Pick 3 (or less) of your favorite adventures you've had in the backcountry. Here are the criteria:
1) They took place in Southern California. Desert, etc is fine but I want to keep it somewhat local.
2) There is a trip report for it on the Eis Piraten site, or an external site, and you need to link to it.
Your reasons for picking it can be diverse. Memorability being the key. Maybe you loved it, maybe you hated it, maybe its plenty of both. But it was memorable, and you could consider it a favorite, at least after the fact. And maybe during the fact, too.
Can't wait to read the reports!
N8K
Retrospective... 3 favorite adventures.
Limiting to 3 is harrrrrrrd
"Plunge of Peril" - bagging Pacoima reservoir
viewtopic.php?p=66986&hilit=Pacoima#p66986
Only my second Eis Piraten adventure, and the first that I lead. It was strange and wonderful to be on a hike with Sean and Cecelia and see them tackle adverse, off-trail terrain without batting an eye. It made me realize how much I had wanted to find people who shared my affinity for this particular type 2 fun. The adventure had human historical elements, which was a new way to look at hiking for me, and a unique destination unlike anything I've experienced before or since.
Alder Crag, the largest unknown crag of the Angeles
viewtopic.php?p=69556&hilit=Alder#p69556
This had so many of the elements I love about mountain adventures. First, there was an obscure, beguiling target which inspired a stoke in Mathew that was totally infectious. Then, before the hike we all collaborated on the route we took, (and planning a hike can be half the fun!) and then along the hike itself we problem solved and improvised. We enjoyed a few surprises along the way, and the target IRL totally delivered. And props to the failed attempt a few weeks earlier with Sean, which made this one all the more satisfying.
Gegeh's Hike (Chatsworth Manor Bluffs Ramble)
viewtopic.php?p=68159#p68159
If I had to pick a Pirate Preschooler hike, I think this one. Just my son and I, exploring an obscure corner of open space in the mountains on a beautiful Saturday morning, full of imagination and whimsy like only a child, and that child's parent, could experience. Fatherhood at its best.
So many more I could list, and I've only been goofing around with ya'll for less than a couple years!
"Plunge of Peril" - bagging Pacoima reservoir
viewtopic.php?p=66986&hilit=Pacoima#p66986
Only my second Eis Piraten adventure, and the first that I lead. It was strange and wonderful to be on a hike with Sean and Cecelia and see them tackle adverse, off-trail terrain without batting an eye. It made me realize how much I had wanted to find people who shared my affinity for this particular type 2 fun. The adventure had human historical elements, which was a new way to look at hiking for me, and a unique destination unlike anything I've experienced before or since.
Alder Crag, the largest unknown crag of the Angeles
viewtopic.php?p=69556&hilit=Alder#p69556
This had so many of the elements I love about mountain adventures. First, there was an obscure, beguiling target which inspired a stoke in Mathew that was totally infectious. Then, before the hike we all collaborated on the route we took, (and planning a hike can be half the fun!) and then along the hike itself we problem solved and improvised. We enjoyed a few surprises along the way, and the target IRL totally delivered. And props to the failed attempt a few weeks earlier with Sean, which made this one all the more satisfying.
Gegeh's Hike (Chatsworth Manor Bluffs Ramble)
viewtopic.php?p=68159#p68159
If I had to pick a Pirate Preschooler hike, I think this one. Just my son and I, exploring an obscure corner of open space in the mountains on a beautiful Saturday morning, full of imagination and whimsy like only a child, and that child's parent, could experience. Fatherhood at its best.
So many more I could list, and I've only been goofing around with ya'll for less than a couple years!
I don't know how to pick my favorites. I do various hikes for various reasons, and many of them were very memorable. I'll go with the toughest I completed, the toughest I didn't complete, and the toughest where I thought I might actually fall and die.
the toughest I completed,
This is totally amazing. Its also really thoughtfully designed, with a central re-supply that also gives multiple opportunities to conveniently bail if you needed to. Which miraculously you didn't! Psychologically I find hiking downhill knowing I have to retrace my steps back up difficult to swallow. You seem to have immunity to it...
the toughest I didn't complete,
Man, to think of then ascending Rattlesnake and Hawkins after all of that is hard to fathom. Its neat this route was conceived of in threads here. Just thinking about the logistics of when and where to start is really fun. The fact you attempted this without caches and support is completely epic. If you didn't have to start with 12 hours since your last sleep already I'm sure you would have made it. Your knowledge of the terrain was key to making it all possible.
and the toughest where I thought I might actually fall and die.
Here is the slope angle shading of your route. Yeah, thats intense stuff!
After this experience did you decide this was your limit, and not to be reached again? Or did you want more?
This is totally amazing. Its also really thoughtfully designed, with a central re-supply that also gives multiple opportunities to conveniently bail if you needed to. Which miraculously you didn't! Psychologically I find hiking downhill knowing I have to retrace my steps back up difficult to swallow. You seem to have immunity to it...
the toughest I didn't complete,
Man, to think of then ascending Rattlesnake and Hawkins after all of that is hard to fathom. Its neat this route was conceived of in threads here. Just thinking about the logistics of when and where to start is really fun. The fact you attempted this without caches and support is completely epic. If you didn't have to start with 12 hours since your last sleep already I'm sure you would have made it. Your knowledge of the terrain was key to making it all possible.
and the toughest where I thought I might actually fall and die.
Here is the slope angle shading of your route. Yeah, thats intense stuff!
Is that waterfall bypass the sketchiest thing you think you've ever done in the mountains still to this day?
Something hovering between a slope and a cliff that is rapidly disintegrating is a Gabes speciality. Narrow canyons can be such a gamble since your options can get really limited fast.
My three favorite hikes (as adventurous as I usually get) in the Gabes are:
a) Will Thrall (900' gain in last half mile+)
b) Rattlesnake
c) Mostly cross-country ridge walk from Three Points to Vista Campground via Waterman and Kratka Ridge.
Not difficult but real nice hikes through the mountains with no one else on the trail.
a) Will Thrall (900' gain in last half mile+)
b) Rattlesnake
c) Mostly cross-country ridge walk from Three Points to Vista Campground via Waterman and Kratka Ridge.
Not difficult but real nice hikes through the mountains with no one else on the trail.
I mostly wanted to scramble up canyons, and I didn't know my limit until something looked too dangerous to attempt. Sometimes an otherwise impassable obstacle is made passable through a tree or rope assist.Nate U wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 4:43 pmAfter this experience did you decide this was your limit, and not to be reached again? Or did you want more?
I definitely have a higher than normal tolerance for risk, but I'm also fairly objective when it comes to assessing situations. I've only fallen a few times--when the risk of death was very low, such as taking a steep slope tumble about fifteen feet, slipping and sliding down ice into brush and trees, and once I fell ten feet, headfirst, onto rocks at the top of Monrovia Falls--thought I was going to break my bracing arm but escaped with minor cuts.
Maybe I'll come up with my favorite easy hikes. I've had so many fun strolls with forum members. Or unique cross-country adventures that are memorable because of the people who went with me, and the interesting stuff we found.
Cool to know! Others have mentioned Rattlesnake being a gem, too.HikeUp wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:17 pm My three favorite hikes (as adventurous as I usually get) in the Gabes are:
I had in mind specific days you experienced, and ones that you could link to their respective TRs ideally
Here's the TR for Rattlesnake... viewtopic.php?t=1014Nate U wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:48 pmI had in mind specific days you experienced, and ones that you could link to their respective TRs ideally
Beta is useless now because it was 17 years and several fires ago.
I started early and was passed by Tim (a forum member) on the way up, but didn't know it was him until I posted. On the way down I met Ze and Taco. I knew they were coming up, so I left a message on the peak for Taco.
A good experience on a good day.
[I spent a few minutes updating the TR pictures because the links therein were to a defunct Flickr account of mine.]
The hike to Will Thrall was a few days before this forum was invented/launched in 2007. Also, it was before I owned a camera!
TR of ridge to Waterman ... viewtopic.php?t=3913
Yeah. It was a bad idea.Nate U wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:00 pmIs that waterfall bypass the sketchiest thing you think you've ever done in the mountains still to this day?
Love how you were randomly running into multiple forum members out there. I haven't had the pleasure of that experience yet. How fun you were all just serendipitously in your element at the same place at the same time.
I want to do this ridge as a chill group birthday hike or something now that the Bobcat closure and ACH are back open. I know there are a couple secret spots up there to check out. Hopefully its not too scared up, but those pines are mighty so I hope they all pulled through?
this was super easy to come up with!
1. Andrew Curtis tungsten mine viewtopic.php?t=8224
2. Browns flat
viewtopic.php?t=9380
3. Alder crag
viewtopic.php?p=69487#p69487
Honorable mention
Finding Tunnel #5 In Las Flores Canyon
viewtopic.php?t=7968
1. Andrew Curtis tungsten mine viewtopic.php?t=8224
2. Browns flat
viewtopic.php?t=9380
3. Alder crag
viewtopic.php?p=69487#p69487
Honorable mention
Finding Tunnel #5 In Las Flores Canyon
viewtopic.php?t=7968
stoke is high
My trs were mostly pics. Or the context was out of whack. For example, in search for Eugene Jo, to me its outrageous that there is little there, but thats how searches go. As far as adventure, I detest that word......SERE is ok. I share a quip recently about navigation, ranting about the influencers/teachers and how you suppose to bring a compass...this was in a foggy bog no less. Whereas I am like we are getting lost, bring nothing. So thats how 'adventure' goes.
I still got explore in....waterfalls, forests, wilderness. Get out there message...but I was careful to at least imply maybe not here where I just was. I mainly was fate. Not really about the art of navigation, and drawing a route. Luckily I did go with some people, so you share to define some stuff.
Maybe viewtopic.php?p=58795
This took one than one trip to get to White Ledge peak. It took Los Padres major teamwork too. .and fate didnt hurt.
The start of this is something...summit on the left but you go way right.... in the dark. I would say even for trail running pros to be safe.
And then the pull of the summit. I think the person who designed this should be shot for cruel punishment hehehe.
Its weird that an NHPSer would be up here, but it doesnt have the prominence of a peak on the backside.
The summit itself, is a little adventureish...like youre asking for death..but a little Sierra disclaimer...and its not the climb because it doesnt jump to class 5 or 4,maybe 3.999, but the wind.
This guy did more complete writeup https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2 ... north.html
Also maybe Little Mermaid peak..
Now I didnt summit that peak yet. So this is outstanding....but I did come pretty close.
Dima and headsizeburrito got there...this was a mixed result because while there was the ultimate failure, there was a success in pk 5014 trip.
But anyways this was about adapting for adapters..even if was forget this or low burner or some such status.
Basically as long as you are progressing its all good...assume your goals get different in the first place.
I still got explore in....waterfalls, forests, wilderness. Get out there message...but I was careful to at least imply maybe not here where I just was. I mainly was fate. Not really about the art of navigation, and drawing a route. Luckily I did go with some people, so you share to define some stuff.
Maybe viewtopic.php?p=58795
This took one than one trip to get to White Ledge peak. It took Los Padres major teamwork too. .and fate didnt hurt.
The start of this is something...summit on the left but you go way right.... in the dark. I would say even for trail running pros to be safe.
And then the pull of the summit. I think the person who designed this should be shot for cruel punishment hehehe.
Its weird that an NHPSer would be up here, but it doesnt have the prominence of a peak on the backside.
The summit itself, is a little adventureish...like youre asking for death..but a little Sierra disclaimer...and its not the climb because it doesnt jump to class 5 or 4,maybe 3.999, but the wind.
This guy did more complete writeup https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2 ... north.html
Also maybe Little Mermaid peak..
Now I didnt summit that peak yet. So this is outstanding....but I did come pretty close.
Dima and headsizeburrito got there...this was a mixed result because while there was the ultimate failure, there was a success in pk 5014 trip.
But anyways this was about adapting for adapters..even if was forget this or low burner or some such status.
Basically as long as you are progressing its all good...assume your goals get different in the first place.
You picked exactly the 3 I suspected you would!
The stuff legends are made of. This might have been the first TR I read on this board, as when I first stumbled upon this place in spring 2023 the thread was loud and proud near the top, having been resurrected so many times by various people replying.
SO wish I could have made it to the destination, but the flu was coming over me something fierce on the climb up. When I finally stumbled home I had a fever of 101
Made my list too. Great day.
Nice hole in the ground! Props to Carl for *swimming* through it.... man not sure I'd have the courage for that....
I hadn't heard of White Ledge Peak and it looks really exciting. I'm totally in love with the big slabs of sandstone.AW~ wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:05 pm Maybe viewtopic.php?p=58795
This took one than one trip to get to White Ledge peak. It took Los Padres major teamwork too. .and fate didnt hurt.
Thats a really remote one. I read your 5014 Skull Canyon trip from 2011, wild stuff.AW~ wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:05 pm Also maybe Little Mermaid peak..
Now I didnt summit that peak yet. So this is outstanding....but I did come pretty close.
Has anyone ever done this route that you know of?