Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:47:37 -0700WeeblyThu, 27 Oct 2016 16:23:37 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/sometimes-we-go-off-the-path]]>Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:43:15 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/six-pack-of-peaksKoplan here to remind all to check out the Six Pack of Peaks site.  We have from now through October 2016 to climb six of SoCal's more infamous hills.  Get in shape while at the same time raise money for Big City Mountaineers -- an awesome non-profit organization that instills critical life skills in under-resourced urban youth through transformative wilderness mentoring expeditions (50% of the proceeds go to BCM)! 

This is completely doable--one mountain a month and we're golden!  Look for a hiking schedule coming soon.
]]>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:45:52 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/looking-forward-to-20162016 is here and I am already getting fired up for new adventures.  For those joining me on the trail this year, I am committed to doing at least one segment of the John Muir Trail in late summer/early fall.  The JMT is a 211 mile trail that starts at Yosemite and terminates at Mt. Whitney (assuming you are going north to south).  I haven't nailed down dates, but figure a 3-4 day, point-to-point trek covering 30 to 40 miles beginning with the Yosemite portion.  I've got a fancy new Osprey and I need an excuse to use it.  Planning sessions will be convened in the coming days. 

Also, the Sherpas are attempting to complete the Six Pack of Peaks.  This is as much a logistical challenge as it is a physical one.  Carving out the time to not only get back in shape but to actually schedule a couple days here and there to complete the hikes will be harder than you think.  Nevertheless, Darin threw down the gauntlet, so it has to be done.  Plus, I want the t-shirt.  Add this to the planning session. 

Game on.
]]>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:24:43 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/the-second-seasonBecause of the amazing weather in Southern California, for us, hikng season doesn't ever really have to end.  In fact, to me, this is the best time of year to hike locally.  The weather is cool (sometimes cold) but nothing that can't be addressed with a layer or two, AND we don't have the heat issues that the summer presents.  Also, if it rains, the creek beds and waterfalls fill up which only adds to the sights and sound of the trail. 

I can see the post-rain snow on the San Gabriels right now.  This is the second season.  It is time to get out. 
]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2015 19:16:54 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/mt-whitney-post-mortemOn September 3, the 805 Sherpas took a walk up the Mt. Whitney trail in an attempt to summit the tallest peak in lower 48 states.  Our plan was to make the summit (14,505) and return in a single day.  That's a 22 mile round trip with an ascent of approximately 6000 feet.  Of the 7 who started out, 5 made it to the top.  2 had to return early due to altitude sickness.  It happens. 

For those who haven't done Whitney  before, it is breathtakingly beautiful and a huge achievement.  It is also a forced death march.  Walking 22 miles at sea level is heck of a workout.  Adding incline and elevation increases the challenge exponentially.  As you ascend, particularly past 12,000 to 13,000 feet, the impact of altitude is very real. 

To my brothers who made the top, well done.  You guys are animals.  Tough as nails.  The journey continues.  On to the next.

For me, this year was a bit different.  I escorted one of the guys off the mountain who got sick a few miles in, so my day was over early.  I spent the remainder of the day relaxing in and around the Whitney campsite.  After getting over the initial disappointment of being left out of the adventure, I had a chance to kick back for a few hours, and then a few hours more.  That just never happens for me.   Moreover, it doesn't happen in one of the most visually spectacular venues in the world.  In between naps, I took in the peaks and vistas, strolled past waterfalls and mountain streams, and just chilled out.  It would have been a huge thrill to hit the summit again, but that day of relaxation and reflection may be the best day I've had all year. 

My takeaway is that on future adventures, I resolve to focus more on being in the moment.  I will pay closer attention to the steps along the way rather than just the destination.  No doubt I will find hard trails to walk, and I will certainly be back to top of Whitney again, but the next time I come across a tranquil spot, I may just sit down for a couple hours and take it in.  


]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2015 01:56:54 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/one-week-to-whitneyGetting pumped for the big climb!  Two helpful sites for those heading that way (click on the link):

• Orientation Notes for Whitney First Timers
• Mt. Whitney Weather Forecast
  

More to come...

--bk]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2015 02:11:15 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/-sometimes-you-hear-the-call-of-the-wild-cottonwood-lakes-trailFriday night, Tony and I took a commando trip up to Horseshoe Meadows in the Eastern Sierras.  Horseshoe Meadows is near Lone Pine, CA, south of Mt. Whitney.  The route is the same as one would take to Mt. Whitney, except that about 3 miles up Whitney Portal Road, you take a left on Horseshoe Meadows Road and wind way up into the Sierras until you end up at Horseshoe Meadows and the various campgrounds that are there.   Luckily for us, it was dark when we drove up because we were oblivious to the sheer drop-offs that are just feet from the pavement.  All in, it was about a 4 hour drive.  The driving ascent is slow and adds time to the trip. 

We "camped" in a fashion, which is to say Tony slept under the stars on a cot and I crashed in the back of the SUV.  FYI - sleeping in the back of the SUV was a bad and very uncomfortable idea.  That being said, there are beautiful campgrounds up there.  All of the campsites are walk-in, first come/first serve.  Bear boxes are available for stashing food and other items that might attract Yogi.  The altitude at the campgrounds is about 10k feet, so you feel it until you adjust. 

We rolled out about 6 a.m. to gear up and hit the trail shortly after.  Our initial mission was to climb Mt. Langley, but that is 22 miles and, practically speaking, is really a 2-day adventure.  We moderated the goal to hike the Cottonwood Lakes trail and see the various lakes along the way, which ended up being 12 miles round trip.  The trail is well marked and tends to be rolling.  You gain elevation and give it back throughout.   We both found it surprisingly challenging though, probably  because there was no time to acclimate.  The soil for a good chunk of the trail is sandy, which adds an extra level of difficulty to the walk, and also makes for a very dusty trek.  That said, it is an incredibly scenic trail through forests and meadows and over creeks until you finally come to a series of lakes.  You can wind your way up to 12,000 or 13,000 feet to see the various lakes, and on to 14,000 if you were to make it all the way to Mt. Langley.  We were limited by time, and turned back around 11,000 feet after having lunch by the lake in the company of a colony of marmots, which was awesome.  The altitude and tree coverage notwithstanding, the return trip was pretty warm, so hydration became that much more important.   Tragically, Tony did not get a chance to use his fancy new water purifier. 

By the time we returned to the car at 1 p.m., we were hot and beat even though we have done longer and steeper hikes, which I will chalk up to a long drive, poor rest and altitude.  It was a great training hike for Mt. Whitney though, and it's just a great hike generally.  I will have to make time to go back to really set up camp and explore the area properly.   As we drove down to Lone Pine we could see Whitney and the adjacent Needles, which we are looking forward to seeing up close in just a couple weeks.  The Cottonwood Lakes hike served as a reminder that Whitney is a tough-ass trek though and not to be taken lightly. 

After a much needed lunch at the Mt. Whitney Restaurant in Lone Pine, we headed south and arrived back in T.O./Westlake around 6 p.m. 

Sometimes you hear the call of the wild and just have to go.  This was one of those times.
]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2015 21:54:36 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/why-trekking-polesSo for those of you who haven't tried trekking poles or have a misperception that they are only for the timid, weak or old, check out this video from Leki.  It brings up several key points as to how trekking poles will increase your efficiency and help make your hikes safer and more comfortable as well!  

As a bonus this video (also from Leki), and this video from Chase Tucker discuss a few tools and techniques in fitting and using trekking poles.  In the Leki video, pay particular attention in the instruction as to how to properly use the straps.  It's not as easy as it looks!


]]>Tue, 04 Aug 2015 17:55:02 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/anyone-for-mt-langleyThe Mt. Whitney hike is looming near, so I'm feeling some anxiety about my training.  There is nothing like training at altitude, not only for conditioning but to get used to what it feels like to make an ascent when the air starts to thin and then push through the discomfort.  The ice house route to the top of Baldy is a leg crushing grind and one of the best training hikes in proximity to L.A., but it's only 10k at the top.  Whitney is 4500 feet higher at the summit, and in my experience, the real altitude fun doesn't start until you hit 12k or even 13k.  Mt. Langley, which is in the Sierra Nevada range and not far from Mt. Whitney, offers the opportunity to start the hike at 10k and get as far up as 14k if you get to the Langley summit (22 miles round trip).  It is also an opportunity to bag a 14er.  I'm thinking about doing a commando trip up there this Friday (leave after work / hike Saturday and return), so let me know if interested.  ]]>Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:20:19 GMThttps://www.805sherpas.org/eds-blog/july-08th-2015Haven't seen some of you guys on trail in a while!  Come on back and join us, regardless of whether you are doing Whitney.  The exercise and camaraderie are great, the views spectacular, and the mountain is calling!]]>