High Sierra Topix

Friday, 16 November 2007 (day 1 of 3)
Onyx Peak #2 (5244') in the Southern Sierra

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/3852942#223176980

Met up with Rach for a dayclimb up Onyx Peak in Kern County. Steep, quick hike and my legs are finally feeling good after two months of leg problems! After a shower, quick visit with Tomcat, and a little shopping, I drove to Panamint Valley and parked, expecting Lewis to show up. Tom Gossett was on his way to Beatty for a solo hike, but spotted the Cooler and turned back. I invited him to join us, then Hard Charger arrived shortly after. We hung out awhile, looked at the Panamint Valley A-4 plane wreck site in the dark, no sign of Lewis so we left to find a place to camp for the night.

Saturday, 17 November 2007 (day 2 of 3)
Peak 8,841'

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/3852977#223588743

This was a beautiful day for a dayclimb in the desert. Tom Gossett had a turnaround time due to a prior committment and headed back alone. Hard Charger (aka usmcjim) made it about half mile/400' from the summit. Great job for a newbie! Tomcat and I summitted this time, it was my second try. This was a 14 mile day, with 5000' el gain, my first big hike in two months since my leg started giving me problems! Feels great to be back!!! :-)

btw - you need to relabel that Friday picture "supporting my hiking habit"

was a great day on Saturday - especially since it was one year ago that we turned back - that day we only made the ridge - luckily (or unlucky for me ) no yellow jackets this time

pictures up now:
http://tomcat-rc.smugmug.com/gallery/3858594#223408405

Jim - stick with it and you will do fine - this was not a small hike day and you did fine(great in female language - ask Snowy or Rachel what that means)

A week late, still catching up


Sunday, 18 November 2007 (day 3 of 3)
Darwin Falls, China Garden and driving around

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/38 ... #223964083

Today was an easy day. After breakfast, we drove to Darwin Falls, China Garden and Darwin. On the way home I drove down to Centennial Canyon.