Peakbagging - GUT-Z JOURNEY

by Natalie

TRIP REPORT: White Mountain to Boundary Peak

This was an ultralight overnight traverse from White Mountain and Boundary Peak in the White Mountains on the California/Nevada border. It covers 30 miles. There’s 7 miles of trail on either end and 16 miles of cross country travel between each peak. It was one of my favorite hikes of the season. The traverse across this range was easier and more beautiful than I had anticipated.

Our bivvy spot for the night

I did the traverse in early June in a low snow year. There were very few patches of snow. The creek at our mid-point was running and provided our water resupply.

in Trip Reports

by Natalie

Managing Risks in the Mountains

Adventuring in the outdoors requires almost constant risk management skills, and I’ve spent decades creating systems and structures to do so. Today I want to talk about these systems and how I use them in the mountains.

I was recently on a trip to Colorado where I went to climb a 14’er by myself. On my way down, a horrified hiker appeared, commenting that I shouldn’t have hiked in the dark, by myself, when there are mountain lions. It caught me off guard; I was being questioned about my risk management. And, of course, when you have weird interactions with people, you always think of all the right things to say later.

in Mountain Technique

by Natalie

TRIP REPORT: Dragon Peak to Gould

3^rd Class, Summit 12,995ft, mileage varies depending on route

Trail Head:

Onion Valley out of Independence CA

Approach:

You have the option to make this a climb into a circle. I chose a counterclockwise circle heading to Dragon Peak first, traversing to Gould and then dropping down to Kearsarge pass to hike back to the trail head.

To reach Dragon Peak from the east you start out on Kearsarge pass trailhead but promptly veer right onto golden trout lakes/dragon pass trailhead. While an official trail, expect to focus on navigation at times, as you make your way to the dragon basin. Sections have been damaged by erosion and flooding. Once you gain the upper lakes you will be rewarded by great views. Dragon peak and Dragon tooth are both very striking and worthy of their names. You can read about my ascent up dragon tooth HERE.

in Mountain Technique

by Natalie

TRIP REPORT: Nevahbe Ridge Class 2-3

This is a scramble right out of McGee Creek. I parked the car a little before the pack station. There is no trail, but navigation is straight forward – just go up the ridgeline. The first (and only crux) was finding a way across the creek. We ended up wading across. The water was a little above the ankles and fast-moving. I wouldn’t want to wade across if it was any higher.

in Mountain Technique