ROL wrote:

artrock23 wrote:Yes, let's keep this thread on topic!

Yes, Daria's unfortunate post began an off topic discussion, but that matter is perhaps of graver consequence than anything else posted here. I simply couldn't believe the post when I saw it yesterday, but refrained from comment. The posting of unnecessarily high resolution pics gumming up my browser refresh aside, the testament to ignorance of wildlife is appalling. If those had been grizzlies, I doubt the bear spray you should be carrying up there would have saved you from your own folly. That kind of disrespect does nothing to disabuse those who live and work in grizzly (bear) country of their prejudicial notions of "Californians".

She made the post for the same reason she makes every post, guise. Attention.

She knows you'll get riled up. Bear cubs, boobs, whatever it takes.

You're feeding the monster.

ROL wrote:If those had been grizzlies,

But they weren't grizzlies.

If they had been dragons she'd have probably been in a load of trouble too. But they weren't!

So much for beautiful Summer weather. 102F in Bishop currently. Bakersfield 97F. Sacramento 98F. And the winner is ... Death Valley, of course. Forecasted low for Monday night is 95F.

Bob Burd wrote:So much for beautiful Summer weather. 102F in Bishop currently. Bakersfield 97F. Sacramento 98F. And the winner is ... Death Valley, of course. Forecasted low for Monday night is 95F.

It IS beautiful! Went for a bike ride and played in the river in Bishop. Doesn't feel 102 and I don't even have AC at home.

Sometimes i'm envious of those who live in Bishop; afterall, the Sierras are right there.

Today wasn't one of those days. After coming home from work, out comes the board, on goes the wetsuit, and 5 minutes later i'm in the ocean surfing overhead waves with only a few other guys out. No better place to pass Summer heatwaves than at the beach.

Posted a bunch of photos from Incredible Hulk area here:
http://vividrea1ity.blogspot.com/2013/0 ... s-and.html

There were no mosquitos, and spring was running well. Still snow on the approach, but no crampons needed. Lot's of sun cups and it is generally soft. Met a few SPers there, including Dow Williams and PValchev. Really cool outing..

artrock23 wrote:Sometimes i'm envious of those who live in Bishop; afterall, the Sierras are right there.

Today wasn't one of those days. After coming home from work, out comes the board, on goes the wetsuit, and 5 minutes later i'm in the ocean surfing overhead waves with only a few other guys out. No better place to pass Summer heatwaves than at the beach.

It is a blessing to enjoy where you live. I am exactly where I should be. I love that I can just step out of the safety of my front door and see Lamarck's north couloir that I should've died on a few years ago.

Bob Burd wrote:So much for beautiful Summer weather. 102F in Bishop currently. Bakersfield 97F. Sacramento 98F. And the winner is ... Death Valley, of course. Forecasted low for Monday night is 95F.

113F in Zion National Park yesterday. Perfect day for a 13.5 hour day in one of the canyons

All chutes on North Peak are snow as of 6/30 - did the middle one, which has an interesting chockstone thing that you climb under and then stem on the rock to get out and above it. Tiniest of openings on the Bergs.





North Ridge of Conness was looking hot after that, no snow on the route until beyond the summit on the way down the East Ridge



Small patch of snow on Tenaya on the buttress, nothing major. Approach is pretty wet.

mk8 wrote:Nice work burch, I love that place. Yo didn't rope up for Tanya did you ATO?

Hmmm.

Semi-English, anonymous avatar...who could it be?!?!?!

Had a SPECTACULAR trip down the South Fork Kings River yesterday... very remote... no trails or signs of anyone. I doubt this area is visited very often. Very rugged and wild, miles from any trail in any direction. Took me 5 hours to go 6 miles, and I was pushing pretty hard! I took the route thinking it was a quick way back to Roads End. It was NOT! Big mistake going there, very strenuous. Still glad I did it.

At least 50% of the time I was simply walking right in the river. Sometimes because I thought it was faster, and sometimes because there was absolutely no other option. The brush was wicked.
View looking up the river, from within it...




Area where using the river was the only way




Another view of the canyon




Clear water in the pools. I was never thirsty.




Bushwacking near the end.



While I was on my way out... I saw FIVE seperate bears. Never encountered anything like that before. First bear was as I was bushwacking, and I had seen what I assumed was bear tracks through the grass. Couldn't figure what other animal would lay down the grass as it was. Rounded a corner and startled one 20 feet away. We both jumped and he took off like a rocket. Second bear was at a distance across the canyon and never saw me. Third bear was right off the trail and looking for food, he walked within 40 feet of me but totally ignored me. Fourth was down by the lower portion of Kings River as it was getting dark, and fifth was in the parking lot at the trailhead.

Shot of the second bear across the canyon.




And two pics of the third bear going about his activities.

They are all black bears. Some are black, some are brown, some even very light brown almost yellowish, but the species is the same.

Brown bear refers to grizzlies and a few other subspecies, none of which exist in California.

I rub berries all over my belly. Then they come running.

Some haze in Kings Canyon on Friday and Saturday from distant fires, either that or smog of the likes I had never seen before. Also a few thunder clouds on Saturday, but the activity was mostly far off.

I waited by the lake below State Peak for 2 hours while the clouds passed, as I planned to bivy on the summit before doing the traverse to Marion.




State Peak from the lake. I climbed the ridge on the right, which turned out to have a 4th class downclimb off a break in the ridge that I couldn't see from below.




View of the Palisades before sunset. North Palisade the highest on the left and Split Mountain on the right. Marion Peak was my destination for Sunday, the highest peak right of center that isn't all the way in the background.



Great view of Taboose Pass from where I slept.



My bivy ledge. The rock on the left kept me from falling off.

Chad, killer stuff. Jealous of all the bear action, I've yet to see one in all my travels.

Kiwi - we simul climbed for the last couple pitches on Tenaya, the guy I was with suggested it. He had climbed it several times before, my first time. Route was totally soloable. In fact, I could probably stuff your chicken legs in my pack, solo up with you on my back, and then toss you off the top with one arm. Not a very hard climb, but very scenic and a blast.

What did you climb besides your own scalded genitalia this weekend?

Types a lot. Says little. Climbs nothing. I am proud.