Sometimes hauling a heavy pack around the mountains is a necessary evil; the only way to get to the truly remote places. But then sometimes the backbreaking work can be avoided. As our knees and shoulders give out we are finding that using porters or pack stock to a basecamp makes life easier. Who does not want to come back after a hard day, clean up under a solar shower, have a dinner with fresh vegetables and maybe a salmon steak? This is not a dream!!
Here are some of the trips that fit into this category. We can also put together custom trips that make use of pack stock and porters and this can be an easy way to get the whole family into the backcountry.
Summer Trips
Ritter and Banner Camp
These two peaks dominate the Sierra Skyline near Mammoth and offer a perfect introduction to the pleasures of Sierra Peak climbing. Pack stock will carry gear to camp near Ediza Lake while we strike a leisurely and comfortable hiking pace. Along with the climbing there is plenty of instruction time to relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of the Sierra making this trip is ideal for those simply wanting to get out and enjoy being in the mountains in a beautiful and friendly environment and location.
Ritter and Banner Parents and Kids Camp
Kids enjoy the outdoors - once they get there! But organizing the logistics and getting them enthused can be difficult. So we have put together this trip, which removes the planning headaches from the parents and also gives kids an environment to safely discover the high Sierra, climb a few peaks, do a little rock climbing or to simply sit in the sun and relax. We make it easy by using pack stock to carry the heavy items and we hike easily with a daypack and have most of the day to get to camp near Lake Ediza.
Whitney via Cottonwood
This route from Cottonwood crosses over the Sierra Crest at the Cottonwood Pass and then drops to the west to the Kern River and then loops to Guitar Lake below the western slopes of the peak. To make it a truly relaxing trip we can utilize the services of Cottonwood Pack Station to carry equipment while we hike with a daypack. This also enables us to take along a few extra luxuries and make a complete vacation.
Yes, it does take a little longer to climb this way, but then we believe that it is the journey that is important rather than the goal and this offers a very fine journey indeed.
Winter Trips
Hut Based Ski, Snowboard and Snowshoe Weekends
A guided hut trip is an ideal introduction to enjoying the winter backcountry. Sometimes mid-winter camping can be just plain uncomfortable but a hut gives a perfect basecamp and a place to come back to and relax in avoiding the cramped confines of a damp tent.
The North Lake hut is a couple of hours ski in along a snow-covered road and is just outside of the John Muir Wilderness. The approach makes it quite possible to take a weekend vacation here and feel miles away from the cares of the outside world. Inside the Weatherport structure is a wood fired stove to keep things warm and to warm up boots in the morning, gas lanterns to provide light during those long winter nights and a gas stove to keep the hot chocolate coming in the evenings or coffee to start the morning.
Spring Corn Camps
We never get tired of touting the pleasures of Sierra spring skiing with it’s easy to ski nature and the added benefit of long warm spring days. We time the camp to take advantage of the warm spring weather (we hope...), improved access as the winter snows consolidate, and the fabulous Sierra spring corn. This is truly “ego” snow and before long you will be out on slopes that you never would have believed you were able to ski. We will be able to accommodate skiers of differing abilities and this is the ideal opportunity to improve your skill and techniques as we work with you giving advice and tips. Add good food and great cooks to the corn snow and we have the ingredients for a long to be remembered ski vacation. The ultimate for the hedonistic backcountry skier. |
