Wow, so much to catch up on, but the theme of this post is Fuller Ridge (elevation 8725). Fuller Ridge? That 5.3 mile stretch just after the city of Idyllwild? Yes, it should be a measly 12 miles on the PCT, maybe a little steep to get to it, but nothing too harsh. That is, unless it has snow on it and you do not have snow gear. Also, the trail is hidden under the snow so you have to do what you can with a map, compass, and good street smarts.
Therefore, Jill and I originally chose to take the road, 16 miles, to avoid sliding to an icy death. Then we met Picker, who hands out minty toothpicks on the trail. He lives in the Tahoe area and ski's ALL the time. He promised to show us safely to the other side of the ridge, teach us some navigating tricks, and have a great time doing it.
Basically, I slipped a bajillion times and slid all over the place. Thankfully there was no dramatic end to any of the falls because the snow was beginning to melt. It was just extremely frustrating, and I must confess, at times it was truly embarrassing. One time, I was walking across a rotten log and just rolled off on my back into the bushes. Jill loved that fall. I also told Jill to stop pointing and laughing at me another time. She was not pointing. We laugh about that, now.
We faced the snow with no crampons or ice axe. Crampons would have been greatly appreciated.
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