The Fellers Hike San Bernardino Peak
I had hiked San Bernardino Peak before and it is one of my favorite trails in Southern California. I got a permit and talked Wes and Liz and even my wife Becky into joining me. Normally, Bec is not a fan of hiking steep mountains, but she has done three of the Six Pack of Peaks and this will be her fourth…
Hiking Mount Whitney in a (very long) Day
We had been able to see headlamps of hikers far ahead of us for hours, as apparently a lot of people had reached the trail before we did. As we started up the 99 Switchbacks, we could see many bobbing headlamps. The first light of the sun crept up as we neared the top of the switchbacks. The red rays lit up all the rocks. It was hard not to tear up just watching it. It had to be the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen. Pictures simply don’t do it justice…
What I Learned About Love, Death, and Fatherhood on Sawtooth Peak
Courtney took a step and immediately went into a slide. Time went into slow motion. My left hand still had a strong purchase on the rock and my right hand gripped the trekking pole that she was hanging on to. As her full weight started to load the system, she swung underneath me. The inertia was far greater than I was expecting and I felt the sharp pinch of fear throughout my body. I felt my hand slipping off the hold I had on the rock. I couldn’t let her go. Then I lost my grip on the rock and we started to slide. It was over. I knew in a matter of seconds we would be airborne, free falling 800+ feet to our deaths.
Night Hiking Mount Baldy: A Stupid, Awesome Idea
A great idea popped into my head. “Let’s hike Mount Baldy at night under the light of the full moon! We probably don’t even need headlamps.” I texted the idea to the group. Texts came back. Ping. Ping. Ping. Wes and Liz signed up. Courtney was down for a stupid idea. Even Bec reluctantly agreed. It seemed like a pretty cool idea.
Trekking Solo in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness
My parents used to take us to Weaver Lake when I was a kid. In fact, every year we’d camp at Stoney Creek Campground in Sequoia and often make the hike up to the lake. I love the area for its sheer beauty – and there is no permit required for overnight hikes. You just get yourself there and you’re on the trail without all the red tape of a big trip.
Courtney and I Summit San Gorgonio Mountain
After climbing San Bernardino, my daughter Courtney and I decided it was time to put San Gorgonio, the last of the six peaks, on the calendar. After rescheduling three time because of work conflicts, we finally got a date that worked.
Courtney and I hike Mount Wilson
I talked my daughter, Courtney, into hiking Timber Peak. Once she finished that hike, she realized how much fun it would be to do the Six Pack of Peaks. A couple weeks later the two of us started up our first peak: Mount Wilson.
After a Night of Freezing Rain on Mount Baldy
I thought about overnighting on Mount Baldy last night, but decided against it when I heard the weather report. I’m glad I stayed away. Freezing rain blanketed the mountain. I took Register Ridge up Mount Baldy and got an unexpected…
Overnight Solo on Timber Peak
The lack of adventure in my life felt tangible. Too much rain and snow had kept me inside like a wolf made into a house dog. When Bec made plans for Saturday with friends, I jumped at the chance to do my first overnight for the year. I had my pack ready in an hour. I was on my way to Timber Peak.
Live in the Present and Find the Beauty
When we got to Yosemite it was cold and rainy. Yuk. We put on our rain gear and trudged up to Vernal Falls. The last quarter mile of the path is a series of steep rock steps. Water was rushing down in torrents and we were salmon…