6/26 Mather Pass with Terrence and Philip

by sedona maniak


Sleepless, as usual, I got up early and saw my first grey Sierra sky.  The clouds immediately invigorated me.  I sang the Rolling Stones' "No Expectations" loudly as I left my camp, nearly running up the trail.  Darker clouds appeared in a mile or two.  Three deer refused to move out of the trail until I was nearly close enough to pet them.  A young buck followed me for a half mile before losing interest. I stopped to put on my rain jacket and pack cover, and a couple of guys walked past as I did so, complimenting my choice in jacket manufacturers.   They sounded suspiciously Canadian.  I caught up to them again, over a few miles, slowly gaining an inch or two at a time and passed them reluctantly.  Really, we were walking at the same pace, and now I felt compelled to attack Mather's final steep switchbacks at an increased speed.  Halfway up, I insisted they pass me.  We started a long, joking series of half-breathless conversations and introductions.  Eric and Bill.  Calgary. Brothers and sensitive rednecks.  We were immediate competitive buddies.  Secretly, I began referring to them as South Park's Terrence and Philip in my mental log.

I had unknowingly passed Far Out and Blue Butterfly that morning, and only realized it midday when I noted the lack of Far Out's footprints.  To give him a chance to catch up, I decided to set up my trekking pole fishing rig near the substantial creek running alongside the trail.  Roughly six feet of line with a clear bobber in the middle and a fly on the end managed to attract the attention of a few trout in a pool. My hopes were raised.  Far Out appeared.  Together, we finished an 18 mile day, camping next to a huge meadow which seemed to be a popular place, judging by the bare spaces and human debris.

Damned attack deer

Damned attack deer

Up to Pinchot

Up to Pinchot

Man, I love the rain

Man, I love the rain

Best view on the trail

Best view on the trail