Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Moose's Grand Adventure IV: Overloaded! (LONG!)

I was at guitar lake the night of the 17th and on the switchbacks to TC and the summit around the same time - I think I remember seeing you a little ahead of me, so I was using your progress to guess my own. There were two of us - me and my husband, both in black fleece jackets. I may have some photos of you up there somewhere - still need to go through them.

Great trip report and photos!

I love photography. For year nows, I have a used a "system" for taking photos in nature or when I am traveling. I get the photo/photos right away and then shut my camera off. Then I allow myself to enjoy the moments and experience my surroundings. That's what I did on the summit of Kilimanjaro. I snapped about 10 pix and then stayed on the summit for about 40 minutes just taking it all in. Several years ago, I saw dolphins surfing a wave when I was at the end of the jetty in Oceanside, CA. The dolphins were right in front of me! I had my camera with me but I did not shoot the photo because I would have missed the phenomenal experience (it happened so fast). I will not allow my camera to interfere with my actual experiences but I still love to capture the beauty and great moments with my camera.

Again, thanks for sharing your trip with us. What a great and memorable experience!

MC

We camped at Moraine lake on the 8th and junction meadow on the 9th. I don't remember passing you on the trail though. That reflection off Moraine lake was probably my favorite view from the trip. Sounds like you had a grand adventure yourself!

-TIM-

Laura,
You are my HERO! An adventurer in whom there is no guile. Thank you for the fabulous TR. It was like reading the end of the last Harry Potter book. I had to slow down and savor the narrative.

Hey Laura - the report was great - it sounds like your almost ready for the Sierra High Route (book by Steve Roper) - few trails, lots of map and compass, nights of blue-lapis and fiery diamond dippers, and all the other usual, impossible-to-describe breathtaking moments. I just finished the first 50 (give or take) miles of it over six days coming out on Taboose Pass. See you on high, Tony

Laura,
Congratulations on an awesome adventure! Sorry about the camera, but thnaks for sharing the story of your journey.
Norma

Wow what a trip, you should be very proud of yourself for achieving this great accomplishment solo, way to go.

So sorry about your camera, you had such a somber note when writing about dinner that night and packing up and hiking on early that morning, I felt so bad for you, could really feel your pain. Unfortunately that's just life in this big world of ours sometimes I suppose...

Again, more thanks for the continued kindness. I actually just finished the series in the SF Chronicle by Tom Steinstra, and even that transported me back to the Kern Canyon again.

I found a new camera yesterday, which is actually the next generation of the one that walked away. That'll make it easier in terms of the rest of the equipment required and overall use. I can't wait to take it out for it's 'virgin' run!

I joked with a friend yesterday about having to 'stay in shape' now for the upcoming winter season. Maybe a pack around the Tahoe Rim Trail? But yes, T, there will be courses taken and skills learned. McKinley has moved closer on my radar, I think!

-L

PS: Tony, the High Sierra Route is also in the radar. I'll be sure to be gathering info on that, too. Sometime along the way here I need to schedule my Sierra Club provisional hikes, too, so I can be a rated leader! Oich! Maybe if I just win the lottery...

PPS: Tim, I was looking for you guys as well, don't know how I possibly could have missed you? Were you a group of two or three? There were two guys that showed up to the Hot Spring just as I was getting my stuff together to leave...

Well I was with 2 others who were much faster than me. Another hiker joined up with me after 2 days, we were headed to the same camps and had the same pace so it just worked out.

Here is a pic of my group:

Too long? No way!

Reading your TR took me right along with you. Good thing...I've been working my *** of at a new job and couldn't get any time off to play this summer. I've been watching your posts over the past year and celebrating your achievements. Its not just what you have done (which is pretty impressive despite your recent beginnings!), it is the spirit with which you do them! Keep posting those reports!

Tim:
The two guys on the left were the two that showed up at the Hot Spring just as I got my last stuff together and headed out. Still trying to figure out how I missed ya, but I only remember a Canadian couple at one of the stream crossings (they were coming north and I directed them a little higher up the creek where it was easier to cross) just south of the Spring.
Ah, poop. Sorry I missed ya!
-L

PS: Thanks, Scott! It has been quite a year, and even I'm having some trouble trying to figure it all out! What a rush!

Hey Moosie, just got a chance to read your TR. Good work! Sorry about the camera, but no worries; you've got all the images stored in your brain and soon you'll be able to download them with this simple device.


Dave

Laura,

You get my vote for "Trip report of the month". An outstanding tale of an unforgetable trip.
Way to go,

Phil

Oh wow! What can I possibly say that hasn't been said already? As someone who loves the mountains, loves taking photographs, and loves writing about my experiences..I felt like I was along for the ride. Fantastic stuff...and I have to say: inspirational! I've read about this trail in the past..but now you've really stoked the desire for me to give it a shot sometime in the near future. This looks like one of those long and tough hikes that most of us (if we wanted) could find the time to do..and I will!

Fantastic stuff..thanks for taking the time to write it all down..and congrats on the achievement!

Regards..
Chris

Thats funny, still don't get it though. Yeah my friend beat me to the hot springs by an hour. I think the couple from Canada may have actually been from MN, I think they got there about 15-20 minutes before I did. Did you pass any people taking a break on the trail? That may have been us - who knows?

Awesome trip though and I can't believe you were carrying a 60lb pack. I didn't like my 35-40lb pack. Congrats!

Dave: That brainsucker idea is frightening. I think there might be a few things stashed away in this twisted head of mine that probably shouldn't see the light of day!

Beachie: Then get yours and Marisa's butts out here so we can go have an adventure! "The mountains are calling and I must go..."

-L

Laura....Had this to post a few days ago for you..finally getting logged in to do it. That was the best TR I have ever read...so very enjoyable..Thank you for your story and taking me for a short while on your adventure out there! I was totally consumed while reading it. Your heart and soul were for sure into it!

You really covered some gorgeous areas...Cloud Canyon and the Whaleback have been on my to do places..I have heard that Colby Lake is a very pretty. Awesome on getting to Centennial Peak..I was very close to that peak when I was on Milestone Mountain a few weeks earlier...I think I may have a picture of the peak in one of my pictures..I will have to look and then look at my map.
I am so very sorry about the camera...I can totally relate to how that must have felt. I LOVE taking pictures to look back on..but I have also found that when I do have my camera I tend to be taking more than I need to & paying to much attention on getting just the right image. It is almost like when you don't have a camera you can pay more attention to the sounds and sights around you...if that makes sense.

Glad you had a nice time out there in the wilds
Thank you for sharing it here!