Hey all,

I don't know how many of you get Backpacker Magazine, but there's a nice spread this month dedicated to our very own Bob Burd and the Sierra Challenge in this month's issue (August 2012). Check out pages 78 to 83. The title of the article is "Summit Fever" by Michael Darter.

Bob, I thought you were almost done with the Sierra Challenge? (Organizing it anyway). Isn't this going to boost interest?

Happy Summits,

Gusto

Nice photo display and writeup by Michael Darter. I recognize several friends/climbers in these photos. Regarding Bob sunsetting the SC: hope it doesn't happen!

The SC is on for at least this year and next. I haven't seen the magazine, but I understand there were no pics of our lovely ladies from the Challenge last year. Boo.

I was wondering if Michael Darter was climbing the same days and trailheads as our lady climbers in SC2011? From stat sheet it looks like he was not climbing all 10 days. Not trying to defend the guy or anything, but the macro picture of Ed Lane was really impressive to me.

Scott, he did indeed climb on the same days as Ephrat and myself, even though I was only there for a few days. But I guess a picture of blistered and worn-out feet will top any pic of a woman (or even mention that women participate in these shenanigans).

Congratulations to Bob and the guys for getting some well-earned recognition. I am beyond fortunate to call these guys my friends and climbing partners.

I am REALLY looking forward to coming out to play with the guys again this August!!

-L

Good point Laura, he should have at least mentioned both men and women participate in the SC event. A unique feature of the event to me is the diversity of ages, climbing experience, and technical skills of participants. It is an OPEN event to those who have the desire (and put in some training) to be there. The fact that many folks return each years speaks for itself on the quality of the experience. Look forward to see you Laura and the rest of the gang in five weeks.

And here Bob said nothing ever came of the backpacker magazine article. Probably a better time to publish it now, to get people interested in it right before it starts as opposed to right after last year's challenge was over when people would have a whole year to forget about it.

I wonder if any other pictures he took of me made it in. If you see a guy with a confused look on his face holding a GPS with a DSLR camera that has a sock for a lens cap, that's me. Already looking for some redemption this year, after failing to reach any of the 3 peaks I tried last year.

Matt

ScottHanson wrote:Good point Laura, he should have at least mentioned both men and women participate in the SC event. A unique feature of the event to me is the diversity of ages, climbing experience, and technical skills of participants. It is an OPEN event to those who have the desire (and put in some training) to be there. The fact that many folks return each years speaks for itself on the quality of the experience. Look forward to see you Laura and the rest of the gang in five weeks.

Scott, thanks so much. I may end up quoting you in the letter to the editor which I'll write today.

Excited to see you, too!

-L

Kind of sad I will not be able to catch up with most of you this August. Actually was looking forward to it.

At least Laura is easy to find : )

I've seen the article and I can't imagine how much fun Michael had culling thousands of photos down to around 30. Last year saw "37 extreme hikers" and I bet we see more this year. I'm looking forward to it!

My letter to BP Magazine:

http://moosetracksca.wordpress.com/2012 ... -magazine/

I know there was no malicious intent here. But I am disappointed that none of the women who were there in 2011 (myself, Ephrat, Liz) were represented. Again, this was just my disappointment...

What I read and got out of this nice article, was a warm and well deserved tribute to the creator of (SP's Bob Burd) and to the spirit of ALL participants in all the present and past Sierra Challenges. Not one gender nor sexual preference in particular. But again, to ALL participants.

I do not recall reading anything about any of the gay individuals that participated in the Sierra Challenge that particular day or entire 2011 Challenge, either. Boo! Patiently awaiting to read their disappointed Letter to the Editor of Backpacker Magazine as well.

When less than 10% of participants are female, and at least one (Ephrat) was away from the group doing alternate peaks on several days, I'm not surprised that a handful of pictures chosen for their scenic value didn't include women. It's just a fact that while a few women participate, the Challenge is a mostly-male event.

In any case, it's good to see Bob's creation get some recognition. I still haven't found that issue of Backpacker out here in the sticks, but I'm looking forward to seeing it.

No Lithuanian-Americans were mentioned either (quietly tiptoes away...).

I've long had a dark fantasy of completing the Sierra Challenge, but timing and tendancy to remain a lone wolf keep me away....not that I'm a total bastard...Laura, maybe they'll publish your letter. I think brevity would have increased the odds and rectified the issue, but those darn details seem important sometimes.