SierraDescents.com

SierraDescents | 2007

A Very Special Halloween Treat

Climbing Telegraph Peak - 300x300 placeholder

For my last major hike of the 2007 season, I wanted to do something special. I got the chance this month to do a rare hike with my brother in Arizona. This is definitely one of (more)

How Toxic is Your Sunscreen?

How Toxic is Your Sunscreen?

If you're like me—fair-skinned, that is—you've probably discovered that sunscreens don't all perform the same. I can put on a thick layer of SPF 50 and still get (more)

Barcroft Research Lab Open House

Barcroft Research Lab Open House

If you're free this Sunday, August 5, you might enjoy paying a visit to the University of California's Barcroft Research Station. They're having their annual open house, allowing (more)

An Owens River Resurection?

An Owens River Resurection?

The Los Angeles Times ran a story on the restoration of the Owens River this past weekend. Via the Department of Water of Power (DWP), Los Angeles began buying much of the (more)

Mount Whitney — the Mountaineer’s Route

Mount Whitney — the Mountaineer’s Route

If you are considering climbing the Mountaineer's Route, I heartily recommend it. The route is spectacular. Be aware, however, that hiking conditions are currently unusually (more)

Bloody Bike-n-Ski

Bloody Bike-n-Ski

Despite lean times, I am happy to report I skied a descent this past weekend that's been near the top of my most-wanted list: Bloody Couloir, in the Mammoth Lakes region of the (more)

Epic Tents and Rain

Epic Tents and Rain

If you're familiar with Black Diamond's ultralight single-wall tents (such as the Firstlight, Hilight, or Oneshot), you're probably aware of at least some discussion involving the (more)

Ski Touring South Lake

Ski Touring South Lake

This past weekend, I joined a group of SMS Angeles members for a day tour in the South Lake region, off highway 168 west of Bishop. The forecast called for snow, but given a (more)

Mount LeConte – High & Dry

Mount LeConte - High & Dry

Amazingly enough, I've put together an actual backcountry skiing trip report from my latest visit to the Southern Sierra. At 13,930', Mount LeConte just barely missed being a (more)

El Nino or El Nada?

El Nino or El Nada?

Some of you may recall this was supposed to be an El Nino Winter, with above-average precipitation for the western United States. What happened? This winter can be charitably (more)

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About SierraDescents

When there is snow, SierraDescents is Andy Lewicky's California backcountry skiing and mountaineering website. Without snow, sierradescents becomes an ill-tempered hiking and climbing blog.

Pray for snow.