Winter Stove System 2013

Melting snow by a frozen lake at 11,000 feet.

My winter stove setup in 2013 consisted of a Monatauk Gnat titanium canister stove, a homemade titanium windscreen, a 850 ml titanium mug and carbon fiber lid. Although my usual stove setup is much lighter I found this to be the lightest option for winter camping where I would be using the stove to melt snow for water.

Sierra High Route 2012 ~ Trip Report

Marion Lake and Cirque Crest on the Sierra High Route.

The Sierra High Route is a cross-country hiking route, 195 miles long, through the Sierra Nevada. It was scouted by Steve Roper and described by him in his book Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country. 

SHR 2012 ~ Days 8 and 9: LeConte Canyon to Sabrina Basin

LeConte Canyon.

I left my comfortable camp and got an early start up the switchbacks of the JMT along upper LeConte Canyon. I would be leaving the Sierra High Route at Echo Col and eventually back to my car at the Sabrina Basin trailhead. 

SHR 2012 ~ Day 7: Palisade Basin to LeConte Canyon

Dan at the top of Potluck Pass.

Day 7 started with Potluck Pass. This was an easy pass that leads to the rest of Palisade Basin. After an easy scramble we were at the top enjoying some amazing views.

Miter Basin - Cottonwood Lakes 08/10/2012 - 08/12/2012

Storms in the distance along the PCT. 

This was a relaxing trip with lots of scenery and some good lighting thanks to the daily storms.

I took off last Friday morning at 4:30 am and by 7:30 am I was at the permit office in Lone Pine. No problem getting a walk-in permit for the Cottonwood Pass trail.

Cottonwood Pass seemed much easier than NAP and within two hours I was chasing the incoming storms to Soldier Lake.

Glacier Divide Loop ~ Piute Pass, Alpine Col, Lamarck Col 03/21 - 03/25/2013

After taking a few winter trips in the local San Jacinto mountains this winter I was excited to take a real Sierra winter trip. For my first real winter experience in the Sierras I decided to start from familiar ground, the North Lake trailhead near Bishop. The plan was to cross the Sierra Crest at Piute Pass, then cross the Glacier Divide at Alpine Col and finally back over the Sierra Crest at Lamarck Col. I had four days and three nights to make the loop on snowshoes. 

Driving out of Bishop for some big mountain adventure. 

JMT Side Trips in the Minarets Wilderness

The Minarets from Ediza Lake.

After reading some of the recent posts on the John Muir Trail Facebook page I noticed some people asking about side trips on the JMT.

SHR 2012 ~ Day 5: Marion Lake to Upper Basin

Lake Basin.

On Day 5 we traveled cross country through some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the High Sierra.

SHR 2012 ~ Day 6: Upper Basin to Palisade Basin

Frozen Lake Pass & Vennacher Needle from Upper Basin.

By Day 6 we joined the JMT in Upper Basin and for the first time in four days saw other hikers. 

SHR 2012 ~ Day 4: Horseshoe Lake to Marion Lake

Tehipite Dome from Windy Ridge.

On day 4 we got an early start and began contouring north toward Windy Ridge. It was easier than I expected to route find through the sparse forest. I was mostly eager to climb the granite passes and ridges, but the early walk through the forest was peaceful and reminded me of the many fall trips I enjoyed as a kid in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.