The first 2,000 ft. of vertical made us sweat. Down to shorts and t-shirts for a couple of DC's students from Sierra Nevada College. Boots stomping in the dust. Sage brush and the dry air. But that didn't last long. By the time the sun went behind the Palisades, the air temp had dropped. It was time to re-robe for those scantily clad and to check out the scrapes on their legs. (Rule to remember: Long pants are a must. Shorts are for swimming.)
Our first small challenge was not small at all: a boulder river with refrigerator-sized glacial remnants. Balancing my 65 lb. pack on my 150 lb. frame, I tettered across and crouched and struggled through the willows on the other side. We filled our water at a small stream, DC and I, and waited for the caboose and Colin, our trusty, designated 'last man.'
We rose over rock ledges, up steep switchbacks, and followed the path our two scouts had left. Whichever the direction, the path was up. 3,000 ft. feet of vertical behind us and 2,000 more to basecamp.
Big Sequoias lined the trail as we climbed and loomed over the plateau when we reached our day's endpoint. A few crags haunted the scene but most were living giants. They call the rocky terrain and willows their yard and tell each other about Split Mountain--the view. They have their own reflecting pools -- Red Lake and Clear Lake -- and are protected by the high mountain peaks.
Since the glaciers receded, these red giants have weathered the winds and remained strong under the weight of winter. They have stood tall in the alpine climate and added character to the rugged landscape.
A group of students who intend to be leaders and a couple of old guys with some experience in the mountains, would we be able to do the same?
