The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country
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Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Good guide, but not enough in itself
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Comment:
the descriptions of the route are great, but they're mixed in with a semi-narrative about the landscape, flora and fauna. not very easy to pick out the relevant bits when you're route-finding.
the addition of the maps in the back are meant as a convenience, and while i realize that this is a ROUTE and not a TRAIL, it would be more convenient if the maps had a general indication of the route path described. at the very least, it should label by name, all the lakes, peaks and passes described.
the book is also a bit heavy for a long haul, so i found myself tearing out the what i no longer needed wtih each resupply.
i give steve roper total props for exploring, discovering and sharing this route... and expecially for going back and updating it a few years on.
Backpacker Magazine Editor, Steve Howe did this route in 2006 and made daily podcasts which can be downloaded free on iTunes. i found his route descriptions and waypoints to be a perfect complement to this book.
my attempt to do the route in it's entirety got cut short with a shoulder injury only 5 days in. though i was able to finish up by detouring for another three weeks on the john muir trail, the SHR definitely requires 4 limbs. i'd recommend attempting it later in the season (August/September) to avoid the snow fields at high altitude on the north facing passes (i dislocated my shoulder when i lost my footing on a steep snow-covered face). i'd also recommend using a PLB or Spot Satellite Messenger with GPS Tracking even if you're not traveling solo. i didn't see another person for the first 8 days of this trip, and only then it was because i was on the heavily trafficked JMT.
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Summary:
The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country
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Comment:
A FANTASTIC book about an awesome wilderness area! This is a must do hiking trail for me. I bought my brother this same book and I'm already planning our hike.
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Summary:
Wonderful off-trail hiking in the Sierra
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Comment:
This book is the ideal companion for everyone who likes walking off-trail on uneven terrain with a heavy pack. We used it last summer to hike a section of "the high route" (from devils postpile to tuolumne meadows) and it was so marvelous, we are going back this summer for another section. Roper gives exactly the amount of indications needed for a successful trip, although some experience in off-trail mountain-hiking is required. The high route is not trivial, even if no technical climbing is involved. The only thing: for most people it doesn't matter to have a single connected route. It would be nice to have other (shorter) routes in the same style, which are not necessarily connected. Maybe in another book? I don't know of anything comparable.
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Summary:
Great book for the strong willed
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Comment:
My girlfriend and I recently took some of Ropers advice on a Mt. Conness Loop 5 day hike in Yosemite. It was an increadible trip. Roper gives just enough hints to get you there but few enough to make it still feel like exploring. Be advised however when he referes a section of your hike as 'adventurous' or 'exciting' he means it. We pushed ourselves to the physical and mental limit on this trip.
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Summary:
practical guide to an undescribable experience
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Comment:
This book outlines a magnificent experience following an off-trail, higher version of the Muir Trail through the High Sierra. We have followed most of Roper's route over several years: sometimes we thought we were lost or overwhelmed, but it always turned out fine, and usually excellent. He treads a fine line between complete instructions that would allow no mistakes, and an experience that gives the hiker their own opportunity for route-finding, discovery, and growth. This is one of our favorite books, and we keep an intact copy plus another one torn apart for each journey and sometimes given away to people met along the way who need it. We still travel the trail some of the time, but genuinely value this alternative farther away from the crowds.
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