mokelumne-kid:
Backpacking essentials: A liter of Tequila and an official "Big 'n' Juicy" Oscar Meyer Wienerwhistle, that I got from an authorized Wienermobile. Sigh.
mokelumne-kid:
Starting the trip at North Lake en route to Merriam Lake via Piute Pass, butt-kicking to follow.
mokelumne-kid:
Lake en route to Piute Pass
mokelumne-kid:
J-Bone at Piute Pass. We made it up the pass in a speedy 2.5 hours
mokelumne-kid:
Intersection at Hutchinson Meadow, six hours out of North Lk. We are really flying along.
mokelumne-kid:
Finally- Merriam Lk. at about 11,400 feet. I was almost dead at this point. Nine hours after starting and about 14.5 miles and 3,580 feet gained and 2,124 feet lost later...
mokelumne-kid:
But wait- is that a pink lemonade margarita I spy?
mokelumne-kid:
Next day- heading up talus on Royce Pk.
mokelumne-kid:
"Slimo-bo and J-Bone" on summit Royce Pk., 13,280 feet.
mokelumne-kid:
Merriam Lk.
mokelumne-kid:
The kitchen- this cook-kit is robust and has seen many back-country meals.
mokelumne-kid:
Pack on and kickin' it. Leaving Merriam Lk. for Ruskie Pass at 12,040 feet.
mokelumne-kid:
Buzzy doing some class 3 at headwall, east side Ruskie Pass. Almost no one goes this way....
mokelumne-kid:
Top Ruskie Pass about 2.5 hours after leaving Merriam Lk.
mokelumne-kid:
Looking (east) down on last part Ruskie Pass
mokelumne-kid:
Lake below Seven Gables (SG) Pk. where we camped.
mokelumne-kid:
Seven Gables Pk., 13,080 feet, next day's summit
mokelumne-kid:
Route on SG goes up this chute; steep talus
mokelumne-kid:
J-Bone coming up east chute, Seven Gables Peak, Vee Lk. in background
mokelumne-kid:
Me on top, Seven Gables Pk. after about three hours from start. Quite a drop from here folks!
mokelumne-kid:
J-Bone getting ready to head for Seven Gables Pass at 12,040 ft.
mokelumne-kid:
Looking back down into Seven Gables lakes en route to pass
mokelumne-kid:
Final snow patch at top of SG Pass, we took slabs to left
mokelumne-kid:
Looking west just over SG Pass, took two hours from our camp to get over pass.
mokelumne-kid:
Heading cross-country from Gemini Pk. area over to Turret Pk. on thin ridge
mokelumne-kid:
Upper Turret Lakes and Turret Peak.
mokelumne-kid:
Heading down from Upper Turret Lakes to West Pinnacles Creek (Old Squaw Lake below).
mokelumne-kid:
Old Squaw Lake
mokelumne-kid:
Looking back at descent route from Upper Turret Lakes into West Pinnicles Creek.
mokelumne-kid:
At serene Pemmican LAke
