1997 Hidden Lake Warm Up

Lance and Steve left Loon Lake in search of Hidden Lake following a cross country route given the absence of a marked trail or or a consistent route taken by deer, goats, or even chipmunks. A late start contributed to our inability to find Hidden Lake (it is on the map) before dark approached. We made dinner (thanks to Lance) and found a nice place to smoke cigars and drink port as the sun set. With all these preparations made and consumed, we failed to take head lights to our vista watching perch. We didn't appreciate this oversight until it came time to find our way back to our campsite. There was no moon so we had to attempt to re-trace our steps without knowing exactly which way to go. (Did I mention we had port as well as cigars?) The lack of precision in our search technique caused by the port was mitigated by the port's giving us a lack of concern about anything of much consequence. We found the tent, slept well, and continued without success in finding Hidden Lake in the morning. This led to a different cross-country return to Loon Lake encountering several steep drop-offs requiring multiple tries to get back. A good time was had by all. I now reach for my headlamp anytime port enters the discussion.

2008 Mt. Kilimanjaro

Darryl climbed Kili in January and Steve in October. Although non-technical it was still a challenge to draw oxygen at 19,500 feet up a steep final ascent in the middle of the night with only a short nap following a full day's hike. Did we mention it was cold? My water bladder tube froze. Question the authenticity of any picture (except Darryl's) that shows hikers at Uhuru Peak with a smile on their face. A diet of rice, green beans, and dried chicken (?) is low in fat but not nourishing for the body or the soul.

2008 Maroon Bells Colorado Rockies

Lance, Jerry Meral, and Steve participated in an intense yet beautiful hike through the Maroon Bells west of Aspen. We hiked five times over 12,500 foot passes. Lightening caused some trepidation and rain forced a mid-trip change in plans that still yielded great scenery and good times. We lost one team member to exhaustion. Steve credited the hike's rigor to his successful ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro five weeks later.

1977 Plague Campground Reds Meadow Shadow Lake

Lance, Kevin, and Steve left Sacramento late and arrived at a large, well maintained campground after 11 pm. We drove in quietly to avoid disturbing other campers. Amazingly, we had our choice of campsites. This was a special treat given it was still the peak of hiking season, gas was cheap, and the weekend had started. We needed to get hiking early so we pulled out our sleeping bags and mats and went straight to sleep. We wake up in the morning and find the campground is totally empty, except for us. No squirrels scurrying about stealing food was comforting but the absence of people was not. Each of us goes through our mental check list to figure out why we would be the only ones around. I immediately had visions of zombies coming over the horizon in the form of dehumanized families of campers. We proceeded dto pack up and get read to drive to the trail head still curious about our good fortune getting a good place to stay in the middle of summer in a popular area and having arrived so late the night before. Only as we neared the exit did Lance spot a sign announcing that the area had been sprayed with powerful poisons to get rid of squirrels at risk of spreading the plague. A quarantine was in effect and humans needed to avoid exposure to lingering effects of either the poisons or the plague. We drove to the trailhead without a word said amongst us and proceeded to enjoy a great weekend hike. More to come on capturing crickets, fishing, and how we got to have a great trout dinner.

2005? Warmup Twin Lakes to Benson Lake

Twin Lakes trailhead
Great camp
Day hike to Benson Lake that has really receded from 35 years ago.

2007 Warmup - Kennedy Meadows

2006 Warmup - Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay

2006 Warmup - Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay
Lots of mosquitos so we came out a day early.
We encountered a trail runner covering the same 25 mile route in a single day.