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Sunshine in the Sierra


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Home Forums Campfire Editor’s Roundtable Sunshine in the Sierra

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Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
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  • #1281706
    Addie Bedford
    BPL Member

    @addiebedford

    Locale: Montana

    Companion forum thread to:

    Sunshine in the Sierra

    #1799823
    Luke Schmidt
    BPL Member

    @cameron

    Locale: Alaska

    Absulutely awesome article Balls! Very inspiring!
    My favorite lines
    "I'm not flip flopping Dad!" Sounds like she should run for office next.. just kidding. Did she even know the double meaning there when she said that?
    "two starburst injuries"
    Love how you captured the "family humor" of fun things kids say.

    #1799861
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    I really enjoyed the article even though I followed your journal!

    Just for the record–I was privileged to meet these two intrepid hikers at the end of their journey. They are both wonderful people!

    #1800054
    Ed Jarrett
    BPL Member

    @edjarrett53

    I have enjoyed your articles here as well as your journal. I also enjoyed meeting up with you just north of Olallie Resort in Oregon.

    #1800056
    Kathy Hoffman
    Member

    @basecampbound

    Locale: Foothills of San Gabriel Mtns.

    Really appreciate the posts. Very good read. Sunshine, because of her adventure, will be one young lady who will be prepared for anything in life!

    #1800072
    Ned Tibbits
    Member

    @nedtibbits

    Mountain Education trains hikers to safely anticipate and deal with all these extremes of hiking. We have been doing this for PCT/CDT hikers and general wilderness users since 1982 and have read many trail journals about thier joys and trials. This account is one of the best we have ever read!

    For all who desire to enter the high country before the snowpack melts, what you read and saw, here, is what you will need to prepare for. This is typical of the conditions at that time of year and shows what we like to call, "The Reality of the Trail." It is not easy. You will eat twice the usual amount of food while only covering half your desired trail miles per day. The creeks are bad. The climbs can be dangerous. The glissades are glorious, but you've got to know what you're doing.

    Learning what these conditions are really like the year before you do the trail will show you what to prepare for, what skills you need to learn to get through it, and help keep you safe and happy once you start your dream hike. Take it seriously. We teach in the snow from January through July and these videos included in this article show conditions and skills typical of what you will have to do on a daily basis on the PCT north of Kennedy Meadows and all the way to Donner Pass (after winters like the last two…and this one coming up).

    It doesn't matter where you get your experience and skills practice, just get it! Local Junior Colleges, Community Colleges, State Colleges, Universities, and Mountain Shops may have courses which will teach you how to do the requisite skills to be safe. The Sierra has a stable, spring snowpack that is consolidated and firm, especially in the morning, but it has its dangers like post-holing, slip-and-falls, steep traverses, tree navigation, and much more. From our perspective, teaching along the PCT from Tahoe south, you should get a taste of these spring conditions in the high sierra along the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trails the year before your thru hike so you will know how to prepare for it.

    Great documentation, guys! Now, post to the pct-l to help others know what you had to do and what the next class of thrus needs to prepare for. See you at the Kickoff!

    #1800144
    Charles Vandenbelt
    Member

    @chuckwagon

    Locale: Nashville

    What a wonderful account ! Thanks so much for sharing. God bless you both. Charlie.

    #1800153
    Kelley Law
    Member

    @kelley51464

    Thanks for sharing, it was enjoyable read. One note though, The California/Oregon border is actually a state line not a border. No Fences or Guards.

    #1800269
    Warren Greer
    Spectator

    @warrengreer

    Locale: SoCal

    Enjoyed the read. And reading and seeing Wired. I followed her journal and it was awesome.

    Balls and Sunshine. Great going. Can't wait to start reading about your 2012 journey.

    #1800313
    Tony Carter
    Member

    @tcarter

    Skippy would be so proud of you guys!

    #1800314
    Elisabeth Chaplin Philabaum
    BPL Member

    @elisabitch-2

    Seriously, you guys are amazing, and I'm so proud to have shared the trail with you this summer :) Bunches of sweet memories tied in with your entire family.

    #1801029
    Kristin Tennessen
    BPL Member

    @ktenness

    Locale: Bay Area

    Great story, great photos!

    #1801200
    Jesse Tinkess
    Spectator

    @jesterjosev

    I was impressed by your article, I found it had a good balance of quantitative information such what gear you used, the miles that you hiked each day, and information about the Sierra; and the qualitative information too, such as the people that you met on the trail, and the events that transpired. The photos are interesting too, I'm sure that Skippy is looking down on us right now with a grin on its face.
    -Jesse

    #1801241
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    I love the article. I've been hoping to see this for a while. I met these two a few times. One of those times was at a trail angel's house next to the trail. There were lots of people there, but Sunshine was the only one with the energy to get up and play horseshoes. Everyone else either sat the whole time or getting up to use the bathroom or get water.

    #1802064
    JASON CUZZETTO
    BPL Member

    @cuzzettj

    Locale: NorCal - South Bay

    I am going to show this to my daughter tonight. I would love to do this with my daughter. Your daughter is so skilled now! It is amazing. I know those peaks would have scared me some, especially with all of the snow. One more word… WOW!

    #1802096
    John Ellis
    Member

    @farther

    Locale: State of Jefferson

    Wow, what a great story. I had the privilage of hiking the AT in '98 with my youngest daugher who was 19 at the time. You will alway cherish the memory.

    #1802192
    Michael Johnstone
    BPL Member

    @mjohnstone

    Locale: Midwest

    What a great story. You are an inspiration on how to raise a family and enjoy life. Thanks for sharing.

    #1810614
    Roleigh Martin
    BPL Member

    @marti124

    Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikers

    Fantastic journal and photography! Can you please provide the dates you did the JMT portion of the hike?

    Thanks!
    Roleigh

    p.s. I see the link to your Journal, I see the dates are June 16-July 6, 2011.

    #1867555
    Jorge DeLaSierra
    Member

    @delasierra

    Locale: SoCal

    Awesome report;

    I was out in the Sierra in 2010 and 2011… I can relate to your good memories there. I was more concerned by the countless stream crossings than all of the snow. There were several fatalities (mostly in Yosemite) when folks underestimated the currents. I'm thinking about a safety line with a grab-hook next time I go out there under the same conditions.

    Congratulations!!

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