We allow ourselves a mellow morning and a slow start, changing our destination from Wildrose Peak to the closer Owens. It’s a no-nonsense chug, claiming to climb 2,850 feet in 1.5 miles. I think it must be further than that, but definitely gets down (up?) to business. Ann is disappointed to make it up “only” 2,200 feet, and I try to help her realize that this is progress without being patronizing. I continue to the top with Jezze, neither of us doing it easily. The summit feels familiar, even though I can only remember climbing it once before – two years ago in the snow. It’s hard to believe I’ve now lived in the eastern Sierra desert for over two years. It feels like half that when I think of my arrival here, much more when I think of how my life has changed.