Pyramid Peak 2008
Posted on Tuesday, August 05 @ 19:59:06 EDT by squishy
On Aug 1st 2008 I did my 1st solo adventure and summited Pyramid Peak (9,983 feet) via the Rocky Canyon Creek route. I took 4 liters of water a sandwich and my backpacking gear, it must have weighted about 35lb's. I had the entire summit to myself and I only ran into people lower down the trail who where coming up for day hikes as I was leaving. The Rocky Canyon route up Pyramid Peak is probably the greatest vertical climb in the Tahoe Sierra. Starting from a base elevation of 5,900', the route climbs up nearly 4,100' to the summit of Pyramid Peak in 3.3 miles. I have done this route in the summer and winter and I was confident it would offer a challenging yet safe solo adventure. In just a few days I plan to summit the Middle Palisade and I have been preparing for 14,000 feet. I've been running every other day, hiking, climbing and I figured the best way to acclimate to higher elevations is by going to higher elevations. On a whim I planned to spend the night on top of Pyramid Peak and because it was a Friday (I had to work Sunday) I would need to go solo, all my partners would be working, and I'm kind of glad. I always wanted to go solo, I guess I just never put my money where my mouth is and stepped into the unknown. It was a wonderful experience, and I'm glad I went through with it. Click read more for the rest of the trip report.
The hike was hard, hitting nearly 10,000 feet from sea level with a big pack took a lot out of me. I was rest stepping up through the boulder field on top and my pace slowed throughout the day as I ascended. I passed many wildflowers on the way up, the flowers were similar to those on the Lyons Lake trail which we visited the week before. On the summit a small mouse clambered by as an eagle soared around the summit, everything was too quick for my camera and I failed to get pictures of the minimal wildlife on the summit.
As the sun set I could see a pyramid shaped shadow covering Ropi lake and it began moving toward Nevada. I actually jumped up on the highest boulder and tried waving my hands around like I could possibly influence the immense shadow cast by my temporary home. I watched it and wondered if it would cast itself in the air when it ran out of land. Sure enough it did, and the shadow began rising above even the tallest distant peaks to the east.
Once the sun fell the bats came out and I could hear them chirping near the cliff face. Late into the night I also heard, what I now believe, was predatory birds diving at rodents outside my tent. It could have been bats but they were not chirping as bats normally do, so who knows. It sounded like those Australian thingys you swing around on a rope, but it just made one pass at a time. I could see the lights of Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton and the casinos of South Lake Tahoe. Above me the milky way in all it's glory, which never gets old. Yet outside the tent was the atmosphere of another world, it's a strange feeling when you see the world drop away into desolation in all directions. I felt like I was on another planet, or some far off moon. My world consisted of rocks, they held down my tent, blocked the wind and provided a place to sit. Beyond my small rocky world atop the summit was nothing but air, and even more rocks in all directions.
In the morning I awoke with the slightest hint of light, excited for what aw the sunrise would bring while remembering the climatic sunset the night before. I brewed some coffee, breathing had become much easier after spending a night at 10,000 feet, the mission had been accomplished. I watched as the shadow of Pyramid Peak appeared on the horizon to the west, 1st in the clouds and atmosphere over the bay area . It slowly moved down and lay across California east to west, I watched it for quite a while. I've never realized how big and prominent Pyramid Peak really was, and that was by far the largest shadow I have ever seen in my life.
I had less than 1 liter of water left and hundreds of lakes in sight, 3.3 miles and all of it downhill. It was time to head home, maybe I could make it in time for lunch with my girl somewhere under that shadow out there. I enjoy the challenge and physical activity hiking and climbing bring to my life, but sometimes you just have one of those unexpected moments that make it all worth it. I wish I could have shared the views and experiences with others, so I wrote a trip report and posted the pictures. I am not even going to try and convey the feelings of solitude and peace I felt while I was up there, that would be foolish.
