Top Trail Chef

Occupy Oakland has called for a General Strike.
I am proud to support Occupy Oakland and to participate in the November 2 General Strike !

I am the 99%.

And I am also against police brutality and marched with Oakland following the unjustified violence used against unarmed citizens exercising their rights. We are not seeking war with the police. We want them to treat us better, not worse. We had tense encounters with the police, sometimes wearing gas masks and wielding clubs. This march was peaceful, and ended when we were done walking our streets. No riots, no mass arrests. Well done Oakland !

A nice lady saw me without a mask, and pulled me aside while she ran inside to get one for me. This is the crowd walking on by.

more video from the march against police brutality in Oakland California.

I recently hiked the John Muir Trail from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, plus extra miles to Taboose Pass for a resupply, and VVR for some rest, food, and a few showers. Here are some photos, click to get to flickr and view the whole set of images. Lots of places worth going back to for some extreme picnicking. Enjoy.

Yosemite, Northern terminus of the John Muir Trail

Tony, rarely photographed, seen here in front of Nevada Falls on our first day.

Jeremy heading up Donahue Pass.

A group of hikers showing off their gossamer gear backpacks. Lots of gossamer gear packs on the trail. 2 mariposa plus, 2 mariposa, and a g4 in this shot I think.

Good morning Banner Peak and thousand island lake.

I went into VVR a little sick, and a little injured. I came out of VVR with a new hiking buddy, Kellie. We met her before Red's Meadow and she was flying down the trails at unbelievable speeds. I was impressed and glad to get to hike with her.

Sunset, Marie lake, just before Seldon Pass.

Drainage into Evolution Valley.

The sunset at the Evolution lakes was my favorite sunset of the trip. Best show I've seen.

It was a tough spot to leave. I could have stayed here for a couple of days.

Lake Wanda was awesome. Everyone was loving this scenery and the excitement was contagious. Made it like seeing it for the first time.

Muir Pass had the most snow left on it.

Muir Hut

Looking back at the Muir Pass

Mac and Cheese with some nice veggies. Crushed fritos and cheetos made great texture. Great hiking, great dinner. This was my favorite day on the trail. One awesome thing after another.

Just a few miles off the trail, at Kellie's pre-cached resupply

Heading into camp just outside of Rae Lakes.

Fin Dome overlooking the Rae Lakes.

Bug nets were in fashion most evenings on the trip.

I ran up onto some higher ground for sunrise at Rae Lakes

Glen Pass

Toward Forester Pass we go

Look back view as we climb towards Forester Pass

The view from inside the Duomid, camped below Junction Peak below Forester Pass. I remember this dinner being a nice end to the day. I think we did a rice and lentils with TVP, spiced and thickened with instant potatoes.

This was a very long day for us, and these were not the greatest campsites, sleeping wise, it set us up for another hard day going over Forester Pass. Kellie was using a waterproofed Wenzel Starlight [ i think] and I had the MLD Duomid.

First Light on Junction Peak.

Climbing the snow field to Forester Pass.

Last pass, so nice, sans crowd.

And then we head down Forester

Crossing the Big Horn Plateau . Mt Whitney, now so close. 16 miles to go.

Duomid at Guitar Lake, resting up for night ascent of Whitney.

The view from inside the Duomid.

Guitar Lake, as we begin our last climb.

Trail Crest. Almost there. Cold. One flashlight.

We made it. The end, Southern terminus of the John Muir Trail at Mt. Whitney. Not much celebration. Shared some excitement about an incredibly orange moon.