The way we were...

[Harlen]

Hey John- giantbrookie, I just came across that photo of you on page 7 of this thread, as a kid on Alta Peak- what a great photo it is!!! It seems a lot of us concur; any chance you could re-submit it, paired with another of you on the same peak 40 years later? If you haven't got it, you must get back up there and get it- your fans await. Thanks, Harlen et. al.

[tweederjohnson]

This has leapt to the top of my favorite threads! Such classic shots! In today's era of synthetic clothing and ultralight gear, it's awesome to get a glimpse into past and feel the nostalgia of the denim cutoffs, flannel shirts, external frame packs and canvas tents. Having only been introduced to the Sierra in the past five years or so, I'm sad to have missed out on those times. Makes me wonder what my pics will look like in 20-30 years.

Thanks for posting!

[giantbrookie]

Hey John- giantbrookie, I just came across that photo of you on page 7 of this thread, as a kid on Alta Peak- what a great photo it is!!! It seems a lot of us concur; any chance you could re-submit it, paired with another of you on the same peak 40 years later? If you haven't got it, you must get back up there and get it- your fans await. Thanks, Harlen et. al.

Alas, I have not been back to Alta Peak since 1967. Perhaps I should someday. Speaking of paired photos I doubt if any photo combination I could create could equal that which Cliff Hopson, retired geology professor from UCSB, sent me: So there is this photo of his dad fishing Twin Lakes above Lodgepole in 1932 and him as this 4 yr old kid on the trip at that time. Cliff returned in what I believe was 2002 and posed fishing from the same rock as his dad was on in 1932. Absolutely priceless.

[CAMERONM]

I only just saw this wonderful thread and can't approach the freak factor of most, but here goes:

Sierra Club trip, circa 1978. Note the rolled Ensolite pad- the old-school heavy tan pre-blue type.

Surfers go to the Sierra. No waves but still sun.

Self-portrait, I believe near Bear Creek Spire. Nice scratchy wool sweater, and denim. We used to spray silicone on the denim to make it more water resistant.

[Harlen]

Those are 3 really great photos; in the last, all you need to complete it is a big olde rack of pitons and a hammer. What did you all climb? Cheers, Ian.

[CAMERONM]

The photos might have been from more than one trip, and may indeed have not been Bear Creek Spire, I only recall that name from one trip. My emphasis was more on snow travel than climbing per se, but I do remember many vertiginous moments. Perhaps someone might recognize the scenery in this photo from around the same time:

[Harlen]

Fantastic shot again! In the medium distance I see Mt. Gemini with the twin peaks, then Seven Gables, and a bit back is Mt Hooper- did you guys cross Cox Col, just north of Bear Creek Spire? In what month did you find all of this snow? It is inspiring me to get back in there!

[kpeter]

One picture on a trip to the Seven Devils in Idaho, a favorite backpacking destination when I was growing up.

1973 Sevin Devils, Idaho

And my first trip to the Sierra. These friends took me to Shadow Lake, in an era when camping was still allowed there, and we dayhiked to Ediza-Iceberg-Cecile. This was at Iceberg on the way to Cecile. Get a load of the colors!

My first Sierra backpack, with friends, at Iceberg Lake in 1992. I'm on the left.