Day 4, 9:06 AM - Crossing Upper Basin en route to Mather Pass
Return to day page View previous item Morning over Lake Jasmine Crossing Upper Basin en route to Mather Pass Looking back across Upper Basin At the foot of Mather Pass From Mather Pass (12,150 ft) across Upper Basin From Mather Pass (looking North) over Palisade Basin Looking SW along the Mather Pass ridge Mather Pass, subject at day 4 Halfway down to Palisade Lakes Looking down from my private waterfall at Camp 4 Camp 4 at 10,200 ft I always wanted a kitchen with a view... Sequoia smoke at sunset View next item

This section of the trail passes through a really pleasant part of Upper Basin (as you can see) but this picture gives no indication of the ambush that preceeded it. Mosquitos. MOSQUITOS! Millions of them! All over me - it was horrible! Anyway, I survived with the help of good old Jungle Juice, the most concentrated (and probably teratogenic) insect repellent in the solar system. The little buggers only concentrate in the lower parts of Upper Basin, where the trees grow densely and there's virtually no airflow. Nothing boosts your hiking speed like being eaten alive.

Shortly after taking this picture, I had to stop to minister to my feet. The socks I was using as spacers were helping with the toes, but causing extra heel friction, and I could feel a blister or two in the early stages. While I was examining the damage a couple of young dudes passed by and I asked them whether they could spare any moleskin. To my great relief, they said sure, they had plenty and gave me a generous piece. On the spot, I applied the stuff to my new hotspots and enjoyed a wonderful sense of relief. If you get blisters out here, you're in some kind of trouble, but now, everything would be alright.