R03 TR: McGee Lake Shook us down July 2022

[balzaccom]

We just got back from a few days in the Sierra, and it wasn't all roses. We're recovered from a bout with COVID, more or less, but it turns out that hiking up to 10,000 feet may be more than we were ready for. We made it, but that's about it.

McGee Creek, on the east side of the Sierra near Lake Crowley, lived up to its billing as a beautiful area. And we dodged the smoke of the Oak Fire thanks to some favorable winds and the fact that they started to make some real progress against the fire.

But we were struggling on a hike that shouldn't have been that hard. And I managed to drop a Sawyer bladder full of water, which burst it open. That made for some interesting duct tape solutions before we could filter any water. And the skies opened up and poured on us. That was the first day, which included the longest two miles we've ever hiked.

Other than that, it was a great trip. We did get some good photos...

If you are interested, a link to the photos, and the whole trip report with the gory details, is here: https://www.backpackthesierra.com/post/ ... shake-down

[kpeter]

I sympathize on several levels. My daughter and I did an overnight to McGee Lake a few years ago that was supposed to be a 5 day trip. In that case it was the mosquitoes that chased us out. I think it took us even longer than you to get from the trailhead up to the lake. It is a deceptive grind. And of course my sympathies on the COVID, something my own family is in the thick of. Trying to organize and enjoy backpacking trips the last couple of years has been so much more complicated than it used to be, what with the pandemic and early smoke. Every day that we do manage out there is such a blessing.

[windknot]

Thanks for the report! Sorry to hear you got covid and the trip didn't go as expected, but glad that you're recovered and still managed to complete your hike. That is indeed a beautiful area, especially with the storm lighting. I somehow sprung a couple of leaks in my dirty water bag (a CNOC Vecto) on my first shakedown trip of the year too. However, we didn't have the foresight to carry duct tape, so filtration was done with strategically placed fingers and thumbs over multiple pinholes. Not nearly as convenient as the gravity filtering we typically do!

[cgundersen]

Hi Paul,

My wife and were in that area a few days before you guys, and I love the contrasting geology. However, the entry day we experienced was similar to yours: a whole lot harder than it should have been magnified by a relentless bug assault.....and rain, but no water issues. I'm about to write a TR, so maybe it'll inspire a return. Cheers, Cameron

[balzaccom]

Thanks guys. We felt old on this trip...but it turns out that maybe we ARE old? Only future trips will tell. We need to get back in the saddle soon!

[Love the Sierra]

Hi Paul,
I agree with @kpeter about the season being short because of fires and the weather in general is worse than ever. I was convinced that I will never get another summer backpack again. To add to it, asthma has taken a pretty serious toll on me and my lungs just do not seem to function well any more.
So, I have been trying to do more spring trips and ignore my lungs. I went to Little Lakes Valley this past May thinking it would be easy and not training at all. It was the very first time in the Sierra that I was downright miserable. Exhausted and just not having a good time. I could not believe it, how could I not have a good time in the Sierra. (Postholing with snowshoes and a way too heavy pack will do that to you. Especially on the heels of no sleep and too much work before the trip.) It really rattled me and I didn't admit it to anyone. I kept asking myself "Are you done? How could you not have fun in the Sierra?"

Then I went to Pine Creek with my daughter in June. We got drizzly weather the first two days and the same exhaustion and malaise came over me. When the sun came out, my spirits lifted, we got to Granite Park and Pine Creek Pass, it was stunning, gorgeous and, as usual, worth every step.

I decided that I am going to get to Red Mountain Basin AND ENJOY IT!!!

I began training like a demon. Every weekend I took a full pack out on both Saturday and Sunday for long hikes in ournatural local mountains. I went back to weight lifting and always used at least pack weight for every exercise upper and lower body. I also suspected that I had lost my ability to adapt to altitude as quickly as I used to. I began to read everything I could about natural altitude remedies and even asked the pulmonary doc about altitude drugs. (He said that they make you so tired, they would defeat my purpose.) The week before our trip, I worked out, next day did 7 miles with 50lb pack and 1000' gain, next day 10 miles with 2700' gain and 50lb pack, third day hard workout with weights again including single leg squats with 40 lbs. I was ready. Finally, I read that raw garlic really helps you acclimate by thinning your blood and so does beet root.
We had an awesome, fantastic time like in the old days of backpacking!!! It was a perfect trip!
A for the garlic and beetroot, my daughter almost choked she laughed so hard every day and night when I would down a clove and 4 capsules of Beets. However, I felt well every day. No malaise. No exhaustion. I do not know if the garlic helped, however, I can say, for the very first time ever, I was not a mosquito magnet. My daughter would get bitten up and then I would remember, "Oh Yeah, I need to put repellent."

So, I understand where you are coming from and can say, "Don't let one hard trip deter you!" So sorry that you are having a slow recovery from Covid. Wishing you a speedy recovery and many great trips this year!
Aura