We (Chinaman, Rambi, SLOJoe and me) left the rim above Jefferson Park, crossing an icy area. We had no idea what we were in for. First of all, my hiking shoes (2nd pair) were shot. Then we found the ice very slick - I had no purchase (no solid surface beneath me). Chinaman was leading the way. After a while he said "for safety sake, we must turn around - this is not going to work." Everyone got turned around easier than I did. I had to literally kneel down and jab my hiking poles into the ice to get turned around. I know that the angels of heaven (and the prayers of everyone back home) had to be with me. This was the most dangerous situation I have ever been in.
We climbed above the slope and crossed over the rocky area to a minor slope, a more safe area. Had we continued on the ice slope we could have slid down to the rock shelf below, and, at the very least have broken some bones or worse. Chinaman's knowleged and experience made our climb over the rim and subsequent descent on the other side much quicker, easier and most importantly safer. SLOJoe and I were fortunate to hike with Chinaman and Rambi through the most difficult section of the PCT for me to this point. I left SloJoe, Chinaman and Rambi at Olallie Resort and hiked to Warm Springs river at 4:45pm.
Praise the Lord of all creation!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard
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