Well into the Sierras mile 789

I'm short on time and computer patience so here's a quick update on what was a big week.  About 2 days after leaving Kennedy Meadows we were smack dab in the middle of the Sierras.  I knew the landscape was going to change quick but my god!  Just a few miles down the path and we were walking on lots of snow, looking at granite giants around us everywhere and planning to climb the tallest mountain in the lower 48 - Whitney.  It's a wierd world out here.  Snow everywhere at 80 degrees!  After staging at crabtree meadow we went for the summit, a little snow travel, some rock scrambling, a few experiments with the new ice axe and we were on top of the world.  Or atleast everything we could see around us.  Incredible views, incredible weather, way to many cell phones out!  I know it's a novelty that you can get service in the middle of nowhere because you're the tallest thing around but really guys?  Let's put the techno-gadgets away for a while and see some of the cool stuff we're living in these days.  Nothing was going to ruin my summit experience though especially with the altitude buzz I had going on (a little celebration whiskey helped that out too.  We're making sure we got the most out of our little flask.  That stuff is efficient at elevation!)  Came down with no problems and then it was on to the next challenge - Forester Pass.  Little did we know that navigating to the base of this thing was going to be a greater task than getting over it but our little detour over Bighorn Plateau gave us some of the best scenery I've encountered yet.  Can't wait to get the photos up.  Forester wasn't nearly as scary as some would make it out to be.  The traverse over the don't fall here shoot definitely got my blood pumping but a few careful steps was all it took to get across.  Then the fun part - bum sliding (ie. glisading) down the other side to get out of the snow fields and back into the trees.  Then a little boot scooting through Bubbs creek valley and WHAT?! a trail angel in the middle of NOWHERE with a tarp full of hiker food looking for takers!  Honeybuzz' pops Sherpa Shamus was out helping out his son with a little restock and making the magic happen for everyone around him.  It was cool to run into this guy who's done a lot of guiding in the Sierras and who I got a chance to get to know at the ADZPCTKO hoopla.  The man says he'll be around again with more goodies and a BBQ at Donner Lake.  I'm excited to rip some red meat off the bone there.  Gotta get the genuine experience.  Anyway until then thanks Shamus.  Finally we hiked 8 miles off trail to get to the nearest road and with the help of some trail angels down to town.  All in all, the Sierras are great, the views are breathtaking, and there are still wonderful people everywhere making this trip an amazing ride.  Catch ya'll in Mammoth!