Day 7. Backpacking Day 6.
Upper Tyndall Creek, Forrester Pass, to Bubbs Creek

Within a few minutes of leaving camp, my shin began to hurt, and with every step it became worse. Even so, there was no way out, and I hobbled over the highest pass on the JMT. At 13,153 feet, Forrester Pass is high and steep, and although I was moving, I needed to stop at every stream crossing to soak and numb my shin in the near-freezing water. Drugs offered by passing hikers and an ace bandage helped too, and the wet ace bandage continued to chill my leg as I moved along.

On the way down the other side (going down was more painful), some friendly hikers gave me two 800-mg ibuprofen tablets. Half of one, plus more freezing water and leaning heavily on my trekking poles, helped me finish the day, but I was beat and discouraged from the pain.

I intended to stop at the regular campground along Bubbs Creek, but it was a sea of tents, so I continued on. In another 1/2 miles, I found a nice site along the stream and resumed soaking my leg. As the evening began to run late, I invited two guys hiking together and a solo woman to join me. We made lively chat during dinner, but we didn't last much past dark.