SierraDescents | Page 17
October 3, 2014
Fransson
He was one of the titans of modern extreme skiing, with a traditional, mountaineering tilt that connected him directly to the most storied names of the past. On September 29, (more)
September 11, 2014
Dirty Girl Gaiters
Of course we all hate scree gaiters, but the darned things tend to be useful—particularly (as is often the case) when we've decided not to bring them. Leave the scree gaiters (more)
September 4, 2014
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
The only thing wrong with La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor is that it's not a mid. For ultra-class hikers and runners, this is an outstanding all-day shoe. The Ultra Raptor is (more)
September 1, 2014
Sawtooth Peak
Trevor and I paid a visit to Mineral King yesterday, and as we hiked past mile after mile of richly colored rock, I have to say I kept feeling potent impulses to grab a pick axe (more)
August 27, 2014
Black Diamond Speed 22
The Speed is back—sort of. In its original, 2005 edition, Black Diamond's Speed backpack was a masterpiece of light-is-right design. The original, 30-liter Speed backpack gave (more)
August 22, 2014
Sierra Class 3
Insofar as I can tell, the Yosemite Decimal System, which is by far the most widely-used climbing route grading system in the United States, works extremely well provided you stay (more)
August 19, 2014
University Peak
Okay, I thought this one was supposed to be easy. When it comes to accurately sizing up a route’s difficulties, I’m beginning to fear either I’m a hopeless optimist or else (more)
August 15, 2014
Sony A7S
Here is what I remember most about film: not the waiting, to get your slides back, but the anticipation. Film added something to every shot, a twist of scene or color or light, a (more)
August 10, 2014
Waucoba Summit Panorama
I returned this weekend to Death Valley National Park to take care of some unfinished business, and let me say now, if you like to be alone, have I got a mountain for you! Sheesh (more)
August 5, 2014
Salomon X Ultra Mid
Salomon is well known for cutting-edge trail runners, but can they make a Mid? Yes—and it's a good one. The X Ultra Mid GTX is rugged, stable, and very light. I admit I (more)
July 27, 2014
Inyo Mts: Squaw Peak
At first, I thought it was simply a case of guidebook error. Later—hours later—when I was beset by flies, and covered in scratches and pine sap, when my legs were (more)
July 24, 2014
Mountain Hardwear Optic
Let's call Mountain Hardwear's Optic 3.5 a car-camping tent with backpacking aspirations. The Optic isn't light, but it is abundantly livable. You get 45 square feet of floor (more)
July 19, 2014
Mount Diablo
Rising a decidedly non-devilish 3,849 feet above sea level, Mount Diablo is not quite the highest summit in the Bay Area, but it is Contra Costa County's highpoint, and, thanks to (more)
July 11, 2014
Where’s Your Sierra?
I have a distinct mental image of "The Sierra"—and this isn't it. My Sierra is heavy on Owens Valley and fourteeners, with lots of dry, dusty, austere granite brooding high (more)
July 1, 2014
Kearsarge Peak Panorama
Great views but beware the mining trail! Kearsarge is described in Jay Anderson's Climbing California's Mountains as "possibly the quickest-to-reach significant summit on the (more)
