Continuing with the upward trend in backpacking destinations, this year we returned to the uniquely Calfornia Sierra mountain experience. Base camp was at Island Lake, 9800 feet of treeline hugging altitude, presided over by the granite faced Three Sisters.

Pertinent Details: Located in the Sierra National Forest, Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is a 30,000 acre expanse on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, northeast of Fresno between Shaver Lake and Courtwright Reservoir. The region consists of rolling timbered terrain, alpine meadows and sixteen glacial lakes of small to moderate size. Although the highest point, Three Sisters Peak, reaches an elevation of 10,619 feet most of the forested area runs about 8,000 feet.

Aside from the thin air and some rock scrambling near the end, the inbound five-mile hike was fairly simple - even for us geezers. I took another whack at reducing the camera kit and weight, without compromising the photo results. I have had some good success recently with my backup Contax body and the Yashica compact lenses, so I figured it was time for a more fitting field test. I'll let you be the judge...

"Griz" Gat on the other hand, with his full-time digital pro setup, looked like he was jumping into Normandy with the 101st Airborne. But his results are certainly impressive, as always [8-minute slideshow].

Once again, the weather gods let forth a great run of sunshine, sunsets, stars and incredible vistas. If an experience this Excellent can be considered encouragement to Continue Doing whatever it is we Are Doing, then so be it...we are indeed fortunate.

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