Book Review
BY CATHERINE BILLEY
On the Virtues of a Route
Less Traveled
Sierra Crest Route by Leonard Daughenbaugh
If you're looking for maps, you increases to the point that a fall
won't find them here. There isn't a would likely result in at least a
cartographic image on any of the 222 serious injury.” He advises that
pages – nearly a page for every mile the most dangerous aspect for
that constitutes the 225-mile, cross- route groups will be descending
country Sierra Crest Route that author the many peaks and passes along
Leonard Daughenbaugh describes. the way.
He believes that too many Sierra The interweaving of Sierra
guidebooks “carefully shepherd history with practical tips along
travelers by giving exact directions with quotations at the head of
as to where to go, the best way to each chapter from such early
get there, how long it's going to take, adventurers as Jedediah S. Smith
what will be seen, and, in some cases, (1827), John C. Fremont (1844),
what to think and feel about it all.” Joseph N. LeConte (1890),
Not this book. and Helen Gompertz (1902)
This is a book for those with a enhances the sense of connection
highly developed sense of adventure to bygone adventuring and
and an appetite to venture at length original experience.
within one mile of “the flashing teeth Daughenbaugh, who lives in
of the Sierra crest,” much as early Bishop and has been backpacking
explorers of a previous century may and mountaineering in the Sierra
have done before any trails were
Elisha Winchell, an early explorer on the summit of Lookout Peak in 1868.
Nevada since 1955, breaks down
cut. The route parallels the “horizon
For Daughenbaugh, the photo symbolizes the freedom, individuality, and
by the seasons when is the best
of high enchantment” from Haiwee
courage of the time, as well as the type of individual for whom he wrote
time to attempt the route, which
Sierra Crest Route.
Crest in the southern Sierra Nevada was not created for winter travel.
to the Sawtooth Ridge southwest of Bridgeport in the north. All “Spring, however, especially early spring, is the most dangerous time
who attempt the route should be in excellent physical condition and to be on the Crest Route,” he adds.
proficient in the proper use of a map and compass. Also, he suggests, He explains in plain language why that is, using the same practical,
be familiar with snow and ice travel. direct tone he employs throughout. Autumn is preferred because of
The route, if taken, must meet three criteria to live up to its name: the absence of mosquitoes, snow and most ice, even though days are
It must be within one mile of the crest, it must be cross-country, and it increasingly short. Late summer, when the days are longer, is preferred
must not exceed Class 3 in objective difficulty. “Terrain becomes steep to early summer, when there's greater risk of lightning strikes and
enough that both hand and footholds become necessary,” the author exposure.
explains, “but, if the group is on route, they are large and easy to find. Practical tips (with an obligatory disclaimer on page 32) include
The hands will be used for climbing instead of just balance. A rope and objective dangers such as lightning, snow and ice conditions
a climbing rack should be carried for inexperienced climbers, or in (including avalanches, cornices, hollows, couloirs and glaciers), steep,
case the group gets off route (all belays must be anchored). Exposure loose terrain and rockfall, and bears and mountain lions (though they
10 July | August 2009 Mammoth Sierra Magazine
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