Lol how I have the time is one of the most common questions I get.
I currently work in construction doing suspended acoustical ceilings and wall panels. Also FRP wall panels. But the key is I work for my uncle so I can get off all the time I want and have a job when I get home so I have been taking advantage of it while I can. I just save up all year and hit the trails or in this case just the mountains with no trails. ;)
If you mean unwanted company from the Marmots yes that was sure true. They got me good at Franklin Lakes and destroyed one of my new 100 dollar water shoes that I had never worn before. They also put a hole in my pack, my pot handle and stuff sack. They tried to eat my camera, my gps, my solar panel and cords, my trekking poles, my tent and probably more that I have forgotten about.
Another guy that was camped at Franklin Lakes that was just laying out woke up and a Marmot was chewing up his sleeping bag while he was in it!
It was a good year to attempt such a long trip since we had so little snow. I certainly am happy with what I got done. I feel that my skills in these mountains have reached a point of being an expert without an ego attached. Last year I didn't like going cross country as much due to how much more demanding it is but now I feel as normal off trail as on them. I also have slowly built up my climbing skills where I should start roping up. I have hit class 4 and 5 with major exposure but coming down that sort of stuff without a rope is just difficult! I lost the Rock Route on Clyde Minaret and ended up on some class 5 with a 1000 foot exposure. Luckily while climbing up though!
I just hate that what I had failed to do last year I planned for this year and failed again. Such as completing the Sierra High Route North of Tuolumne and doing the Enchanted Gorge, Cartridge Creek and the Murro Blanco. Oh well who knows maybe next year.
I think I will also try to do a major exploration of the Pine Creek Mine in the future. I found a way into the mine and it has 32 miles of tunnels and 3500 feet of elevation change from top to bottom. Anyone want to spend 3 days under ground with me lol.
So summit lists are: (in order)
Russell
Peak 12,345 (Copper Mine Peak)
Brewer
Peak 12,064 (White Fork Peak)
Peak 12,176 (Cartridge Peak)
Observation
Peak 11,255 (at the corner of Palisade Creek and the Middle Fork of the Kings
Langille
The Citadel
Charybdis
Godddard
Peak 10,755 (South of McClure Meadow)
Clyde Minaret
(Peak name removed) was probably the most cool because the original register is on top and I was the 5th summit ever of the peak and the first in 6 years.
I had many more peaks planned but the weather stopped most of them. I was going to climb Sill and Polemonium but I burnt my extra day with two other hikers at the Dumbell Lakes so I didn't have the time.
Last edited by Steve C; 09/25/12 10:10 AM. Reason: peak name removed
