South Lake to North Lake via Lamarck Col

“Buddur - When a thread is created on the "Trips" page there is an option of displaying it here also.

Lots of elevation gain on this trip. I will need to get in shape and travel light!!”

“My guess is that the elevation gain will be between 7,000 and 10,000 feet. I'll play with my topo software, but because part is xcountry I might not get an accurate gain.

Geology Guy: Did you figure out the elevation gain/loss?”

“wingding - What was the elevation gain on SierraPalooza? I think you published it once.”

“I think Sierrapalooza was just over 13,000 feet gain/loss.”

“No, have'nt done the elevation summery. I just know it goes: up, down, up, down, up down [and then some]. I'm not too concerned with the trail mile, however, just Wanda Pass. It may be alittle steep. But if we follow the contours, I think we'll be fine. Hey, WD are you going to bring your bear cannister on this trip? BTY, GREAT TRIP!!”

“It looks like +/- 10,000 feet gain total for this trip. We should expect a good amount of snow going over Lamarck Col and the other passes early in the season depending on how the winter goes.”

“Right, and if you look at the Harrision map of the area, there looks like there is a glacier on the east side of the col. But it must not be bad, because you never hear about it in trip reports.”

“We can do it”

“geology guy mentions bear canisters. Are they optional, or does this area require them?”

“Will folks split up the load re: stoves, cooking pots, first aid kits, etc., or does everyone bring all their own set-up?”

“The glacier should be easy. This was taken from Mt Lamarck last July. The snow was soft by then, but probably should use crampons since the lake is under it. This was the first time I saw water in it. The other 2 times it was dry.”

“I do believe Bishop Pass requires a bear canister, through Dusy Basin as well.”

“PJ2, in the past, folks didn't split the weight. Everyone tends to carry what they'll need but don't let you hinder your quest. Someone might be willing to split the load.”

“If someone carries my load, I'll be glad to help them take off their pack at camp. Assistance is always nice while taking off a heavy pack.”

“With a group this big, I would bring canisters. If 1-2 people loses food half way thru the trip, the rest of the group has to give up their food. For a week long trip, I measure my food out and carry only what I will eat (1 lb/day), with 2-3 snack bars for emergencies. So I wouldn't have extra for the person that loses their food.”

“I'm not as concerned about losing my food as I am a bear eating it.”

“PJ2 - We generally hike solo and bring all our own gear. However, a certain amount of sharing usually goes on between people for things like water filters, frying pans, portable showers, etc. It is arranged between individuals, not by the trip planner.

It took me a while to get used to this since I was used to the buddy system in Boy Scouts.

Regarding the glacier, should we bring crampons?”

“Whether or not ice-axe and crampons are necessary depends on the amount of snow that remains. Instep crampons are small and light and they are a good idea during summers following a big snow year. More valuable than crampons is an ice-axe, which are getting lighter and lighter, but still probably not necessary unless there's quite a bit of snow. I would definitely bring trekking poles and make sure no one is in your will who you don't want to be apart of your surviving estate.”

“Our fearless leader!!! :)”

“I'm going to coat Rockman's [PC] gear with bacon grease, that should keep bears away from my stuff. I don't think cannisers are required where we're going, and anyway bacon grease is lighter. But what does our leader say?”

“No crampons or ice axes. The glacier is small.”

“People have injured themselves on smaller. For instance, slipping in spilled slurpee juice at the local 7-11.

That damn 7-11!!!”

“I got new boots after SierraPalooza and sliding all over Sawtooth. I've had two good hikes with them...I should have done it years ago.”

“I'm going to carry my bear cannister and I have a spare one if anyone wants to borrow it.

I do remember a trip I was on where a bear stole some peppermint snapps in the night. Do you remember that trip Geology Guy?”

“and

Hell No, I won't lead a trip.”

“A bear stole the snapps on a trip I was on also. What's up with Sierran bears?”

“Oooh Wingding! I heard a stomp with that last post!!
Maybe I will move my Pioneer Basin trip around a little, so I can in on all or part of this trip......especially if you are leading it..AAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!”

“(I have an extra cannister, too. If I go , I'll bring it along- in my truck that is- someone can use it but I ain't carryin' it for ya!)”

“Every time I catch up on TT posts, someone is suggesting I might need crampons and/or an ice axe.....

Geologyguy, our reluctant but real leader, are you serious that we do not need crampons/ice axe for the small glacier? Does that mean the more nimble of our group will catch the less nimble of our group so that no one slides into the lake? Or do we just take a bath at the end of the descent?”

“I saw a picture of the glacier on the east side of the col, and it was fairly narrow [but wide]. And there was a "stomp' trail up to the pass. I don't think it will be a problem. As for sliding down in on yer ars into a lake, I think it goes right into talus. OUCH!!!”

“I don't want to carry crampons for 6 days.”

“Me, either. I don't even own a pair and I asked Santa for down booties, not crampons.”

“I'm in! Must-hike-Sierras----
Plus, I couldn't miss Phil's birthday! Doesn't look like anyone up my way is signed up, so where would be the best place to fly in to?”

“I do believe LA or Ontario Airports would be best.”

“ladyhiker - One of us should be able to get you to the trailhead if you come into Ontario. LAX and Orange County are also possible. LAX is the farthest away from most of us.”

“Also, check out airline prices into Sacramento. I know there are a couple of people, including myself, coming from Northern California.”

“Us, too, coming from Nor Cal. Ladyhiker, we're lined up offering you a ride :-)”

“This thread is making me too excited to early, I will have a heart attack by then. I am considering it my revenge hike from last year!”

“Thanks for all the offers! I'm leaning towards flying into Sacramento and entertaining the Peppergod and Phaedrus for a day and then catch a ride from Sacramento (Wonder if I should tell them about this plan? nahhh.. don't want to give them a chance to leave town with now forwarding address). Looks like a carpool happening! However... If my schedule is tight, I'll fly into Ontario and wait outside the airport sitting on my pack until someone picks me up!”

“I would love to join in on this hike. It sounds and looks like a nice scenic one. It is a long way off and things can change, but right now I am definitely up for this.
Thanks, Mark”

“I hope you can make it Cubfan.”

“Just a reminder. January 10th is the day we send our permit requests. That's a Saturday. Does that make any difference?”

“Hey Cubfan, I remember seeing you had a hike on the trip page this summer to Seki. Did you go?”

“Hey Rockman,
I had to cancel that trip, but went on another one through Bearpaw Meadow and out in that general area.”

“I'll probably fax my permit request in on January 12th because I'll be at work where the fax machine is that day.

Should we put July 11th as a second choice for starting day?”

“Permit Application:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/NewsRelease/2002_application_form,0.pdf”

“we could put in a second start date. Typically, I have'nt had any problems with my first choice when I've requested so far in advance. BTY thanks for the permit web site, Leader.”

“Hi All Interested Hikers,
I live in Corona, off 91 & 15 freeways. Anyone coming from Orange County area or thereabouts I can carpool with. Will gladly share gas and any other expenses.
Thanks, Mark”

“Sorry Mark, coming in from Sacramento. BTY all peeps are welcome to stay with me at a cabin in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, then drive to the trailhead early Saturday morning.”

“Very generous Geologyguy!”