I recently did a solo backpack into southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains. My primary goal was to climb San Gorgonio Mountain (11,503′), the tallest point in southern California; my secondary goal was to escape the searing heat in the valleys below. On August 11, I’ll have lived in southern California for ten years (as a somewhat macabre coincidence, August 11 is also the ten-year anniversary of Galen & Barbara Rowell’s death), and I decided it was finally time to climb this formidable mountain.
Over the past decade or so, I have not really climbed mountains for the sake of climbing mountains. In college, I used to drive down to Colorado and climb 14,000′ peaks a few times a year, but I seem to have gotten away from that. I suppose the time period that I stopped doing long hikes was also the time I got into photography. In some ways, the two don’t really dovetail well–long hikes require early starts and the pace can be, “go go go” for hours on end; when you’re in the mountains, a 16-hour day isn’t uncommon. Photography, on the other hand, calls for quiet contemplation. It can be a tough balance.
San Gorgonio Mountain, 11,503′, January 2011
This disconnect has bothered me, and like so many other insignificant problems, I’ve let it stay on my mind longer than it really should. I’ve largely solved the problem by carrying with me a small point-and-shoot camera that can capture images in RAW format, still giving me the ability to edit them, but also giving me the flexibility to pursue more difficult and athletic outdoor pursuits. There is, of course, the tradeoff of image quality when you use a point-and-shoot over a DSLR, but it is one I was willing to make.
When I was in college, I read Robert Pirsig’s, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I’m not sure I completely understood it, and even if I reread it today, I’m not sure I would. It’s pretty far out there, and it’s deep. However, the theme of the book–quality–has been on my mind since. Every time I go into an outdoor store, I drool over all the sexy new gear, and sometimes I succumb to advertising, but I pride myself on my really old equipment. For instance, I’ve been using the same backpack for over 20 years now, and it’s still going strong, after 1,000s of miles. I used my nifty point-and-shoot camera to for some self-portraits to highlight the pack in action on my recent trip to San Gorgonio Mountain. Despite my allegiance to my gear, the specter of consumerism hovers near me most of the time.
20 years old and still going strong, self-portrait, August 2012
(click on the diptych to see it full size)
“All that matters is that you spare yourself nothing, wear yourself out, risk everything to find something that seems true.” –Tony Kushner
To summit San Gorgonio Mountain, I got up at 3:30am, and was on the trail by 3:45. From my campsite, I was able to summit at 5:30am, just before the sun came up. I used the self-timer on my camera for a few self portraits, and then headed back down to my campsite for a cup of tea before packing up and heading back to my car. The morning was cool, and I forgot how long the Earth’s shadow and Belt of Venus seem to hang in the sky at this elevation. Even though I could see the megalopolis of southern California stretching below me, I had this mountain completely to myself.
Predawn light, San Gorgonio Mountain, August 2012
On my hike down I thought about the physical act of climbing mountains as well as the mountains we climb within ourselves. “Like those in the valley behind us,” wrote Robert Pirsig, “most people stand in sight of the spiritual mountains all their lives and never enter them, being content to listen to others who have been there and thus avoid the hardships.” I thought about my point-and shoot camera, my 20-year-old backpack, people in my life, and the mountains we all find ourselves challenged by every day.
I am happy that I finally ventured into the San Bernardinos to climb San Gorgonio Mountain.
Mt. San Jacinto as seen from San Gorgonio Mountain, August 2012
Krummholz, Jepson Peak, and the Earth’s Shadow, August 2012
And I’m happy you took some time to pass on your thoughts while there. Fine post Greg. Love that Kushner quote.
Thanks, PJ. I guess that’s the advantage of a solo trip to the mountains. I have two options: walk, or think. Sometimes I do both at once, although that can get a guy into trouble fast.
I know how that is. If I try to think I have to sit real still…
Glad you made the effort to get out there Greg, you were rewarded with some great images and I’m sure some great memories. I always enjoy reading your posts. Your passion for life and photography is always inspiring. Looking forward to some more!
Thanks, Kyle! I really appreciate it! I’m definitely looking forward to the next adventure…
Fantastic post, Greg. Love it, And good on ya for maintaining that gear!
Thanks, Wesley, I appreciate it! Yeah, I learned a while ago that good gear, while expensive, will last quite a while if you take care of it. My other favorite piece of equipment, a tent, was stolen when our apartment got robbed several years ago. We had just gotten home from Death Valley, and the bag of camping gear was right by the door–easy to grab.
I realized then that it isn’t the equipment I’m tied to so much as the memories tied up in it. How many people can say they’ve mourned the loss of a tent? 🙂
I just recently hiked to the summit of SAN-G too! I’m jealous of the clear skies you had up there, it was pretty cloudy while I was there. Although there were some thunderstorms, so that was cool.
That image of SAN-J is awesome. I love that little bit of light there on the ridge in the foreground.
Hi, Steve. Yeah I got rained off the mountain the day before. I still wanted to summit, but had obligations at home, so that’s why I got up so early. It’s a beautiful mountain, isn’t it?
Thanks for your kind words about the San -J photo…that same sliver of light is what drew me to the image as well. 🙂
You seem to have found a rewarding balance in life, Greg. The spiritual mountains always seem more intimidating to me and losing my brother serves only to remind me how the clock is ticking. I wonder how many people can claim a backpack older than yours in regular use.
Thanks, Andrew, for your always thoughtful comments. I wanted to send my condolences again for the loss of your brother. May he rest in peace.
I agree that the spiritual mountains are pretty intimidating, scary, uncertain…but I suppose venturing into those places can help us to learn a lot.
As for the backpack…Hmmm…maybe I could win a contest! I did email Osprey and tell them about it–they were impressed.
Yes, it’s surprising how difficult it can be to unite hiking/backpacking/mountaineering with serious photography. I think the crux is that photography requires a very eccentric schedule, which may entirely preclude mountaineering goals, and is often not to the taste of most hiking partners. It often necessitates hiking in the dark, staying out in bad weather, camping in peculiar locations, eating meals well away from normal mealtimes, etc. Things generally go better if I simply file hikes with non-photographers under “location scouting” and just enjoy the trail.
One other problem with trying to mix summit-bagging and photography is that the best images often aren’t to be had at the tops of the biggest mountains. For a good shot of an impressive peak, you want to be over on that peak’s scruffy little brother. Exceptions abound, of course, but the fact remains that climbing peaks and taking pictures are two separate goals, and I usually end up happier when I’m realistic about that fact.
I think this is a good way of looking at things, Jackson, and I guess the hard part for me has been leaving the camera at home while peak-bagging, etc. It just doesn’t seem right. 🙂
I know what you mean about your companions not completely understanding the photographer’s “needs.” I get that every year on our Zion canyoneering trip. Of course, if they listened to me, the days would be much longer…
Nice tribute to Galen, Greg. Glad you were able to make it up and share the views from Mt. San Jacinto. What elevation did you start the hike from?
Thanks, Richard. I started at the Vivian Creek trailhead…about 6000′ with about a 5500′ climb to the summit.
Interesting to read about the contrast in pace between your traditional one and the one you employ while photographing. I find that also true in the overall pace of trips in the car too.
Hi, David. Yes, that’s absolutely true. When you’re photographing, car trips are indeed slowed down. I know when I travel I hesitate to stop for even a few photos if we are on a schedule or really need to be someplace, because one scene can cost 15-20 minutes, and lots of stops can really add up!
Greg,
I’ve struggled with the dichotomy between photography and climbing/backpacking/hiking. All of my backpacking in the last five or six years has been photo-centric, save for a climbing trip in Peru and guiding a group of teenagers through the Grand Canyon. As you point out, there’s less synchronicity than many would think, although it’s also true that a lot of wilderness photography requires it. I do find I’m getting better about letting hiking be its own experience. I bought a used Canon s90 and keep it in the pack; it helps quiet the nagging thoughts that I should be prepared to photograph, even when I know that the light’s unlikely to be good. I often think that I need to take some backpacking trips without the camera, though, and enjoy the added freedom of a pack ten or twelve pounds lighter…
If you haven’t climbed Mt. Baldy or San Jacinto, put them on your to-do list. Baldy actually has some good winter mountaineering (class 2) and is good for some athletic hiking-centric climbing, and San Jacinto is the best mountain in SoCal. Unlike Gorgonio and Baldy, it’s a granitic mountain range rather than the metamorphics of the San Gabriel/San Gorgonio ranges. It’s like a little slice of the Sierras, only 2.5 hours from LA. I’ve done a lot on both mountains; email me if you want any recommendations. Cheers!
Hi, Mark. Thanks for this really thoughtful comment. It seems you and I have struggled with the same issues regarding backpacking and photography. My purchase of the G12 was the best compromise between feeding both the photographer and backpacker in me. While I know my days of carrying the SLR and tripod are not over by any means, the smaller camera fills those voids where–as you say–you know the light is unlikely to be good, etc.
It’s a tough balance.
I’ve done both Baldy and San Jacinto, but now that I have climbed all three “Saints,” I can agree with you about San Jacinto. That range is really great with a lot of beautiful areas. I need to spend some more time up there, and I need to hike the peak again, with my camera this time.
Thanks again, and cheers!
Greg