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After camping Friday night before Memorial Day in the Panamints, I went up to Horseshoe Meadow Saturday for a start-to-get-my sorry-butt-in-shape Trail Pass day hike with my 50+ lb. pack I'll carry on a planned 16 day solo loop over Shepherd Pass to Roaring River and Elizabeth Pass in July.
Usual first day stuff - altitude kicked my butt, was overtaken near the 90 degree right turn by a group of 5 from LA who argued pretty adamantly that they were really on the New Army Pass Trail, not near Trail Pass. After a way too long discussion they headed back to Horseshoe. A few hours later, I felt the irresiatable cheeseburger / beer urge and headed to the Portal for great food and even better company and mountain stories.
But I got to thinking how great it felt to be back in the Sierra and how lucky we are to be able to maake such visits a regular, summer occurance. One of those rare places where you can set down in a thoussand - hell, a million - different places, look around and wonder about the impossible task of describing such magnificent beauty. Also a reminder that the mountains never care, and buffoonary and poor judgement will have serious consequences.
Not sure why I posted this, other than to share the wonder and awe I experience upon returning to the Sierra every year. All of you contemplating a trip this summer - just do it. Don't worry about having enough knowledge or experience or being in shape. One step at a time and you will be rewarded with experiences that will change your view of the outdoors.
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Nice post, booger. Good insight into why some of us return again and again. Perhaps those whose goal is to simply go up, tag the summit of The Big One, and then go back to their prior routines, will take heed.
I bet it wouldn't take much to convince you to change your last two words from "the outdoors" to "life."
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Those of us trapped out in the flatlands are jealous...lucky to make one or two trips a year up into the mountains and I'll take the Sierra any time even with the longer trip from MO.
Farthest west I'm likely to get this summer will be New Mexico. At least our Philmont trek takes us up Mt. Baldy, so we'll hit one of the higher peaks in NM in the process.
...maybe next year...
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Bob: that is perhaps one of the most well-put sentiments I've read in a long time. Being up there does change one's view and perspectives on life. In fact, one reason I try to go as often as I can is so that I never lose touch with that perspective or connection to myself. Booger: I'm heading to Elizabeth Pass in Auagust. I'll be eager to read your trip report/get the conditions beta when you return. I'm writing a post-it to myself right now to pm you at the end of July. Alan: Where are you headed in NM? The trail to Wheeler Peak out of Taos is simply magnificent. Hmmm... the high desert and the Sangre de Christos seem to be calling again...  -Laura 
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Great title for your post..."Like Coming Home". I appreciate your sediment, booger. All my backpacking and mountaineering was done in my 30's (mostly in the Sierras and San Gabriels). My 40's have been spent snow skiing, river canoeing, boating and hiking (day hikes). Backpacking and mountaineering was put on the back burner. As I am now "Coming Home", I discovered that my back can not handle the weight that I used to be able to. I will be turning 50 this month (hopefully on the summit of Kili) and I have major back pain from car accidents. On Mt. Adams last weekend, I had to abort a summit attempt (I did have vaccination shots for Kili, no sleep and a few other physical ailments which did not help. Also, I was carrying a MooseTrack size pack...what was I thinking)! As I lay in my tent, I thought maybe I am not physically capable of climbing mountains that I so passionately want to. Maybe I have bought all this new equipment for nothing. The next morning, I climbed upwards with my day pack and as I looked around at the beauty around me and listened to the crunch of the snow beneath my boots...I was home. You are right, booger. I am meeting MooseTracks this weekend to hike the MMWT and I will just take it one step at a time. Summit or not, I will be "Coming Home"! mc
Last edited by M.C.; 06/05/07 08:48 PM.
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Those of us trapped out in the flatlands are jealous...lucky to make one or two trips a year up into the mountains and I'll take the Sierra any time Boy, can I relate! 
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great thread - welcome back to the Sierras to Booger
even the years I was not bagging peaks I would swear I heard a voice welcoming me home every time I turned off the highway. this year looks good for spending close to 100 days in the mountains and deserts. although I am jealous every time I hear of another +15 day trip - I still know that I am blessed to be able to enjoy the time I do.
a few months ago I was on my way down from Panamint Butte. the sun was settling through some clouds in the western afternoon skies - and was painting wild colors that were changing every minute. it was just one of those moments were you have to stop and enjoy the rare moment of time. I knew that I would probably be coming off the side of a mountain in the dark - but it was worth it to enjoy those awesome sunset colors - we stayed up glued to the spot for an hour. hope that was not too far off tangent - but the meaning of the thread hits close to home for me. it is all about the enjoyment and fufillment of being out........ home
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MooseTracks: We'll be doing 83 miles at the Philmont Scout Ranch outside Cimmaron, NM, in 10 days on the trail. I know we could see Wheeler Peak from the top of Mt. Philips when we were at Philmont in 2005. Not sure whether we can from Baldy or not, but I expect so. Since we're on the Council bus from St. Louis, no opportunity to extend the trip on either end...we're stuck with the long bus ride, like it or not. Nathan and I did Wheeler Peak a few years ago, via the Williams Lake approach. Trip report under the "highpointing" pulldown on my WWW site. It was a great hike, and the pitch up from Williams lake to the Wheeler summit ridge was, shall we say, interesting? 2,000' gain in less than a half-mile of use trails and scrambling. My kind of approach!
Last edited by Alan; 06/05/07 08:41 PM.
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Thanks for this post booger! I read this as I sit planning my first two trips back to the Sierras this year. I always manage to fit in at least 3-4 trips a year, and I already feel a sense of relief from the stresses of everyday life just planning my return!
So your sentiment struck a familiar chord with me...and made me hungry for a Whitney Portal burger!
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I've been out there 5 times in the past 3 years or so..and the 3 unsuccessful trips..in terms of reaching the top..are still some of my best hiking trips ever. I was fortunate to get to hike partway up to Kearsarge Pass with Richard on another trip out there and man..Onion Valley is just incredible. And Thor Peak..fantastic.. You are so right..you guys and gals are incredibly lucky!
Chris
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