Growing up in a family that likes to get shit done, I had previously always had a goal for my outdoor activity. Reach the top of the mountain, the top of a climb, walk faster than your sister, etc.
Letting go. Ah, the feeling. Another part of exploring is not going where Hiker Magazine tells you the 10 best hikes are this year (Yosemite), and instead, paying more attention to that lovely pile of Bishop Tuft on the side of the highway that you've always wondered about.
*note- highways in the Eastern Sierra are significantly smaller, windier and scenic than the ones I was used to in Denver, but I think my point is still valid.
My buddy Fletcher may be the king of 'sploring. Up there with John Clogg and Johnny O. Seems like there is always one in your group of friends, no matter where you go. They are my favorites. The friends that you can call the morning of, have no idea what you really want to do, pack your bags and a measly attempt at lunch, and go.
I get a text message "What are you doing today?" "Taking the dogs somewhere. Come with!" That's all it really takes.
Fortunately, Fletcher grew up in the Eastern Sierra, as did his father and grandfather. He is a Local (note the capital "L"). Therefore, he also prefers driving east into the artemisia tridentata and rolling hills, to fighting "crowds" and exploring the sierra range (at least in the winter).
A small pack, crash pad, climbing shoes, sunglasses, dogs. All in the back of Fletcher's fancy new VW Jetta stationwagon, which is relevant later, promise.
First stop: random piles of boulders on the side of the Benton Crossing road. On a previous excursion, Fletcher and I joked about developing a bouldering area and writing a guidebook. We still joke, but the bouldering is great fun, pure and simple. True to the area, there were a few folks out shootin' guns a few valleys over, but after Maxdog calmed down, it was a beautifully sunny afternoon of mostly exploratory bouldering.
The photo above was taken by Fletcher after we both finished this little crack climb. It was a little higher than I'm normally comfortable with, but the rock just felt good today. Sun helps. And the fact that Fletcher climbed it before me, so I figured, "Why not?"
There is so much amazing rock east of hwy 395 that has not been explored at all. If these areas were in Colorado, I think they would have been covered in chalk years ago. Notice the white marks left of the crack in the photo above? Not chalk. Rodent droppings and snowmelt. Gross.
Maxdog was made for the out-of-doors. Fletcher pointed out that if he wasn't wearing a red bandana, we probably wouldn't be able to find him - he blends in well. As I finished the climb above, Max was at the top waiting, having found his way around the back side. His spacial awareness is unbeatable. And he's just super cute when he climbs things. Agreed?
After an hour or so in this area, we packed our few things back into the car for the real purpose of today's adventure. The mysterious caves. But that's for part 2.
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