First High Sierra Solo Trip - Advice
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:51 am
Heya,
I'm tacking on a high Sierra trip onto a work trip out west in early October (juggling shifting weather and a potential gov shutdown). I'm a crusty old thru hiker from the 90s. I do a ton of solo, multi night trips out in the Pisgah, Nantahala, Unicoi out in TN/NC. But it's been a long time since I've been above 9k ft.
I've got a lot of flexibility. Perfect plan is 3 nights up Piute Pass, over Humphreys Basin and Puppet Pass, down French Canyon and back over Piute Pass. Plan to acclimate at Loch Leven for night 1, if weather/snow warns against trying to cross Puppet Pass, I can hang back and look at Golden Trout or some such.
My normal winter kit (for SE Appalachians) doesn't include micro spikes or ice axe. I know with snow this weekend that there could be snow up and over Puppet Pass, I know there's still snow on Piute from last winter. I know I'm pushing it into what is clearly a very short shoulder season.
Here's my ligherpackhttps://lighterpack.com/r/gb7nn0 Would welcome any advice or gear recs. Thanks
I'm tacking on a high Sierra trip onto a work trip out west in early October (juggling shifting weather and a potential gov shutdown). I'm a crusty old thru hiker from the 90s. I do a ton of solo, multi night trips out in the Pisgah, Nantahala, Unicoi out in TN/NC. But it's been a long time since I've been above 9k ft.
I've got a lot of flexibility. Perfect plan is 3 nights up Piute Pass, over Humphreys Basin and Puppet Pass, down French Canyon and back over Piute Pass. Plan to acclimate at Loch Leven for night 1, if weather/snow warns against trying to cross Puppet Pass, I can hang back and look at Golden Trout or some such.
My normal winter kit (for SE Appalachians) doesn't include micro spikes or ice axe. I know with snow this weekend that there could be snow up and over Puppet Pass, I know there's still snow on Piute from last winter. I know I'm pushing it into what is clearly a very short shoulder season.
Here's my ligherpackhttps://lighterpack.com/r/gb7nn0 Would welcome any advice or gear recs. Thanks