A hard BPL trip in the High Sierra (summits, cross country, long days, laughs)

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 8:12 pm

Five of us hit the Sierra last week. It was great.

We crossed Lamarck Col and camped at Evolution Lake the first night. Four of us headed on to summit Mt. Solomons above the Muir Hut. Three of us then continued over Black Giant Pass and into Ionian Basin. We spent the night. The next day two of us summited Scylla and walked a bit of the Ragged Spur. We finished the traverse of the basin with an exit via Martha Lake. I took a hard fall. Read about it on my brand new blog. We all rendezvoused near the Goddard Creek/PCT junction on the third night. The high speed cruise up to our last night in Humphrey’s Basin was all the better as a group.

Truly an excellent trip. Casey, James, Craig, Adan: it was nice getting to know you. You’re all very solid outdoorsmen. We hiked hard and saw a lot.

I took 87 good photos and I’d like you to see them. I’d also love it if you follow me on my new website at jackhaskel.com.

pack weights

Ken Thompson BPL Member

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 9:14 pm

Glad you are OK Jack. Falling as an adult is always surprising. If we only weighed 70 pounds like when we were kids. bouncing back up from what dang near kills us now.

Fantastic trip with good company. Worth the risks.

Steven Paris BPL Member

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 10:03 pm

I've been looking forward to the TRs from this trip. Great photos!

Jack, glad you're ok. Just curious, what happened that caused your fall? I always feel/hope I learn something from the details of backpacking mishaps.

Finally, I think it's interesting that 4 of the 5 "finish" pack weights were almost identical. Wonder if that's a "sweet spot" for gear.

W I S N E R !

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Here are some of my pics…

Looking back on North Lake approach.

Approaching Lamarck Col.

Mountain Men. (L to R) Casey, Jack, Adan, Craig, James.

Getting over the Col.

Darwin Canyon.

Approaching Evolution Valley.

Break in Darwin Bench.

Evening at Evolution Lake.

Grub: Mashed potatoes with veggie breakfast sausage, Parmesan cheese, and wild onion.

Wanda Lake with Mt. Solomons and Goddard Divide looming above.

Muir Hut and Solomons.

Mt. Goddard from ridge below Solomons summit.

Wanda Lake from Mt. Solomons.

Enchanted Gorge (finger on lake) from Solomons summit.

Humphreys Basin high country.

Humphreys Basin.

Afternoon Sky.

Dinner at Desolation Lake Cafe.

Satisfied….

____________________________________________________________________________

Great people, great route, great country. Thank you gentlemen. Thank you for putting this together Jack.
I'm strongly considering going back solo in the next few weeks to settle some unfinished business…the Black Giant.

Andy Duncan BPL Member

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 11:12 pm

Thank you for posting your TR and photos. Good to hear that you made it back ok. I've also been looking forward to seeing the photos from this trip, I have been planning a similar trip all winter (Darwin/Evolution/Ionian) and I leave June 21st. Did the southeast approach up Mt Goddard look like a reasonable class 2 scramble? Was there any good camping in Ionian Basin? Looks like you had an adventure. Thanx again.

Bob Gross BPL Member

PostedJul 9, 2012 at 11:42 pm

"Did the southeast approach up Mt Goddard look like a reasonable class 2 scramble?"

That is the easy way most of us lightweights go up Goddard.

–B.G.–

James Winstead

PostedJul 10, 2012 at 12:15 am

A trip of more than a few first for me… I learned a ton and had so much fun. This one set the bar pretty high. Jack, thanks for getting this together. Casey, Craig and Adan, I really enjoyed spending time with you guys. I hope we can get back out there together again… There are peaks awaiting!

Here are a few select images… For more (like 170ish photos) feel free to go here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109076926638277526838/July2012IonianBasinTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCJC9srb_qqSQrgE#

Lamarck Col