High Sierra Topix

Hobbes, interesting question. I would like to think that I’d be just as appreciative of the trip as a whole if the bad weather was at the end instead of the beginning. The good memories from the beginning would still stand out and maybe even act as something to hold onto during the bad weather but I agree with Rich that I would be motivated to leave early. I do believe that when we’ve made the right decisions and survived in the face of being tested/pushed to the limit (even though only bad weather in this case), in most cases there is a net benefit from the experience and confidence in knowing you’ve made all of the right decisions.

Rich, I really enjoyed your company as well. May you always find galvanic equilibrium.

And here is a video of the trip, focusing more on the travel to and from the meetup. 9 days in 9 minutes! I forgot to take out the GoPro during the actual meetup. Cast includes Oleander, Richlong8, and Bluewater.



I switched from ultra-wide angle to minimize the fish-eye look but this seems to have made it more sensitive to camera shake. Might have to look into mounting it differently next time. I had it attached to my shoulder strap with a Peak Designs mount.

Unbelievable video, Michael!! The camera shake actually creates a cool effect - in places it seems like an animated film.

There are some things that just can't be captured statically in snapshots. (One of those things: Cresting PQC and getting that first view of what's down the other side.)

The music is nice, too. I was wondering how you were going to cover up all my yakking.

Worth its weight in gold, that GoPro.

- Elizabeth

Very cool video Michael!

Oleander wrote:

There are some things that just can't be captured statically in snapshots. (One of those things: Cresting PQC and getting that first view of what's down the other side.)

Yes, it also would have been interesting to hear, what the first things would have been out of your mouths, when you had your first glimpse of the eastern side of Pants Pass, if you had not been stopped by the weather.


Everyone who attended the Meet-up, please PM your names and addresses, so I can mail you your HST sitckers and patches, that I was planning to give to you at the Meet-up. Thanks

Great video Rocky Road! It's probably good that the real time audio wasn't included because I remember some "oh $#!/" moments after seeing the north/west side of PQC

maverick wrote:
Everyone who attended the Meet-up, please PM your names and addresses, so I can mail you your HST sitckers and patches, that I was planning to give to you at the Meet-up. Thanks

HST patch on the island

Just watched the video. Wow! Very well done. Great close up view of crossing the pass. And I like your choice of music with no voices. Much better than the typical Youtube hiking video.

Michael, that was a sweet video!

Thanks for the kind comments on the video. It was a lot of fun to create.

Bluewater, after reaching the top of the col, I also quickly went from elation (maybe a microsecond) to "oh $#!/" when I saw the other side. The microphone didn't pick anything up because I was probably too stunned to talk.

Thanks to everyone for the excellent trip reports, photos, and video (nicely done @Rockyroad )! Sounds like it was an amazing get together in a spectacular location