Onion Valley Backpack and Mt Gould dayhi ke (CA)

“ Onion Valley backpack and Mt Gould Dayhike

Saturday: Onion Valley (9,200') to Kearsarge Pass (11,760') to camp (~11,300'). Altitude kicked my butt, maybe the extra effort to hike in snow with a full pack had something to do with it. Or lack of sleep, and for sure, sleeping at 6K instead of 9K (everytime I sleep below the trailhead I get sick like this). Took forever to get there.

Sunday: Walking around camp was tough, so we got a late start. Didn't think I'd make it, but we headed up to Kearsarge Pass and stashed the packs. After a quick snack we headed up Mt Gould (13,005') (really late start). We cut over sooner than I remembered from last fall, because of the snowfields. Then I saw a familar area, where we could see the false summit. Calhiker looked at the time and what was ahead, and said we weren't gonna make the summit. I convinced him it wasn't as bad as it looked, and got my second wind. We made it, and it was worth it! Coming down he said we were going to get out really late, with 5 miles to go. Even with snow, crampons, and playing around with the ice axe we were back in 2.5 hrs.

Only 2 more weeks of snowboarding, then I'll be on the trail every weekend and that should help with the altitude problem. It was a fun weekend, even though I was sick for most of it. The views were awesome! And summitting was rewarding and made it all worth it.”

“Sorry to hear you got sick :( At least you didn't let it ruin your trip.”

“Nice pictures. I've never done any hiking in California, but it sure looks worthwhile.”

“Too bad you got sick, s.n.; you're probably longing for the lower altitude of Yoho! :-)”

“Awesome pics! I love the sunset and the panos!!”

“It takes about 24 hrs for me to acclimatize. I normally sleep at the trailhead and do ok. Its when I sleep low that I get sick like that. The trailhead was at 9200', and we slept at about 6000' In 2 weeks I'll be on the trail every weekend ant that should go away.

Yoho was amazing! Glaciers at 5000'!”

“And the beauty/views are what keep me going there!

The sunset was pretty awesome! So colorful!

Winter camping is peaceful . . . you have the whole place to yourself!”

“ Calhiker's photos from Mt Gould trip from May 15-16.

On May 22nd he did his 3rd Double Century this year, then did a short hike the next day.

On May 24th he dayhiked Kearsarge Peak from the east side

I think after a 200 mile bike ride my butt would have been resting.”

“Hey Snowy, with 2 extra days to spend in the Sierra, you would have been hiking too, even after spending the whole day on a bike. Besides, if I would have sat around and rested, you'd have told me I should have been out hiking! You know it's true. LOL”