Date: 2005-08-27
From: Wildcat Mountain

To: South of Middle Moriah Mountain
Miles today: 13.0

Up and gone by, I do not know when. I felt good this morning, in fact I wrote in my log that I felt like I could do a 20 miler today, I also wrote that I doubt if I would, but I felt like it. For the next 3 miles the trail walked along the ridge line going from ski lift to ski lift. I passed by the observation tower when I left the chair lift. I did not notice in my hand book that the thing was even there. If so I would have stayed there for the night, it was nice.       I met a young couple who were day hiking south. They made the mistake, like so many others do, of carrying too much food. I stopped and talked to them for a bit and they eventually asked me if I was hungry, My answer?, "what do you got?". They shared a number of things with me and I gave them some of my water. They had hardly any left and planned to stay nearby for the night. I was walking to where there was water, Carver Hut and beyond. Apple Pie and Plumb Pirate soon wandered in and shared in the food bounty (plus gave up some of their water as well).    The drop down to the Hut was almost strait down. A little over 1000 feet in just over a mile (so much for the 20 mile day). I stopped in at the hut to see what they had to offer. Tired of cold coffee I asked the crew if I could turn on the stove to heat it up. You would have thought by their response that I asked for a kidney or something. Little miss "silver spoon in mouth" got all huffy and started making comments like "you through hikers don't pay for anything along the trail". I let it go, I didn't want to start an argument. I just smiled, paid for my things (yes, I spent money) and moved on (typically not me). I ran into a south bounder shortly after I left and we got to talking about it (an older gentleman, he could tell I was a little upset). I guess after serving in 5 wars, two invasions and another half of a dozen little "in harms way" things plus leaving, my blood on an enemy's soil, I paid for the use of this trail. Me and any other service person who ever wore the uniform...ever! Enough on that....   Leaving the Hut was another difficult climb "up" to the top of Mount Hight (4675 feet) some 1500 feet in just about two miles. The terrain was difficult and I knew I would not make it into town (as planned) that evening. I ended up just south of Middle Moriah Mountain along side of a shear cliff. The wind that night was blowing hard once again. I Cowboy' d up and enjoyed the views. There was an awesome sunset and the colors were brilliant. There also was a group of Bats flying along the ridge line eating the insects there. One in particular kept flying over me, at break neck speed, about six inches above my chest as I lay there. It kept it up for quite a long time giving me a great show of it's acrobatic flying capabilities (spectacular to observe).   I took a number of photos and posted them on the Web site. Speaking of pictures, the ones I posted are a little out of order. I tried to correct them but failed to figure out how to do so (I will continue to try). After setting up my back pack to deflect the wind, I slept good out under the stars. I will miss these mountains.