Nostr notes by JDS

1/ I should share this now while it's recent. 10/23-24/26 at ...

2026-10-26T16:13:21Z

1/ I should share this now while it's recent. 10/23-24/26 at Whitney right after this past snow storm. Went up as soon as the clouds cleared around 11pm. Snow looked fantastic with the near full moon. Didn't need a light. Just some crappy handheld phone night shots at first, but it's fun to see what it picks up.

6/ nice sunset views by Bubb's Creek on the way to Vidette ...

2026-10-23T14:21:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…t9xd
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6/ nice sunset views by Bubb's Creek on the way to Vidette meadow after east Vidette

5/ views from East Vidette after crossing Bubb's Creek. North ...

2026-10-22T15:47:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…ecm8
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5/ views from East Vidette after crossing Bubb's Creek. North ridge to Stanford and the Seki devide, east to Center basin and University peak that I came down from, west into Bubb's creek canyon, amd north toward Vidette Meadow while descending.

it's such a nice contrast getting down to a creek after being ...

2026-10-22T15:38:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…x8cd
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it's such a nice contrast getting down to a creek after being up in the rocks, sunset later on back down at the creek was realy nice

4/ Nice views going over and down University Peak's west ...

2026-10-22T01:34:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…wpv5
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4/ Nice views going over and down University Peak's west ridge and slope down to cross JMT and Bubb's Creek. Still thrilled I bivied Stanford (pic 2) and Brewer (pic 3) this year, both big highlights.

3/ Summit hang out including rare summit selfie. New little sign. ...

2026-10-20T17:53:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…f32n
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3/ Summit hang out including rare summit selfie. New little sign. Just my second time here but the north slope was a lot of fun so I'll do that more often now for sure. I'm starting to think going over the summit might be the fastest way into Center basin instead of University pass which is wild to imagine. I'll test it out next year.

2/ went up University peak's north slope from Bench lake. I ...

2026-10-14T16:35:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…s8g3
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2/ went up University peak's north slope from Bench lake. I had hiked some of it the previous month to check it out. Enjoyed it. It gets fun near the top, lots of options. I'll go up that way again for sure. I've been up before on the south ridge from University pass.

1/ Mid August day trip revisiting a couple favorite peaks in a ...

2026-10-14T14:21:45Z

1/ Mid August day trip revisiting a couple favorite peaks in a makeshift loop. Nice day, got a handful of pics but here's the TikTok book report video brief first. I enjoyed making these, too bad Relive (3d mapping app) only works 10% of the time now so it's too frustrating to even bother and I won't be using 'ai' to replace it. Nothing lasts.

2/ We went for an evening walk over to the base of old Army pass. ...

2026-10-12T16:32:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…gxrn
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2/ We went for an evening walk over to the base of old Army pass. Diva was ready to hike right up it but it wasn't the time for it right then. I proposed going back down to the lake for sunset where she seemed to enjoy watching the horizon color.

1/ Diva's second campout this summer was at Cottonwood Lakes. ...

2026-10-12T00:48:54Z

1/ Diva's second campout this summer was at Cottonwood Lakes. She took a liking to Lake 3 but I had my eyes on a spot I like at lake 4 which she also found agreeable. She's an easy hiking companion.

🙌🙌 definitely a good reminder to keep on the lookout for ...

2026-10-09T01:54:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…yth2
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🙌🙌 definitely a good reminder to keep on the lookout for attack rocks.

So 10 days ago (last Sunday) I had a bizarre accident going down ...

2026-10-09T01:37:17Z

So 10 days ago (last Sunday) I had a bizarre accident going down a slope after a peak. I've created an accurate simulation for visual aid. Everything happened quickly and yet in slow motion. I stepped on a 90ish pound rock the size of a small end table and it rolled over with me pinning my foot then bowling me down. I intentionally fell sideways to minimize how much of me it rolled over. I also tucked my arms in and sort of balled my core so it would keep rolling off me. Really spooked me, foot swelled quickly. I tightened my boot, limped 1.5 miles down to trail then the remaining 5.5 miles to the trailhead. I startled a couple while dirt napping in the dark at a trail junction. I insisted I was fine but accepted a pile of Ibuprofen. Been r.i.c.e'ing and the swelling and pain is down but xray shows inconclusive bone fracture so the doc wants me staying off my feet till he sees me Monday. He's being cautious. Doesn't feel any more than a rolled ankle, but we'll see.

1/ Late July trip to Meysan lake, passing the lower lakes on the ...

2026-09-27T01:30:11Z

1/ Late July trip to Meysan lake, passing the lower lakes on the way up. I knew weather the next day was going to stop me from doing much so I went up at the end of the day before to at least get a campout.

gotta enjoy things while they're here, no guarantee ...

2026-09-02T00:20:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…46je
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gotta enjoy things while they're here, no guarantee they'll remain 😔

11/ Brewer deserves its own set. Brewer and North Guard stole the ...

2026-08-17T16:10:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…80m6
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11/ Brewer deserves its own set. Brewer and North Guard stole the show with the views to the east as the sunlight hit their peaks.

10/ soft morning color during the transition into daylight ...

2026-08-14T23:46:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…mc2n
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10/ soft morning color during the transition into daylight

9/ great night (bad phone night shot). Clear, no wind, full snow ...

2026-08-14T16:57:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…zqc9
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9/ great night (bad phone night shot). Clear, no wind, full snow globe effect with stars starting at eye level on the horizon. Milky way came out and swooshed across the sky. Moon was down before the sun, perfect stargazing. Laying on my back on the peak staring at the sky I could flip my perspective and feel like I was magnetized to the bottom of the earth hanging over infinite space. Nice pre dawn color, great to get morning shots without leaving bed.

Ok, these guys won this eclipse. (edit, adding a copy for anyone ...

2026-08-12T23:09:41Z

Ok, these guys won this eclipse. (edit, adding a copy for anyone lazy to click)

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/1vms3jl/once_in_a_lifetime_skate_trick_with_total_eclipse/

8/ enjoyed first and second dinner then a hot chocolate snack ...

2026-08-12T22:01:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…zc9h
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8/ enjoyed first and second dinner then a hot chocolate snack while watching darkness descend. Stanford is taller than anything in its immediate vicinity so it's the best seat.

7/ gratuitous bivy shots. Tough call but for sure one of the ...

2026-08-12T17:20:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…23wl
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7/ gratuitous bivy shots. Tough call but for sure one of the better spots. East Vidette and Brewer both had equally interesting setups but the immediate surroundings and loft here outdid both. I didn't think there was room on the peak but this worked out great.

6/ Nice color at sunset. I've seen sunset and sunrise from ...

2026-08-12T06:49:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…z9a0
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6/ Nice color at sunset. I've seen sunset and sunrise from many high points in the immediate surroundings before (Center peak, East Vidette, Harrison pass, Mt Bago, Mt Brewer, other unnamed ridges). There were a lot of familiar sights but everything gets that new perspective shift and then accentuated by the sideways light and shadow. Nice to have no rush to be anywhere and take it all in.

5/ Great summit views once on top of mount Stanford. So much ...

2026-08-11T23:38:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…7p7e
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5/ Great summit views once on top of mount Stanford. So much happening in every direction. I settled in and enjoyed the views and waited for sunset.

4/ going up Stanford's south east slope was pretty straight ...

2026-08-11T15:05:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…3smt
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4/ going up Stanford's south east slope was pretty straight forward. More loose stuff on steep steps than I'd prefer but there was always a mostly mellow way around things.

3/ crossed JMT and the meadow and creek south of it then followed ...

2026-08-11T05:21:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…p6y3
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3/ crossed JMT and the meadow and creek south of it then followed the water up the steps toward Stanford's east and south slopes. It was nice to move quickly overland across Center Basin and this meadow after the slow pass.

could equally collect and conduct heat if the can touched it. ...

2026-08-10T23:56:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…j2a7
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could equally collect and conduct heat if the can touched it. Adding things becomes a house of cards. Mostly just needs to be shorter to not come as close. Folding the edges will do that and make it sturdier.

2/ went over University pass to cut directly into Center basin ...

2026-08-10T23:35:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…kcth
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2/ went over University pass to cut directly into Center basin and to check it out since it's been years for me. Still bad, as expected 🤣. East side is a tolerable but slow boulder bowl / chute (pic 1). The west side is a steep, loose couloire that's been scoured further in recent years (pics 2-4). Took me 6 hours 20 minutes to get from trailhead, over pass, across basin, to JMT. Took the trail back (more than twice the distance) and it was only 5 hours 40 minutes from the same spot.

3/2 tried out the windscreen on a couple recent trips. Easy to ...

2026-08-10T23:12:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…reep
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3/2 tried out the windscreen on a couple recent trips. Easy to carry and assemble and it sped up boil time. It did also add a heat hazard and the gas can warmed more than I like. I'll cut a notch around the gas nob and cup handles so they don't get hot to touch then fold the top and bottom edges to make it shorter and remove the cutting hazard. Probably add a paperclip to further secure the ring as well. I still prefer just using whatever I have around though.

1/ quick goofy preview, Mt Stanford was an excellent experience. ...

2026-07-31T02:00:41Z

1/ quick goofy preview, Mt Stanford was an excellent experience. I can't wait to try some other routes 🤩

I'll keep it forever. It's the car camping backup ...

2026-07-30T15:22:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…mzs5
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I'll keep it forever. It's the car camping backup nowadays.

nice, I still have my early 90s MSR multifuel. It's a tank. ...

2026-07-30T05:48:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…5z39
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nice, I still have my early 90s MSR multifuel. It's a tank. This tiny thing is fun.

2/2 all fits in the 550ml cup ...

2026-07-30T05:24:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…zjke
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2/2 all fits in the 550ml cup

1/2 Inspired by the Ocelot windscreen design, specifically the ...

2026-07-30T05:23:40Z

1/2 Inspired by the Ocelot windscreen design, specifically the mini for the brs3000t stove and 95mm cups, I thought I'd try to make one with steel wire and heavy aluminum foil. Seems about right. I'll have to try it next trip.

4/ pretty light effects in the hazy distance all around during ...

2026-07-29T22:10:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…gkmu
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4/ pretty light effects in the hazy distance all around during sunset

3/ had dinner on the summit and waited for sunset color to start. ...

2026-07-29T15:59:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…c8mg
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3/ had dinner on the summit and waited for sunset color to start.

2/ Irvine's north east ridge is a mellow pile of solid rocks ...

2026-07-29T05:25:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…5nz8
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2/ Irvine's north east ridge is a mellow pile of solid rocks making a fun class 2 hike with lots of optional class 3 clambering and great views of the Whitney zone the whole way. Been up and down this way a few times now, I like it.

1/ bivied Mt Irvine again earlier in July. 5th time up the ...

2026-07-28T16:43:27Z

1/ bivied Mt Irvine again earlier in July. 5th time up the mountain, 3rd summit, 2nd bivy. I think the views here are undervalued. Some of the best in the southern Sierra IMO. It's a great spot for sunset and sunrise. Lofty rock in every direction to catch the light from both directions, and the valley below for perspective.

6b/ some bonus pics from sunset ...

2026-07-27T03:17:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…w89y
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6b/ some bonus pics from sunset

6/ hiked down to Trail Crest from Discovery pinnacle. After ...

2026-07-26T15:39:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…srk8
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6/ hiked down to Trail Crest from Discovery pinnacle. After taking a break at the JMT junction, we decided to go down to the sneaky JMT spot for second dinner and bivy a few hours before going up for sunrise. Again, fun to have a person to put in frame.

5/ got up to Discovery pinnacle eventually, hung out for dinner ...

2026-07-23T00:46:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…h3qd
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5/ got up to Discovery pinnacle eventually, hung out for dinner and enjoyed the views before carrying on. Random hiker came by, first time I've seen anyone there. Photographer from Bishop.

4b/ side note on stoves since they're pictured: my friend ...

2026-07-22T16:44:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…5vmr
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4b/ side note on stoves since they're pictured: my friend carried a jet boil with a full canister. I had my stupid old brs3000 with a 3/4 full gas can. We boiled the same amount of water for the same amount of meals and he ran out of gas after 2 days. I ended the 3 day trip with a 1/4 can of gas. I'll stick with my tiny stove (the few times I carry it). I run it slow and low and make a wind shelter. It's so much lighter, compact, and exponentially quieter 😅.

4/ Side benefit of hiking with someone is getting to put a person ...

2026-07-22T16:25:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…wlse
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4/ Side benefit of hiking with someone is getting to put a person in frame instead of just rocks. Worked our way up to the top of the basin, had lunch on Crabtree pass, then dropped down to the lake and climbed the "dread sandhill".

3/ continuing past the upper lakes toward Crabtree pass. ...

2026-07-19T18:01:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…79tu
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3/ continuing past the upper lakes toward Crabtree pass.

2/ day two, past Sky Blue lake and into the higher basin. ...

2026-07-19T14:59:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ht55
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2/ day two, past Sky Blue lake and into the higher basin.

1/ Trail work friend who was hiking PCT had to stop from injury. ...

2026-07-19T14:38:55Z

1/ Trail work friend who was hiking PCT had to stop from injury. He recovered now and had a week before a new job and wanted to cap the hike off with something fun. He'd never been up Whitney so we went from Cottonwood through Miter basin.

8/ long form pov video on YouTube showing the hike from Kearsarge ...

2026-07-14T00:39:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…qrxj
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8/ long form pov video on YouTube showing the hike from Kearsarge pass to East lake, then the climb to the summit, sunset / sunrise, and exiting west over Sphinx pass and down Sphinx Creek and lakes.
https://youtu.be/rM7CpDFKPcU

7/ sunrise was equally colorful, illuminating an alternate relief ...

2026-07-13T21:12:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…cf6q
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7/ sunrise was equally colorful, illuminating an alternate relief on the mountains from sunset and further defining the structure of the landscape. Great views in every direction. Night was still, clear, and crisp but above freezing.

6/ sunset 360 views. I spent time imagining Brewer surrounded by ...

2026-07-13T17:13:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…3rvw
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6/ sunset 360 views. I spent time imagining Brewer surrounded by the survey expedition sitting on my bivy rock discussing what they'd just discovered: this is not the eastern crest, there are multiple crests to the east before Owen's valley, and there are larger mountains to the east than anything seen so far in the Sierra including one to the south east (what would be called Whitney) that appeared larger than anything in Colorado. The expedition would disband but Cotter and King would carry on attempting to reach Whitney and ending atop Mt Tyndall. These people were ridiculous.

5/ sunset was pretty, really soft color with a hazy purple glow ...

2026-07-13T16:48:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…zgxt
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5/ sunset was pretty, really soft color with a hazy purple glow on everything.

4/ this is going to be excessive, sorry. The bivy rock and ...

2026-07-13T05:33:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…dcqf
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4/ this is going to be excessive, sorry. The bivy rock and everything around it was so scenic it became the focal point and I kept snapping pics. It was the perfect setup since there was no wind. Made me wonder who in history has stood, sat, laid down there. It's too inviting.

3/ worked my way up from East lake along the south east ramp to ...

2026-07-13T02:18:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…zch5
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3/ worked my way up from East lake along the south east ramp to the top bit that flopped over to the back slope then up to the top. Just eyed it, I'd read it was passable and trusted I'd figure it out. It was straight forward. Boring light at the summit so I found a good rock to bivy on, made some dinner, read and signed the register, and waited for the show.

2/ water flowing everywhere going down Bubb's Creek trail and ...

2026-07-12T19:47:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…skax
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2/ water flowing everywhere going down Bubb's Creek trail and up East Creek trail (June 25th)

really a cool mountain, do you know which side you went up and ...

2026-07-12T19:36:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…vd33
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really a cool mountain, do you know which side you went up and down?

1/ went up Mt Brewer for sunset and bivied overnight for sunrise. ...

2026-07-11T15:49:59Z

1/ went up Mt Brewer for sunset and bivied overnight for sunrise. This one has been waving at me for years, cool to finally visit. Its striking profile commands your attention from anywhere in the eastern sierra between Forester and Glenn passes. I'd read the giant south east ramp/ridge was passable so I just winged it without a route. Really fun.

5/ hung out on the summit for lunch then hiked all the way back ...

2026-07-07T14:51:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…n43l
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5/ hung out on the summit for lunch then hiked all the way back down to the valley. Sort of a scouting trip.

4/ Went up in the morning after breakfast. Been up Tyndall before ...

2026-07-06T20:16:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…wrne
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4/ Went up in the morning after breakfast. Been up Tyndall before on its north ruffle (not so much a ridge, more a furl in the surrounding slab). It's fun and easy and has nice views of Williamson.

3/ enjoyed some sunset color in the high basin then made my way ...

2026-07-06T16:09:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…ph6u
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3/ enjoyed some sunset color in the high basin then made my way over toward the base of Tyndall to bivy for the night. Nice to sleep in the basin listening to the water draining off the mountain under the rocks.

2/ coyote going up the pass. I saw paw prints on the lower ...

2026-07-06T04:18:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…fn7n
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2/ coyote going up the pass. I saw paw prints on the lower snowfields I was crossing but assumed it was someone with a dog.

1/ Went up Tyndall again recently. Shepherd's pass trail is ...

2026-07-06T04:00:44Z

1/ Went up Tyndall again recently. Shepherd's pass trail is as tiring as I remember and the road is worse. Parked a mile away, should have just parked at the stock trail. Lower canyons and creek crossings were unfun as usual. Some snow across the pass, saw a coyote going up ahead of me. Got up on the high basin shaded from evening sun but still had light and color on the peaks.

2/ some bad night shots going up for summit 1. People's ...

2026-06-29T18:35:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…8kjn
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2/ some bad night shots going up for summit 1. People's headlamps below and horizon color starting at Trail Crest.

1/ Almost forgot, I double summited Whitney main trail in a day ...

2026-06-28T16:56:26Z

1/ Almost forgot, I double summited Whitney main trail in a day back on the 17th. That was fun. Random thing I've been thinking about. Weather window, fitness, and permit lined up. Good place for hill repeat training 🤣

1/ Visited Meysan Lakes earlier, up to Whitney lookout and down ...

2026-06-23T16:04:21Z

1/ Visited Meysan Lakes earlier, up to Whitney lookout and down to the lake for a quick afternoon hike while passing Lone Pine. I like this trail, great vertical workout and the area above it is dense with options and views.

10/ weaving up toward Crabtree pass after Sky Blue lake, going ...

2026-06-09T04:36:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…lcsv
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10/ weaving up toward Crabtree pass after Sky Blue lake, going past the series of upper lakes and tarns. I've been back and forth through here a bunch of times and don't need a map but it looks so different every time. That equilibrium of novelty and familiarity feels cool.

9/ Sky Blue lake earning its name with no wind and great ...

2026-06-09T01:28:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…0s7g
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9/ Sky Blue lake earning its name with no wind and great reflection.

8/ I cut down one of Langley's north west slope's chutes ...

2026-06-08T06:29:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…7pqd
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8/ I cut down one of Langley's north west slope's chutes directly into Miter basin and followed the water up to Sky Blue lake. Mid day sun makes photos of the chute and basin impossible to discern but some boulder hopping up the waterfalls in motion conveys some of what's special about going overland through this area.

7/ I was still down in the shade of Langley during sunrise while ...

2026-06-08T01:32:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…wwfc
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7/ I was still down in the shade of Langley during sunrise while waking up but I still got lots of nice color on the opposite horizon. Best sunrise shot from this day is at the top of this thread already. It was nice to keep laying in bed and snapping pics as the sky changed without getting up 😁

6/ caught sunset afterglow up on the plateau. Had a look at Old ...

2026-06-07T16:03:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…p92d
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6/ caught sunset afterglow up on the plateau. Had a look at Old Army pass walking by (usual big spring drift covering the top of the trail, no footprints). Kept hiking up Langley into dark past the first few giant cairns and bivied for the night tucked in next to a giant rock.

5/ ok so starting at the beginning, I headed up Langley starting ...

2026-06-07T13:51:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…4wd4
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5/ ok so starting at the beginning, I headed up Langley starting at 5 pm from Golden Trout camp trail that cuts a shortcut to Cottonwood lakes. Skipped the Army passes and went up the chute from Long lake to catch the end of sunset up on the plateau.

4/ going down Whitney main trail left me at a separate trailhead ...

2026-06-07T06:08:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…ezv6
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4/ going down Whitney main trail left me at a separate trailhead (30 road miles) from my vehicle so I grabbed a pancake, filled all my waters, and started walking down Whitney Portal road. Second car picked me up and got me down to Horseshoe Meadow road. Walked about a half mile and the fifth vehicle was trail angel Grizzly Gramps taking a couple nobos back up to Cottonwood. His new puppy Nevada is the best, she was squirming all over all of us the whole ride.

3/ this thread is all out of order. I broke the trail down the 99 ...

2026-06-06T18:39:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…ptux
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3/ this thread is all out of order. I broke the trail down the 99 switchbacks for something to do yesterday and exited my trip at Whitney portal. Stopped at the cables for a while on the way down and dug a big step shelf across the whole drift that blocks passage every year. Hopefully people will stomp it all down now.

2/ now: and breakfast on the summit of Whitney the next day. ...

2026-06-05T12:43:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…lsup
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2/ now: and breakfast on the summit of Whitney the next day.

1/ now: Breakfast on the summit of Langley. Get signal up here. ...

2026-06-04T15:39:23Z

1/ now: Breakfast on the summit of Langley. Get signal up here. Packing up and heading in for a couple days. No signal soon (well maybe if I go up Whitney).

everything would disappear and then these tunnels would open up. ...

2026-06-01T18:14:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…24u3
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everything would disappear and then these tunnels would open up. I should have stopped and made a timelapse.

5/ Returning past Bullfrog lake and the JMT south junction the ...

2026-06-01T18:02:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…my6z
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5/ Returning past Bullfrog lake and the JMT south junction the clouds rolling up from Vidette meadow were creating all manner of fantastic framing.

4/ Glen pass south looked epic with the new snow. ...

2026-06-01T04:28:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…y3wa
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4/ Glen pass south looked epic with the new snow.

I want to say the PCT Section I was on earlier in the spring ...

2026-06-01T04:12:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…ev7d
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I want to say the PCT Section I was on earlier in the spring between Mt Laguna and Scissors Crossing had a lot of military aircraft activity. It was amazing hearing the roar and seeing jets shooting through the canyons below. Fun to try to spot them by leading the sound, but so hard. I've assumed you learn their routines and can stalk them well, so it's cool to see in the video.

this is awesome

2026-06-01T04:02:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…5g86
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this is awesome

3/ Approaching Kearsarge pass I was following fresh footsteps. ...

2026-06-01T02:43:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…fetz
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3/ Approaching Kearsarge pass I was following fresh footsteps. While on the pass, a dozen or so PCT thru-hikers with cold feet wearing requisite shorts and sneakers congregated looking into the untracked interior with trepidation wondering if they'd re-entered too soon. It was fun to put on my knee high snow gaiters over my snow boots and stomp the trail in for them all the way down to JMT and past Bullfrog and Charlotte lake to the base of Glen pass 🙌

2/ Gilbert lake was looking particularly pretty. ...

2026-05-31T18:43:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…4ngs
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2/ Gilbert lake was looking particularly pretty.

1/ Went in from Onion Valley Friday morning right after the snow ...

2026-05-31T15:34:59Z

1/ Went in from Onion Valley Friday morning right after the snow storm to see the sights.

Let's go ...

2026-05-21T02:39:40Z

Let's go

10/ GPS visualization turned out cool. Should be the most ...

2026-05-19T14:29:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…8ece
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10/ GPS visualization turned out cool. Should be the most accurate I've gotten (this watch is better than last time I crossed). Includes the 4 miles to/from the lot. Heartrate stayed low except for the first entry jog and I kept it easy exiting. I'm in shape for the climbing but not for a 50 mile day so my time goal was to get more than a day in the canyon through legal picnic / open bivies so I don't need to recover after (this was 3 hikes really). Almost exactly double my running PR.

9/ color and sun arrived up around Cedar ridge with the sun ...

2026-05-19T13:23:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…8xvw
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9/ color and sun arrived up around Cedar ridge with the sun breaking right when I was passing the latrine so not great sunrise shot. Though it was nice as it rose right in a little notch. Temps remained cooler than down in the canyon at night while going up into higher elevation to the rim. Got to the top when the first shuttle arrived but walked the rim trail back to the visitor center lot.

8/ plan was get back to the Colorado after dark, picnic at Boat ...

2026-05-18T18:05:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…d793
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8/ plan was get back to the Colorado after dark, picnic at Boat beach by Black bridge, rest, then hike up the south rim for sunrise again up top. Charged devices, ate dinner, safety meetings, and napped on the sand gazing at the stars listening to the Colorado river a few meters away. A group hiking out stopped by to wade before continuing and a couple from the campsite stopped by to fuck. Lights from the last remaining groups exiting late over the bridge into the tunnel were so surreal.

7/ back to the return trip. The long break at Manzanita by the ...

2026-05-18T16:33:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…a65c
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7/ back to the return trip. The long break at Manzanita by the base of the north rim was perfect. The west walls were now shading the sun and there was a nice breeze in the canyon. My intent was to beat the heat on the way across and wait out the heat before returning. The Box walls were still radiating heat after the sun but it felt nice with the breeze and the sound of the creek. It was dark and about 9 pm when I got back across to the Phantom Ranch area.

6/ rewind to morning descending South Kaibab. This stretch of ...

2026-05-18T07:08:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…cpyf
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6/ rewind to morning descending South Kaibab. This stretch of trail at sunrise is everything. Some clips with platitudes.

5/ got through the Box before the sun broke the lip, nice and ...

2026-05-18T03:33:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…hu3v
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5/ got through the Box before the sun broke the lip, nice and cool. From there to Cottonwood wasn't too hot yet. No water at Cottonwood or Supai or North Rim, only Manzanita so I took a long break there, had lunch in the shade, filled up, and chatted with Ranger Cassandra. Slow walk up to the rim then turned around.

4/ the Colorado was emerald. It's equally aesthetic in its ...

2026-05-18T00:28:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…eauh
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4/ the Colorado was emerald. It's equally aesthetic in its own way when muddy but I'm generally happier to see it clear. My phone cameras and lenses are a mess.

3/ started earlyish down South Kaibab to get sunrise color ...

2026-05-17T19:37:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…vzm2
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3/ started earlyish down South Kaibab to get sunrise color between Cedar ridge, Skeleton point, and Tipoff (also to pace beating the sun through the Box later).

2/ back from the canyon, going through photos. Dropped clips on ...

2026-05-17T15:59:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…3qmr
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2/ back from the canyon, going through photos. Dropped clips on YouTube and enabled the "premier" checkbox and it starts in 2 minutes if anyone is bored on a Sunday. Been trying that lately. I watch through anything I post anyway just to check for issues so it's kind of fun to just post it as a premier and hang and chat with whoever drops by.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf95uoOyUQU

1/ my mom used to say "I'll give you 3 guesses and the ...

2026-05-17T03:11:01Z

1/ my mom used to say "I'll give you 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count"

5/ tracker in hand, nice.

2026-05-09T01:30:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…k3gy
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5/ tracker in hand, nice.

4/ Ok they've continued past Trail Camp (by the Lone Pine ...

2026-05-08T23:00:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…ynux
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4/ Ok they've continued past Trail Camp (by the Lone Pine tarn) so they're not camping there. So far so good. Next will be Outpost Camp. If they pass that, then for sure they're day hiking and I can hopefully rendezvous at the trailhead.

3/ well this is interesting. My tracker did not make it to the ...

2026-05-08T21:35:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…nfep
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3/ well this is interesting. My tracker did not make it to the vehicle. Checked tracking page and I turned it on this morning so it fell off descending. I can see (pic 1) it fell in the chute but someone ascending picked it up and took it up. Looks like they turned around just past Mt Muir and now they're descending the chute (pic 2). Leads me to believe they're day hiking and ran out of time, which is good for me. I'll keep tracking and wait at the trailhead.

2/ did not stop at Trail Camp. Great sunset at the summit, ...

2026-05-08T04:16:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…u7tq
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2/ did not stop at Trail Camp. Great sunset at the summit, bivying under a rock for sunrise.

1/ I was going to go up a lower Sierra peak (Olancha) and scout ...

2026-05-07T17:05:12Z

1/ I was going to go up a lower Sierra peak (Olancha) and scout the snow. Then I noticed Onion Valley road is open, then I noticed Whitney Portal road is open (I'm out of touch). So I can't resist using Whitney's well trodden trail instead. Got an overnight permit and I'm backpacking like a normal person because I've only day hiked and bivied above trail crest. Going to Trail Camp, then summit from there in the morning. Got stove, tent, and 3 sleep pads, 😱 but first Portal Store pancake.

1/ went up Pine mountain from Wrightwood today. Looked like there ...

2026-05-05T03:53:47Z

1/ went up Pine mountain from Wrightwood today. Looked like there was going to be good clouds and it didn't disappoint.

4/ day two: on trail before light and got a colorful sunrise. ...

2026-04-22T00:15:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…xw7d
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4/ day two: on trail before light and got a colorful sunrise. Nice morning hiking through the park over Mt Laguna.

3/ browsing photos back home now. Day one was nice overall ...

2026-04-21T22:45:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…g0vr
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3/ browsing photos back home now. Day one was nice overall looking back. Got a good early start, sunrise on trail, 16 by 10, down and out of Hauser Cyn, sunset on trail, up Mt Laguna, and ended at 39 miles and 7,200 feet of climbing. Saw about 5 tents each in the morning and evening and 25 people through the day.

never know, maybe that's the next big hiking snack

2026-04-14T19:39:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…cdqk
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never know, maybe that's the next big hiking snack

2/ had lunch and dried out my life at Lake Morena (mile 20). ...

2026-04-14T19:16:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…2cl9
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2/ had lunch and dried out my life at Lake Morena (mile 20). Carrying on, would be nice to get as close to Mount Laguna today as possible to make tomorrow easy.