When did it become the end of summer? The entire summer we've been asked where we've been and where we're going. Our spiel always ended with "backpacking in Sequoia," complete with two massive grins and hefty amounts of excitement. And now, after over 30 miles, 6,000 feet total elevation gain, and enough dehydrated peas and carrots to last me a lifetime, we're done travelling. Click on the image below to check out a video of our trip.
It all began on a windy road leading into Mineral King, a valley deep in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. I would be lying if I said we didn't get massively carsick. But all was well once we reached the campground where we were staying before taking off the next morning on our five-day backpacking trip with Sierra Club National Outings. The mixture of gigantic trees and happy-hour tortilla chips & guac started things off nicely.
The exact area we were hiking in was a part of this big spat between Walt Disney and the Sierra Club a few decades back, when Disney wanted to build a ski resort on these peaks. Long story short, stoked that there's no ski resort there -- that would have put a slight damper on our spectacular views.
So Tuesday morning, our eclectic 14-person group set out to get away from all things civilized and get down and dirty. We asked Thomas and Lesley, the group leaders, which day would be the hardest. "The first day, definitely," they told us reassuringly. Only later did we realize this was just a ploy to build up our confidence. The first day was the easiest.
First day setting out (above) vs. after our highest climb, day 4 (below).
Our group consisted of badass leaders Thomas and Lesley, from Germany and Taipei; two father-son pairs, Kurt/Matt and Pat/Matt; Kosta, Stan, and Vince, grown men who came on their own; Maggie, Rachel, and Diane, all young adults who took advantage of the youth scholarship program (only $150 for a five-day backpacking trip, food included -- totally doing that next year); plus me and Daniel.
After reaching our first day's destination, Franklin Lake (~9000 ft), Rachel and I spotted a sheet of snow up on the other side of the lake and immediately decided we had to touch it. Two hours and at least 300 feet higher, we got close. We also got altitude sick. C'est la vie, it was an exhilarating adventure.
We managed to get some primetime star gazing in on this trip, too. We upped our game from Lassen and Colorado by drinking lemon tea and chillin' in our sleeping bags while doing so.
Day three and we were finally getting acclimated to the altitude and the backpacking lifestyle. We managed to do some yoga, and play lots of card games by headlamp light.
Day four started off in tents and then became extremely intense. We hiked up to Columbine Lake, heaving and hoeing, and then proceeded to summit Sawtooth Peak (below) at a whopping 12,343 ft. And then there was the climb down. Let's just say I spent a good chunk of time skidding on my butt. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do, amiright?
That's Columbine Lake (above) and Sawtooth Peak (below).
Celebration was then in order, which came in the form of jumping in Monarch Lake and sunbathing on the rocks. I don't think any of my explanations are doing the trip justice. I think you'll just have to visit Mineral King for yourself, and then call me up and we can chat about how gnarly the climbs are, and ponder the extreme blueness of the lakes.
If you're young and have given all your money away to college loans or the like, have no fear, you can still go! Apply for the youth scholarship fund! And if you're older, and a little skeptical about making it up to the top of those peaks, channel Vince. He came on the trip to see a similar view to Robert Redford in the movie The Electric Horseman, and was an absolutely incredible hiker.
And if you're feeling glued to your technological devices, try turning them off and climbing a mountain. That's my best advice, not that you asked.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.