Adventure started at the Lake Sabrina campground on Wednesday night.


Thursday 8am ish we headed down the trail. Splitter weather. Somewhat complex route finding to get to Echo Col. Beautiful views of Picture Peak. Got to unmelted snow just under Echo Col by about 3pm. We crossed, having to tunnel through a cornice on the JMT-side of the Col. Camped at Lake 11,400.



Friday crossed Muir Pass and skied Black Giant. Great ski descent. We could see the entire range from Banner and Ritter to the Kaweahs and Whitney.


Friday night a member of the group complains of altitude pains: headache, nausea, can’t eat, can’t drink water. Saturday we spend the day moving down, but we’re trapped: Evolution Basin is just so darn high. The only way to get lower: 15mi to Muir Ranch or else have to hike uphill, which isn’t going to happen. Saturday 7pm he gets helo evac’ed. We get a satellite text message that he gets to the hospital and is recovering from High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. Wow.

Sunday we ski Darwin. One of the best ski descents of my life. Complex feelings fill my thoughts: about our buddy who got evacuated, about my newly born son, about friends who have died in the mountains in the last year, about ravens.


Sunday night we camp atop Lamarck Col. Monday morning we watch the sunrise over the White Mountains and enjoy another fine ski descent. Rather clean (minimal bushwhacking) descent to North Lake Road and our cars.



Parting thoughts: satellite texting saved us, going over Echo Cool on day one maybe too aggressive, the Sierras can be more remote than they feel.