Sierra Solitude - Part 2: The Hardest Rock Climb in North America (in 1896)

After a great start to the trip, I finish up the trek to camp in the Sixty Lakes Basin, get a good night's rest, and make an attempt at one of the most remote and difficult Sierra summits - Mt. Clarence King. Towering over the center of the Rae Lakes Loop, Mt. King is a centerpiece of the region and a peak whose summit is sought by many a climber to bask in its beauty and its amazing history. Today it's my turn to try.
If you missed Part 1, start here: • Sierra Solitude - Part...
Hope you enjoy coming along for the adventure.

[@KD2YDN]

Awesome self control and situational awareness. Blown away with that view and I know the camera probably still doesn’t do it justice. Awesome stuff Adam.

[@dl2man]

Thanks Adam, for letting us be with you there ! I absolutely enjoyed your trip with you. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN

[@codyandargo906]

Awesome job avoiding the summit fever and congrats on another successful activation! Thanks for bringing us along!

[@dpetervan]

That video is why I love Ham radio......Nice work, Adam!

[@randalltom9750]

Hi Adam… loved the video… hey, for a ground sheet on my Harley camping trips, I use a 84”x42” black Tyvek sheet. It’s a durable ground sheet. I use a 8’x8’ lightweight rainfly in a plow-point pitch, tied to the mirror on the bike. Tyvek is lightweight and can easily fit folded with your fly. Thanks again for the work you did on our trade. The QCX works great. You’re an animal! 72 de W7UDT Rand (dit dit)

[@hankstamperdude]

Easily the most impressive activation in 2022. Thanks for letting us ride along Adam.

[@gregh3248]

Adam You are my Hero. Great video, Beautiful Country. Good contacts. And there's gold in those quartz veins. good safe descent.

[@va2eo127]

The perfect harmony between wildlife, climbing and radio. Tnx agn. 73

[@KN4OKadventures]

Absolutely beautiful views Adam. Glad you made some smart decisions about the climbing. Can't wait for the next video.

[@ronk6cpr994]

Awesome video Adam, one of your best! Incredible area with incredible views. Thanks for being safe and sharing that with all of us!

[@thermicdude9164]

That POV descent made my hands tingle!

[@beolux]

Great video Adam. Especially showing the reality of being safe and knowing when to call it on an ascent.

[@gliderrider]

Too spooky for me! But had fun watching

[@davidg5308]

Very impressive footage - amazing how the reel got so aged in such short span of time. Seriously, how did they scale those summits in the 1800's? Thx for the book reference - looks like a good one. Thanks for sharing!

[@akennyd]

Wow!! What beautiful views!! I don’t know how you do it, it looks soooo scary coming down! I would probably still be up there… Hi Hi Best 73 es stay safe!

[@theradiorover]

Good job on the activation Adam and thanks for sharing some classic Sierras scenery. Gutted you didn't make the top but 5.4 solo on a remote mountain summit is an entirely different proposition from climbing a road side crag. Glad you didn't push it. Down climbing from your high point looked tricky enough. I chuckled at your video 'whoops'. I left my lens cap on during a recent activation and had to make up a map and graphics as a cover up. At least you confessed to yours! 73, Fraser MM0EFI

[@kao354]

Another picturesque video with ham radio, thank you! As for the last summit block -- good instincts, as my mountaineering instructor said.

[@thekhakihat3233]

What a beautiful adventure! Thanks for taking us along. 72 - AA4K

[@gaptastic]

Much props, brother! Knowing your limits makes for a better life! Congrats on the activation.

[@VegaVenturing]

Beautiful scenery. Bummer about the summit but definitely not worth the risk. Thanks for taking us along!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Great video. I could only dream of doing something line this.

[@jcollins310]

Alright, I made the video! Thanks for the contact and chat that day. Amazing views from up there. Thanks for taking us along and filming this adventure. de W6VIP

[@staticinteger]

Wow this was incredible! Well done!

[@hamradiox]

Outstanding video! Worth every minute!

[@barrybogart5436]

You the man!

[@KMondy]

You crazy man, crazy, but I like you man!

[@wolfwizard406]

I have a friend who did a SOTA UP THERE.. 120 mile 20 hour round trip

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video and channel! New follower here. Amazing place to explore. Wow, those views! Crow✌️

[@K6ARK]

Thanks! I've got a few others in the back log that involve big backcountry trips and peak bagging, mixed in with the ham radio shenanigans. Enjoy!

[@mpgrenda]

The keyhole?

[@K6ARK]

Mt. Clarence King

[@K6ARK]

Although I have been through the keyhole on a ski touring trip ⛷

[@mpgrenda]

Check out Walter Starr's variation to the South Face route on Clarence King. "Pete" Starr climbed Clarence King in 1929 and described his variation using a small hole in the rocks near the summit to bypass a harder section. He detailed his variation in the Sierra Club Journal at the time. I was just barely able to squeeze through Starr's "hole-in-the-rock" just below the summit on that route. I was thinking of that "keyhole" on King, but I'm not sure anyone calls it a "keyhole". Yeah, I've used both The Keyhole and Apline Col on trips in and out of the Evolution area from the East side. Those are both great routes. Have fun.

[@k8drtqrp]

Very direct wording in the trail naming business. Quit a trip Adam.

[@retekessradio1714]

I sincerely want to give you a retekess V115, a palm-sized portable shortwave radio, it can insert Micro SD to play music and record, can you try V115? I can't reach your email, please forgive me for asking in the comment area

[@K6ARK]

I appreciate your offer, but am not interested. I'm sure it's a fine receiver and wish you well with your sales.

[@markdoyle8713]

Man that was epic. I could not ascend with you but i could have kept an eye on your pack hi hi . before the sh!!t got real up that summit. Wish I was there Kn4kax. Spot on CW then go voice I get the notifications when you get on the air. Have not reached you yet but my station improves every weekend. Rock on.

[@hcy0]

What is this TRX you are using, (tr)uSDX?

[@K6ARK]

I'm using a Mountain Topper MTR-2B (20/40 m) in a custom 3d printed case to save size and weight. It also has a built-in capacitive touch paddle.