Happy Valley

  On the 5th morning of our trip, we would arise early and usually quietly, each person lost in their own thoughts in anticipation of the day. Being day 5, our packs were lighter by a dozen meals, our legs were stronger, and we were more acclimated to the altitude. Yet none of this made … Continue reading »

 To reach the Roaring River, one must trudge up a rise that serves to take one’s breath away. At the top, before we would ascend into the river gorge, we would get a good look at Avalanche Pass hovering across the valley…across and far above. This comes, of course, with a moment of doubt, as … Continue reading »

 Strapping on packs on the second morning was always a bit of a shock. The bruised shoulders and hips from the climb to Seville made themselves known. As would be my custom, I gathered all food and redistributed it evenly among the group, much to the chagrin of the kids who had carried the Monday … Continue reading »

         Although the memories of the Avalanche trips seem to mostly evoke people, as I write, the stories seem most easily evoked by campsites and the stretches of trail between. Like the reminiscences of Dylan Thomas, the memories seem to have neither order nor end. But the trail itself, the walking and the camping, … Continue reading »

This feels like part of a series…here is the first chapter….  Avalanche Pass is not one of the highest passes in the Sierras, nor even one of the most spectacular. Once attaining the top, one has to drop his pack and walk about 50 yards for the spectacle: a hundred mile view out over Kings … Continue reading »