High Sierra Topix

John and I met Norma, Tom, Kathy and Joe for a climb to Spanish needle. John and Tom summitted, the rest of us got pretty darn close. Never had quite that kind of route- the last .6 was, ummm, how do I say this nicely?--CRAPPY! (and took longer than the 6.5 miles trail hike in) I have to say it wasn't one of my favorite peaks, although I am already vaguely planning on how I might make it all the way next time.....

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558490722AeEtNw

great pictures TT - it sure is nice to be able to post back on the regular peak-bagging section again. It sure was a fun group we had up there - I know you hated the loose crumbly traverse - especially when snow was mixed in to make it extra slippery

well my .02c worth - it is one of the toughest hikes in the lower Sierras - truth be told - it took 3 unsuccesful tries before finally completing the journey. if you ever hike with SierraGator I am sure he has as many funny stories about that as I do(yes my Gatorade did finally thaw) - neither he nor I will ever forget "the trip from hell"

I will try and get my pictures up later in the week - but gosh they look nowhere near as stunning as yours -- job well done.

CG and I drove over to the Whitney Portal on Sunday for an afternoon stroll up to LBS Lake - not worth a separate thread so I will just add a link here: http://members3.clubphoto.com/tom103807 ... uest.phtml

although I am already vaguely planning on how I might make it all the way next time..... Trailtrekker06

Yeah Sooz!
I can't believe you're thinking that! Because i thought the same thing!! "Great baggers think alike!"

I did NOT like being defeated by that friction slab and would like to go for it again without snow.

Great pictures. Some beautiful scenery you caught. Next time we'll have to get shots of each of the 6 gullies we crossed.

CG

yeah - the ribs and gullies. I didn't even THINK about taking pictures for a while, had my camera in the pack during that part.
Where's everybody else's pics?
Adding a group shot to my album that Joe took of all of us.

The hike to this peak turned out to be a lot harder than I though it was going to be. The first 6.5 miles were really easy, but that last little bit was rough. Got my pics up. http://joeidoni.smugmug.com/gallery/2664956

Joe- These are great!! You really got some good ones going through the gullies. Thanks for posting!

damn Joe - nice pictures - you have have an eye for great shots
wish I had taken more - seems like too much of this trip was spent staring at footholds and trying not to slip on rocks/snow

pictures: http://members3.clubphoto.com/tom103807 ... uest.phtml

Aww Joe~
If Sooz and I are thinking about doing it again, you HAVE to come. It will be the "Never Say Never Hike!" How about it Kathy??? Can we count you in?

Beautiful pictures and nice captions, Joe. The black background on SmugMug really sets off the colors i think.

The hike was long and arduous, but the company great! Missed our Snow Nymph though.

CG

I was actually thinking about this as an easy backpack in to the saddle, then a fresh start in the morning...I know that may seem silly but I don't want to run outta gas and now that I know what we gotta do, I think we can make it no problem.

maybe mix Lamont, Lamont Peak or Sawtooth in the mix somehow - I know a great route up to Sawtooth - not sure I want a heavy back pack for the peaks - but maybe carry summit packs for the peaks