Telescope Peak and Death Valley trip

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Panamint Valley

For George’s birthday, he decided to climb Telescope Peak, near Death Valley. Having never been to that area we were happy to go along. We spent the first part of the day after the climb exploring Death Valley.

Summary

Telescope Peak and Death Valley: 4 December – 6 December 2009

Day 1: Driving to Ridgecrest (5h30 from Cupertino). Stayed at motel.

Day 2: Climb Telescope Peak from Mahogany Flat (14 miles, +3000 ft round trip). Drove to Furnace Creek. Stayed at motel.

Day 3: Explore Death Valley (Zabriskie Point, Badwater, Natural Bridge, Artist Drive and Rhyolite). Drive home (8 hours).

Participants (hike): 6

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Virginia Peak PCS Trip

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Virginia Lake

In late October, my dad and I went with a PCS group to attempt Virginia Peak, in northeastern Yosemite. Early snow prevented us from reaching the peak, but we enjoyed a fun early winter outing in an area I’d not previously seen.

Summary

Virginia Peak PCS Trip: 24 October-25 October 2009

Day 1: Green Lake trail from the trailhead, then a use trail over Virginia Pass (10,500 ft.) and going cross-country to camp in a basin southeast of Virginia Peak.

Day 2: Detour to Return Lake, then returning by the same route as the day before.

Participants: 5

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Mt. Langley PCS trip

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Mt. Langley

Midway through October, I joined a weekend Sierra Club hike for my first climb of Mt. Langley in the southern Sierra.

Summary

Mt. Langley PCS Trip: 10-11 October 2009

Day 0: Driving to near Lone Pine.

Day 1: Cottonwood Lakes Trail from Horseshoe Meadow to Cottonwood Lake #5. 7 miles, 2000 ft.

Day 2: Over Old Army Pass and up Mt. Langley from SE face (class 2), returning via same route to Cottonwood Lakes and trailhead. 12 miles, 2000 ft.

Participants: 3

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White Mountain photo club trip

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White Mountains

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.

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The Tour de Monte Rosa (TMR)

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Theodul Pass

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.

Tour de Monte Rosa – Day 1

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theodul-hut

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).

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