Mt. Whitney Hike

Well as many of you are aware, I have been preparing for the Mt. Whitney hike for several months and I can happily say I did it! The total hike distance was 22 miles with over 6,000' of elevation gain over two days. It was an amazing hike with excellent weather and fantastic views.

This all started when Uncle Arthur alerted family members that he had been accepted; through the lottery process, to have permits to climb Mt. Whitney. I had never really thought of climbing Mt. Whitney but after researching it, I quickly saw that this was going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I signed up.

I have been training to do a half century bike ride so I thought that my bike riding would make great cross training which it mostly did. Before the hike, I was able  to get in two hikes up Adam's canyon with my backpack but I really should have done much more hiking.

The trip started out with a quick stop in Cedar City where I dropped Debra off to stay with her mom and pick up Michael to go with me on to Las Vegas where Arthur joined us. Then it was on to California to the base of the mountain. We acclimated to the high altitude of 10,000' for the first night at Onion Valley campground. We were all a bit apprehensive about the upcoming hike, so we lightened our packs with anything we thought we could do without. In the end, I was hiking with a 30 lb backpack. The following day, we started at Whitney Portal which is the official entrance of the hike. We started early in the morning and took it easy so that we would not burn out early.

The first part of the trail was beautiful with plenty of shade from the forest as well as lakes and streams that followed the trail. By mid-day we passed the tree line and made our base camp at 12,000'.

We made our dinner of dehydrated food then settled in for a cool night with temperatures that dropped below freezing. I don't know if my lack of sleep that night was due to the cold temperatures or knowing that we still had over 2,500 feet of climbing still to go.

The next morning we were off again with the next accomplishment being the 96 switchbacks that took us to trail crest at 13,777'. At this point we could finally see the other side of the mountain which was Sequoia National Park. We continued our trek, sometimes though snow covered trails until we reached the summit and celebrated our accomplishment.

At the top I sung happy birthday to Brian as promised (I hope he heard me) and then took in the sights. It was amazing, we could see for hundreds of miles in all directions. After about 45 minutes of enjoying the top we began our decent. At times, I thought going down was harder than going up. We were tired and the trail kept going on and on as we worked our way back to base camp where we picked up our tents, sleeping bags and packs. After breaking camp, we continued down the trail to the portal. We would have celebrated our accomplishment but we were all exhausted and just glad to be finished.

What is next? Maybe the Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim, we will just have to see.

 Our first camp at Onion Valley campground

 Looking up at Mt. Whitney from the valley floor

 Getting ready to start

 OK, here we go!

 Crossing one of the many streams

 Lone Pine Lake

 One of many waterfalls

 More streams to cross

 Taking a rest stop in the shade

 Approaching the treeline

 Our camp at Trail Camp (my tent is the blue one)

 It's next to impossible to see, but the slope on the left is the 96 switchbacks

 Sunset at Trail Camp (the tall shadow is Mt. Whitney)

 We filled up our water bottles at this lake and we are ready to start day two.

 Starting up the 96 switchbacks

 The "cables" were covered in snow

 Moss pretending to be flowers

 We made it to trail crest (13,777') but we don't get to stop here, still 2.5 miles to go and its all uphill (just like everything else).

 The top section is not for the faint of heart (just don't look down)

 The windows

 Happy birthday Brian (from the top of the world or at least the US)

 Time to rest at the top

 Time to celebrate at the top!

 Heading back down through the snow fields

 Returning to trail crest

 Our weary team

 Almost done.

The last waterfall before returning to the the bottom

Lake Lyman Wood Project

This post is for the girls. 

 Lake Lyman is where our girls stake camp has been held for many years.  I had the opportunity to go as a young woman's leader many times and each of our daughters attended girls camp there throughout their time in Young Women's. Keith and Eric also had the opportunity of going there for scout camps or camp Helaman.  The lodge was built in the 1960's by many individuals who lived in Layton. It is located in the Uinta's and is situated in a very beautiful setting. The lodge looks out over the lake which was also built up by the same individuals. It was once just a marsh. 10 stakes share in the use of the camp.  About 5 years ago the forest was hit by the beetles that have devastated so many forests in the Western United States.  Many of the trees have died, so last fall the forest service came in and cut down hundreds of trees within and around the camp. 

 The camp missionaries who run the camp, Elder and Sister Thompson who are in our ward, set up four days where members of the 10 stakes in Layton who use the camp, were asked to come up and help cut up logs and clean the area so that it would be ready for the many young men and young women who come up during the summer.  Joseph and I volunteered, especially because we love the Thompsons and would do anything to help them fulfill their responsibilities. Also Lake Lyman is dear to our heart as well. We went up Thursday morning and stayed through Saturday morning.

 When Joseph was loading up he decided to bring our log splitter, we were bring our trailer to haul home some fire wood. The forest service was giving free permits to those who were volunteering to help out.They have one at the camp, but they were thrilled to have a second one there.  Both of the log splitters were constantly going while we were there.

 Our stake rented a chipper which was really nice. They took all the branches and put them through the chipper and then spread the chips back over the forest floor as well as lining paths around the camp.

In the beginning they tried burning the sash piles but it leaves an ugly burn mark.

 Here is Joseph taking a break before beginning on this pile.

 There were still snow banks in some place. The benches at Martha (the amphitheater) were still half buried in snow.

 The cabins used to be nestled in the pines.  It really is sad to see all the tree stumps.

Joseph and I were able to stay in one of the cabins while we were there. We took our air mattress so we were quite comfortable and warm.

 

 

 One of the woodpiles we split and stacked. This is down by Martha. In the distance you can see the wood chipper.

 This is up by the privy's. Joseph hauled the log splitter to where the big piles of wood had been stacked.

On Friday we had our biggest group there. It was really nice as they had four-wheelers with trailers on the back to haul the wood out and up to where they could cut the logs for splitting.

 

 Here they formed a line to bring the logs up from down the hill.

The log splitter was really a blessing to have there.

 With all the menfolk helping out, I spent Friday helping cook as well as cleaning the lodge.  They fed everyone during the time they were there, including the forest service people that were there with us. Karen and Richard cooked up trout and Elk stew, along with spaghetti, and enchiladas, as well as a potato bar for one meal. The next morning they took the leftover potatoes and used for hashbrowns. We made lots of salads, rolls, pancakes and sausages. It was amazing how much food we went through. Everyone worked hard and they were hungry everytime they came in to eat.

 They had lots of chain saws going as well.  In the evenings after dinner we were all so exhausted we sat around the fireplace in the lodge roasting marshmallows and making smore's, as well as popping pop corn.  We wandered around the camp just enjoying being in the mountains. Friday evening the canoes arrived and a few people were out on the lake fishing. It was a little too breezy for me.

Here is a view looking out over the lake.  We were exhausted when we got home but it was a great experience.  Joseph and I noticed that those who willingly give of their time and resources seem to be a very kind and loving group of people and one can imagine that is the type of people we would want to spend our eternities with.

Spring has sprung

Early in the morning April 6th, my Father passed away.  I plan on doing a post about it but I need to get pictures from family and a friend who took pictures at the funeral before doing so. April was a beautiful month for me.  Although I am sad at my Father's passing and miss him, I have felt great joy and gratitude, as the Holy Ghost has been my constant companion bringing peace and comfort. I know that dad has only passed through the veil and our separation is only temporary. General Conference was that same weekend which we were able to spend with dad in his final hours here in mortality. Saturday was a wonderful day as dad seemed to know who we were and he constantly held someone's hand. He talked nonstop. Not all of it made sense but messages were understood.  Needless to say there wasn't much listening to conference taking place.  The first talk Sunday Morning was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency.  The mortuary had just left and I think we were all a little numb.  As President Uchtdorf was talking these words stood out to me, I wondered if he realized how relevant his words were on this beautiful spring morning. and the peace and comfort they were bringing to a family in mourning.

 

"There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this?  Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessing without number. Endings are not our destiny.  The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions-temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."

 

As I have since read his talk in the Ensign magazine, I learned that the theme of his talk was on gratitude. It is a very beautiful and touching message. We had our whole family here for the funeral and Angela was able to stay a little longer and spend Easter with us.  Here are a few photos that Joseph took.

Jacob who was learning to walk.  He is such a busy boy.

The chickens enjoying being out.

Christine and Audrey playing in the dirt, which is Audrey's favorite thing to do. Christine has her Cinderella baby doll, who always accompanies her where ever she is playing.

The chickens checking to see if they dug up any yummy bugs for them to eat.  Anytime we dig in the yard we have to be careful, because you don't know when a chicken is going to show up between your feet. 

The primary did an Easter egg hunt for the little kids at the bowery. Joseph and Tyler took Audrey and Christine to it.

Christine with her basket waiting her turn.

They let the little kids go first.

Audrey wasn't too sure about picking up the colored eggs.  But she soon figured it out.  It was fun to have the grandkids with us.