Day 4 - Wayah Shelter to Wesser Shelter

After spending the night getting to know Lush around the firepit.  AKsherpa and I packed up camp and once again headed down the trail.  We knew that at some point in the day that we had a hill climb.  Which seems like everyday really.  After doing this I think that I am ready to do any trail in the Anchorage bowl or the valley.  I feel like everyday I'm either climbing Bird Ridge, Pioneer Peak, or Mt. Marathon.

When AKsherpa and I were planning the trip we looked at the elevation changes versus miles and thought no problem but we didn't take into account the evelation itself.  Silly Girls  :-)

After a great lunch at Cold Springs which was beef and broccoli, YUMMY, we started our desent to the parking lot at bottom of Wesser Tower. At the bottom of the hill we took a quick break chatted with Lush.  Who I have affectionately renamed Napolaeon Dynamit (twin - glasses and all) took off to conquer the big hill climb for the afternoon. I was feeling great after our lunch had lots of energy and was ready for the ascent up to the Wesser Tower.

The climb to Wesser Tower is 1.8 miles long with and elevation gain of 1359 ft. Starting just below 4,000 ft and ending just over 4,500 ft.  Doesn't sound too bad, right?! About half way up the hill I was passed by a mountain runner making what appeared to be easy progress up the mountain.  It was a bit fustrating, but I had to keep in mind he was not carrying a pack on his back and he was most likely used to elevation.  In the end I made it to the top and it was a great view.  I was proud of myself for doing it.  Of course, AKsherpa was at the top waiting for me because she is an animal and puts her head down and doesn't let up.  I love it because her drive pulls me up the mountain as well.

Once at the top and after taking a short rest we headed down to the shelter to camp for the night.  On our way to our campsite we passed a water source but thought there was one at the shelter so we carried on.  We thought wrong.  AKsherpa was a trooper and dredged back up the hill and got us water while I set up camp.

Wesser Shelter and Camp Sites

We enjoyed Chicken and Herb for dinner.  It was a great meal to finish the day and then it was to the tent to escape the bugs and plan our next day.  To make it to the NOC to enjoy a shower and a meal fixed by someone else than us.

Miles for the Day 10.6
Random thoughts: I don't like Mt. Runners, Can't we ever just traverse?, I'm doing it!