Dave Cawley
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
I'm on my own from here. Starting from Chapita Lake, a westbound hiker on the Uinta Highline has to cross seven passes. These are the places where the trail climbs up and over the ribs of the Uinta Range, or the spine of the Uinta Crest itself. You've already heard me describe one of them, Anderson Pass, where Art encountered those dangerous snowdrifts.
I'm on my own from here. Starting from Chapita Lake, a westbound hiker on the Uinta Highline has to cross seven passes. These are the places where the trail climbs up and over the ribs of the Uinta Range, or the spine of the Uinta Crest itself. You've already heard me describe one of them, Anderson Pass, where Art encountered those dangerous snowdrifts.
The passes are, in order, North Pole, Anderson, Tungsten, Porcupine, Red Knob, Dead Horse, and Rocky Sea. I repeated these names like a mantra as I walked. North Pole Pass. Anderson Pass. Tungsten Pass. Porcupine Pass. Red Knob Pass. Dead Horse Pass. Rocky Sea Pass. That's a lot to remember, so don't worry if those names don't stick just yet.
The passes are, in order, North Pole, Anderson, Tungsten, Porcupine, Red Knob, Dead Horse, and Rocky Sea. I repeated these names like a mantra as I walked. North Pole Pass. Anderson Pass. Tungsten Pass. Porcupine Pass. Red Knob Pass. Dead Horse Pass. Rocky Sea Pass. That's a lot to remember, so don't worry if those names don't stick just yet.
For the moment, let's just focus on the first one, North Pole Pass. From Chapita Lake to North Pole Pass is a long uphill ramp. You gradually rise out of the trees into alpine tundra. The top of the pass is a barren plateau. It's no place to dawdle when the weather's bad. The Uintas rise high enough that they make their own weather. Thunderstorms boil up almost every afternoon during summer.
For the moment, let's just focus on the first one, North Pole Pass. From Chapita Lake to North Pole Pass is a long uphill ramp. You gradually rise out of the trees into alpine tundra. The top of the pass is a barren plateau. It's no place to dawdle when the weather's bad. The Uintas rise high enough that they make their own weather. Thunderstorms boil up almost every afternoon during summer.
Lightning strikes are a very real danger if you get stuck in a storm above Timberline, so most hikers aim to cross the passes early in the day. I don't have that luxury as I head for North Pole Pass. It's already late afternoon, and I'm determined to reach my destination on the far side. I push my pace, but end up overdoing it and collapse right at the top.
Lightning strikes are a very real danger if you get stuck in a storm above Timberline, so most hikers aim to cross the passes early in the day. I don't have that luxury as I head for North Pole Pass. It's already late afternoon, and I'm determined to reach my destination on the far side. I push my pace, but end up overdoing it and collapse right at the top.
At an elevation of about 12,250 feet, give or take. And I gotta be honest, I'm not doing so great. The storm fizzles, thankfully. But I feel like I'm going to puke. I just had to lay flat on my back for about five minutes, just kind of letting my body settle. I'm not conditioned for this hike.
At an elevation of about 12,250 feet, give or take. And I gotta be honest, I'm not doing so great. The storm fizzles, thankfully. But I feel like I'm going to puke. I just had to lay flat on my back for about five minutes, just kind of letting my body settle. I'm not conditioned for this hike.
Earlier in our story, I talked about how I started hiking in my twenties as a way of dealing with some emotional baggage. My first few solo trips felt pretty awkward. It can get boring having no one to talk to for days at a time. On the other hand, being alone forced me to meet someone new. Myself. I started conversing with my own inner monologue. That voice wasn't always the most kind.
Earlier in our story, I talked about how I started hiking in my twenties as a way of dealing with some emotional baggage. My first few solo trips felt pretty awkward. It can get boring having no one to talk to for days at a time. On the other hand, being alone forced me to meet someone new. Myself. I started conversing with my own inner monologue. That voice wasn't always the most kind.
It'd say things like, you've really done it this time, stupid. But other times, I discovered it could be surprisingly compassionate. Hey, that stuff that happened to you as a kid, it wasn't your fault. In this moment, atop North Pole Pass, that inner voice speaks back to me. You'll be all right. Don't give up. I steady my breathing, stand on wobbly legs, and pick up my heavy pack.
It'd say things like, you've really done it this time, stupid. But other times, I discovered it could be surprisingly compassionate. Hey, that stuff that happened to you as a kid, it wasn't your fault. In this moment, atop North Pole Pass, that inner voice speaks back to me. You'll be all right. Don't give up. I steady my breathing, stand on wobbly legs, and pick up my heavy pack.
I have a ways still to go in order to reach my intended campsite at a place called Fox Lake. Once there, I pull a microphone and audio recorder out of the backpack. This isn't the kind of gear most backpackers carry. It's heavy and bulky, but I want to be able to record my experiences in the moment and share them with you right from the trail.
I have a ways still to go in order to reach my intended campsite at a place called Fox Lake. Once there, I pull a microphone and audio recorder out of the backpack. This isn't the kind of gear most backpackers carry. It's heavy and bulky, but I want to be able to record my experiences in the moment and share them with you right from the trail.
Even though I'm feeling pretty wrecked right now at the edge of Fox Lake, the sunset here tonight was absolutely fantastic. And there's nobody else here. I'd wanted to get here before sundown, because I needed enough daylight to find a specific spot along the lakeshore. I'm camped approximately where I believe Eric Robinson spent his second night on the Uinta Highline.
Even though I'm feeling pretty wrecked right now at the edge of Fox Lake, the sunset here tonight was absolutely fantastic. And there's nobody else here. I'd wanted to get here before sundown, because I needed enough daylight to find a specific spot along the lakeshore. I'm camped approximately where I believe Eric Robinson spent his second night on the Uinta Highline.