Just after returning from Europe, Sassan and I joined a number of photographers on the Foothill Photo Club’s annual trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of eastern California.
Summary
Day 1: Driving to Crooked Creek in the White Mountains.
Day 2: Photography at the Patriarch Grove and climbing White Mountain Peak (elev. 14242 ft.).
Day 3: Photography at the Patriarch Grove and driving back.
The Tour de Monte Rosa – circumambulating Switzerland’s highest peak
4 portions of a 9 leg journey around the Monte Rosa on the Switzerland-Italy border.
Introduction – A brief description of the TMR
Day 1 – Zermatt to Thedul Hut – Via Trockener Steg and the Kleine Matterhorn.
Day 2 – Theodul Hut to St. Jacques – Via the Colle Nord di Lago Bianco.
Day 3 – St. Jacques to Gabiet – Via the Colle di Bettaforca and Gressoney.
Day 4 – Gabiet to Alagna – Via the Col d’Olin and the Passo Foric.
Epilogue – Rain and an early conclusion to our trip.
Photos of our journey.
Summary: due to rain (and later snow), we did not complete the two remaining stages of the hike, from Alagna to Macugnaga via the Colle de Turlo (+1500m, -1400m), and from Macugnaga to Saas Fee (+1500m, -1000m). Both of these legs are quite long (guide books suggest 8-9 hours).
Summary: Hiked up from Gabiet (2300m) to Col d’Olen (2900m) and then down to junction 2200m) (+600m, -700m, 5h30). Then ascended the Passo Foric (2400m) and descended to Alagna (1200m) (+200m, -1200m, 4h30).
St. Jacques – Gabiet (Gressoney)
Summary: Hiked up from St. Jacques (1700m) to Colle di Bettaforca (2700m) and then down to Stafel (1900m) (+1000m, -800m, 5 1/2 hours). Continued on up to Gabiet (2300m) (+400m, 2 hours). Spent night at Albergo del Ponte (hotel, half pension).
Theodul Hut – St. Jacques
Summary: Hiked from Theodul Hut (3300m) to Colle Nord di Lago Bianco (2900m) via middle lift station (-700m, +300m, 3 hours) and then down to St. Jacques (1700m) (-1200m, 4h30). Spent night at Pensione Genzianella (hotel, half pension).
Zermatt – Theodul Hut via Kleine Matterhorn
Summary: Hiked up from Zermatt (1600m) to Trockener Steg (2900m), via Furi (+1300m, 4 hours). Took cable car from Trockener Steg to Kleine Matterhorn (3900m). Hiked from Kleine Matterhorn down to Theodul Pass/Hut (-500m, 1 hour). Spent night at Theodul Hut (dormitory accomodations, half pension).
Two years earlier, we had begun the Tour de Monte Rosa, but poor weather and fatigue left us having hiked only the first three stages (of a total nine). Therefore we decided on this trip to try and complete the remaining ones.
The TMR circumambulates Switzerland’s highest mountain, the Monte Rosa. It is equally split between northern Italy and the Valais district of Switzerland. While the trail is often steep, frequently rough and occasionally exposed, no special equipment is required beyond perhaps for a small stretch of glacier between Zermatt and the Theodul Pass. Unlike long treks in the Sierras in California, the TMR passes through a number of small towns and villages. One therefore does not need to carry tent, sleeping bag, or a multiple-day supply of food.
The TMR is typically hiked as a 9 day trek. Both of our stints on the trail have been in mid-September, although in retrospect, late August might be a better time, so far as weather (rain and snow) is concerned. On the other hand, the TMR is a popular route, and as we found, going later had the advantage of having the trail largely to ourselves.
On the first weekend of August, my dad and I joined a Sierra Club trip from Onion Valley to climb University Peak.
Summary
University Peak PCS Trip Saturday 1 August 2009
Route: Onion Valley trailhead via Kearsarge Pass trail and North Face (class 3), ~ 8 miles, 4500 ft.
Participants: 7
In the middle of July, I went with some PCS folks for two days in upper Yosemite, to dayhike Amelia Earhart Peak and Mt. Dana.
Summary
Amelia Earhart Peak and Mt. Dana: July 11-July 12, 2009
Day 1: Amelia Earhart Peak from Tuolomne Meadows. 20 miles (16 on trail), ~3400 ft.
Day 2: Mt. Dana from Tioga Pass. 6 miles (use trail), ~3200 ft.
Participants: 8