Woke up absolutely freezing in my sleeping bag after Thorn’s hot tip
WATERFALL KISS = FIRE
File “searing-hot pain of tending my wound” under fire, too, but not in a good way
Thorn had a rough day, and for a while he was icing everyone out…I feel a bit better now that we’ve talked, but not entirely. Hopefully he’ll continue to thaw out tomorrow because I much prefer the aforementioned fire (of the waterfall kiss variety).
DAY EIGHT
Moonbow Falls at Alexandria Flat to Sparrow Valley
The foothill paths along the southeastern stretch of the Mackenzie Lake Loop offer some of the most spectacular views in the entire park. After a day at arid Alexandria Flat, the sprawling vista of trees is quite the wonder to behold—just be mindful of the steady incline in the first half of the trek, which can be troublesome for the unprepared. Hikers will rejoice at what awaits on the other side, though: Sparrow Valley—along with the majestic Sparrow Valley Falls—is the perfect landing place for anyone planning a day trip to summit Mount Valerie, offering no shortage of beautiful scenery and a respite from the arduous trails. Spend two nights, if you can, to take in the sights.
—Henry Herrington,Backpacking the Sierras: A Beginner’s Handbook(Fourth Edition)
CAPTAIN’S LOG // AUGUST THORN
Day 8 • 6:34 a.m. • 68°F • Partly cloudy
TREK NOTES
I’m up early, down at the waterfall, trying to get my head on straight before I have to be around humans again. Yesterday was the messiest day I’ve ever had out here.
Matteo’s a problem. Coleaders are meant to help, not make things worse. And am I really at the point where I’m nostalgic for the days where Joshua and Zoe were making out all the time instead of the catastrophic implosion they’ve become?
FOR DAD
Saw a white-headed woodpecker on one of the sugar pines lining the cliff. Dad would have loved it—they’re one of his favorites. I’ve never related to a bird more than I do right now…kind of feel like bashing my head against a tree and hoping I feel satisfied afterward. Unfortunately, that would probably just make my headache worse.
29THORN
No one got a good night’s sleep, from what I can tell—which isgreat, since we have another long day of hiking ahead of us.
I’m not satisfied with how this stop on our itinerary has gone, to say the least. Alexandria Flats is always meant to be inspiring and motivating:Look how big the night sky is, I like to tell our groups before stargazing.And even though this cliff is high and goes straight down, with enough ingenuity and bravery and confidence—and the right knots—you can conquer it.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and sayinspiredandmotivatedis very much not the mood today.
“I told you we shouldn’t have shared so much,” I overhear Hunter saying to Silas when they don’t realize I’m listening.
There’s no coffee this morning; apparently, they ran out.
I feel a little guilty having Sadie’s entire coffee stash tucked away in my pack, but I feel like it would raise more questions than anything—from her and everyone else—if I were to whip it all out right now.
When everyone’s packed up and ready to go, I give the rundownfor today’s trek. The group feels so intimate compared to the first day: now it’s just Hunter and Silas and Trey, Parker and Emma, Zoe and her yoga—and Sadie. And me.
“We’ve got a full day ahead,” I announce to the seven exhausted faces staring back at me. “Matteo and Joshua should be able to meet back up with us at our next campsite, so for now, we’re going to continue as planned.”
Sadie’s words from last night echo in my mind as I go on in more detail about our itinerary—the foothill path along the southern rim of the Mackenzie Lake Loop—and the reminders I give every single morning: bug spray, sunscreen, don’t forget to hydrate, and on and on.
Iamattentive, I think to myself.I am responsible.
But as we set off, the doubts creep in. I can’t shake my conversation with Danica, the confidence she has in me:Can I just say what a relief it is to have someone like you in a situation like this?
I want those words to be true.
Ineedthose words to be true.
But do I really have the focus, thewillpower, to be the leader she’s relying on me to be?
