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The Range of Light--Eastside Sierra explorations

Our precious time off is so often heavy with expectations of grandeur and success. Pursuing us through our process of narrowing options, failure lurks, drooling over the opportunity to feast on defeat. But try we must, for this is our fuel. We will ask ourselves, "what was accomplished?" and stew over the decisions made. We will question our motivations and examine our intentions. An iconic tour of both obscure and overused alpine venues leaves us eager for more, to the degree that our conversations often centered around schemes to return as soon as possible. With no one else around to share it with, we made our own reality in this playground, going from slide to monkeybar to swing. The Eastside of the Sierra Nevada Range, our home away from home and our enchanted, healthy addiction to rarely visited perches above the crowds.
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  • Just another rest day

    Just another rest day

    At 12,500’ we finally realized that it wasn’t happening. The mountain miles away would not be attempted, or even seen. A shot of my adventure buddy in front of a pretty rad backdrop more than made up for the effort, though, and we chalked it up to another day of training for life.

  • Amidst a massive landscape

    Amidst a massive landscape

    Shocking details, obscured by the flippant stomach of an unknown descent, demanded a moment of attention.

  • Not a day wasted

    Not a day wasted

    Adamant that we would regret using a good weather day, we follow Nancy’s nagging and intuitive wisdom. Aloft on the South face of Thor, I cannot disagree.

  • Moments from the van

    Moments from the van

    The morning view stopped me soon after having just started for the day.

  • Years of being in the element

    Years of being in the element

    A long off-route variation ended and a gap in the terrain allows for more efficient techniques. A fluid confidence comes over the climber. The mountain is ascended and an art is practiced.

  • Casually

    Casually

    A passage, like a sidewalk connects sections of seemingly inaccessible ridge line in a seemingly surreal setting

  • An alpine maze of light and stone

    An alpine maze of light and stone

    Abroad on the North Ridge of Lone Pine Peak, Nancy navigates a million decisions before lunchtime.

  • Greeting

    Greeting

    A Woman and her trees

  • The morning

    The morning

    Rushed to sleep by wind and dropping temperatures, our chosen bed was uneven and sloping. When it was finally light enough to stir a present unwrapped itself before us. The reward of a long night.

  • Welcoming and being welcomed

    Welcoming and being welcomed

    The skyline of the Minarets inspires awe

  • Mountaineer's Route

    Mountaineer's Route

    The last part was the hardest. Fear grumbled from within, tempting us with thoughts of retreat. A fall from there would have been catastrophic and the corresponding imagery of such an accident played on a surreal and morbid loop in our mind's imagination. Add security. Commit. Execute.

  • Happy place

    Happy place

    Surprise powder turns in the Refuge. Having been "forced" to ski more, we decided to make the best of it. Here Nancy wiggles til she giggles down the Third Lake Gully. 2,000' of untracked wilderness skiing in May; not a bad way to spend the morning.

  • Moving quickly through a moody morning

    Moving quickly through a moody morning

    Temple Crag in a new cloak: Late snows covered the Sierra in a relentless procession during our trip in Spring 2019, making for unique ski touring routes. The alpine climbing was out, however, making for some frustrating van-time planning. Our lesson was to learn how to adapt, and know when to say enough is enough. Eventually, we got the message and went sport climbing in the desert.

  • Finding adventure where ever you are

    Finding adventure where ever you are

    Topping out Contact Pass on a training day: Since skis remained a requirement for travel into the high peaks, we found creative ways to stay busy. Mostly this meant getting up at unmentionable hours and returning by 11am. The South Fork of Big Pine Creek yawns behind Nancy in this picture, tempting us with endless possibilities and future endeavors.

  • Morning sky fire

    Morning sky fire

    Early snow storm in the South Fork of Big Pine Creek. Another day of Jekyll and Hyde weather as we tried to make the best of it.

  • Half way there

    Half way there

    Descending from a high, lonely spot on the mountain means you're halfway done. Here Nancy reverses our climb up, previewing the conditions for the descent off of Lone Pine Peak. We found exceptional snow on Lone Pine Peak, farther south than the Palisades, where the snow never seems to freeze enough to travel by foot.

  • Triumphant

    Triumphant

    Topping out a couloir on Lone Pine Peak, looking across at Mount Whitney. We gained a refreshing perspective on the Whitney Group from the shoulder of LPP. Our timing on this day was perfect and our hopes were raised as we imagined finally climbing the North Ridge soon.

  • Guardian

    Guardian

    Lighting the way

  • Open for business

    Open for business

    Nancy heads out into quick access corn skiing with guests at a popular Eastside venue

  • A guide at work

    A guide at work

    Nancy paving the way for her guests during an exploratory tour below Mount Huntington with California Alpine Guides

  • Exploring Rock Creek

    Exploring Rock Creek

    New terrain on a fickle Spring outing

  • Maxwell the van

    Maxwell the van

    At home in the Alabama Hills, below the highest point in the lower 48

  • Bear Creek Spire

    Bear Creek Spire

    Another year of getting shutdown on our Rock Creek project. These aspirations keep us honest and hungry. Some day we will stand on top of this rocky cathedral and revel in the feeling of accomplishment after years of trying. For now, it is our nemesis.

  • I think we have run out of snow!

    I think we have run out of snow!

    Nancy and Kim reaching the end of the line above Round Valley

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    Not a day wasted
    Moments from the van
    Years of being in the element