Peak Conquest documents mountain adventures and trail race challenges
Over the last 100 million years a crystalized magma chamber was uplifted, weathered, exfoliated, and glacially eroded into Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome. The granite dome formation has three smoothly rounded sides and a sheer cliff on the fourth. At 8,839′ Half Dome is the dominant feature of the eastern Yosemite Valley.[….]
Six million years ago the Colorado River began carving the Grand Canyon. Exposing metamorphic and igneous rock dating back 1.8 billion years to a time known as the Paleoproterozoic Era. When the most advanced life forms on Earth were single cell structures living in the black ocean(s).[…]
The San Francisco Peaks are the backdrop of Flagstaff, AZ. Originally, a single stratovolcano, the mountain stood at about 15,000’. However, over the last 400,000 years it has collapsed and eroded into the six peaks remaining today. Humphreys Peak being the tallest at 12,633’. It is also the highest point in Arizona.
Standing in contrast to the surrounding Prescott National Forest, the aptly named Granite Mountain, is an iconic feature of Prescott, Arizona.[…]
My system for choosing a mountain to fast pack was straight forward. Start at the highest peak and work down. [….]
With heavy forestation, many peaks In the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) provide only limited views of surrounding ranges. Fortunately, while the modern age has diminished their utility and numbers, a handful of fire towers remain standing and accessible to the public. Perched above tree line these towers offer splendid 360 sight lines. At […]
A hydration vest with a few snacks stuffed inside is my preferred pack weight. But in the Wind River Range, it is usually six miles of forested trail before you get into the mountain range.[….}