Sierra Challenge Day 9 - Mt Torchbearer
Lets..... Go

Dylan Doblar, Sean King, Trey Hawk, Hunter Plude, Keith Hamrick, Sean Casserly and Simon Chigier, Tom Grundy and Chris Henry all made it to the challenge peak Mt Torchbearer. The aforementioned participants also climbed an array of bonus peaks in addition to the challenge peak, ranging from Junction Peak, Caltech Peak and Mt Tyndall. Zach Imm completed the car to car but did not climb any peaks. Zee Chunawala and Matthew Rosen climbed Dragon Peak and Mt Gould. Bob Burd and Robert Wu climbed Dragon's Tooth. JD Morris climbed The Altar. Jonathan Mason carried a resupply package down from Shepherd Pass and climbed the challenge peak as well.

All but two of the challenge peak participants climbed up and over University Pass. The monsoon has drastically changed the landscape. I sunk up to both of my thighs in quicksand as I crossed an alluvial floodplain. The backside of University Pass was blasted down to the bedrock. Once on the JMT, smooth sailing commenced. The climb over Forester Pass was gentle. I then continued to the east ridge of Caltech Peak. Then I dropped down to Mt Torchbearer. Then we climbed over Shepherds Pass and dropped down to the desert below. The trail along Symmes Creek is completely obliterated. How amazing is the power of Mother Nature? Also, my feet hurt. Onwards