Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

A forum to initiate member meet-up. Looking for a hiking/climbing/fishing/skiing/etc. partner, or are you planning a trip where you wouldn't mind having some company? Last minute invites can be just as fun as a well-planned group trip (sometimes even better) so don't be shy! And be sure to post a trip report to the appropriate forum when you get back.
User avatar
ghost
Topix Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:48 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by ghost »

Yes, that's my trail name. It came about because I wore a long-sleeved white shirt, light tan pants, a big floppy white/tan hat and these funny sun-blocking hand protectors (not quite gloves). Two other hikers, Riddle and Stretch, told me that I looked like a Ghostbuster with my pack. It quickly got shortened to Ghost.
User avatar
Jimr
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 2175
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Torrance

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Jimr »

Welcome to the forum Viki....er...ghost. I'm glad you joined.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
User avatar
Bluewater
Topix Expert
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:33 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact:

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Bluewater »

I made it back to civilization after three weeks+ in the backcountry and it's good to get caught up with this HST Meet-Up thread.

I am very sorry to hear about Michael's mishap while descending from Lake Catherine, but also very happy to hear that he made it out safely.

Sshgirl I am also bummed to read about the theft in your camp near 1,000 Island Lake. I judge no man but I do hope the thief suffers from the bad karma he or she created that day.

It was a lot of fun seeing some familiar faces (Hobbes, Oleander), meeting some new people (VHS, ghost, Ken & Garrick) and of course meeting Maverick after so many years of correspondence. Maverick your goodwill toward cross country Sierra trekkers has had a very positive effect on us all! A while after the meetup I met a newer member (Asoulthang) fishing Dumbell Lakes who said he was following the itinerary you outlined for him. I have also followed some of your suggested routes and discovered new routes that I never would have considered. Thanks Maverick.

I had a great time at the meetup 'campfire' sharing stories and hearing about the adventures of the other members. Many thanks to Oleander and ghost for sharing your food and salt tablets the next morning, they made a huge difference. Maverick's designer chocolates were also very much appreciated. Congratulations to Garrick on his very first backpacking trip with Ken!

After suffering from allergies due to the miles of hiking through fields of wildflowers on the northern part of the SHR I was ready to go home after the meetup, but during the hike back to Tuolumne Meadows I started to feel better. I spent the next day in Mammoth mailing back some gear and loading up on more salty foods and Hammer Endurolytes and decided to stick around for the next two week section of my journey.

I ended up leaving Reds that evening with 15 days of food and camped near the Mammoth Crest. For the next two weeks+ I stitched together portions of the SHR, SoSHR, KCHBR and some of my own favorite x/c routes and passes and exited via the Whitney Mountaineers Route. I felt great most of the time and averaged two x/c passes each day. Days 18 and 19 were tough as my stomach felt like it was eating itself from the inside :puke:

I will do a full trip report, but until then here are a few photos from the trek:

Some of the HST crew:

Image

Image

The custom/homemade cuben fiber shelter that VHS was using:

Image

Mt. Ansel Adams:

Image

Wildflowers in Virginia Canyon (near the north/beginning of the SHR):

Image

Camping at Shepherd Lake with Sky Pilot Col visible in the distance:

Image

Crazy emerald pools in the basin to the north of Arrow Pass:

Image

Camping below Feather Pass:

Image

The view from Puppet Pass, storms finally clearing after spitting rain all day:

Image

Sunset on Humphreys:

Image

Holy $h1!, the view back down after climbing the north side of Snow Tongue Pass:

Image

Camping below Mt. Russell:

Image

The last sunset, looking down on Wales Lake:

Image

The last pass, Russell-Carrillon Col:

Image

22 days in the same shirt & shorts:

Image
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11823
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by maverick »

It was great meeting you too Bluewater, finally. Happy to read Asolthane is doing well, that is the second of three 10 day trips that was put together for him. :)
You photo's are great and hope next years Meet-up location meets your approval now that you got a peak at it. :unibrow:
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
rayfound
Topix Expert
Posts: 468
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:44 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Contact:

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by rayfound »

Image

Holy crap... that might be the pretties view of French Canyon I've seen. Makes me want to re-shuffle my LD permit wishlist.
User avatar
Jimr
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 2175
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Torrance

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Jimr »

Love the crepuscular rays.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
User avatar
Bluewater
Topix Expert
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:33 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact:

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Bluewater »

maverick wrote:. . .hope next years Meet-up location meets your approval now that you got a peak at it. :unibrow:
The terrain along the approach to next years meet-up location is just as good (if not better in some areas) than the actual meet-up spot :cool:
User avatar
Bluewater
Topix Expert
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:33 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact:

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Bluewater »

Thanks Rayfound and Jimr!

More crespecularity from Bear Lakes Basin ;)
image.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Hobbes
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1120
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:09 am
Experience: N/A
Location: The OC

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Hobbes »

Glad you kept going. How was frozen lake?
User avatar
Bluewater
Topix Expert
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:33 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact:

Re: Maverick's 2016 Annual HST Meet-up

Post by Bluewater »

I skipped Frozen Lake this time and took the Cataract/Amphitheater/Dumbell/Lakes/Cartridge route. Lakes Basin was among my favorites; real nice mix of creeks, waterfalls, lakes and big scenery. I rushed through it a few years ago but had time to really enjoy it this time around.

This is the view into Lakes Basin from Dumbell Lakes Pass, Marion visible on the right, but I liked the big lakes to the left.
image.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests