Backpacking the Circle of Solitude

We hiked about 75 miles and climbed about 16,000 feet.

We hiked about 75 miles and climbed about 16,000 feet.

Up, up, and away.

Charlie, Dani and I huffed and puffed around the Circle of Solitude in five days. It was hard, beautiful and a lot of fun.

Avalanche Pass kicked my butt. Cloud Canyon felt like an achievement unlocked. Colby Pass, crossed at six pm, was a highlight. We’d pushed hard and the view was worth it. Standing up high on the Great Western Divide, looking down towards the Kern Trench, and across towards the Kaweahs, ready to drop down another five thousand feet.. it was a very physical trip.

We pushed up to the headwaters of the Kern, a basin I was thrilled to return to and can’t wait to visit again. Clouds joined us at Lake South America, but they felt more like the edge of a system rather than a growing cumulonimbus.

Day four brought us cross country to Harrison Pass. Being early July, we didn’t know if the chute would be covered in snow and ice. It wasn’t. We still turned around. Dang, that descent looked dangerous.

I don’t have a very high tolerance for risk. Harrison is your typical avalanche chute. Steep, featureless, loose. Below the top, there was no evidence of prints. No indication of a safe way. It looked like as soon as you were on the face you could slip. I can only guess that winter slides have changed the route since the guidebook recommended it. We turned around and started a long day over Forester instead.

I’ve wanted to do this loop for a dozen years and I’m very glad that my best buddies huffed along.

Falling on the first 40 feet seemed probable.

Falling on the first 40 feet seemed probable.

Backpacking Island Lake and Mount Price in Desolation

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Joined some friends for a birthday trip to the high country. Slept near the crest of the Crystal Range, really not very far from my home in the valley.

Three of us tried to summit in the late afternoon but turned around at the crux. It was six o’clock.

I’m not sure what to make of the route description. The “gentle sandy slope” from the saddle is a stout ridge. Didn’t have time to downclimb the other side and explore. The boot skiing was pretty perfect though.

Highlight of the trip was a “five wow” shooting star. It was low and slow and I had time to say “wow” that many times as it crossed the entire sky.

Also, the supermoon and the company made for a memorable camp in the alpine cirque.

Happy birthday Dimples!

Alamere Falls hike from Palomarin

Started the weekend with a screening of the beautiful Mile, Mile and a Half JMT film at Clifbar.

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Crammed a bevy of things in during the weekend. Visited five towns and saw lots of people I love.

The other nature connection came with a Sunday hike in southern Point Reyes. Woke up in Bolinas, made french toast, tied our shoes and hit the trail. Skipped swimming in Bass Lake this trip, but did scurry down the crumbling bluff to the beach. There sure are a lot of people willing to walk the narrow tunnel of poison oak that is the unmaintained trail to the falls.

Beautiful park as usual.

Backpacking to Tehipite Valley

Ali and I made it to Tehipite Valley on Memorial Day weekend. We ate, walked, saw a bear, nursed sore legs and tried to not touch our poison oak covered clothing.

It was excellent.

At fifteen miles, it was a surprisingly long day to reach the valley. At eight o’clock, after working our way down the sketchy switchbacks and thrashing to the camp spots, we were done.

It’s an amazing and legendary place. I’d wanted to return since I was thirteen. A nearly full moon spotlighted the totally full dome as we slept. Sometimes waking up in the middle of the night has it’s rewards. This was one of those times.

tehipite

Jack goes to Paris

I spent a week and a half kicking around one of the greatest cities on earth. My mom had lined up a bevy of dinner parties and delicious modern restaurants. I did what I do everywhere: walk, ride bikes, and eat bread and cheese. We slept in late and stayed up late. Our apartment was in Oberkampf, one of the cooler neighborhoods if you’re a young person wanting to eat and drink. I did a smattering of tourist sites and a heaping of museums. The highlight was connecting with long time friends, both native and expats. It was great to see you all!

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