High Sierra Topix

This is a superb report. Thank you for sharing it with us. Almost makes we wish I could stand that kind of cold...and those long nights.

Good on ya!

-40F was night temperature- we were snug in our huge sleeping bags or inside a snow cave. Taking an entire day to build a huge snow cave is something you can do with a large group and part of the NOLS winter skills instruction. Got stuck in one for 4 days in a big storm in the Tetons once. Quite boring and disappointing since we hoped to climb Middle Teton.

Yes, long nights-it is a bit easier when you have some company. Not sure I would ever do a winter trip solo. Do you talk to yourself? Tell jokes? or read. Too bad you could not take Bearzy in Yosemite to keep you warm and company.

Just curious- what changes/additions do you do to your food-rations when winter camping? I would think you would need more calories. We used to ration 3000 cal/day summer, and 4,000 winter considering we were in our 20's. All the food was eaten! In winter we packed real butter and bacon! And LOTS of hot chocolate laced with butter. Tons of fuel.

Wandering Daisy wrote:

Just curious- what changes/additions do you do to your food-rations when winter camping? I would think you would need more calories. We used to ration 3000 cal/day summer, and 4,000 winter considering we were in our 20's. All the food was eaten! In winter we packed real butter and bacon! And LOTS of hot chocolate laced with butter. Tons of fuel.

I grew up hearing that Daisy, one Alaskan guide told me they added a whole stick of butter to their oatmeal, with the idea that the slower burning fats would fuel them later in the day. I just add a few more calories, often extravagances like a whole bag of fine potato chips to go with lunches, but I really am a light eater in the mountains. I'm lucky if I take a 1lb. per day. I do lose weight though-- 9 lbs. this trip, weighed as per giantbrookie rules-- the morning after a big dinner.

Thanks for the nice comments. It was indeed a charmed trip for weather, but I sure would have liked to complete that wildhiker route.

Wow! As austex put it, an epic trip. Every time I read and look at the photos of your winter trips, I wish I had learned how to ski and camp in winter. (I have to admit that I would have chosen a proper four-season tent--if I could have afforded it--in order to have undertaken a winter trip.)

I really enjoy vicariously traveling on your epic winter journeys. Seeing the Catheldral Range in winter is spectacular. John Dittli's and Galen Rowell's winter trips of the JMT always come to mind when I read your reports. As much as I love solo travel, a winter solo trip takes a real presence of mind and a lot more courage than a spring, summer, or fall trip. Congratulations! And thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.

Harlen wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:10 pm Wandering Daisy wrote:

Just curious- what changes/additions do you do to your food-rations when winter camping? I would think you would need more calories. We used to ration 3000 cal/day summer, and 4,000 winter considering we were in our 20's. All the food was eaten! In winter we packed real butter and bacon! And LOTS of hot chocolate laced with butter. Tons of fuel.

I grew up hearing that Daisy, one Alaskan guide told me they added a whole stick of butter to their oatmeal, with the idea that the slower burning fats would fuel them later in the day.

A million years ago, I was part of an early expedition to Vinson Massif (Nov ‘86). Butter and oils were a big part of our diet/meal planning at the recommendation of our logistical support team from Adventure Network. Went a long way in terms of fueling our bodies to combat the extreme cold (daytime temps generally in the -20s/-30s. So I’d agree with your Alaskan guide friend…

Thanks for another fine report and photos from one of your great winter ski-touring adventures! I tried that type of backcountry ski-touring in my twenties. Too soft to do it now. Just too cold and dark. I was surprised that you would attempt such a winter trip solo - help is a lot harder to come by in the winter if you have a problem!

The Cathedral Range looks really beautiful with its coat of white winter snow under blue skies. I must say that you had much bluer skies than I did on that route last summer with all the thunderstorms!

Your photo looking north from the ridge above Evelyn Lake area does indeed include Tower Peak on the far left. The Matterhorn and Whorl Mountain are also visible about half way between Tower Peak and Mount Conness.

-Phil

wildhiker wrote:

Your photo looking north from the ridge above Evelyn Lake area does indeed include Tower Peak on the far left. The Matterhorn and Whorl Mountain are also visible about half way between Tower Peak and Mount Conness.

Thanks for that Phil, and for the inspiration to try your great route that I only got to do a small piece of. I am still dreaming of a camp by Matthes Lake, which could be another achievable section of your route in winter-- over either Cathedral Pass, or Echo shoulder, then down and around to Matthes Lake, over and up to Lake Nelson, and then return via the pass that leads down to Elizabeth Lake?

Thanks for your comments Phil. BTW, I just reread your TR of the whole route, it's interesting that of the two trips, your summer season one had all the storms, and more challenging weather. It would be interesting to compare the summer and winter landscape of Budd Creek. Your 4th and 5th images are similar to these two:

<3

Adrenaline wrote in cryptic Urban slang:

<3

I worried that I was getting shite again not locking my heels, or some other error, but then I looked it up, and found:

"Turn you head sideways and you'll see a heart."

So we're cool.

p.s. I see from your blog (*which people should check out) that you have scrambled all over the Echo Peaks, and had quite a fine climbing day up there.

You wrote:

The Echo peaks are the perfect place to go if you’re unsure whether the people in your group like scrambling. Depending on how you count, there are at least 11 pinnacles of varying difficulty, and each one is only a ~100 foot climb. The highest peak in the area (Echo Ridge) has fantastic views of everything in Yosemite and is the easiest of the group. After that, walk the quarter mile over to the Echo Peaks pinnacles and start tagging.

So <3 to you too Sam.

I love the view up at the Echo Peaks from Echo Lake:

Those don't look like 100' climbs from here!

It's a whole different world in winter. Thanks for the excellent report.