|
High Sierra Backpack:
One very special weekend: August 16-19, 2012.
Only once a year do we do a special trip planned with the hearty high altitude adventurer in mind - those who want to adventure beyond the user-friendly wilderness of Yosemite to the land of the True High Sierra. ( Pictures of the area. Map of the area.) We'll see granite spires and crystalline aqua lake basins, the water tinted with glacial flower ground by glaciers on the peaks above that tower over the famous Evolution Area on the John Muir Trail. While the mileages per day do not appear challenging, the altitude and first day's climb will compensate. And, as with all my trips, it is more important to BE in the place than simply hike through it, never getting to really know it.
While this is a high altitude trip, it is still a beginner trip and you'll learn the basics of backpacking while enjoying the beauty of the High Sierra. Your guides will take you into the backcountry and show you the wonders while teaching route finding using a map and compass, how to establish a camp with minimum environmental impact, the basics of packing light, outdoor cookery and menu planning, natural history and personal care. In addition to acquiring basic backcountry skills, you’ll enjoy a weekend in the sublime beauty of one of the world’s most revered wilderness areas. Be aware that this is a backpacking course, and participants will be required to carry their personal gear (weighing about 20-25 lbs) and a portion of their tent, food, and group gear (weighing about 10-15 lbs) for the duration of the trip.
Cost: $650.
Contact Karen (this is NOT an REI Trip) at 925-229-8133 or email her at sierramaclure@sbcglobal.net to inquire or sign up. Limited to 9 participants and 3 guides.
Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown a day in advance.
* Day 1
Your trip begins today in Inyo National Forest, CA. You will meet your guides and the other group members at 5 pm at the Four Jeffreys Campground on Route 168 west out of the town of Bishop on Highway 395. Group members must arrive at camp at 5 p.m. for orientation, dinner and gear check. This initial meeting is critical to the success of the trip. If you will be late for any reason, please contact your guide using the emergency contact information below. Dinner included.
* Day 2
Today we wake and enjoy breakfast before packing up and heading out on the trail from the Sabrina Lake Trailhead (9100 feet) 4 miles to our backcountry campsite at stunning Emerald Lakes (10480). This is typically a full first day of backpacking, with time along the way for lunch and skills development. There, your guides will offer an optional hike to the other near-by lakes and/or time to play in the aquamarine waters of Emerald Lake. After dinner look forward to an inspirational evening program. All meals provided.
* Day 3
This morning will rise leisurely and prepare for our dayhike exploring the High Sierra backcountry. We'll leave camp (and our heavy backpacks) to dayhike past numerous creeks and alpine lakes finishing back to our campsite. Don't forget your camera. Look forward to a refreshing evening swim and dinner followed by a relaxing, reflective campfire program (without the campfire) on our last night beneath the bright Sierra stars. All meals provided.
* Day 4
After leisurely enjoying our awesome backcountry pancake breakfast (maybe with fresh-caught fish, if it's anything like last year) we break camp and retrace our steps down the trail and descend to our trail's end at the Lake Sabrina Trailhead (approx. 4 miles). We plan on being back at our cars by 4-5 pm. Breakfast and lunch included.
Note on Itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. There are numerous beautiful and suitable routes available to our guides, and these routes may be utilized instead of those published in this itinerary when circumstances or conditions warrant. This trip is operated rain or shine.
Itinerary:
Itinerary Details
TRIP DETAILS
|
One Special Date: Aug. 16-19, 2012
|
Total Days 4
|
Accommodations:
Four Jeffreys Campground, 1 night;
Backcountry camping 2 nights
|
Group Size 4-10
|
Begins 5 pm Th. August 16 at the Four Jeffreys Campground on Route 168 west out of the town of Bishop on Highway 395
|
Activity Level: 1 2 3 [4] 5
Hike 4-7 miles daily with elevation gain and/or loss of 1500'-2000' at altitude. Participants carry a pack weighing 35 lbs. to and from camp on Days 2 & 4. Daypack carried on Day 3.
|
Ends 4-5 pm Sun. August 19 at the Lake Sabrina Trailhead.
|
Cost: $650 (per person based on double occupancy)
|
INCLUDED
Professional instruction and guiding; meals as noted on the daily itinerary; 2-person tents; group cooking gear; group first aid kit, water filter; campsite and permit fees.
Not Included
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
The following information will help you prepare for your trip. Please be sure to read this carefully now and prior to departure.
Getting there
We meet at 5 pm at the Four Jeffreys Campground on Route 168 west out of the town of Bishop on Highway 395. Directions: From Highway 395 in Bishop, turn west on Line Street, which becomes Route 168, and head west up the Bishop Creek Canyon for 15 miles to a junction. Turn Left onto South Lake Road and drive about 0.1 miles to Four Jeffreys Campground .There we will car-camp for our first night, have a gear check, dinner and a good night's sleep before parking nearer to Lake Sabrina and hitting the trail with our packs in the morning.
Air Travel
Contact Karen Najarian prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Closest Airport
Las Vegas
Transfers
We recommend the following way to make your rendezvous: rent a car and drive to our rendezvous at Four Jeffreys Campground.
Emergency Contact Info
If you encounter any difficulties on your way to our meeting point, please call your guide's cell phone at 925.699.6953. Please leave your name, a phone number where you can be reached and an explanation of the problem. Alternately, call Rick Najarian's cell and leave a message there: 925-699-0180. Once you are in the field on this trip there is no easy way to contact you; typically cell phones do not work in the backcountry.
Qualifications and Conditioning
This trip is rated Moderate (4). Participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of 35 lbs over steep and rocky terrain with elevation gain and/or loss around 1,000 feet per day on most days of this trip. Day hiking with 30-45 lbs in the pack you intend to hike with on the trip and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before your trip is key. While this is a beginning backpack trip, we will be hiking at high altitude, up to 12,000 feet. Ideally, you would have had experience at altitude to know how your body may react.
Active outdoor adventure travel involves physical activity. In general, the recommendations below can help you determine whether you are prepared for the physical demands of your trip, and offer tips to help you prepare further. These recommendations are in no way intended as a substitute for qualified professional physical training. They simply recommend strategies for addressing the physical demands that may be encountered on this trip. You should consult a physician before beginning any workout program, and if you feel distress at any point in your training, you should seek medical care immediately.
Conditioning tips
We anticipate being active for 5-7 hours daily. You will be hiking on uneven terrain while wearing a pack weighing between 35 and 40 lbs, so it is a good idea to arrive with a pack that is fitted to your frame and to train with that pack on and weighted before you arrive. We recommend hiking with a friend near your home or office beginning with 2 hour hikes on varied terrain and gradually progress to hikes lasting up to 6 hours. Attempt to incorporate gradual ups and downs into your hikes as you progress. Be sure to drink water and eat snack foods and stop for periodic rest before you become too tired on the trail. Rest in between hiking days. We recommend you begin assessing your preparedness and training appropriately as far in advance of your departure as possible.
Please remember, you have an important role to play in your own safety and enjoyment of your trip. Be sure to thoroughly review the information that we've provided in your trip itinerary that addresses the specifics of each day of travel on your trip and please arrive prepared for the physical demands of your trip.
Medical Information
It is the responsibility of each trip member to bring their own personal first-aid supplies pertaining to specific medical conditions (allergies, bee stings, etc.). Please refer to the list below for possible items you might need for your unique condition. Our trip leader will carry a basic field first-aid kit for the group.
Guides
Guides are rigidly selected for appropriate levels of experience and training in backcountry travel skills. In addition, they each have appropriate medical training certification.
Minors
Minors under the age of 18 (19 if they reside in Alabama), must be accompanied by either a parent, legal guardian or a `parent appointed guardian' to participate on one of our trips. To become an appointed guardian, the person accompanying the minor must be at least 18 years old (19 if they reside in Alabama). If the minor is to be accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, we will send you a Parental Consent form that needs to be signed by the parent and the appointed guardian.
Gratuity guidelines:
Trip members often ask us for tipping guidelines. If you feel your guide(s) did an outstanding job and would like to offer them a tip, a suggested guideline is $5-$15 per person, per day, per guide. Tipping is customary, but not compulsory. You may give more or less than the guideline suggests as you see fit. Those desiring a more anonymous tipping experience may consider pooling tips with other group members and presenting an envelope to the guide(s) at the end of the final day. Those wishing to tip more personally are of course free to hand tips to the guide(s) as well. These are suggestions only, recognizing that tipping is a matter of choice, and not compulsory. Feel free to use these guidelines to make tipping as anonymous or personal as you wish and to allow it to be a positive experience.
We hope the enclosed information answers all your questions. Feel free to contact me with additional questions or comments.
GEAR LIST / PERSONAL FIRST-AID KIT
Having the proper gear is vital to your comfort and overall enjoyment of the trip. Attached is a gear list that has been specifically designed for this trip. The weather and other conditions at the time of your arrival will dictate what clothing and equipment you will be required to use each day and what (if anything) can be left behind. Please bring all items on the list, even if it is uncertain whether or not they'll be needed. If you do not already own all of the necessary gear and are not certain if you will participate in outdoor trips on a regular basis, please consider renting.
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60o - 80o F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 40s - 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility so adequate raingear is important.
|
Provided Gear
þ Tents (3 season, 2 person)
 Cooking gear
 Stoves and fuel
 Water filter
 Group first aid kit
 Bear canister
Backpacking Gear
 Backpack: large internal frame or external frame (4000 - 6000 cu”)
 Pack cover - waterproof
 Sleeping bag (rated at 20 o-25 o F)
 Sleeping pad
 Trekking poles- highly recommended
 Lightweight knapsack for dayhike
Outerwear
 Rain jacket and pants, lightweight waterproof and breathable
|
Clothing
 Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater
 Midweight thermal top and bottom made of synthetic or wool
 Hiking pants, quick-drying, lightweight (zip-off legs are great). No jeans!
 Hiking shorts, quick-drying, lightweight OR the shorts from your zip-offs
 1 T-shirt, synthetic
 2 changes of underwear
 Hiking socks, 2 pairs of wool or synthetic
 Sock liners, 2 pairs of synthetic liners (optional)
Clothing Accessories
 Sun hat with brim
 Wool or fleece hat
 Bandana
 Lightweight wool or fleece gloves
Footwear
 Hiking boots: heavy duty, waterproof, and well broken-in, should rise above ankle
 Lightweight camp shoes/sandals for stream crossings and evenings
|
Travel Accessories
 One Full 1-quart water bottle, Nalgene-type, even if you have a hydration system
 Lt. weight Day Pack or Fanny Pk.
 Headlamp with new batteries and bulb
 Plastic bowl, spoon, fork, mug
 Sunglasses and retainer strap
 Sunblock, small amount, not the whole bottle, min SPF 25
 Lip balm (unscented)
 Personal medications
 Insect repellant (small)
 Head net for mosquitoes, especially in July
 Toothbrush & trial-sized paste
 Small Pack towel and/or washcloth
 Personal first aid kit, small and light with personal medication
 Bic lighter
 TP System: In a gallon Ziploc Bag: Toilet paper (not a full roll) & 1 Ziploc quart baggie, orange plastic trowel, 6 WetOnes Singles hand wipes, 6 Individually wrapped Feminine Wipes, Pantiliners for women
 1 large plastic garbage bag
Optional field gear
 Down vest or jacket (highly recommended)
 Swim suit (for bathing and swimming)
 Baseplate Compass: the guide usually teaches with a Sunto M-2
 Ear plugs
 Paper and pen
 Camera, batteries, & memory cards
 Hydration system (bring at least one Nalgene-type bottle, even if you do bring a hydration system)
|
Feel free to give me a call at 925-229-8133 should you have any questions regarding the gear list.
Personal First-aid kit
|
Trip leaders carry a complete first aid kit for group use. We strongly suggest travelers bring a personal kit tailored to his/her individual needs.. Please contact your personal physician to discuss your individual travel health needs. Further information can be found on the website for the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx or by phone at 1-877-394-8747. The following is to help jog your memory of items you might need for your own personal conditions.
|
General supplies
 Small carrying case for supplies
 Antibacterial hand gel
 Moleskin for prevention of blisters
 Scissors or pocket knife
|
 non-prescription items
 Pain reliever/fever reducer
 Anti-fungal powder or cream
 Allergy treatment
 Decongestant
 Anti-itch cream
 Insect repellent-for topical application
 Insect spray-for use on clothing, mosquito nets, tents, and other areas
 Sunscreen and lip balm-SPF 15 or higher
 Lubricating eye drops
 Antacids and upset-stomach remedies
 Diarrhea treatment tablets
 Skin cleanser or wipes-for cleansing minor cuts and abrasions
 Throat lozenges
|
 prescription items
 Please consult your personal physician to discuss prescription medications to bring with you. Be sure to address both your current medical conditions and any travel related illnesses. Ensure that all prescriptions you pack along are in their original containers for easy identification and emergency refills.
|
|