High Sierra
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-Stacking the rack
‘Safety was always #1 and it showed with everything we did. I learned so much about mountaineering: how to travel, avalanche safety, rope teams, and how to be a better leader.’
– Jeff C.
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High Sierra
California is a land of rugged beauty, and immense geographic diversity. It is home to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a saw-toothed range filled with towering granite spires, steep snow filled couloirs, and ample sunshine.
Inyo National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and the John Muir Wilderness encompass the most wild and scenic areas of the Sierra Nevadas. IWLS courses operate year round in this impressive mountain range.
The dramatic relief on the east side of the Sierras is an inspiration to hikers, skiers, and climbers around the world. With 13 peaks over 14,000ft, it is renowned as a training ground for rock climbers and mountaineers. Airy exposure on long, moderate granite ridges are typical of the classic ascents in the area.
Winter storms hit the Sierras with force; single storms often produce more than 5 feet of snow. Warmth and sunshine generally follow the substantial snowfall, solidifying the snowpack and making for perfect winter skiing and riding conditions. With a lifetime’s supply of skiing objectives, a stable snowpack, and bluebird skies, it is no wonder that the Sierras are considered THE spring backcountry skiing and boarding destination in the lower 48.
Legendary rivers like the Feather, Yuba, Stanislaus, American, and Kings are born on the slopes of the Sierra. Forests of red fir, Giant Sequoia, mixed conifer, and Jeffrey pine blanket its slopes. Stands of precious old growth forests are still found in many locations across the range. The forests support a thriving wildlife community. Great gray owls, goshawks, martens, pacific fishers, bighorn sheep, black bears, wolverines, mountain yellow-legged frogs, and Lahonton cutthroat trout are some of the extraordinary species that make their home in the Sierras.
Bordering the Sierras to the east is the Long Valley Caldera. Hot springs dot this desert landscape and offer a relaxing finale to weeks of backcountry adventure in the mountains.
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