Canebreak Road - South Fork Kern River 6/17/10 17 miles

Slept a little better tonight, with lessened fear of a bear attack. We got up around 7am and headed out around 8am. We met some nice Aussie guys, JR and Josh, as we resupplied with water. They also had just began walking in Walker's Pass as we had. They joked about everyone that had been hiking since the beginning that breezed by them. We could relate with our "pacer experience" from the first day. We began the morning with a steady climb. We agreed that we were both sore, but continued with a good attitude. We passed JR and Josh, as they adjusted their very large packs and didn't see them again today. As we approached the ridge top, shade was far and few between and the scorching temp was intense. We found a semi-shaded spot and ate lunch, two packets of mashed potatoes, and rested our very tired feet. Chris treated his first blister and I checked up on my three, re-taping them as needed. We continued on. It was a long, tedious, hot sweaty, tiring day. Our guidebook marked a "burned area," but failed to mention that it lasted for 13 miles! talk about no shade and depressing. Guess you can't have the beautiful mountain tops forever. We took a long dinner break under a huge, but sad leafless trees, which provided the most shade we'd had all day. We continued, walking through more burned area and desert. We spotted one snake and continued to stay on guard as we walked. The four miles to camp, seemed like ten to both of us, but a spot on the river made it worth it. Tomorrow's a big day! We get to go into Kennedy Meadows, pick up our resupply box, shower and do laundry!! Bedtime. KB