| 2002 Sierra Mountaineers Challenge
August 17-26
Last Updated: 9/24/02
|
The Sierra Mountaineers Challenge is a series of dayhikes to some of the most challenging peaks
in the Sierra Nevada range. It is closely modeled after the 2001 Sierra Emblem Challenge, the inaugural event combining 10 strenuous climbs of the most impressive peaks in
the High Sierra in the span of 10 days. The 2002 event draws from the list of 35 Mountaineers
Peaks to combine 10 days of strenuous hiking and even more challenging climbing than the 2001
event. The Challenge is open to anyone who wishes to participate. This is primarily a Wilderness
experience, and as such there are serious risks involved that are the responsibility of each
individual participant to manage for themselves. There are no water, food, or first-aid stations,
no emergency services or shelter of any kind available to those in trouble. If you are
uncomfortable accepting such risks in any way, you should not participate.
The Mountaineers Peaks
The Sierra Peak Section (SPS), a section in the
Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, maintains one of the oldest list of Sierra Peaks dating
back to 1955. The first list, proposed by Frank Sanborn, the first chair of the SPS, contained
100 peaks. Miles Brubacher, the first chair of the Mountaineering Committee, added to this
list and compiled the first list of qualifying peaks around November 1955. It had 200 peaks
on it with 10 Emblem Peaks and 30 Mountaineers Peaks. The
present list of 247 peaks, unchanged
since October 1992, now has 15 Emblem Peaks and 35 Mountaineers Peaks.
The Emblem Peaks were so designated because they dominate the area by their bulk or the
amount of terrain that can be seen from the summit. All are over 12,000 ft in elevation, and
span the High Sierra region from northern Yosemite to south of Sequoia National Park. Most were
named by the Whitney Survey party in the 1860s, and three of them are named after members of
that party (Whitney, Brewer, and Clarence King).
The Mountaineers Peaks represent a wider slice of the High Sierra, designating peaks that
generally offer more challenging climbing to reach their summits. Some of these, like Red Slate
are no more than class 2 scrambles by their easiest routes, but made the list due to other
outstanding routes on them (a 1000-foot, 40 degree snow and ice couloir on the north side, in
the case of Red Slate). All of the Mountaineers Peaks chosen for the 2002 challenge have
a minimum of class 3, with some class 4 and 5 climbing involved (though some such as
University Peak can be climbed by an easier, but longer class 2 route).
| Peak | Elevation | Class | Location | Trailhead | Roundtrip Miles | Elevation Gain (ft) | Date
|
|---|
| Whorl Mtn.
| 12029
| 3-4
| Yosemite NP
| Twin Lakes
| 17.6
| 5437
| Sat. Aug 17, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Cathedral Peak
| 10940
| 4-5.7
| Yosemite NP
| Tuolumne Meadows
| 12.4
| 3870
| Sun. Aug 18, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Clyde Minaret
| 12264
| 3s4
| Ansel Adams Wilderness
| Agnew Meadow
| 18.8
| 4524
| Mon. Aug 19, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Bear Creek Spire
| 13713
| 4
| John Muir Wilderness
| Rock Creek
| 12.0
| 3473
| Tue. Aug 20, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Thunderbolt Peak
| 14003
| 4
| Kings Canyon NP
| Big Pine
| 22.0/18.4
| 6273/5500
| Wed. Aug 21, 2002 (5a start)
|
| Middle Palisade
| 14012
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Big Pine
| 13.0
| 6523
| Thu. Aug 22, 2002 (6a start)
|
| University Peak
| 13632
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Onion Valley
| 7.2
| 4440
| Fri. Aug 23, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Russell
| 14088
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Whitney Portal
| 10.6
| 5820
| Sat. Aug 24, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Mt. LeConte
| 13930
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Whitney Portal
| 11.0
| 5900
| Sun. Aug 25, 2002 (6a start)
|
| Mt. McAdie
| 13799
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Whitney Portal
| 14.0
| 5731
| Mon. Aug 26, 2002 (6a start)
|
Why the Challenge?
Good question. I like the challenge of an endurance event, but I'm not so good with the sleep
deprivation that goes with some of the other challenges out there such as the California
14er record (set by Josh
Swartz in just under six days) and the Colorado 14er record
(set by Ted Keizer in just over 10 days).
I figure there is no chance in hell I'm going to come close to either of these guys. I simply
must bow down to their superior skills and stamina. I don't have the technique or the confidence
needed to solo class 5 routes on remote peaks, nor the will to climb for days on end with
little sleep, hiking way before sunup and way past sundown. I will leave it to others to chase
those dreams...
The Sierra Mountaineers Challenge opens to a wider audience some of the same experiences of these
marathon climbing events. I conceived it as a personal challenge that was at the edge of my own
abilities, and wanted to share the experience with others who might similarly enjoy a good
workout. Besides, suffering is more fun if you have someone to share it with. :)
Who is organizing this?
The Sierra Mountaineers Challenge is being primarily organized by
Bob Burd. There is no legal entity responsible
for this event and no grants available for advertising, promotion, or funding.
It is being done on a volunteer basis (in terms of time, money, and energy), so please be kind to
the organizer. He has a job and family, and so has limited time and resources. If you would
like to help contribute to the organization of this event, please feel free to contact me.
How do I participate?
Send mail to snwbord@hotmail.com. Let me know which peaks
you are interested in climbing. I will include you on a mail list for future info about carpooling,
meeting times, changes, etc. We would like to collect the following information about you as well
so that we can post it on this website. That will allow others to contact you for coordinating
hiking, climbing, and driving partners. If you would like information to be kept confidential,
please indicate this, and it will not be posted. If you're really worried about privacy, give
me as much info as you see fit, your email address being the minimum required amount. You are also
free to simply show up at the trailhead and join us, but it is helpful for planning purposes if you
can let me know in advance that you intend to join us. Send a photo of yourself (or point me to one
on the web) if you'd like your picture shown on your information page. It can prove useful to allow others to identify you at the trailhead or out on the trail.
Full Name
Email Address
Phone No.
Mailing Address
Which Peak Challenges do you plan to participate in?
You may also choose to climb these peaks following The Rules on days other
than those listed here. I will be happy to add your name to the finishers list provided that as
a minimum you post a trip report about your adventure. You can post it here (via email), or any
other place and simply pass along the URL for me to post on this website.
What does this cost?
Nominally, nothing. There are no entrance fees to participate in any of these hikes. You are
responsible for your own food, lodging, and gear. There is a nominal charge for T-shirts,
but there is no obligation to buy anything from the organizer.
What are the prizes?
There are no prizes. It is hoped that the enjoyment of participation is reward enough. There will
be recognition on this website for all participants, finishers, and fastest time finishers. If
you were hoping for something more in the way of renumeration, please look elsewhere.
What am I in for?
Most of these peaks are usually climbed as multi-day trips into the Wilderness. As dayhikes these
climbs are all very strenuous. You should not attempt any of them without proper training and
experience. Only you can judge your level of preparedness, so no training formula can be given that
works for everyone. There are those that train for months and still fail to summit Mt. Whitney even
though a regular trail exists all the way to the top. There are others who because of outstanding
physiology or possibly sheer will might not train at all and still go out and climb the toughest of
these. I would expect that those with the best chances to succeed will have experience with long
hikes combined with much elevation gain ( 20+ miles, 4000+ ft), extensive cross-country travel, and
are comfortable climbing class 3 rock, snow, and ice.
Who do I sue if I get hurt?
No one. There is no official organization to ensure any level of safety any greater than you
have on your own when you venture into the Wilderness. If you are hiking or climbing with others
during this event, you do so the same as if you were out with friends. Don't expect anyone to
ensure the qualifications of another you are hiking or climbing with. If you have doubts,
you should find someone you trust, go alone, or choose not to participate.
For corrections or comments, please send feedback to:
snwbord@hotmail.com
