High Sierra Topix

I copied this link from the Fly Fishing Addicts Forum. It's hard to believe the camera survived the fire but the results are pretty awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb06qtcOLeY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WoW ! thanks for posting. The falling embers look pretty bad...glad no one was caught in that.

Pretty eye opening experience seeing the fire from within, wow. Thanks Gary for
posting it.

The time line is one of the things that really had an impact on me. I know and have seen from a distance how fast a wildfire can travel but seeing it in the confines of that little canyon and you sure realize the 30 minutes can be a lifetime.

I toured the remains of Gleason Conservation Camp (where two firefighters died in that fire), and the devastation is pretty astounding. (I posted a TR back in January). I'm glad I didn't run into those bears on my trip!

quentinc,

What is this phobia about bears? I always look forward to seeing them and don't see them enough. (They are not welcome in my camp, though, and you would be shocked at how belligerent I get when one comes near. Away from camp it is live and let live.)

Mike

Mike,

No phobia about bears, it's just that in all my trips to that area (and really all of So Cal south of Walker Pass) I keep my food in my tent at night. The idea that I would have to carry a canister (or try to bear bag in one of those spindly burned trees) is appalling. I mean, there has to be some benefit to the smog and aridity down here!

Q
LOL! I suspect bears in SOCAL are pretty shy but why not just do a simple hang and tie off to tree? I just can't get the idea of putting food in tent. It really is an unnecessary personal risk. I know several people who do so and it works until it doesn't. It is kind of like going without a vacination. Risks are pretty low of contracting a disease--as long as everyone else does it but costs of contracting disease may be much highter than taking the precaution.

Mike

Mike:

I think all the violent bears in SoCal break into homes in Glendora instead of tents, but you are probably right.