Topics related to peak bagging, rock climbing and bouldering in the foothills and high country of the Sierra Nevada. Be sure to also check out the Information Booth forum category to learn from / see if you can contribute to a profile for High Sierra 13'ers, 14'ers and cross country passes.
Independence Day - Snow Nymph and I summited Thor. we decided on a class III variation from Girl Scout Lake. this route is near the Smiley Face route but instead climbs the class III blocks to the west. we descended via the SE colour. route finding not an issue on descent - we followed Bob R.'s tracks from a few days previous
Saturday - Rachel and I only had 1/2 day to hike so we agreed Thor was an easy choice to both grab a peak and get out of the heat. trip seems to be fated from the start. late getting out of town and late getting through the permit office - well after 9 by the time we reach Portal - still plenty of time to summit and make it back to Ridgecrest by 6. after visiting with Doug and company for a few I went to put on boots. found out I had grabbed two left boots. I debated climbing in sandals but decided this would not be good for class III rock. was able to borrow a pair of boots but ..... they were very stiff heavy mountaineering boots. these boots weighed more than my pack and had absolutely zero flexability - I felt like Frankenstein when I started up the trail. ended up just going to the waterfall below LBSL for the day - the sun was incredibly hot and by this time my attitude was not the best. had a beer at Doug's and we started down the road to Lone Pine.
Saturday I kept signing "Iron Man" while walking about.
hind site I wish I had just gone up in the Tevas - but then again I don't even like trail runners when I need the ankle support.
mountain hiking is addictive:
I can quit anytime I want - I just choose not to want
At least you had someting to put on your two feets