Yosemite Backpacking Trips
Backpacking - Trans-Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney - Reviews
Hi, I'm cleaning out my email this morning and realize that I never told you what a great trip I had on the Trans Sierra Trail last September with Colby Brokvist. The route was great, I enjoyed the rigor, and the whole thing seemed very well-organized. Colby was fabulous -- such a pro. Thanks for a great trip, Lee Kolm
- Lee Kolm, Sept 2006
I'm just back from completing the TransSierra backpacking trip which was, for me, a huge success. Colby and Csuri make an awesome guide team. I did not summit Whitney but for me that was a minor issue. I wanted a chance to see the sometimes startling beauty of the High Sierra back country. I accomplished that. We stood around a campfire at the unnamed lake at Rock Creek and listened to a pack of coyotes in chorus at nightfall. We filtered water from a stream while watching golden trout swimming in it. We watched a huge stag (12 points in total) sun himself in the early morning light of a beautiful meadow. I wondered why I couldn't find the big dipper and then realized that there were too many stars to be sure what was what. Yeah, I could have also climbed a big mountain! I think I got what counted for me. Again let me say that I had a great trip and I really appreciated your advice and Colby and Csuri's wonderful guiding abilities.
- Don Wise, September 2005
Ian Elman and Jan Nicoliasen were two of the best guides I have ever had and I have been on over 35 adventure trips.
- Robert Phay September 2004
I had a terrific experience.You are very lucky to have Jan and Tim as employees. Their respect for the wilderness, their outdoor skills, their group management skills, and the fact that they really enjoy what they do, represent you very well.
- Mark Whittier August 2004
Our nine day hike through the Sierra Nevada Mountains was The Perfect Hike. Excellent leadership, strong, fun-loving, resourceful companions, the challenge and beauty of rugged mountains, explosive weather, unexpected crisis situations, and our successful summit of Mt. Whitney came together to produce a memorable experience.
Do you remember the Danish guy who cut his teeth on the Alps mountains and later honed his skills on the Himalayan peaks? Jan had a thousand decisions to make: Water? Trail? Food? Hiking tempo? Individual and group strengths, capabilities? Morale? Summit window of opportunity? What to do about the 71 year old hiker who broke her ankle? The special needs of one person in our party? We were fortunate to have his experience, training, good sense and good humor to rely on. Thank you, Jan. And Deborah made a perfect partner for Jan. Like him, she was tough, experienced, good-natured, and possessed great experience and training. She knew what to do to make things work on this hike. She led us to the summit of Mt. Whitney. We will think of you this winter as you work in Antarctica. And our group was a perfect mix of youthful enthusiasts and mature, thoughtful, insightful, aged-ones. We came from all over the U.S. and the world. We represented a variety of occupational types and life experience. We came prepared to hike. We brought along a wonderful sense of curiosity and a delightful sense of humor. We worked together, shared the load, supported Jan and Deborah, and met the difficult situations as they came. It was a winning group.
What are your special memories of this adventure? Let me/us know. My list begins with the physical exertion. I read the catalog and apparently overlooked the part that said hike to Mt. Whitney and then climb it. It was the most demanding hike that I've taken including my 200-mile jaunt though the Himalayan Mountains in Kashmir, India. I lost weight and gained strength, a plus in both departments.
The saddle, pass, gap called on the maps Kaweah Gap intrigued me. I was excited when I saw it. It looked like a gateway to something mysterious and exciting. Maybe it was the gateway to the wilderness? Its altitude, 10,800', suggested that we were actually going to go high into the mountains. Precipice Lake was interesting to see with the glacial ice floating in it, the clear water, the high cliffs behind it, and Ansel Adams attention to it. Arroyo Canyon was something else. It looked like it came right out of a geology book. You know, the one that says Here is a perfect example of a glaciated valley---only it was real. Do you remember those little stunted trees at the tree line as we walked down the Canyon? The Milky Way. The clarity of the air at Guitar Lake was amazing. I looked at the Milky Way and felt connected to it. It was not a picture in a book or movie. It was real. I saw it as I had never seen it before. It was wonderful. And who can forget the incident at Wallace Creek? Kurt fishing the woman and her pack out of the water. Anne taking over and stabilizing her broken ankle. Jan running five miles to get help. Deborah taking charge of the incident site. The park rangers getting the rescue helicopter into the site the next morning. It was a picture of professionals at work. Good job, guys. Climbing Mt. Whitney. The thing about this climb was as Deborah said, Climbing at night with headlights makes it like a real important climb. Doing the narrow, steep switchbacks at night with the real risk of stumbling into black holes&Mac226;, traversing the summit ridge in the pre-dawn light, and standing on the cold, windy, brightly lit summit by ourselves at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2003 was exhilarating. We did it!
The hike down the mountain was a surprise to me. It had not occurred to me that it might be as long going down as going up. And, then, who can forget the pancakes at Whitney Portal? Those things were so big that we could have flown them back to Fresno. Seeing Mt. Whitney from the east side certainly was a bonus. It looked so different than from the west side. There is no question which is the tallest peak when you see it from that angle. We were up there. It was a great trip. It was the perfect hike. Thanks, you made it possible.
- Dick, August 2003
What an awesome trip. The Sierra's are spectacular. This is raw nature at it's very best. The trip was a lot of hard work, but well worth the effort. I did follow all of the training recomendations ... and that effort paid off. I was able to enjoy the views along the way. The guides were outstanding - very experienced and spent a lot of time putting together a high quality, delicious menu. The whole experience was the vacation of a lifetime. If you are thinking about it, get off your b*tt and DO IT. Don't underestimate the effort and prepare so that the whole group enjoys it.
- Dennis S, September 2003
I just want to express my pleasure again on how great the [High Sierra Trail] trip was for me! I've worked day and night, Saturdays, Sundays, & Holidays for 25 years running my business. I would only take a week or two off a year to go skiing. In January I reached a physical low. The time of decision had arrived. Was age catching up with me? Was I going to be unable physically to ski, run, bike and hike. It was apparent that my priorities had to change. I changed them. Health and fitness is now a high priority. I started training , changed my diet & got fit. There was still that doubt in my mind. I was worried that I had declined too far & it was too late & I was too old. My feeling now after the trip is "I can do it." Thanks.
- Max Storm, September 2000
Thanks again for a great trip! My guide's enthusiasm and inspiration helped us all get to the top!
- Michelle , August 2000
Just wanted to let you know how wonderful the trip to Mt. Whitney was this past week. Joel is an excellent guide. I don't think I've met a more professional hard working guide. The food was delicious and I was very impressed with how timely and organized Joel was with all tasks. Thanks for letting me join in on this trip.
- Anita Herman, September 1999
Well, I'm home--off the mountain and cleaned up, but this doesn't mean that I want to be off the mountain! Thank you again for an unforgettable trip.
- Jill Pagliaro, September 1998
If you have experienced this trip with the guides of SYMG, you can submit your review for inclusion here!