だらけ。テントに戻る途中でTuolumneで会ったフレームパックの高齢の女性。ここの方が蚊がすくないよというが、もう少し行くという。Tuolumneの発音がなかなか通じない。Shroomerに会うと言ったので、彼のお勧めの場所に行って写真を撮したよという。16:30 食事の支度等、すべて終了。誰も来ないし、やることもない。暇だからすぐ近くの岩の丸いピークまで歩く。登ってみて驚いた。360度が見える。絶景。超穴場だった。Passから5分の距離なのに、誰も知らないだろうな。

8/2(Tue)
I wake up at 5:00. I took usual breakfast; bread, dry mango, and the coffee. I took photographs of Garnet Lake in the morning. When I climbed a little from Garnet Lake, there were three hikers. One of them said "One fell yesterday, Be careful". I thought it might be the woman who had gone in the evening yesterday. I answered " I had crampons, no problem!" There was not much snow as had expected. I took a short break at the great view point beyond the pass at 8:10. These aria might be suitable for camping, because the small brook flowed near. At about 9:00, junction of Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake. I put my backpack in the shade of a tree; and began a side trip.
Shroomer said that Ediza Lake was a beautiful place and he had hiked with his father when he was young. At 10:10, I arrived at Ediza Lake. I noticed that I had dropped a memo pad. I asked to an elder hiker, he said had seen it about 1 hour ago. I returned hastily. I met a group of hikers at 10:45. I was asked whether I had dropped a notebook. I was handed my notebook. I had dropped it at the junction where I started a side trip. I took some leaves of wild onion. At 11:30, I returned to the junction. At 12:00, Shadow Lake. There was a lots of wild onion. At 12:30, I ate lunch. The bird sang like a cat. Several family campers were in Rosalie Lake at 13:50. I arrived at Gladys Lake at 14:20. When I advanced from this place, I hike into the kingdom of the mosquito. I had full of food, so I decided to stay here, and set up my tent. Two hiker appeared from the Red Meadow direction. I talked a little. They were Japanese, Mr. and Mrs. Oka. We talked for a while. Then, I wore a rain suit, and went to Gladys Lake and got 6 liters water. When I returned, I met the old woman with the frame pack, who I met at Tuolumne Store. I said this place was ideal for camping because of few mosquitoes, but she said she wanted to go farther. The preparations for meal are finished all at 16:30. Nobody came, I had nothing to do. So, I walked to the round peak of the rock nearby. I was surprised when I climbed it. A wonderful view. It shows 360 degrees. This place was only five minutes walk from the Pass. Nobody knows!


8/3(水)

5:30に起き。パン、マンゴー、コーヒーの朝食。7:00出発。日陰には少し雪があるが、大したことはなかった。一時間くらい歩くと、昨日の高齢の女性、二人でテントで休憩していた。少し話す。歩いていると、若い女性が突然背後から現れた。カメラが水没したので、Mammothにカメラを買いに行くという。たぶん、Lyell Headwater で強引に徒渉したのだろう。9:05道が大きく方向を変えている場所で休憩。9:30 Johnston Lake、蚊だらけ。こんな所でテントを張る気にはなれない。11:30 Red Meadowのレストランに到着。途中、シャワーを探したが見当たらない。20ドルするキャンプ場の中かも。日替わりサンドイッチは旨い。来る途中で話しをしたAlex, Brian, Tomがテーブルに誘ってくれる。同席して少し話しをする。彼らは時間がないので数日のハイキングだった。彼らは先に店を出た。コーヒーはお代わりしてくれたのでのんびりとする。店を出て、トイレに行き、頭を洗う。みんな同じことをしている。公衆電話があったので大滝さんに電話連絡。水を確保して12:40出発。15:00 Red Cones ココアを飲む。テントを張るのは早い。15:45分Upper Crater Meadow。キャンプ地を探している人たちがいたので、Red Conesの場所を教えた。こちらも少し進んでテントを張ることにした。16:30 The Thumbの見える所で、トレールから出て、テント設営。誰もいない良い場所。Deer Creek まで30ほど手前だが、蚊がいない。ビーフジャーキーが不味いし、塩辛いので、湯煎して味抜きしてから食事の材料にすることにした。


8/3(Wed)
I wake up at 5:30. I ate bread, dry mango, and the coffee. I stated to hike at 7:00. There was some snow in the shade, but was not serious. I took a short break when I walked for around one hour, because I met yesterday's old woman. She rested with her friend near their tents. We talked for a while. I hiked on. A woman appeared from the rear suddenly. She said her camera got wet and broken, and she wanted to buy camera at Mammoth. I thought she forded at Lyell Headwater. At 9:05, I took a break at the huge switchback. At 9:30, Johnston Lake, full of mosquitoes. I could not set a tent in such a place. At 11:30, Mule Cafe in Red Meadow. I had tried to find a shower on the way, but I cannot. It may be in the campground, but its entrance fee was 20 dollars. Today's sandwich was very delicious. Alex, Brian, and Tom were there. I was invited to their table, so I moved to their table and talk for a while. They left the restaurant earlier than me. I was easy-going, and drunk more coffee. Then, I left the restaurant and went to the restroom and wash my hair. Everybody did same thing. I found public telephones, so I called Mr. Otaki. At 12:40, I started to hike. At 15:00, I drunk cocoa at Red Cones. At 15:45, Upper Crater Meadow. The group of hiker were looking for a campground, so I taught the ideal place near Red Cones. I walked forward. At 16:30, I saw The Thumb. I walked off the trail and sets up a tent. No one was. Few mosquitoes. Because beef jerky was tasted bad and was salty, I decided to boil it before use it as material of the meal.



8/5(金)

5時頃起きる。6:10出発、7:12 Tully Hole、7:45 Cascade ValleyとSilver Pass分岐、2年前にキャンプした場所。ここから登りになる。フェリーに間に合うか不明。2年前より時刻は一時間以上遅い。ある程度登り、川沿いのトレールになると、蚊だらけ。キャンプ適地が続くが、蚊が多すぎて不適。9:40 Squaw Lake着。エナジーバーとココアで休憩。ハイカーが3名追いつく。目的地は同じようだ。フェリーの時刻を聞くと16:30という。10:10 出発。少しペースを上げる。三人のハイカーたちは長く休憩していて、追いついて来ない。もう一泊してからVVRかもしれない。11:26 Silver Pass、やはり雪が多かったのでクランポンを付けたが、キックステップでも十分に登れる。12:00 Silver Pass Lakeの昨年キャンプした場所で休憩、パンとココア。13:20 尖った岩山が見える場所で休憩。カップルの犬連れハイカーが登ってきた。男はひげだらけ。13:40 Pocket Meadow なかなか遠い。さらにピッチを上げて歩く。バックパックが30キロ近いのか重い。16:10 フェリー乗り場着。看板を見ると16:45分発とあるが、実際は16:30に出港した。疲れた。VVRでJimに挨拶。check in 後にテントを張り、シャワー。クックのByronがいなくてがっくり。夕食はサラダとチキンフライにアップルパイ。夜、すぐ側にテントを張った人がいたのか、いびきがひどく聞こえる。耳栓をして寝た。

8/5(Fri)
I wake up at about 5:00. I started to hike at 6:10. At 7:12, Tully Hole, At 7:45, the junction of Cascade Valley and Silver Pass, where I had camped two years ago. I began to climb from here. I was not sure that I could walk to the ferry terminal in time. I was late about one hour at this place compared to two years ago. The trail became riverside and there are full of mosquitoes. There are too many mosquitoes to camp. At 9:40, I arrived Squaw Lake. I took a break with an energy bar and cocoa. Three hikers caught up with me. Their destination was same with me. I asked the departure time of the ferry to the hiker. He responded with 16:30. At 10:10, I started to hike. I slightly walked faster. Three hikers took a break for a long time and did not catch up with me. They might be stay one more night before VVR. Silver Pass was covered by snow, so I attached the crampons at 11:26.
At 12:00, I took a long break, ate bread and cocoa near Silver Pass Lake, where I had camped last summer. At 13:20, I met a couple, who accompanied with dog. The male was full of mustaches. At 13:40, I reached Pocket Meadow. The ferry terminal was far. I made speedup. My backpack was heavy. It weighed at least 30 kilograms. At 16:10, I arrived ferry terminal. At about 17:00, I met Jim in VVR, set up my tent, and had a shower. Mr. Byron was not there. I missed him. I ate fried chicken, salad, and an apple pie. In this night, I heard terrible snoring at night. I used earplugs and slept well.