At the beginning of August, I revisited the Eastern Sierras for the first time since working a summer at Golden Trout Camp after my junior year at Thacher.

Evolution Valley and the Ionian Basin in Kings Canyon National Park. Memories of freshman year Homer as I was surrounded by Charybdis Mountain, Scylla, and the Three Sirens. Rain and hail every day (see photo), exquisite lightning displays, and the simple pleasure of being off-trail with compass and paper USGS maps.

Unfortunately on the way back, I couldn’t find the all-you-can-eat taco buffet in Lone Pine that I had dreamed about for a few nights before.

Selah,

J.R. Valenzuela CdeP 1997