Saturday, July 27, 2013

Notes from Segment 3: The Mokelumne

A huge, light tan, rectangular figure glided noiselessly through the moonlit distance. Opposite, across the lake, the mountain glowed with the color of bone, intricately woven with deeply filigreed shadows in the lunar light. In the next days, we would be stung by bees and gouged by an endless procession of protruding manzanita branches. A startled rattlesnake would slither to the side of the trail and warily coil nearby. A mountain lion would slouch ephemerally up the mountainside.

We were descending through the Mokelumne River canyon, in one of the remotest areas of the central Sierra. Decades ago the powers-that-be stopped maintaining the trails here, making it necessary for us to find our own route through the forest and over granite outcrops, with occasional help from animal trails and “ducks” left by previous travelers. There were abundant treasures to be found: a refreshing, multiple-pool swimming hole carved in the granite; a stunning view upstream to a geometrically proportioned, stairstep cataract in a hanging canyon as we descended into the Enchanted Forest.

For two days we encountered only three other hikers. What a rare and unusual privilege it was to be in this isolated grandeur!

This was a physically demanding – even exhausting – three days, but magnificently rewarding, and every step for such a worthwhile cause.

I am left with a final, lingering image. At the end of our thirty-mile Segment 3, as most of us gratefully and wearily climbed into our cars to drive down the mountain to a hot lumberjack lunch, our leader Annette continued on in the rain, moving forward to Segment 4 and a journey of another fifteen days, 120 miles to go.

Sunday, July 14, 2013


Trek for a Cure 2013 has officially begun. This morning, July 14, 2013 at 10:30 am. Annette, Candice, Audrey, Devyn and Ella set out up the Meeks Bay trail head access to Desolation Wilderness area. There was so much excitement and enthusiasm in the truck as I drove everyone up to the drop off point. I am always struck by how focused everyone is when leaving on a trip. Everyone’s thoughts are on the trail ahead and they are antsy to get going. Still I made them pose for pictures before letting them go on their way. Then I gave Annette a kiss goodbye and she was out of sight within two minutes. I am reminded of a goodbye described in Jack Kerouac’s "On the Road." He describes his departing friend as “He turned and leaned into his life and he was gone.”

That’s why I enjoy homecomings more. Well here are some photo’s from the launch.

Marc “Truck for a Cure” Lancet
The intrepid Trekers of section one. Annette, Candice, Audrey, Ella and Devyn
The traditional beginning of the Trek. Putting your best foot forward.

"And they turned, leaned into their lives and were gone."
 
Annette sporting the banner created by Ronit. More than ready to get started. Into the wild, and into our hearts. Wilderness as cure, community as balm.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Finally on our way!

I have all of my food packed and bagged and ready to go! Whew! I tried to pack at least 1 1/2 to 2 pound of food a day. It is better to have too much than not enough! We meet at the Trailhead at Meeks Bay on Sunday at 9:30 at will be off by 10 a.m. It has been a wonderful last several months as we have raised money for the MPN Research Foundation to find a cure for blood cancer. Thank you for all of your generous support! There are 22 hikers in total getting on and off along the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. I am hoping that as folks get off the trail they will share their experiences in the wilderness on this blog and on the Facebook Trek for a Cure page! I am very excited and can't wait to share adventures and tales of the trail when we get out at Tuolumne Meadows. Thank you again for all your wonderful support! Keep it green and muddy! Annette