SODIUM:1 Harbinger by Stephen Arseneault Read Free Book Online Page A

5
     
     
    4AM came and I was awakened by Bull for the final watch of the night. I got up, threw a couple extra pieces of wood on the fire and made my coffee. First light started to show about 6AM, 15 minutes later the others began to rise.
    The night had passed without issue. We ate, packed, cleaned up the campsite and started on the next leg of our adventure. We were heading all the way up Rancheria Creek to Tilden Canyon Creek. We would camp there for the night.
    The first several miles of the hike were at a decent incline. We would be going up to 7200’ of elevation from 5200’. The thought of going uphill and being at higher altitudes had me preparing myself for a tough day.
    Ten minutes into the hike we came upon the rabbit that had been butchered on the rock. Bull pointed over to it as we passed and I had to stop to take a look. I then asked Bull what the other animal was and he stopped in his tracks and turned towards me. There, on a lower rock, was another animal… or at least the remains of one.
    We walked over to inspect it and Bull determined that it was a small doe. Probably only a month or so old. Again, it had been filleted open as if being dissected. We could not fathom what possible use someone would have for doing such. All the parts of the animal were still there.
    Bull looked it over carefully while Allie watched over his shoulder. They determined that it had only been dead a few hours. Whoever had done this had once again been near our campsite. I dropped my bat and slowly raised my hands up in the air and then pulled them behind my head. I wondered if the red eyed demon was following us. I was spooked.
    We took a few minutes to evaluate the situation. We could turn south and head for Tioga Pass Road, we could head back to Hetch Hetchy and head for the dam, or we could continue on. After a short discussion we all determined that although this was odd we had yet to be in any real danger from whoever was out there. As long as it stayed that way we would continue the hike.
    Our current heading was taking us further from civilization. We were well armed and with Bull and Allie being extreme outdoorsman we felt confident enough to continue. Again, we had to think about the business aspect of the adventure. If completed with no issues other than what we had so far been confronted with, the Yosemite Sportsman Package would still be a go.
    We hoisted our packs and began our slow climb up Rancheria Creek. I tried my best to stay in the middle of the group. The further from civilization we got the more rugged it became. We were constantly having to climb up and over large boulders or find a way around. The scenery was still spectacular and the temperature and weather had been perfect, but this part of the hike was becoming a continuous workout for my short legs.
    An hour and a half into our day’s hike we stopped for a break. Just as we did so I turned to slip off my pack and saw a rock tumble down a ridge 100 yards behind us. I could have sworn I saw something move on the ridge where the rock had come from, but I wasn’t completely sure. And with the fatigue I was already feeling and the jittery start to our hike I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me.
    I called Bull over and pointed to where I had seen the rock tumble. He pulled a small pair of binoculars from his pack and looked intently for several minutes. I told him I was unsure of actually seeing anything and he gave me the old better safe than sorry line.
    This time curiosity was getting the best of me, so when we donned our packs I took up the position in back. Every chance I got I would turn my head to look back. It only worked to wear me out faster and by the time we broke for lunch I was exhausted. I once again slipped off the pack, found a big flat rock in the shade and laid down on my back.
    Fatigue was really setting in with the constant uphill climb. Susi was in the same condition as I was and was starting to grumble to Kyle. The joy