Success

What does it mean to call an expedition a 'success'? For me, a backpacking and hiking trip to the mountains never required that I stand atop a summit. 'Success' wears many faces, and striving and companionship leave an abundance of memories that are cherished years later.

Read my account of two summit attempts on the highest peak in Southern California (Mt San Gorgonio), one that reached the summit and one that did not.

'Mosaics' is a work of creative nonfiction: stories, memoirs, and essays of travel and adventure that celebrate the human spirit and honor the diverse moments that comprise a human life. Timeless and emotive, these 41 stories hold something for everyone.

'Mosaics' is available at Smaswords and Amazon, or at your favorite ebook retailers everywhere.

'Mosaics' at Smashwords

'Mosaics' at Amazon

Chapters
Breakfast in Pahrump
The Dreams of a Young Man
A Special Cup of Coffee
Joan Osborne
The Ocean House
Bobby Fischer - In Memoriam
The Cosmic Bridge of November 1999
Talking to Carla Jean
Maizie
Reunion
Murder at Midnight
Blood Mountain
Brautigan Gift
Dog-Day Afternoon in the Laguna Mountains
Salters Pond, Beau Geste, and the Return of the Vikings
Suit
Snow Day
A Husband Dies
Worms
Passages in Stone
Cheers and Slainte
Shoehorn
Burial Detail
Bridge Inspection
On a Beach on Nantucket
La Grange
Mt San Jacinto, Winter 1991
Mt San Jacinto, Summer 1992
September 1959
Out of a Blue Sky
Mt San Gorgonio
Leigh Lake
Paper and Fire
Manchester Redux
Remembering the Dugout and Larry Lisciotti
Empty Bottle
My AMC White Mountain Guides
Through the Past Darkly with Sven Saws and Candle Lanterns
Pilgrimage
I'm Seeing Keith Richards in the Morning
In the Grass of Mt Diablo


Laudizen

Mt San Gorgonio

In 1992 and 1993, I made two attempts on Mt San Gorgonio, or Old Grayback as it is also known. At 11,500', it is the highest summit in Southern California. One attempt was successful and one a failure, yet both were memorable and exciting.

From Dollar Saddle at 10,000', we could see Dollar Lake below us. We followed the trail around Charlton Peak to Dry Lake View, and we could see a sliver of Dry Lake in the distance. Mt Jepson towered above us. From there, we made our way to the summit.

To read the story of the two hikes, and view an image gallery of the successful climb, follow the links below.


Mt San Gorgonio

Mt San Gorgonio Image Gallery

Laudizen King