getting our groove back, sorta

Day 48 - miles 802 - 816

We found our groove today, kinda.  We awoke at our "normal" time, shortly after 5am, for the first time in awhile.  A good start to the day.  We hiked about 5.5 miles to Pinchot Pass.  The approach to the pass was very snowy, and it was difficult to see the trail.  Footprints were scattered through the snow in various directions.  Our guidebook noted that it could be easy to lose the trail and take an incorrect route.  After tediously trudging through the snow forever, we took more defined switchbacks up to the pass.  Besides the beautiful scenery, we were thrilled about the lack of snow on the north side of the pass!  This allowed us to pick up the pace a bit, and by lunch we had hiked nearly as many miles as we did all day yesterday.  We were back in a rhythm, and it felt so good.  We hiked on, through multiple streams that required fording.  We usually take off our shoes and socks if safe to do so, and it slows us down tremendously.  I think we did it at least 4 times today!  We planned to hike over 2 passes today, so we hurried to Mather Pass as to not arrive too late in the evening.  As the day goes on, the snow turns to slush, which can be potentially dangerous on a steep mountainside, or on rocky terrain or boulder fields.  We were concerned that the hike over the pass would be dangerous, so we're camping right at the base of the pass.  Midway showed up to camp, we hadn't seen him since town.  I'm not sure what the plan is for the hike up, as everything will be iced over in the morning (also unsafe).  Perhaps sleeping late?  We have been hiking less miles than anticipated, so hopefully we will be able to make up for it in the coming days, or we may be forced to spread our food very thin!  We're sleeping around 11,500 feet, probably the highest we've camped.  We're surrounded by snow and just heard some rocks come smashing down the mountain, I think the marmots are plotting against us.  It's going to be a cold one way up here!