Day 85 – Donner Ski Ranch to Mile 1170.3

Friday, July 17. Mid-60s and clear going up to low 80s.

Up at 7:00. Breakfast with Maui at Donner Ski Ranch. I met Maui 2 days ago. He’s about 10 years older than me and hiked the AT in 2022. Good guy. We bunked together last night as well. He only does 10-13 miles a day. I should see him again in Sierra City.

On trail at 9:30 and crossed over Donner Summit.

Donner Lake and Truckee

Cal Trans mountain climbing and repelling training. Very cool.

Abandoned railroad avalanche sheds now pedestrian trail. I think this is where the film crew was filming.

Crossed under Interstate 80.

Summited Castle Pass (7,929 feet) at 1:25.

Lunch at 1:20 and 7.7 miles at Peter Grubb Hut. Back on trail at 2:30.

Reached camp at 6:45 and 16 miles. Very nice camp sites next to a dirt road. Another group of 6 arrived at 8:00. I met them a couple of times today and have run across a few of them in the past. They made a campfire since someone left us a stack of firewood.

If my left Achilles was not slowing me down, I could be doing 20-mile days. Tomorrow is all downhill, so I may put that to the test. I would like to get within 6-8 miles of Sierra City so that I can get into town early on Sunday.

Technical Notes:

• Fried egg 90
• Ham 120
• Cheese potatoes 300
• OJ 300
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
• Protein Mac and Cheese: 400 cal, 20g protein 
• Tuna w Oil: 140 kcal, 0g carb, 8g fat, 17g protein 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Salami 220
• Jerky (2 oz): 140 kcal, 12g carb, 0g fat, 22g protein 
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Fritos 400
• Skittles (2.17oz): 250 kcal, 56g carb, 2.5g fat, 0g protein 
• Water liters: 3
• Miles: 16
• Time: 9:10
• Up: 3186
• Down: 2165
• Calories consumed: 3600
• Calories burned: 3073
• iPhone battery used: 40%