Death Valley: Panamint City...planning phase

Next week, I will be joining a group for a 2-night trip to Panamint City in Death Valley National Park.  The plan is to hike starting from Surprise Canyon and then cover the 6 miles to Panamint City.  This hike, from my understanding, is a bit strenuous and has an approximate 4000 foot elevation gain.  This means, my pack has to be light, compact, and agile.  The hike may require stream crossings and a possibility for...

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An inspiration and a pair of jello legs.

Not even three hours of sleep the night before will stop me from finally hiking to Mt. Lowe.  I have hiked to Henninger Flats, Idlehour, and around Eaton Canyon but for some reason, Mt. Lowe just never seemed to agree to my schedule for some time. When this trip got scheduled, I made sure to clear my weekend just so I won't have to miss another opportunity to hike this section...and I once again, I almost missed it.  Coming...

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A hike, a new pack, and a rescue...all in one!

Photo Courtesy of John A. Oh what a year it has been! 2013 was a great outdoor year for me.  I've managed to achieve many goals...some of which I never thought would be possible.  From losing weight, bagging my first 10K peak, and to hiking in the Sierra Nevada just to name a few.  So before we begin, I want to say a huge "Thank You" to all my family and friends who have helped challenge me to achieve these goals. For...

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