Bearpaw High Sierra camp/Sequoia/Kings Canyon
I had the opportunity in 2018 to work at the only High Sierra camp in Sequoia National Park. The camp sits at about 7800' above sea level on the High Sierra trail about 12 miles into the backcountry of Sequoia National Park. It was such a beautiful summer in the backcountry working with John, Sara, and Charley. The chance to disconnect from the frantic pace and stress of our society was both needed and appreciated. Sitting by the fire under the stars at night on a cliff over looking a valley with the peaks of the Great Western Divide on the other side having good conversations with guests and employees alike was incredibly fulfilling and soul nurturing. I was able to explore not just the tourist areas of the park but the less traveled backcountry groves, the high altitude glacially carved valleys that are rarely explored. The convenient short drive through the National Forest to Kings Canyon, a smaller and less trafficked version of Yosemite was well worth it.
Mt. Whitney
I had spent the summer of 2018 working at a remote camp in the backcountry of Sequoia National Park. This camp sits on the High Sierra trail whose terminus is at the summit of the tallest mountain in the lower 48 of the United States. I had originally planned on completing the High Sierra trail at the end of the season and climbing Mount Whitney. Unfortunately an impending early season snow storm prevented that from happening. I was able to travel to the south and around the Sierra Nevada range and come up Owen's valley. I found out from the park rangers that the east side approach was clear and there happened to be a cancellation so I was able to get a climbing permit. A short night's rest and one day later I had climbed one of the tallest mountains in our country.