Friends That Hike - Mount Langley (2019)

Sunrise on top of Mount Langley via OAP

Trailhead: Cottonwood Lakes
Days: 2
Miles: 21
Elevation Gain: 4,430’
Peak elevation: 14,026’

Day 1: We started at the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead and made the 6 mile hike into Cottonwood Lake #5. Since we knew this was only going to be a 6 mile day we definitely took our time and soaked in every inch of this beautiful trail. The streams were flowing, the vegetation was rich, and the deers were out playing. We also bumped into an Australian couple who have just completed their 43rd day on the High Sierra Trail. Just another magical day in the Sierra. The trail is pretty straightforward and very easy to follow. Once you get to the first fork in the road make sure you take a right to the Cottonwood Lakes Basin, which will then take you to Old Army Pass. Making a left will take you to Long Lake, High Lake, and eventually to New Army Pass. Our plan was to go up OAP and come back down the same way. Once we got to Lake #5 we set up camp, had lunch, hung out for about 5 hours, had dinner, hung out some more, and went to bed at 8pm. The great thing about getting to camp early is that you have the rest of the day to relax and really soak it all in and enjoy each other’s company, which is exactly what we did.

Day 2: We woke up at 1:30am, had a little breakfast, packed up our summit packs, and set off for Mount Langley at 2:30am. We made our way past Lake #4 and started our hike up Old Army Pass. One of the reasons why I like hiking at night...you don’t see the elevation gain. OAP is pretty straightforward as well. There are a few patches of snow scattered around the pass and a very tiny section of the pass is also covered in snow but there’s a clear detour around it. Parts of this section is a little loose so foot placement is important. Once at the top of OAP the winds really picked up and we had to throw on all the layers. We traversed Army Pass Trail through the night fighting the cold and fatigue but we were treated with the Milky Way, shooting stars, and a handful of constellations. I think Jenn even saw Planet Druidia. Aside from the cold breeze it was a spectacular night without a cloud in sight. We couldn’t stop very long on this section because the cold sets in very quickly, we had to keep moving, fast. After what seemed like hours we finally made it to the first big cairn, a sign that we are almost there. It was just before 5am, we were only hiking for 2.5 hours but it felt like eternity. Now for the fun part, the last mile up to Langley. I’m sure everyone who has done this hike can agree that this last mile is all bullshit. There is a trail but at times you lose it, and then you scramble a little bit, and then you pick up the trail again, and then you loose it again, so then you just say fuck it and go straight up. This section of the trail has a lot of loose scree/talus, a little bit of scrambling up boulders, and it’s a bit steep. Most of the work is put in this last mile. Just take it step by step, use the big cairns as your marker, and you’ll make it. We summited at exactly 6:30am, just in time for sunrise. You ask why I start my summit bid days so early, check out the photos and you’ll know why.

Big Congrats to Jenn, Natalie, and Oscar for their first summit of Mount Langley. It was a blast hanging out and spending the weekend with you all. It helps when the friends that you're hiking with can also appreciate every single moment, and this weekend was all about moments and being in the present. Thanks guys for joining me on this journey.

Happy Trails!

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Видео Friends That Hike - Mount Langley (2019) канала Friends That Hike