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View Full Version : The Late late Report over CottonWood Pass to Lower Soldier Lake


oakboy
12-01-2013, 11:29 AM
Well this trip was taken in Mid July, hence the Late Late thing. Thanks to all of you that helped me scope this trip out. I had planned it with four buddies who over the months prior to the trip had to bow out. Soooo.....i went solo. It was way worth it.

Geared up and headed out!

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/272.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/272.jpg.html)

The Scenery was amazing! (obviously)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130714_062229.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130714_062229.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/287.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/287.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/299.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/299.jpg.html)

Campsite and Breakfast at Lower Soldier

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/311.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/311.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/322.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/322.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130712_115037.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130712_115037.jpg.html)

Most importantly the fish!

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/326.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/326.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/316.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/316.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/f60a1e11-2548-42b4-bd94-2c219bb76215.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/f60a1e11-2548-42b4-bd94-2c219bb76215.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130714_060241.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130714_060241.jpg.html)

Ohh...i also summited Mt. Langley. Awesome! I have never been so humbled, i was shuffling and was getting out of breath.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/357.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/357.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/362.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/362.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/366.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/366.jpg.html)

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130713_143944.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/20130713_143944.jpg.html)

This will be remembered as a great trip full of firsts! First Solo trip, First day of multiple Goldens, and First Summit of a 14'r.

A great trip!

<><
KP
IncredibleHuck
12-02-2013, 02:59 PM
Awesome job man!
Big Willy
12-02-2013, 03:05 PM
Wow! awesome.
zzzfish
12-04-2013, 12:57 PM
Kudos to you for making the trip by yourself and accomplishing so much. :Thumbs Up:
fisherman951
12-04-2013, 03:59 PM
thats awesome those fish are only a dream for me as i would never be able to get my *** up there lol
tpfishnfool
12-04-2013, 05:27 PM
Awesome ! Welcome to a great addiction. Altitude.
Viejo
12-04-2013, 09:25 PM
That is quite an accomplishment....more so as a solo trip.

Photo tip...the fish photograph very well while still in the water. They look natural and the light sparkles off of their skin like diamonds. It's a lot easier on the fish as well.
Iflyforcarp
12-06-2013, 01:33 PM
Nice pics, nice trip. Thanks for sharing.

Some of my best BP trips were the solo ones. Go where-ever you want. Get up when-ever you want. Fishing how-ever late you want. Go home when-ever you want. Eat and drink what-ever you want. The best part: pack for yourself only.
oakboy
12-06-2013, 09:43 PM
That is quite an accomplishment....more so as a solo trip.

Photo tip...the fish photograph very well while still in the water. They look natural and the light sparkles off of their skin like diamonds. It's a lot easier on the fish as well.

I will do that next time. It is tough trying to take a pic all by yourself. Thanks for the advice.
Piss on Myspace
12-07-2013, 08:22 PM
Nice pics, nice trip. Thanks for sharing.

Some of my best BP trips were the solo ones. Go where-ever you want. Get up when-ever you want. Fishing how-ever late you want. Go home when-ever you want. Eat and drink what-ever you want. The best part: pack for yourself only.

Seconded!!! Solos are great for the soul.

I see you were able to bag some goldens after all. Don't know which is cooler....multiple goldens, the elusive sheep or rubbing noses with and conquering a 14'r.

Congrats KP on a great trip full of accomplishments...is that a fire pit in the "cup of joe" pic? Looks like it was an inferno haha

Thanks for taking us along
Cheers!
oakboy
12-08-2013, 08:13 AM
Seconded!!! Solos are great for the soul.
Congrats KP on a great trip full of accomplishments...is that a fire pit in the "cup of joe" pic? Looks like it was an inferno haha

Thanks for taking us along
Cheers!

Yeah! It was already there when i set up camp. I wish i could have had a fire but the fire restrictions were in full effect. there is something about a fire...

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KP
sierraslam
12-09-2013, 08:35 AM
Great job! Not everyone would do a trip like that solo. I went over New Army Pass to Upper Soldier, and then on to Sky Blue Lake a few years ago. Awesome area to play in! Great job on the Golden's and the summit!
smokehound
01-03-2014, 03:56 AM
*steals survey marker and makes a bunch of sinkers*


It's crazy how thin the air gets.. even at the lower elevations.
IncredibleHuck
01-03-2014, 08:21 AM
What pack did you use? I just was wondering as your had to make sure your bear canister fit. I just picked up a new Quest 80L pack so I would have room for that Bear Canister.
oakboy
01-04-2014, 02:28 PM
I have a REI Plash 50 backpack. So its only 50 liters, but i am trying to get into the ultralight category of back packing and bring only the bare essentials. however i did have all the essentials, (tent, sleeping bag/pad, stove, and water filter). I used a Garcia bear canister and my pack was stuffed, but it all fit. I think if you had an 80 liter you would be totally fine, but dont feel like you have to fill the whole thing.

http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad287/Oakboy711/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/329.jpg (http://s944.photobucket.com/user/Oakboy711/media/Sierra%20Solo%20Trip/329.jpg.html)

i try to go ultralight so i can carry more fishing gear :Big Grin:

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KP
oakboy
01-04-2014, 02:30 PM
in the above pic you can see i have a hydration/daypack in the back shovel pocket. something like this is essential after setting up camp and heading out on fishing missions.

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KP
IncredibleHuck
01-08-2014, 03:49 PM
in the above pic you can see i have a hydration/daypack in the back shovel pocket. something like this is essential after setting up camp and heading out on fishing missions.

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KP


I'm also getting into the Ultrlight backpacking. The Quest 80L pack I think is like 3.5 pounds, while the new sleeping bag I got is at 1.5#. Over the summer I won an Alps Mountaineering tent, which was the Zypher 2 which is around 4 pounds. So my main 3 is right under 10#. I just wish a lot of th places around we could have fires, as that would even knock out the weight of the fuel canisters. My next big purchase of gear is one of the Tarp Tents, most likely a Six Moon Designs.
oakboy
01-09-2014, 04:13 PM
check out appy trails tents. similar to the tarp tent brand just cheaper.

KP
IncredibleHuck
01-09-2014, 04:35 PM
check out appy trails tents. similar to the tarp tent brand just cheaper.

KP


Let me know if you ever go out around here or of you ever go back up there and your buddies bail again. Once spring hits we're doing quite a few hikes locally.
oakboy
01-11-2014, 08:09 PM
For sure!
My buddies and i plan on doing a some day or 1 night hikes this winter up to some local peaks if you might be interested also. we did a few last year in the snow and it wasn't as bad as i thought, just takes longer. but if you know some good hikes locally with fishing that would be even better! I use to tell people "I only hike to fish."

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KP