Blogs from Bishop, California, United States, North America - page 2

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North America » United States » California » Bishop May 5th 2011

In Mojave befindet sich unter anderem der Flughafen, von dem aus das Spaceship One gestartet ist. Viele Firmen im Bereich Raumfahrt haben hier ein Buero. Ausserdem dient Mojave der Zwischenlagerung von Flugzeugen, da die Luft hier extrem trocken und Niederschlag praktisch nicht vorhanden ist. Diese werden zum Teil eingemottet, zum Teil aber auch neu lackiert, nachdem sie ihren Dienst fuer Lufthansa und Co getan haben, fuer Air Kongo aber noch gut genug sind :). Wir legten einen Abstecher ins Death Valley ein, wo man tatsaechlich erstmal 1000 Hoehenmeter abwaerts faehrt. Abends war mal wieder Lagerfeuer und Bier angesagt, mit Crashpads als den besseren Campingstuehlen. Klettern im Boulderparadies "Bishop", oestlich der Sierra Nevadas, die noch von Schnee bedeckt waren. Ich rieb mich am Montag acht Stunden so dermassen auf, dass ich am naechsten Morgen kaum mein Muesli ... read more
Mojave Space Port
Flugzeugfriedhof
Death Valley Sprint

North America » United States » California » Bishop April 3rd 2011

It was easy to leave Vegas. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it. But we also breathed a sigh of relief when we left the blinking lights, loud dinging sounds, music, and loud people.... Anybody with epilepsy would be advised NOT to go. We left heading north of 95. On our way out of town we passed the Moape River Indian Reservation--a band of the Paiute Indians. It was flat and barren looking--as in keeping with what past American Presidents 'gave' Native Americans. Next we passed a huge Federal Prison--it is high and medium security. A sign on the road instucts drivers 'not to pick up hitch-hikers.' Who does that any more anyway? O. J. Simpson was a short-term guest of the Feds there in 2008. Then we stumbled upon the Nellis Air Force Base--or as ... read more
Leaving Las Vegas...
Leaving Las Vegas...
Leaving Las Vegas...

North America » United States » California » Bishop September 19th 2010

I headed west out of Bishop in near 100 degree August heat. The neighborhoods and irrigated fields yielded to sage brush and open desert as Route 168 rose up the slope of the Sierras. And the higher I rose, the cooler it got. By the time I reached the end of the road at South Lake, I was at 9,800 feet enjoying a warm comfortable summer day. My plan was to hike up to 11,900 foot Bishop Pass. I could hike this as a two-day trip, camping at Bishop Lake just under the pass, or hike a little further and camp in Dusy Basin on the other side. But today had to be a day hike, and so I geared myself up for a 2,100 foot climb in five miles. Not too bad actually, even considering ... read more
Crescent Moon
Picture Puzzle Peak
Wildflowers

North America » United States » California » Bishop June 25th 2010

Back in Bishop I head to the ranger station to get some beta on the status of Kearsarge Pass to the south, my next conquest. As usual, they don't really have up to date information, and just give you the default "it's snowy above 10000 feet" line. They were very pleased to see the photos of Bishop Pass that I took the day before, which I brought my laptop in to show them. Maybe now they'll have some concrete information to tell people, when they ask about that pass at least. I head down to the town of Independence, and then up the road to Kearsarge Pass. I figure, if anything, it will have a bit less snow, since it's more southerly. I park for the night at the trailhead parking lot, and set off in ... read more
From the trail
Almost there...
Me at the Kearsarge Pass sign

North America » United States » California » Bishop June 22nd 2010

Having scratched the social itch with the meetup.com circuit, I head south towards the southern (high) Sierras. The meetup hiking conditioned me pretty well to tackle some tougher hikes. The first stop is a place where I'd parked and hiked before- South Lake. While before I had only done a short day hike up to Treasure Lake, I decide to give the more compelling pass over the crest of the Sierras (Bishop Pass) a try, since conditions must be far more amenable to hiking now. However, I'll need to backpack it, so I don't have to worry about getting back after dark or feeling rushed. Also, I bring the snowshoes and ski poles just in case. I park nearby for the night and set out in the morning. The one way distance to the pass is ... read more
Looking back down the rock scramble
Snowshoein' to the pass
Me at the Bishop Pass sign

North America » United States » California » Bishop May 29th 2010

Still in Bishop, I stop by the ranger station to get some advice on hikes that aren't snow covered. The girl at the station indicates there aren't many, but that the Big Pine Creek North Fork trail is relatively snow free up to First Lake. So my next stop is Big Pine Creek trailhead, via another spur road into the Eastern Sierras from Big Pine (no this is not Pine Creek Road). It's about 1:30 pm and I start my hike. The hike seems pretty easy until I come to the upper end of a valley, where there's a snow and ice covered ridge that seems to be the only way to proceed. There are no tracks in the snow to follow, and the snowy slope seems way too steep to ascend without snowshoes. I thought ... read more
The "menacing pass"
Scraped up hand
Hiking out alive

North America » United States » California » Bishop May 28th 2010

Gonna make this one quick. I head south on 395 to Mammoth Lakes, where I do some laundry, get groceries at the local Vons, and do a walk-in at a gym called the Body Shop. Get some apple strudel a la mode at a local eatery. In this eatery the cook gives me some tips on good places to camp. Following the tip I head further south and go down Pine Creek Rd that heads into the Sierras. Beautiful scenery as usual. I head past a gate that's partially open. The road turns into a treacherous single lane rocky path. This is much worse than an unkempt gravel road- the rocks are large and they look sharp. Partway up I stop and get out to walk up the road a bit to see if it improves ... read more
Pine Creek Road
Tungsten mine rocky road
South Lake parking lot view

North America » United States » California » Bishop June 3rd 2009

We're well on our way, fueled by uncooked rice and lentils, stale bread, bland oats, and warm, salty water. We've made it to our first shelter and real food in a week! James and Susan are wonderful hosts and their home has so much character and their yard is beautiful and it's all set in between the white mountains and the sierras. The stars swallowed us up last night there were so many! The milky way seemed to just pour out over the mountains and all across the valley floor. To keep it brief - Our adventure thus far: A wonderful sendoff from Yoni and Alex Being chased by dogs Sweltering central valley heat and a long uphill Trying to fish with some line and a stick Cherry and lemon trees full of fruit! Almost being ... read more
Misty Trees
Some Crazy Bikers we met
The Beautiful Sierras

North America » United States » California » Bishop May 31st 2009

Encore quelques photos...et une nouvelle importante : la méga-perf de Flo qui s'envoie un 6c+ à vue sur une dalle à micro-réglettes (disons gros Flash puisque Niko lui souffle quelques conseils), et Niko qui va voir un mdecin du sport ricain, qui, mervilleux toubib, lui conseille de continuer à grimper et de muscler avec des élastocs les pronateurs de ces avant-bras...ça va déjà mieux... Nous sommes à Bishop et nous dirigeons vers Le Yosémite, ultime et dernière destination du trip, sniff! Ancora un paio di fotografie...e una notizia importante : la prestazione di Flo che avvista (o piuttosto flash visto che Niko le ha datto qualche consiglio) un 6c+ di placca a mini-tacche. E Niko che va dal dottore degli atleti, il quale fantastico dottore gli dice di andare avanti a arrampicare e a fare esercizi ... read more
Sous le soleil, exactement!
Mal de coude en V7
Taversée de nounours

North America » United States » California » Bishop November 13th 2008

Bishop Campground, 18-10-2002. It's early morning and downhill now, mile after mile is disappearing under the tyres of my bike while I look around me enjoying the vistas of Owen's Valley at one side down in the valley and the White Mountains behind me. Sh*t, I wish I could turn my head a full hundert degrees, the way owls can so I could take in even more of this natural beauty. I've to first go back to Lone Pine to bring Lee back the mobile phone he gave me yesterday, "just in case something goes wrong my friend" he told me handing me this piece of the latest technology. No big surprise he's awaiting me with a bunch of his drinking buddies, strong looking blokes with the inevitable caps on their heads - I've been told ... read more




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