2026 Mt. Whitney Hike: Day 2, Ferguson Creek To Big Wet Meadow: Be Present

Day 2:

Distance:  9.41 miles

Elevation Gain:  2027 ft.

 Rising time was 0500 again; breakfast was a "Breakfast Sandwich" consisting of sausage and cheese inside of an English Muffin (I should note that while I am discussing meat options, there were vegetarian options for those so inclined).  

And coffee.  Always coffee.

By 0630 we once again hit the trail.

Today was another uphill start through forests. Our first checkpoint would be the Roaring River, the second Brewer Creek.   I (again) pretty quickly dropped to the end of the pack. Our packs were slightly lighter of course - this would be an ongoing weight reduction during the course of the hike - but the heat would again get to the high 70's or low 80's, making things uncomfortable.

I should mention that there seem to be two schools of thought for hiking in terms of coverage.  The first are those that hike in shorts and short sleeves and sunscreen up.  The second are those that wear long pants and long shirts and layer and minimalize sunscreen.  I am in the second group, for whatever reason.

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How hard it is to Be Present.

Modern society seems almost consciously designed so that we will not be present.  Distractions are ever at the edge of our consciousness:  if not The Computer In Our Pocket, it is the screen in front of our face.  It is the windshield and sealed car when we drive, the office and stores that we shuttle between, the constant flow of noise and images and sensations that take us from the consciousness of the moment.

(Lunch - Hiking charcuterie, one of my favourites)

Just by reaching in my pocket, I can access a world that is completely removed from the world I currently exist in - which is, in reality, almost of no importance to me.  And even when I am engaged in an activity - a meeting, a paper writing, reading, even a blog post - I can be bombarded by other incoming messages and contacts, all demanding my attention - now, at this moment.

The Trail - or The Way, if you want to use that term - is no different.

We can be so invested in a world where posted pictures and making memories is so important for ourselves and others, we forget to be in the moment for ourselves.  We do not enjoy the scenery or the hike or the training or the experience for what it is, but rather what we believe it should be.

That can be challenging in itself of course.  We stare at the trail - dirt, gravel, sand - and forget to look up. We are so busy getting to the next campsite it is only in our pauses and our stops that we look up, look around, see where we actually are.

There is a balance there, a balance I struggle to hold onto within myself:  this balance between being where we are and yet being where we need to be.

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After lunch, the long uphill to Big Wet Meadow begins.

I quickly fall to the end of the pack, switched off between Rainbow Bright and Garbage Women.  The time passes pleasantly enough:  I walk, I count, I rest.  Garbage Woman asks me about my sword art, which I am more than happy to share about.

And then, pine forests give way to quaking alders.  Big Wet Meadow (with Whale Back Ridge to the right) is upon us.

It is drier here than it was in 2022; this is a feature that continues to confront us throughout this hike. The water crossings are really stepping across stones instead of any sense of waiting.  I am regretful for the grass and trees; I am happy for myself because I do not enjoy wet feet.

Another camp set up.  I take a nap while others wander and fish and swim, then walk down later and wash my feet and rinse my socks.  It is a ritual of sorts, a sign the day is done.

Dinner tonight was chicken noodle soup and mashed potatoes with chicken gravy and broccoli.  It is always interesting to me how less and less hungry and thirsty I get on this hikes; I am constantly admonished by Rainbow Bright to eat more and drink more.

Two days in and no sign of altitude sickness.  I am grateful.