Probably the worst part was anticipating the trek back from Sill all the to the Big Pine N. Fork trailhead, (1) knowing it was already 6 pm; (2) we had 10 miles to go; and (3) we had already been humping for 16 hours. A close second to this anticipation was the actual trek.
Hey guys -- just wanted to say hi; I was part of the party-of-two behind you that day (we exchanged a few words near Starlight, but then we fell behind because I insisted that we avoid raps and downclimb instead), and later came up behind you at the cold river crossing at Sam Mack. I've never seen the river that full, or the glacier that small!
We ended up bivying at 2nd Lake and then hiked out in the morning; the hiking went about 200% faster in the morning, although our sleep wasn't of very high quality.
No doubt about it; this is one of the finest traverses in the US. Thanks for the enjoyable trip report.
Thanks -- real praise from someone who's done this before. Is it you (or your partner) eyeing the summit block on T-Bolt in the photo above? You actually passed us while we napped at the Sam Mack/main trail junction. BTW, the river is way down as of Friday and we could have rock hopped just above the falls but pitch black doesn't reveal these truths.
graham - Aug 17, 2008 12:02 am - Voted 10/10
SweetGreat job guys and thanks for sharing the report and photos. Tom, glad to see your thumb has healed up from last year
Augie Medina - Aug 17, 2008 3:55 am - Hasn't voted
Re: SweetThanks. You know how sweet the traverse is.
Augie
bechtt - Aug 17, 2008 9:43 am - Hasn't voted
Re: SweetThanks Rick. It was a great trip and your beta came in real handy. See you in the mountains real soon.
ktnbs - Aug 17, 2008 5:48 pm - Hasn't voted
very niceI love how knarly those summit rocks look.
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: very niceThanks - definitely an awesome adventure
Augie Medina - Aug 21, 2008 8:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: very niceI got the same thrill just looking at them both from afar and up close. They still looked extremely gnarly after climbing them!
requiem - Aug 17, 2008 8:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Great TRthanks for a good and inspiring read, and great pictures! nice storytelling, it makes me want to start writing TR's...
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TRThanks -- we enjoy collaborating on these TRs.
Augie Medina - Aug 21, 2008 8:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TRWriting a TR is like re-living the event, both the ups and downs.
MoapaPk - Aug 17, 2008 11:45 pm - Hasn't voted
congratsThat looks like a very tiring and raw-nerves traverse. Thanks for living through it!
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: congratsThanks -- the traverse was great. It was the long approach and descent that were tiring.
Augie Medina - Aug 21, 2008 8:22 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: congratsProbably the worst part was anticipating the trek back from Sill all the to the Big Pine N. Fork trailhead, (1) knowing it was already 6 pm; (2) we had 10 miles to go; and (3) we had already been humping for 16 hours. A close second to this anticipation was the actual trek.
Dean - Aug 18, 2008 9:33 am - Voted 10/10
outstanding TRGreat job and loved the pics. Sure makes me wish I had the ability and the stamina to pull something like what you did off. Ageing sucks.
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: outstanding TRThanks for the words. In spite of the setback, Augie is still in incredible shape (and back in the Bishop Pass area with his grown kids).
Augie Medina - Aug 21, 2008 8:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: outstanding TRThanks Dean. Always appreciate your looking at our stuff.
Augie
Travis_ - Aug 18, 2008 12:08 pm - Voted 10/10
WowThis trip look amazing, I really wanted to do this with you guys and am envious. Nice TR and great photos!
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: WowNo one (except your wife) told you to move to Washington. You were supposed to do this with me.
Augie Medina - Aug 21, 2008 8:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: WowExactly your cup of tea Travis with the exception of no bush-whacking. You would have been in 7th heaven.
lavaka - Aug 18, 2008 1:24 pm - Hasn't voted
party behind youHey guys -- just wanted to say hi; I was part of the party-of-two behind you that day (we exchanged a few words near Starlight, but then we fell behind because I insisted that we avoid raps and downclimb instead), and later came up behind you at the cold river crossing at Sam Mack. I've never seen the river that full, or the glacier that small!
We ended up bivying at 2nd Lake and then hiked out in the morning; the hiking went about 200% faster in the morning, although our sleep wasn't of very high quality.
No doubt about it; this is one of the finest traverses in the US. Thanks for the enjoyable trip report.
bechtt - Aug 18, 2008 11:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: party behind youThanks -- real praise from someone who's done this before. Is it you (or your partner) eyeing the summit block on T-Bolt in the photo above? You actually passed us while we napped at the Sam Mack/main trail junction. BTW, the river is way down as of Friday and we could have rock hopped just above the falls but pitch black doesn't reveal these truths.