The Grand Tour: A 15 Day Mountaineering Road Trip (Part 4)
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12. Februar 2012 um 00:26.
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A while later Michael drove up to the Whitney Portal, and just like that we were on our way to Death Valley. It was the first time I had ever been to Death Valley which I was impressed at how vast the valley actually was. It was during this moment that I could finally announce "wow, I'm far away from home!". We were on our way to Las Vegas where Michael's sister and brother lived. But it just so happened that there was a cool canyon just a few miles out of our way called "Golden Canyon" which sounded interesting.
It was late in the day by the time we started the hike, but that didn't discourage us. All around there were interesting formations that I never see on "my side of the world". Gimpilator pointed out a large prominent rock called "Manly Beacon" which he said that there was a scramble route up. It looked massive, in my opinion it was more impressive that Whitney's East Face and had the appearance that it was at least 3,000 feet high up. But Gimpilator explained that it was an optical illusion and that it wasn't very high. It looked impossible, but I could tell by Gimpilator's explanation that there had to be a way.
After a mile of hiking though Golden Canyon Michael turned around because not only was he tired but he also was wearing mountaineering boots which were hard on his feet. Gimpilator and I immediately started running as soon as it was just the two of us. The excitement was on, we both very much wanted to get up Manly Beacon. The sun was going to set any minute which in a sense we were racing the sun as we got above the canyon and were back into the light. Within minutes we were at the bottom of the West Face of Manly Beacon. At first it was a decent trail that led us around Manly Beacon until it disappeared. Suddenly I could see that there was a maze of ridges which looked very exciting. Never in all of my climbing had I gone though a literal maze to climb to my summit. Both Gimpilator and I were having the time of our lives going up and down ridges that were made out of some sort of clay. At one point we went up the wrong ridge which I wasn't sure if Gimpilator would call it quits because the sun already set. Nope, he wanted this peak at least as bad as I did. So we ran back down and finally got onto the correct ridge for the summit.
As we go up the ridge there was a little bit of exposure on each side, but as long as you stay in the middle of the trail it's fine. There was one section I recall that seemed a little steep making it worry some considering that if it was loose clay it would be a dangerous spot. Once we found out it was solid we got up it with ease. Very soon we were on the summit of Manly Beacon. All around it looked like we were surrounded by thousands of ridges in the canyons below. This route certainly wins 5 stars from me!
Even getting down Manly Beacon was exciting, after passing the crux we considered going down one of the Northern gullies, but something didn't look right about one of them. I announce this to Gimpilator, so we figured then it would be best to come down the way we came up. Neither of us could remember exactly where we had come up from with all the ridges in the way. So to make it easier we decided to follow a drainage down a ways and go back up another. We had to get to the main trail before dark because not only did both of us not have headlamps, but the only gear with us was a water bottle that was partially empty.
After doing some more fun navigating I steered us back to the Golden Canyon trail that led us back into the canyon. It was almost dark by the time we were on the main trail, but the fact that it has hardly anything on it made it hikeable even if it was pitch black. Soon we arrived at the trailhead and immediately start our way to Las Vegas. On our way I had to get a 60 second shutter speed shot of the moon rising above the mountains.
Nevada seemed pretty dark for the first 30 minutes or so, but then when we arrived near Las Vegas I was amazed at how much light was coming from the city. In mid day it looks like a normal city, but at night the lights appear to go from one horizon to the other. After a while we arrive at Michael's brothers house who let us stay over. It was nice once again to freshen up.
We visited quite a few Mexican Styled restaurants while we were in Vegas, the buffet was the only exception to the Mexican food places we stopped at. Gimpilator hear that Redwic was staying in Las Vegas, so he decided to visit us for dinner. I played many card games with Michael's younger nephew and niece. We had all sorts of good laughs, the kids were quite disappointed when they found out that we were heading out. They certainly helped cheer me up in Las Vegas. After packing up our gear we set out for our last peak of the trip called Wheeler Peak which was the second highest peak in Nevada.
Alpenglow on Wheeler Peak
Continue to the last chapter of the story
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 |
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It was late in the day by the time we started the hike, but that didn't discourage us. All around there were interesting formations that I never see on "my side of the world". Gimpilator pointed out a large prominent rock called "Manly Beacon" which he said that there was a scramble route up. It looked massive, in my opinion it was more impressive that Whitney's East Face and had the appearance that it was at least 3,000 feet high up. But Gimpilator explained that it was an optical illusion and that it wasn't very high. It looked impossible, but I could tell by Gimpilator's explanation that there had to be a way.
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|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
After a mile of hiking though Golden Canyon Michael turned around because not only was he tired but he also was wearing mountaineering boots which were hard on his feet. Gimpilator and I immediately started running as soon as it was just the two of us. The excitement was on, we both very much wanted to get up Manly Beacon. The sun was going to set any minute which in a sense we were racing the sun as we got above the canyon and were back into the light. Within minutes we were at the bottom of the West Face of Manly Beacon. At first it was a decent trail that led us around Manly Beacon until it disappeared. Suddenly I could see that there was a maze of ridges which looked very exciting. Never in all of my climbing had I gone though a literal maze to climb to my summit. Both Gimpilator and I were having the time of our lives going up and down ridges that were made out of some sort of clay. At one point we went up the wrong ridge which I wasn't sure if Gimpilator would call it quits because the sun already set. Nope, he wanted this peak at least as bad as I did. So we ran back down and finally got onto the correct ridge for the summit.
|
|
|
|
 |
As we go up the ridge there was a little bit of exposure on each side, but as long as you stay in the middle of the trail it's fine. There was one section I recall that seemed a little steep making it worry some considering that if it was loose clay it would be a dangerous spot. Once we found out it was solid we got up it with ease. Very soon we were on the summit of Manly Beacon. All around it looked like we were surrounded by thousands of ridges in the canyons below. This route certainly wins 5 stars from me!
 |
 |
Even getting down Manly Beacon was exciting, after passing the crux we considered going down one of the Northern gullies, but something didn't look right about one of them. I announce this to Gimpilator, so we figured then it would be best to come down the way we came up. Neither of us could remember exactly where we had come up from with all the ridges in the way. So to make it easier we decided to follow a drainage down a ways and go back up another. We had to get to the main trail before dark because not only did both of us not have headlamps, but the only gear with us was a water bottle that was partially empty.
 |
After doing some more fun navigating I steered us back to the Golden Canyon trail that led us back into the canyon. It was almost dark by the time we were on the main trail, but the fact that it has hardly anything on it made it hikeable even if it was pitch black. Soon we arrived at the trailhead and immediately start our way to Las Vegas. On our way I had to get a 60 second shutter speed shot of the moon rising above the mountains.
 |
Nevada seemed pretty dark for the first 30 minutes or so, but then when we arrived near Las Vegas I was amazed at how much light was coming from the city. In mid day it looks like a normal city, but at night the lights appear to go from one horizon to the other. After a while we arrive at Michael's brothers house who let us stay over. It was nice once again to freshen up.
Day 11-13: Las Vegas
When I woke up in the morning I almost couldn't believe it, it was raining outside. "What is this Washington?" I joked to myself. But unlike Washington, you were still able to see the mountains in this weather. Later that day Michael's sister invited us to see the Vegas strip which was a new experience for me. Although it was certainly interesting, I can't quite fully explain why, but it was in that moment that I wished that I was in some other city. If I lived in Las Vegas for a long time I would either have to move out, or I would go crazy living there. Part of it has to do with seeing the life style there that goes against what I stand for. Well anyways, it's true what they say. What goes in Vegas stays in Vegas.We visited quite a few Mexican Styled restaurants while we were in Vegas, the buffet was the only exception to the Mexican food places we stopped at. Gimpilator hear that Redwic was staying in Las Vegas, so he decided to visit us for dinner. I played many card games with Michael's younger nephew and niece. We had all sorts of good laughs, the kids were quite disappointed when they found out that we were heading out. They certainly helped cheer me up in Las Vegas. After packing up our gear we set out for our last peak of the trip called Wheeler Peak which was the second highest peak in Nevada.
 |
Alpenglow on Wheeler Peak
Continue to the last chapter of the story
Tourengänger:
Josh Lewis
Josh LewisGalerie
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