Rea Lakes Snap Shots

Rea Lakes Loop

My feet are still a bit swollen, my calves ache and the few clothes I took my wife thinks should be burned rather than washed. I just returned from backpacking the Rea Lakes loop in the California High Sierras. Here's the overview: 5 days, 45 miles, climbed 6,500 ft. to Glen Pass listed at 11,978 ft (let's just call it 12,000) and back. Rain one evening, Bear with his nose in one of our tents, Snow covering the trail near the pass and two days on the John Muir Trail. It was fun. As you're reading this, you're probably thinking one of two things. Wow - that's cool, I would love to do that. OR Are you freaking nuts! why would anyone want to hurt and be that uncomfortable by choice. Honestly, depending on the moment, I agree with you both - but I can't wait to do it again. The trip seems to be two parallel experiences at once. First is with the landscape - which dominates everything and constantly reminds that you're the visitor. The scale is so huge that at times it almost seems fake, then the boys catch another trout or you see a deer 30 feet away and it brings you back. The second track is the personal challenge of can I do this... I'm cold, I'm hot. Are we there yet? my lungs feel like they're going to pop out of my chest. What I love about shooting on location is exceptionally true here as well: things are changing all the time. How you adjust to change makes the difference. There's something very satisfying knowing that your completely self contained. Every bit of food, shelter, and creature comforts is on my back. Do I really need this? gets asked of every single object. My camp towel folds to become a pot holder at dinner and then becomes my pillow at night. I made up my own concoctions of dehydrated chicken, couscous, vegetables and spices. If the mantra of most restaurants is location, location, location: then dinning at sunset by a campfire with my polycarbonate spork, surrounded by granite peaks makes this a five star event. I even squirreled a single bar of extra dark chocolate and a tiny 4oz flask of Tequila to ease the evening chills. This is my second trip with the Lamberth clan. My buddy Tim, his three nephews and young Chance (Tim's son) is 10 years old and going into the 5th Grade. Before you call Child Services, you should know that last year Chance did 52 miles with us and this year he was the first back to the Ranger Station. Imagine what he'll be able to do when he's 20. For brothers Matt and Mark, this was a fishing trip - with a lot a hiking in between. As a result, they became the focus of many of my images. David provides the comic relief and overall boyish humor that is really necessary to keep it all in prospective. Couple of quick plugs: Found a terrific resource for dehydrated food - wildernessdining.com that had many great options including a Gluten-free section, which we need for Tim. Also, met a number of nice people on trail including Jim McCrain - who has traveled the world, is a filmmaker, and is working on a 7 year documentary of the John Muir Trail. To check out his project go to theclimb.com More pictures from this trip can be seen at my website smontgomery.com