This coming July my wife Nancy, daughter Laurel and I will backpack in northern Yosemite. The creeks, streams, and forested ridgelines form a series of canyons drawing into the Tuolumne River. It is an area of hidden and wild canyons and ridgelines dotted with singular pines and pockets of wildflowers. A picture different from the grand vistas of the southern Sierra.
In late Sepetember, early October I will spend a week at the west side of the Great Western Divide in Kings Canyon National Park. My friend Danny and I will hike 26 miles in from the westside of the Sierra. We will stay in Cloud Canyon climbing and photographing in reckless middle age abandon.This will be my fourth trip to Cloud. My Arctic plans are still up in the air. I have been invited on a trip to Pearyland in northern Greenland. Although the area sounds intriguing I am not sure if there will be enough time spent in the mountains for my taste. I would also like to explore the possibilities of visiting the High Arctic/Polar Basin by way of Ellesmere Island.
The other trip would be an inflattable raft trip over the Jago River on the north slope of the Brooks Range. I would plan to attempt Mount Isto, at one time the highest peak in the Brooks. Paddle to Kaktovik then fly into Carnivore Creek to climb Mount Chamberlin.
This trip would satisfy my curiosity for this part of the Brooks and I would be ready to see to see other places in the Arctic. |
