SierraDescents | Page 28
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)
