2008 – YNP Mt. Lyell

Mount Lyell Summit Attempt

[ See Result section below for what happened. I'm leaving the bulk of this page as a reminder that perfect planning doesn't help, when a basic premise is wrong. ]

Melissa and I are going backpacking in the high country of Yosemite for our 10th anniversary. Sounds weird but I proposed in the Yosemite high country (okay, actually top of Vernal Falls, so probably not technically the “high” country) and our first daughter is named Sierra, so it’s fitting if not a little odd.

Current plans are for a 7 night trip with a summit attempt on Mount Lyell (13,100 ft), the highest point in Yosemite. It’s not that big a deal for most backpackers but Melissa has never been backpacking and I haven’t gone since I was in Boy Scouts 20 years ago. So having a goal and plenty of time is a good thing.

Mount Lyell is an SPS Emblem Peak

I needed a place to record the plan and the results. This is that place.

Wikipedia Entry

Logistics

Mon, Jan 28 – Get reservation for one night at Toulumne Meadows lodge so we can acclimatize.

Mon, Jan 28 – Submit request for Wilderness Permit and get rejected for submitting earlier than allowed. Doh!!

Wed, Jan 30 – Resubmit for Wilderness Permit via website. 2hrs later receive email confirming reservation!! Yeah!

Plan

(Topo map of route plan…get your own high-res version at Topozone.com)

Wed, July 16
Day 0 – Spend night in Toulumne Meadows Lodge (#75X6Q2)

Thu, July 17
Day 1 – Toulumne Meadows to Lyell Creek

Fri, July 18
Day 2 – Lyell Creek to Upper Lyell Base Camp

Sat, July 19
Day 3 – Summit attempt on Mt. Lyell (13,114 ft) back to Base Camp

Sun, July 20
Day 4 – Summit attempt on Mt. Maclure (12,700 ft) or 2nd attempt on Mt. Lyell, back to Base Camp

Mon, July 21
Day 5 – Off trail to Amelia Earhart Peak (11,974 ft) camp at Ireland Lake

Tue, July 22
Day 6 – Off trail to Parson Peak (12,147 ft) and Vogelsang Peak (11,516 ft) camp at Vogelsang Lake

Wed, July 23
Day 7 – Back to Tuolumne Meadows via Rafferty Creak Trail and stay at The Hounds Tooth Inn B&B in Oakhurst, CA

Thu, July 24
Day 8 – Slack day for weather or extra side trip during the previous 7 days

Result

We failed. Epic failed for you Internet types. We never should have tried to carry 7 days worth of food. We both believe that if we had made this a 3 day trip to Lyell only and not an 8 day cross country extravaganza extraordinaire insanity, we would have made it. Given our physical conditioning, carrying 45lbs for 14 miles on day one was just plain stupid. The other option would have been to cut way way back on food stuffs. We brought way too much food. Probably 30-50% more than we needed. We figure pack weights of closer to 25lb would have made it possible to do whatever we wanted. The distance wasn’t the problem, it was the weight. But we had a fun time, if not rewarding time together. We had to change plans, but it all worked out in the end. In fact, we are planning to give this another go…with a different plan….in a few years.