Day 5 on the JMT.
A cold morning, a breathtaking pass, familiar lakes, and a day of physical and mental recovery.
The mileage was short, but it was a deeply satisfying day.
When I woke up this morning, my tent was frozen once again.
My pitch with the Lunar Solo wasn’t great, and the sagging fly caused condensation to drip inside.
It was a clear mistake.
By now, I had already left Yosemite National Park and entered the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
It felt as though the cold of the night had shifted to another level.
Today’s destination was Garnet Lake, only about 7 to 8 miles away.
I decided not to push beyond that.
The moment I made that decision, my shoulders relaxed and my mind felt noticeably lighter.
On a long trail, being able to decide for yourself how far to go each day
seems to bring a real sense of mental ease.
Climbing toward Island Pass, I was rewarded with a breathtaking view.
Mt. Davis stood out in particular, along with the striking presence of Banner Peak.
Descending from the pass, I soon arrived at Thousand Island Lake.
This area was a place I had visited on a backpacking trip several years earlier, and it felt deeply nostalgic.
As always, it was impossibly beautiful, beyond any criticism.
When I arrived at Garnet Lake, an even stronger sense of nostalgia washed over me.
I remembered a favorite hidden spot I had discovered years earlier while exploring the southern side of the lake,
and decided to make my way there.
It took longer than expected, and I was feeling the fatigue by the time I arrived,
but I reached my campsite around 3 p.m.
In the end, I found an excellent place to set up camp.
Bathing in a nearby stream felt incredibly refreshing.
With no one else around, I went in completely naked,
and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the countless creeks like this scattered throughout the Sierra.
After that, I did some yoga, and my body recovered remarkably fast.
From late afternoon into the evening, the temperature was surprisingly warm,
very different from the cold nights before.
Right in front of me stood Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak.
The view was overwhelming, healing not only my body but my mind as well.
After dinner, I stepped outside and gazed up at the stars.
They were so beautiful that I stood there for a long time, unable to pull myself away.
By this point, I had finally started to get the hang of pitching the Lunar Solo.
Once you learn the basics, the depth of a pyramid-style tarp shelter begins to reveal itself.
It’s lightweight, but comfort depends greatly on how well it’s set up.
UL gear, I realized, is something that teaches the user.
Today’s mileage was short, and I didn’t push myself.
Because of that, it became a day of real recovery, both physically and mentally.
Tomorrow, I walk again.
The journey continues, quietly but with certainty.
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