High Sierra Topix

Hi A.J.,

Welcome to HST!

Hi! I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster. I've been backpacking my whole life, but only got into long-distance hiking about 4 years ago and have made it a goal to do at least one long one each year. My first through hike was the JMT in 2013, then the High Sierra Trail in 2014, and the Big SEKI loop in 2015. I'm still deciding on a hike for this coming summer, which is what brings me here again. I discovered High Sierra Topix doing a google search when I was prepping for the JMT and am glad I did--I never would have heard of the Big SEKI loop if I hadn't! I plan on writing some trail reports and giving advice wherever I can. I think I might also write a few words about the Big SEKI loop soon, since it's one of the lesser-known major loops out there and parts of it definitely took me by surprise. I just wrote a post asking about good 120-180 mile hikes, and saw the introduction section and thought I would drop in. Oh, and my name is Gary

Hi all,

My name is Kayla. I'm 28 and took up backpacking last year after getting into hiking a few years earlier. I try to get out to hike, snowshoe, backpack, or camp almost every weekend. I absolutely love planning trips for my friends and am already prepping trips for September... I have an addiction!

Hi Gary and Kayla,

Welcome to HST! Looking forward to reading about your adventures in the Sierra and beyond.

Hey guys! I'm just getting into long distance hiking and am doing my first long trip this summer on the JMT! I am an avid fly fishermen from Michigan and I instantly got hooked on The High Sierra after doing Mt. Whitney!

Welcome aboard Tyler!

Not much of a lurker... Kinda jumped right in once I found this forum - so thank you people for welcoming me!

I'm down here in LA, originally from the East Coast. Done some backpacking here and there in life, but realized, the whole reason I let my wife talk me into moving out West was because of the trees and mountains. Been a few years here now and realizing, lost sight of the goal w little ones' arrivals. So few years in, no time like the present to remember you goals and start executing. Interests are quite simply hiking and backpacking. Thanks for folks' kind help planning first few - of hopefully many - backcountry trips into the Sierras.

Hello HST,

I've been (practically) a daily lurker for the last couple years. Can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the information, trip reports, and beautiful photos everyone posts. HST is my favorite way to kill downtime at work, and usually the last thing I do before going to bed.

My wife and I are good for a couple multi-day outings a summer, save for this last one when we got married and spent our honeymoon in Asia. We live in San Francisco and do our best to get to the mountains whenever we can, even if it's just a one-night camping trip.

I've only posted one report (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11585), but I'll be sure to post more in the future. Most of the trips I've done so far have been well covered by this site (Rae Lakes, Onion Valley to Whitney, etc), so I didn't bother posting anything (though now I know the information can still be useful to people, so I'll be sure to post everything in the future).

We generally stick to trails, though I'm hoping to branch out this summer and sprinkle in some easy cross-country sidetrips (if the trips we go on allow for it). I also picked up a fly rod that I'm excited to put to use this summer as well.

This summer, I'd like to do Quartz Mountain->Red Peak/Post Peak/Fernandez Passes->Quartz Mountain and then another one exploring/fishing the lakes and basins above Lake Sabrina. The information I've gotten from here for both of these trips has been outstanding!

So yeah, thanks again for everything. I look forward to being more of a contributor in the future. Who knows, maybe one of these years I might just show up at the annual meet-up and put some faces to names (I'm certainly tempted this year).

Take care,
tweeder

Thank you Sambieni and Tweeder for the official intro's.

My pal and I both stumbled upon HST as we started to research the SHR. Great site.

I’ve been trekking into various mountains for different reasons most of my life. My favorite place is the middle of nowhere and I have a love of scrambling (Class 3-4 stuff). I have no list of peaks I need to reach, or trails I need to hike. I just like a good challenge and the isolation of being where few people tread. That said, I do prefer a group of 3 or 4.

Seems like most of my focus this year will be in the Sequoia / Kings Canyon area, long-walking the granite through the thin air and taking photos.

I also lead some shorter, overnight backpacking trips for California Backpacking club.

-G