HIKE BIG
This summer the Sequoia Field Institute is collaborating with three backcountry hikers in the "Hike Big" program. After an application process, three hikers were chosen to share their summer backpacking trip in Sequoia-Kings Canyon with other park enthusiasts in exchange for gear from the SNHA park store. Check back in August to see the story of their trip and photos of their journey.
Ben Glenn
San Francisco, CA
His Story: "My friend Eric and I developed a deep love of the outdoors when we lived in Seattle. Now we're exploring all that California has to offer. We love backpacking trips that feature non-technical mountains to climb- scrambling and peak bagging are our passions. Sequoia and Kings Canyon has a great bounty of peaks. This is also my 10th year living with HIV- backpacking reminds me that HIV doesn't have to be the end of anyone's hopes and dreams."
His Experience: "Extensive backcountry and mountaineering experience, both in California and Washington. I've backpacked in Yosemite, Sequoia, eastern Sierras and the Lost Coast. Climbed many volcanos including Shasta and Rainier. We backpacked in Mineral King last summer and climbed Sawtooth Peak. I've also done dayhikes in Kings Canyon."
His Route: "Entering on the High Sierra Trail to Mehrten Creek, spending the second night at Hamilton Lakes, with a side trip to Kaweah Gap, then heading back out the High Sierra Trail."
His SNHA Gear:
Bear Resistant Food Canister
7.5 Topographic Map of Mt. Darwin
High Sierra Peaks, Passes and Trails
Julie Kaalberg
Nashville, TN
Her Story: "When my parents married in the 60's, they left the flat prairies of central Illinois to start a life in California. As a young couple they spent nearly every available weekend hking in the Sierras and enjoying the majestic beauty of our national parks. My parents returned to Illinois to start their family, where I grew up listening to lore of their many backcountry trips and dreaming of their incredible experiences. My mother and father's vivid descriptions of the vast beauty of the mountains and the open starry skies at night set a world of inspiration and wonder into a little girl's head. It was unbelievable to imagine trees the size of our family car and mountain ranges towering taller than you could see. I dreamed of one day making a voyage to the Sierras with my future husband. I can't wait for my trip this July with my husband Aaron to explore the Sierras for ourselves. One day we will tell our children stories of our family tradition and inspire them to dream about their own future adventures in Kings Canyon."
Her Experience: "My husband and I live in Tennessee and most recently have enjoyed trips to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where we've climbed Mt. LeConte. I've enjoyed backcountry camping in Big Bend and Olympic National Parks. This summer will be my first trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. I've procured maps, books and a lot of great advice from other hikers online and on the NPS website to prepare for our adventure."
Her Route: "We have a permit to enter the Woods Creek trail to spend one night hiking and camping in Paradise Valley. We will then reverse our tracks and enter the Bubbs Creek trail to camp at Sphinx Junction. We will proceed along the Bubbs Creek trail to Junction Meadow where we will turn off to spend 1 - 2 nights at East Lake fishing, camping and taking in the scenery. We will exit Bubbs Creek after five night camping in the wilderness."
Her SNHA Gear:
2 oz Backpacker
Above All
Sequoia WPA Poster
Long-Sleeved Sequoia-Kings Canyon T-Shirt
2010 Calendar
Rae Lakes Loop Trail Map
Kevin Henson
Bakersfield, CA
His Story: "Three years ago at age 47 I went on a dayhike with a local hiking club and I fell in love with hiking. As a Native American, I see so much of the way the people lived and how they took care of the land they lived in. My goal is to walk and live my life in their footsteps and ways."
His Experience: "This will be my first time in this area so I will walk through it in 8 - 10 days. I've heard so much about this area so I want to soak in every view, every smell, everything I've read about. I will take pictures, memories and a journal to share with others."
His Route: "The High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Mt. Whitney."
His SNHA Gear:
Compass 1-2-3
Staying Found
Outdoor Navigation with GPS
Scat & Tracks of the Pacific Coast
Mt. Whitney High Country Trail Map
Sequoia-Kings Canyon Postcard Pack
Green Shopping Bags