You are amazing! I’m so impressed with your tenacity and positive attitude! I just finished 5-days backpacking trip (mid-June) up in the Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass Area. The trail was still 90% covered in snow above Gilbert Lake. I had wanted ultimately to go on to Charlotte Lake & Rae Lakes, but once I peered over Kearsarge Pass into the frozen wonderland of Kings Canyon, I turned around and went back down to spend more time at Gilbert Lake (Flower & Matlock Lakes, too). I didn’t have the guts to go into King’s Canyon, but If I’d seen your video before I went, I might have had the courage to do it! I heard the booming sound too, and was mystified. You PCT thru-hikers amaze me! Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley seems to be about as arduous a re-supply route as can be imagined. Thanks for sharing your experience! Happy trails! Subscribed!
My wife and I have been following you with enthusiasm since day 1. We are in awe of you choosing to tackle the Sierras when everyone else is skipping North. We just caught a brief glimpse of you at Muir Hut on Little Skittles video. You guys are rock stars! Can't wait to see your next videos.
Hi Ken. That wasn't me in her video, she is a couple of days ahead of me. I met her today as I was heading into town for a rest and her group were heading back out on trail. They were the first people I had seen in 8 days
The soft drumming sound is from a Blue Grouse male, sitting on a log, calling to his girlfriend. They're about chicken-size, live close to timberline. She will lay maybe a dozen eggs and the little fuzz balls follow her all around looking for seeds, etc. A real treat - there aren't many grouse left in our mountains!
Thanks Janet. You will be happy to hear they were as all over the mountains as this noise was a constant companion over the last 10 days. Hopefully they are on a comeback.
I hope everything sorted out well regarding your passport, etc. I had a good laugh the first time you said Kearsarge pass - with the Kiwi accent it sounded like "Kiss-Arse" pass. lol
The booming sound is a bird called a Grouse. Often called the chickens of the sierra. You will hear them often but not see them. Enjoying your videos, Keep up the good work. I'm headed to the sierras, Kearsarge pass, right now.
Hi. Thanks for the vids. Enjoying them greatly.Wonderful to see videos from a seasoned wilderness traveler. If you haven't, you might consider coming back and doing the Sierra High Route ( the ultimate cross country route) or the John Muir Trail from Yosemite Valley, and see the Sierra in all her flowering beauty. As pretty as the Sierra is now, in high summer it is truly unbelievable. And warm. :) Cheers!
Hoping the crew behind you found your pack at the campsite. I rewatched the previous video and it appeared you had the pack thru the first pass. Hope you don’t have too much of a hassle replacing things. At least the hotel gave you a room. Looking forward to the future videos.
Oh, no! So sorry to hear of your loss of important documents and funds. I guess it could have been worse...with the computers and technology we have now, things move along much faster. You really are a trooper! Those mountains are both beautiful and savage. Well, rest up, get everything sorted, and we'll all be looking forwward to the next video!
So sorry to hear of your loss of passport, etc. I will pray an honest person recovers it and gets it to you. Be sure to post on the 2019 PCT thru hike page.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your valuables. I hope someone finds them and returns them to you. I am glad you were with a group going over the first pass. Stay safe. Wish you well on the rest of your hike.
Hello Kiwi, I am sorry to hear about your loss of important documents. I would be frantic. I hope that an honest person will find it and return it to you. If someone stole it, I hope that they spend the rest of their life with a blacksmith anvil chained to their wrist. Please take good care of yourself and keep that great attitude. 🤗
I am pretty sure it is well burried by snow now. Possibly in late summer it will be found. It was definately not stolen, just lost through my own carelessness
WOW, and all was going so well, just glad you are not injured, the paperwork can be replaced. With any luck someone behind you will find it and get in touch with you. Look at the bright side, not everyone gets to do Kearsarge pass twice on one through hike. Mountain Lion or Bobcat. Your bird friend looks to be a Robin. See you when you get back on the Trail. SAFE HIKING
Bummer Homemade about losing your most valuables...hopefully it will be a speedy process in replacing what you've lost. Embrace your downtime and stay positive!
Hello kiwi, happy Saturday. Did your valuables turn up? I was concerned about you, hadn't seen a post from you for over 5 days. I hope that all is well. Please take care and be safe out there. 🤗
Hi Ronald. No they didn't and I think they are now burried under a lot of snow. I have just finished a long section acc nd am having a few dsys off trail to rest. I will start posting videos tomorrow
Certain types of grouse make that low booming rhythmic noise during mating season. It was hard to clearly hear it but that would be my guess. Sorry about you losing your stuff but on the bright side it can all be replaced.
Too bad. I'm sure you have some reserve days (weeks?) built into your schedule for coping with mishaps. Keep a cool head! Maybe you misplaced the bag when you had to show your permit to a ranger?
I am hoping that you found your valuables inside your room once you got settled or someone finds it and returns it. But we don't mind if you to become a Washington resident.
Yes it is definately not part of the PCT. The PCT continues in the mountains. The reason nearly everyone goes over Kersage Pass is that it is the shortest way to get from the PCT to a town to resupply.
Hope your passport and things show up. Maybe another hiker found them and will return them. I’m leaving on a trip I will make sure to put my phone number on those things.🙏🏻🤞
I've been reading about the grouse that makes that booming noise, some call them Thunder Chickens! hahaaha! Videos with the sound: th-cam.com/video/1jFwdGho1IA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/q0obByQW23k/w-d-xo.html
Dear Wonder Woman, I imagine there is a web site for the PCT hikers. If you were to communicate with those folks letting them know what you lost and where you think you lost it , a following hiker who eventually finds the pack can then communicate to you and determine the best location to send it to you. You know a young Marine LT went missing this winter in the general area where you were hiking.Love your video. I suspect there is something mighty special in those two water bags with the green liquid. I must get some of that. All the best, Forrest
Ha ha, are you suggesting a new trail name. Sorry to disappoint but it is not green liquid, that is just the colour of the bottles. It is the scenery which gives me the energy.
Not sure if you ever figured out what that noise was as I am just going through this series now :) but it sounds to me like the call of a Sooty Grouse. th-cam.com/video/aflOCSF37gU/w-d-xo.html
You are amazing! I’m so impressed with your tenacity and positive attitude! I just finished 5-days backpacking trip (mid-June) up in the Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass Area. The trail was still 90% covered in snow above Gilbert Lake. I had wanted ultimately to go on to Charlotte Lake & Rae Lakes, but once I peered over Kearsarge Pass into the frozen wonderland of Kings Canyon, I turned around and went back down to spend more time at Gilbert Lake (Flower & Matlock Lakes, too). I didn’t have the guts to go into King’s Canyon, but If I’d seen your video before I went, I might have had the courage to do it! I heard the booming sound too, and was mystified. You PCT thru-hikers amaze me! Kearsarge Pass/Onion Valley seems to be about as arduous a re-supply route as can be imagined. Thanks for sharing your experience! Happy trails! Subscribed!
Thanks for your comment. Amazing that it is still so much snow despite the hot temperatures
My wife and I have been following you with enthusiasm since day 1. We are in awe of you choosing to tackle the Sierras when everyone else is skipping North. We just caught a brief glimpse of you at Muir Hut on Little Skittles video. You guys are rock stars! Can't wait to see your next videos.
Hi Ken. That wasn't me in her video, she is a couple of days ahead of me. I met her today as I was heading into town for a rest and her group were heading back out on trail. They were the first people I had seen in 8 days
The soft drumming sound is from a Blue Grouse male, sitting on a log, calling to his girlfriend. They're about chicken-size, live close to timberline. She will lay maybe a dozen eggs and the little fuzz balls follow her all around looking for seeds, etc. A real treat - there aren't many grouse left in our mountains!
Thanks Janet. You will be happy to hear they were as all over the mountains as this noise was a constant companion over the last 10 days. Hopefully they are on a comeback.
I hope everything sorted out well regarding your passport, etc.
I had a good laugh the first time you said Kearsarge pass - with the Kiwi accent it sounded like "Kiss-Arse" pass. lol
Ha ha, glad I can still entertain with my accent
I’m sorry for the loss of your valuables! Perhaps someone found the hip pack and returned it to you?
Oh my. I hope you found your valuables. That will not set you back. You are a trooper. Beautiful views.
Thanks Vickie.
Oh, I hope your valuables turn up. You maintain such a positive attitude about it. I'd be frantic. You inspire me.
Thanks Sandi
The booming sound is a bird called a Grouse. Often called the chickens of the sierra. You will hear them often but not see them. Enjoying your videos, Keep up the good work. I'm headed to the sierras, Kearsarge pass, right now.
Thanks for this info. I have delayed my departure due to bad weather. Now going fri. Maybe I will see you up there.
This and your Forrester Pass post are spectacular! Great job!!
Thanks
Hello Kiwi congratulations to you and I am enjoying following your hike. Well done.
Thanks
I always wonder who has the guts to be the first one to blaze the trail. I'm definitely not one of those types, At least not yet.
Hi. Thanks for the vids. Enjoying them greatly.Wonderful to see videos from a seasoned wilderness traveler. If you haven't, you might consider coming back and doing the Sierra High Route ( the ultimate cross country route) or the John Muir Trail from Yosemite Valley, and see the Sierra in all her flowering beauty. As pretty as the Sierra is now, in high summer it is truly unbelievable. And warm. :) Cheers!
Thanks John. Hopefully I will have a month after the trail to do some more exploring.
Oh gosh, I hope someone finds it! Got my fingers crossed.
Safe hiking and I hope you get everything replaced without too much hassle.
Hope you are ok. Hope the passport etc is coming along.
Hi Bepi. Now safe back in town for a couple of days rest
Hoping the crew behind you found your pack at the campsite. I rewatched the previous video and it appeared you had the pack thru the first pass. Hope you don’t have too much of a hassle replacing things. At least the hotel gave you a room. Looking forward to the future videos.
Oh, no! So sorry to hear of your loss of important documents and funds. I guess it could have been worse...with the computers and technology we have now, things move along much faster. You really are a trooper! Those mountains are both beautiful and savage. Well, rest up, get everything sorted, and we'll all be looking forwward to the next video!
So sorry to hear of your loss of passport, etc. I will pray an honest person recovers it and gets it to you. Be sure to post on the 2019 PCT thru hike page.
Thanks Tom
So sorry to hear of the loss of your valuables. I hope someone finds them and returns them to you. I am glad you were with a group going over the first pass. Stay safe. Wish you well on the rest of your hike.
Thanks Kathy
Forgot to add that bird with the dark reddish brown breast was a robin
Thinking of you hope you are doing well!
Hi Kathy. Now safe in town. It was a physically tough 10 days but beautiful. Videops will start being posted tomorrow
Hello Kiwi, I am sorry to hear about your loss of important documents. I would be frantic. I hope that an honest person will find it and return it to you. If someone stole it, I hope that they spend the rest of their life with a blacksmith anvil chained to their wrist. Please take good care of yourself and keep that great attitude. 🤗
I am pretty sure it is well burried by snow now. Possibly in late summer it will be found. It was definately not stolen, just lost through my own carelessness
WOW, and all was going so well, just glad you are not injured, the paperwork can be replaced. With any luck someone behind you will find it and get in touch with you. Look at the bright side, not everyone gets to do Kearsarge pass twice on one through hike. Mountain Lion or Bobcat. Your bird friend looks to be a Robin. See you when you get back on the Trail. SAFE HIKING
Bummer Homemade about losing your most valuables...hopefully it will be a speedy process in replacing what you've lost. Embrace your downtime and stay positive!
Sorry about the loss of the bag and valuables. Good Luck with the next section. Rick
Thanks Richard
Congrats on success in snow and on difficult slopes! Looks great but when even you are panting must be pretty hard as well.
Hello kiwi, happy Saturday. Did your valuables turn up? I was concerned about you, hadn't seen a post from you for over 5 days. I hope that all is well. Please take care and be safe out there. 🤗
Hi Ronald. No they didn't and I think they are now burried under a lot of snow. I have just finished a long section acc nd am having a few dsys off trail to rest. I will start posting videos tomorrow
Hope someone finds your stuff and gets it back to you. Happy hiking
Thanks Linda
Really missing your videos. Hope all is working out OK!!
Hi. I am back in town and will start posting videos tomorrow
Certain types of grouse make that low booming rhythmic noise during mating season. It was hard to clearly hear it but that would be my guess. Sorry about you losing your stuff but on the bright side it can all be replaced.
slow down your camera pans. The booming sounds are jet fighters out of China Lake NAS to the east doing low and mid level tactical maneuvers.
Thanks for the advice Daniel and this information
Hoping someone finds it and turns it in. Stay safe.
They did. Details are in video Day 136 just posted
@@RestlessKiwiHiker Yay!
Sometimes little bags fall into hidden pockets of your bag or coat. At least, that happened to me once.
I rechecked everything once I got to town. Unfortunately not there
Too bad. I'm sure you have some reserve days (weeks?) built into your schedule for coping with mishaps. Keep a cool head! Maybe you misplaced the bag when you had to show your permit to a ranger?
I can tell you what that noise is! I know exactly what it is! That's a wood grouse!
AdventureMan (formerly hikerboy16) The wood grouse is not found in North America. She’s most likely hearing the Sooty Grouse.
I have some video of it which I will post soon which should help confirm what it is
I am hoping that you found your valuables inside your room once you got settled or someone finds it and returns it. But we don't mind if you to become a Washington resident.
Unfortunately after taking everything apart once I got to town it is still missing. Thanks for the offer but I am rather attached to New Zealand
The booming sound is audible in your video. Sorry, I have no idea what it is. I hope you're able to get your valuables back.
It might be a grouse.
Lost your passport! I guess you'll have to be an American now! LOL
That is such a bummer. I hope everything works out.
Ha ha. I think I will stay a Kiwi.
Almost all accounts I followed include Kearsarge Pass. You're sure it's NOT on the PCT?
Yes it is definately not part of the PCT. The PCT continues in the mountains. The reason nearly everyone goes over Kersage Pass is that it is the shortest way to get from the PCT to a town to resupply.
Hope your passport and things show up. Maybe another hiker found them and will return them. I’m leaving on a trip I will make sure to put my phone number on those things.🙏🏻🤞
I'm so sorry for your misfortune, the view are spectacular however. Fingers crossed this resolves quickly for you.
Thanks Kelley
I've been reading about the grouse that makes that booming noise, some call them Thunder Chickens! hahaaha!
Videos with the sound:
th-cam.com/video/1jFwdGho1IA/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/q0obByQW23k/w-d-xo.html
I love that name
Bet someone finds your bag & get's it back to you. 10 days no vids is a long time lol
Dear Wonder Woman, I imagine there is a web site for the PCT hikers. If you were to communicate with those folks letting them know what you lost and where you think you lost it , a following hiker who eventually finds the pack can then communicate to you and determine the best location to send it to you. You know a young Marine LT went missing this winter in the general area where you were hiking.Love your video. I suspect there is something mighty special in those two water bags with the green liquid. I must get some of that. All the best, Forrest
Ha ha, are you suggesting a new trail name. Sorry to disappoint but it is not green liquid, that is just the colour of the bottles. It is the scenery which gives me the energy.
that noise are birds lol
Do you know what type?
Not sure if you ever figured out what that noise was as I am just going through this series now :) but it sounds to me like the call of a Sooty Grouse. th-cam.com/video/aflOCSF37gU/w-d-xo.html
I did thanks to helpful people commenting on the video. I would never have guessed a bird but was happy to have the mystery solved