| 2001 Sierra Emblem Challenge
August 4-13
Last Updated: 4/12/02
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The Sierra Emblem Challenge is a series of dayhikes to the most impressive peaks in the
Sierra Nevada range. Any one of these hikes will test the stamina and skills of the most
avid peak bagging enthusiast. For both miles logged and vertical feet gained, these
scrambles are as impressive as the views obtained from their summits. There are 15 Emblem
Peaks in all, making for 15 unique challenges. 10 of these have been chosen for a
special 10-day marathon event beginning Aug 4, 2001. 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 Emblem Peaks
The Emblem Peaks were designated by the Sierra Peak
Section (SPS), a section in the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, as part of a larger
list of Sierra Peaks starting in 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. The
present list of 247 peaks, unchanged
since October 1992, now has 15 Emblem 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).
| Peak | Elevation | Class | Location | Trailhead | Roundtrip Miles | Elevation Gain (ft) | Date
|
|---|
| Matterhorn Peak
| 12327
| 2
| Yosemite NP
| Twin Lakes
| 11.0
| 5187
| Sat. Aug 4, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Lyell
| 13114
| 3
| Yosemite NP
| Tuolumne Meadows
| 27.0
| 4414
| Sun. Aug 5, 2001 (5a start)
|
| Mt. Ritter
| 13143
| 3
| Ansel Adams Wilderness
| Agnew Meadow
| 18.0
| 5283
| Mon. Aug 6, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Abbot
| 13704
| 3
| John Muir Wilderness
| Rock Creek
| 10.0
| 3464
| Tue. Aug 7, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Humphreys
| 13986
| 4
| John Muir Wilderness
| North Lake / Buttermilk Rd.
| 17.2
| 4686
| Wed. Aug 8, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Darwin
| 13831
| 3s4
| Kings Canyon NP
| Lake Sabrina
| 20.0
| 4731
| Thu. Aug 9, 2001 (6a start)
|
| North Palisade
| 14242
| 5
| Kings Canyon NP
| Big Pine
| 21.0
| 6565
| Fri. Aug 10, 2001 (5a start)
|
| Split Mtn.
| 14058
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| McMurry Meadows Rd
| 15.0
| 7490
| Sat. Aug 11, 2001 (5a start)
|
| Mt. Whitney
| 14491
| 1
| Sequoia NP
| Whitney Portal
| 22.0
| 6223
| Sun. Aug 12, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Olancha Peak
| 12123
| 2
| John Muir Wilderness
| Sage Flat / Monache Meadow
| 21.0/15.0
| 6323
| Mon. Aug 13, 2001 (6a start)
|
| Mt. Clarence King
| 12905
| 4s5
| Kings Canyon NP
| Onion Valley
| 33.0
| 9169
| TBD
|
| Mt. Brewer
| 13570
| 2
| Kings Canyon NP
| Roads End
| 26.0
| 9635
| TBD
|
| Mt. Goddard
| 13568
| 3
| Kings Canyon NP
| Lake Sabrina
| 32.0
| 7956
| TBD
|
| Mt. Williamson
| 14370
| 3
| John Muir Wilderness
| Symmes Creek Rd
| 31.0
| 9900
| TBD
|
| Mt. Kaweah
| 13802
| 1
| Sequoia NP
| Mineral King
| 34.0
| 12882
| TBD
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Why the Challenge?
Good question. It was inspired by a couple of other marathon peakbagging events that boggle
the imagination and the limits of human endurance. The first was an attempt by
Hans Florine to climb all of 14
of California's 14ers in six days. He didn't make it, quitting after three days, but it was
an impressive run nonetheless. The first day was the most impressive, climbing Thunderbolt,
Starlight, North Palisade, Sill, and Middle Palisade, starting from and returning to the Big
Pine trailhead. Hans travelled alone, climbing solo over a good deal of class 4 and 5 terrain
(including a 5.8 move to reach the summit block of Thunderbolt Peak).
Josh Swartz
subsequently did all 15 14ers in six days in August of 2001, at the same time as this event
took place.
The second inspirational achievement was
Ricky Denesik's climb of 55 Colorado 14ers in just
over 12 days. While not as technically challenging as the 14ers of California, the sheer number
of peaks climbed is almost unbelieveable. This guy must be fit!!!
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 Emblem 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 Emblem Challenge is being sponsored by the
Sierra Scrambles Club, but in fact 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
us.
How do I participate?
Send mail to snwbord@hotmail.com. Let us know which peaks
you are interested in climbing. We 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
us 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 us 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.
Full Name
Email Address
Phone No.
Mailing Address
Which Peak Challenges do you plan to participate in?
Rate your own experience and expectation level:
- - Professional guide
- - I would be comfortable soloing any of these peaks
- - I would be comfortable leading others on any of these peaks
- - I would be comfortable soloing some of these peaks (but uncomfortable leading or guiding)
- - I would be comfortable following on any of these peaks (but wouldn't solo them)
- - I will find it challenging to follow on these peaks, but eager to try.
- - I plan to hike only as long as I'm comfortable and can keep up.
Try to rate the following using the
Yosemite Decimal System:
Highest grade of Wilderness free climb I'm comfortable with:
Highest grade of Wilderness roped climb I'm comfortable leading:
Highest grade of Wilderness roped climb I'm comfortable following:
You may also choose to climb these peaks following The Rules on days other
than those listed here. We 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 us 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 may be a nominal charge for T-shirts,
if available, but there is no obligation to buy anything from the organizers.
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, 3000+ 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
