It was another long night. A lot of getting out of the tent to expel water. I woke up about 5 AM but stayed in bed because it was cold. I got out at 6 AM and everyone was up shortly after that. I was in a lot of pain and was cramping everywhere below the waist. It was much worse than yesterday. After about 90 minutes I was feeling better, not ready for a hike though. I did have coffee this morning so that may have helped. Oxycodone helped more.
We were back on the trail before 9 AM.
The meadow was very long, and very hot.
After a couple hours we were exiting the valley. I had already burned through 4 liters of water and had to refill my bladder. I was getting plenty water but it was going right through me no matter how much electrolytes I added to my system.
It has been dry in the area.
It is a long trip to Donohue Pass.
Fortunately, Tuolumne Meadow was much closer and would become my exit point. I didn't want to leave the team, but my dehydration wasn't getting any better and I was afraid of it getting worse.
The last picture I took on the trail.
The first picture I took off the trail. It was from a bus taking back to Yosemite's Curry Village.
But, a lot happened between those two pictures. The campgrounds at Tuolumne were closed because they were rebuilding them. Fortunately there were construction crews there and we went to see if they could get me where I needed to be to catch the bus back to Yosemite. We sat down at one of the camping tables for a snack and good bye's. I gave the team the option to go through my remaining food and take what they wanted. Then it was time to go find help. Kevin and Eric M decided to go with me to ensure I make it to the help. We were only walking for about ten minutes when I car stopped and yelled at us to leave the campgrounds. Kevin told him about the situation and he said there was a search and rescue EMT nearby. Instead of offering me a ride he gave us directions and said he would let them know I was coming. Not giving me a ride made Kevin and Eric very mad. I was not in a condition to have a thought about it. After another ten minutes or so we found the EMT and he checked me out while we let him know what had been going on for the past two days. Everything checked out fine. He said I probably had a heat stroke given my mental condition when this started. After he was finished checking me out he called the bus stop and told them to hold the bus for me. He drove us to the bus station so I could board and Kevin and Eric went to the store there. I got on the bus and ended my hike. It was very nice to be in AC and off my feet. Kevin and Eric bough beer for them so they had a good drink when they were back together.
Once I got to Curry Village I went to the main office to rent a cabin. Unfortunately all they had available was a tent and community bathrooms and showers. Usually that would have been great but unfortunately there was no AC and that is what I needed. Fortunately at night it would drop into the low 60's.
Other than getting something to eat I didn't do much. It was too hot to stay in the tent so I found a spot outside with a breeze and watched all of the busy people trying to get to their activities for the day.
I found a great pizza place called Curry Village Pizza Deck. They had a good wheat beer as well. I know, I shouldn't be drinking given my condition but I had never had that beer and had to try it.
It took a while for the tent to cool off even though I had all the windows and doors open. I think I didn't get in bed until 10 PM. Right as I was about to fall asleep I was disturbed by a drunk guy puking nearby. What a lovely sound to fill your head while trying to fall to sleep.
I hiked 10.2 miles and climbed 541'. I was on the trail for 5 hours and 26 minutes. The total so far: 41.2 miles, 6,673', and 27 hours and 33 minutes.
My tent was at 4,036'