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2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 3:01 am
by Bob Burd
Spring has arrived, the Sierra snows are now melting in earnest with fair weather ahead, the passes are starting to open and thoughts naturally turn to What to Do in the Sierra this Summer. The 13th annual Sierra Challenge is set for late August when most of the snows have melted, the mosquitoes have had their run, water is plentiful as is sunshine and plenty of daylight hours. 10 new peaks have been selected for the 2013 event including a number of the lesser-known 13ers. We're going to visit Northern Yosemite, the Little Lakes area, Bishop Pass and the Black Divide, Piute Pass and the Keyhole Plateau, the Red Lakes Trail, a return to Taboose Pass, Center Basin, the Whitney Area and a trek up the Baxter Pass Trail, the first time we've used this on the Challenge.

The all-new 2013 Sierra Challenge gives you ten days in August to challenge your stamina and your sanity amidst the beauty that is the Sierra Nevada. Leave your heavy backpacks and marginal camp foods behind. Climb some impressive peaks with a daypack and enjoy fine Eastern Sierra cuisine at day's end. Join us for one day or all ten, to test your legs in the backcountry or just to meet fellow SPers. We already have several dozen folks signed up this year, always room for more. :D

For those who aren't familiar with the yearly Challenge, in a nutshell - we drive up and down the Eastern Sierra for ten days and climb 1-2 cool peaks each day. Mostly carrying a light daypack, sometimes crampons/axe. It's primarily a hike/scramble event, with little technical rock climbing. It's generally a pretty exhausting day, but most participants would use the word "fun" somewhere in their varying descriptions. This is not a race, there are no official sponsors, and there are no prizes. There are no qualifications to join in the fun - everyone is welcome. The link above will give you all the info.

A handful of participants ponder the descent off the west side of Eocene Peak, Northern Yosemite on the first day of the 2012 Challenge. Slide Mtn in the background:
Image

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:59 pm
by tbaranski
So close. I'm flying out to the Mammoth area for my own 4-day tour starting on the 27th and figured maybe I'd be able to join you guys for a day. :-)

I may do your Twelve Flags route though -- looks like a good one.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:50 pm
by ScottHanson
I am signed up, but need to solve a knee pain issue to join in the fun this summer. Geez, I hate to break my eight year record of participation! I do encourage others to join SC2013 for a great time. A good group of people and all skill levels can enjoy.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:44 pm
by Vitaliy M.
Had a lot of fun in 2010! Exploring lesser traveled peaks in Eastern Sierra is awesome, especially with a group of nice people. Would love to join you guys for a day or two. Will see what's up after my vacation...!

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:56 pm
by mlarkin2002
Bob - looks like your site is down? Getting nothing but 403 Forbidden messages. (Or is it because I'm in London presently and you're blocking international visitors)?

-ml

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:31 pm
by Deb
Signed up! Look forward to exploring these peaks I've never even heard of. :)

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:07 pm
by Bob Burd
mlarkin2002 wrote:(Or is it because I'm in London presently and you're blocking international visitors)?


Bingo. Too many Chinese and Eastern Euros trying to hack in. To what nefarious purpose I can't tell. Maybe just practicing for bigger fish.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:38 pm
by John Duffield
The photo upthread looks like it's done in trail runners?

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:44 pm
by Bob Burd
John Duffield wrote:The photo upthread looks like it's done in trail runners?


Tennis shoes, trail runners, approach shoes and boots of various styles have all been used to good purpose.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:30 am
by Bob Burd
toxo wrote:Why do you have password login enabled, lol?


So I can login remotely, or am I missing the point? I'm really just a hack at website admin.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 3:05 pm
by simonov
Looks like you guys will be pretty busy and a long way from Lone Pine when we are coming out at Whitney Portal on the 22nd after our trans-Sierra. Bummer.

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:13 pm
by Princess Buttercup
Aw, hell, if Deb has signed up... :shock: :D

All hail the might Moosie-Q!!! :twisted: :twisted:

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:46 am
by hightinerary
This year there is no overlap between the dates of my own annual Sierra trip and the Challenge. But I've had my eye on Peak 3985 for a while... Maybe I'll sneak back out and join you for that one...

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:21 am
by ScottHanson
Knee pain remains after eight weeks. I may have to watch from the sidelines this year. Read Bob's daily reports and check the stat sheet results. Bummer!! One thing worse from hiking slow is not hiking at all!

Re: 2013 Sierra Challenge Aug 16-25

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 1:51 pm
by Princess Buttercup
Scott, I remember trying to put in a few days on my bum knee in 2011. Justification was "If there really is something going on in there, I want to give the surgeon something to actually DO."

Sorry to hear about the knee, buddy. Wish my range extended a little further north... :(