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You are here: Home / New Features / Rae Lakes Film (Documentary / Video)

Rae Lakes Film (Documentary / Video)

by chris smead on November 17, 2017 Expedition & Trip Reports, New Features

Introduction

[Muzzy] My husband is an avid backpacker.  For years, he has been asking me to go with him to see the breathtaking views of Kings Canyon he could never quite capture in a picture. I don’t consider myself a backpacker, or even outdoorsy.  I’m not sure if I agreed so much as I finally gave in.

The plan was to hike to Rae Lakes in July 2017.  Several years into a drought in California, a record-setting wet winter rolled through.  We were thankful for the much-needed rain and filled with anticipation as to what this would mean for our upcoming trip.

What this meant was record snowfall in the Sierra, ice-axes, micro-spikes, and a new route.

Watch the film:

The Itinerary:

[Chris] I had intended on a documentary about the Rae Lakes loop starting from the western Sierra.  However, the heavy snow took out a vital bridge at Upper Paradise Valley earlier that season, making that loop impossible.   Instead, we started from the eastern Sierra at the Onion Valley trailhead, which honestly, was more exciting.Day 0:  The Westin Hotel in Mammoth.  (A rugged acclimation camp where only the toughest of the tough can survive.)

  • Day 1:  Onion Valley Trailhead to Kearsarge Lakes via Kearsarge Pass.  Camp 1 at Kearsarge Lakes.
  • Day 2:  Kearsarge Lakes to the John Muir Trail junction.  Then north over Glen Pass To Rae Lakes.  Camp 2 at Rae Lakes.
  • Day 3:  Day hike to Arrowhead Lake.  Camp 3 at Rae Lakes.
  • Day 4:  Hike back over Glen Pass, back to Kearsarge Lakes.  Camp 4 at Kearsarge Lakes.
  • Day 5:  Back over Kearsarge pass to the Onion Valley Trailhead.

The Gear

[Chris] Making this documentary required 11 lbs of camera and audio gear.  Conditions also required us to carry ice axes, microspikes, and Goretex socks which added another 23oz for each of us. This forced us to go as light as possible everywhere else.  Luckily, through the miracles of UL philosophy and technique, we were able to keep our packs reasonable.   My Zpacks Arc haul peaked at 32lbs, and my wife’s Zimmerbuilt pack was 27lbs.

For a complete list of camera gear Chris used on this project:

http://www.chrisisawesomeproductions.com/the-camera-gear-i-used-for-making-my-rae-lakes-documentary/

The Hike

[Muzzy] The hike was beautiful from the start.  A few miles in we escaped the heat and started to encounter snow.  New to me, I was nervous but excited.  We marched on to Kearsarge Pass and down into the gorgeous lakes below.  We saw a California Black Bear: our welcoming ambassador to the wilderness.  It was a perfect first day.

Day 2, we hiked along Bullfrog Lake toward the JMT.  I got a little nervous when we had to grab our ice-axes, and again when we were on our hands and knees scaling over snowy boulders.  But then I saw the south side of Glen Pass.  There were snow covered mountainsides and scree to my left, and icy lakes and rocks to my right down below.  I’m not confident or competitive.  This didn’t motivate me. It terrified me.  I was imagining a wrong step and tumbling.

[Chris] I planned out the shots pretty well for this project and had my camera ready when she got to the top of Glen.  Her elated facial expression with the Rae Lakes basin visible below was supposed to serve as the opener for the documentary.   Her reaction was quite different.  The conditions didn’t seem that bad to me, but I forgot how new she was to snow travel.  She was… eh….not displaying elation.  I thought she was going to punch me in the face, but eventually, she pulled it together.

[Muzzy] At the top of Glen Pass, I looked ahead to the descent before us.  A steep, snow blanketed mountainside, and a small path stomped down by hikers who passed before us.  The sun was setting.  The temperature was dropping.  And there was nowhere to go but forward.

As if to make sure I received the full experience, we had to complete a waist deep, cold water crossing, in the dark, just before getting to our campsite.  I was so thankful when the day was done.  Thankful for our tent and dry socks.  Thankful for our sat phone and hearing our kiddos on the other end.

We spent two nights in the Rae Lakes area enjoying the beauty of it all.  Chris showed me his favorite spots.  We enjoyed views of Painted Lady and Fin Dome, beautiful flowers, sun, hail, and an hour-long thunderstorm: a smorgasbord of Sierra Nevada experiences.

The Messages

[Chris] In addition to the fairly lighthearted storyline, there’s obviously some serious messages about backcountry safety.  These were influenced by the NPS during the film permit process, but I honestly agree with them.  I think the most dangerous backpacker demographic is the 10-20 trip backpackers.  That’s the range where I thought I knew everything.  After ~60 trips I’ve been humbled so many times that I’ve learned to treat wilderness safety with more respect.   I think overconfidence is a killer out there.  So yeah, if I have to interrupt my little video project and put in a safety message, sure, why not.  Maybe it’ll save someone’s life someday. I’d say that’s more important than the “flow” of an amateur film.

The Way Back:

[Muzzy] By day 4, the snow had melted some over the last few days, and my familiarity with the path was reassuring.  I may have even enjoyed my view from the top of Glen Pass this time.

Back at beautiful Kearsarge Lakes, it was our last night in the Sierras.  We were stinky and sore and missed our kids.

Heading Home:

[Muzzy] In the car, we headed up highway 395 reminiscing about the trip we had just taken on the other side of the mountains we were driving so quickly past.  I was reminded that it’s good to get outside of your comfort zone every now and again, to share an experience, and to push yourself.

I was happy to be headed home, but also happy I’d finally experienced Rae Lakes.  A different experience than my husband had had so many times before.  But this time we’d created new memories, together.

Photos







DCIM142GOPROGOPR6069.JPG



Acknowledgments

Supported in part by friends at:

  • Backpacking Light
  • ZPacks
  • Goosefeet Gear
  • Forty Below
  • Lawson Equipment

high sierra, hiking with couples, kings canyon national park, rae lakes

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Comments

Home › Forums › Rae Lakes Film (Documentary / Video)

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  • Nov 17, 2017 at 5:19 am #3502572
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Companion forum thread to: Rae Lakes Film (Documentary / Video)

    Chris and Muzzy go to Rae Lakes (film!) during the High Sierra’s most biggest snow season on record! Arg! What about their marriage?

    Nov 17, 2017 at 6:46 am #3502584
    Thomas Sabido
    BPL Member

    @forgeadventures

    Chris, great film. You really know how to tell a story through film and multi-media. Muzzy is a total stud.

    My wife and I planned/hiked the same trip this Summer and had to make the same adjustment for an east side approach. We had the same itinerary (Kearsarge Lakes, Rae Lakes, Kearsarge Lake). We did not have microspikes, so we turned back about half way up the southern side of Glen Pass when we hit snow, and stayed at Charlotte Lake. Your film brought back great memories. Thank you!

    Tom

    PS We are hiking the JMT in July, 2018.

    Nov 17, 2017 at 11:51 pm #3502697
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    Bravo! Great film- enjoyed immensely- thanks

    Nov 18, 2017 at 12:27 am #3502701
    Brad Rogers
    BPL Member

    @mocs123

    Locale: Southeast Tennessee

    What time of year?

    Would (will) she go again?

    Nov 18, 2017 at 4:47 am #3502733
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    Great film! Muzzy, you are not faint of heart; that was a legitimately intimidating pass crossing–especially for your first time out. Kudos; very impressive. Excellent film production; creative and professional. But mostly the views were great and we got a good sense of your adventure.

    Nov 18, 2017 at 6:17 am #3502742
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks so much guys!  Glad ya liked it.   I admit a big motivator for this particular project was to entertain our kids, hence all the animations and stuff.   Once I finished the edit and watched it start to finish, I wasn’t sure how adults would react and I was a bit nervous about releasing it.  But so far it seems to be well received on BPL, youtube, and there’s even a pretty lengthly thread on the JMT FB group about it! :)  Thanks for being open minded!!

    Yes I was quite proud of Muz.  I think she’d consider going again ONLY if there’s no snow, or heights involved.   She promised me one day the whole family would do the JMT together.  I’m gunna hold her to that!  ;)

    Nov 18, 2017 at 10:16 pm #3502805
    Brian Barnes
    BPL Member

    @brianjbarnes

    Locale: Midwest

    Awesome! You both did great. Loved the video.

    Nov 19, 2017 at 4:03 am #3502856
    Katherine .
    BPL Member

    @katherine

    Locale: pdx

    Loved it. Want to take my daughter there eventually.

    Do you do this sort of thing professionally?

    Nov 20, 2017 at 3:58 am #3503041
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks!

    Nope I’m pretty far from professional.  I’ve got a regular day job just like everyone else.  This is just a fun hobby/passion for me.  :)  An expensive hobby actually!  National Park film permit fees are no joke.

    I get the occasional paid gig offer, but I live in the Silicon Valley where the cost of living is expensive.  So I’m pretty sure this will never be my primary source of income, which I’ve made peace with.

    Nov 21, 2017 at 2:49 am #3503202
    Doug Johnson
    BPL Member

    @djohnson

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I love this. And my wife and I just watched this and then we talked about going to my favorite place- La Bohn Lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It’s my Rae Lakes. It got us talking about a trip, just the two of us. Thank you, Chris and Muzzy- for sharing this experience with us.

    Nov 21, 2017 at 3:20 am #3503208
    david morgan
    BPL Member

    @davidmorganrn

    That loop is spectacular-from the beginning, you all adapted well! I did the traditional Western Access to the lakes long (2000/2001) ago and LOVED it! A year later I thru hiked the JMT N to S starting the Tuesday after Labor Day. Gorgeous but thank God I made it just North of Silver Dollar Lake to the lowest point on the trail (where the normal descent of the Lakes loop begins) due to a September snowstorm. I believe 3 climbers died on the walls of Yosemite. The next day we sauntered up to upper Rae Lakes, saw the pass, and elected to spend the night resting (and reconsidering-no snow gear-i didn’t even have hiking poles). What an experience! Other than these 2 days, the trip was blissful! and a reminder-a bivy sac is nearly useless for waiting out a storm and have extra fuel-warmth wise and spirit wise, having lots of hot tea to drink makes those snow bound hours go by much more tolerably! That area was very spectacular indeed; and am so glad you shared your experience.

    Nov 21, 2017 at 4:01 am #3503211
    Steofan M
    BPL Member

    @simaulius

    Locale: Bohemian Alps

    What a fabulous production! My only question is how on earth do I get your marmot and his chirp out of my dreams at night? That rodent keeps popping up everywhere.

    Nov 21, 2017 at 4:14 am #3503213
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Haha ya mean this little guy?  https://instagram.com/p/Bae8XUhBcDx/

    He took me about 5 minutes to draw and 5 hours to animate.  :)

    Nov 21, 2017 at 1:21 pm #3503273
    Steofan M
    BPL Member

    @simaulius

    Locale: Bohemian Alps

    That’s him!!!

    Great work on the video!

     

    Nov 22, 2017 at 5:14 am #3503445
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks!

    My next project is about the High Sierra Trail and will be professionally color graded and audio finished.  So look for that May 5, 2018.

    Dec 14, 2017 at 3:07 pm #3507448
    Robb Watts
    BPL Member

    @rwatts

    Locale: Western PA

    Delightful, well done.

    Dec 14, 2017 at 9:51 pm #3507529
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks Robb!  And thanks to everyone else who voted for it for the BPL members choice award!    Very kind of you all.  :)

    Dec 18, 2017 at 10:57 am #3508114
    Kendall Clement
    BPL Member

    @socalpacker

    Locale: Southern California

    Great film! Really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for your next one in 2018.

    Dec 18, 2017 at 9:08 pm #3508207
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks Kendall!  A trailer for the next project will be out in Jan.  :)

    Jan 1, 2018 at 6:11 pm #3510363
    Mark Baker
    BPL Member

    @blewkitty

    You brought out the love of the mountains and the sharing with your wife so well.  Thank you!!

     

    Aug 14, 2018 at 1:41 am #3551294
    Pamhikes
    BPL Member

    @pamhikesfl

    I loved the video!  I’m hoping to go back and take my 14 yr old son next year to Rae Lakes.  We both did the JMT 2016 and loved it so much.  Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed seeing your wife’s prospective, it was so wonderful.

     

    Pam

    Aug 14, 2018 at 4:09 pm #3551344
    Kenneth Keating
    BPL Member

    @kkkeating

    Locale: Sacramento, Calif

    Great video, fun to watch, typical of all your videos!  Keep up the good work.

    K

    Aug 15, 2018 at 6:09 am #3551440
    Adam White
    BPL Member

    @awhite4777

    Locale: On the switchbacks

    That was great–thanks for sharing!

    I think the hand-drawn art added a lot, even for the adult audience–backpacking is something we do for fun; it should be fun; videos about it should be fun.

    I have done a little amateur video editing/creation (including some parallax effects from photos), and I am probably just really bad at it, but it took me FOREVER, to produce something that ultimately, was, pretty terrible, in a technical sense. Huge kudos for an outstanding final product!

    BTW, your maps lacked a little relief =D, if you’re ever interested in it on a future project, I’d be happy to try to generate meshes that could be imported into your rendering software of choice. You could then texture them with whatever you want (like, your neat hand-drawn maps!), and animate them however you like.

    Aug 15, 2018 at 3:04 pm #3551479
    chris smead
    BPL Member

    @hamsterfish

    Locale: San Jose, CA

    Thanks guys!  Wow Adam, we definitely need to chat.  Will private message ya.

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