The hardest rock climb of the 19th century | Mount Clarence King

Mount Clarence King was described as "the hardest rock climb in 19th century American mountaineering history" by R. J. Secor in his book The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, Trails.
Naturally, we wanted to see if we would fall to our deaths, get swarmed by mosquitoes, or get blasted by the wind. Itinerary: Hike in via Baxter Pass trail, setup basecamp at Dollar Lake, and then go off-trail to bag Mt Clarence King.
Check out Stephen's perspective here: • One of the Most Diffic...
Gear used on this trip:
Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor backpack: amzn.to/2x5rJns
Sierra Designs High Route 1 FL tent: amzn.to/3iTa4J1
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite pad: amzn.to/2H0IGap
Soto Amicus stove: amzn.to/2KtJLtD
Outdoor Research Sun Runner hat: amzn.to/3ebWPPJ
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[@efrainy1949]

Been watching the videos for about a year now. You're the one who made me want to try hiking. I'm in the Sierra once a week because of you haha

[@HikingNerd]

Whew I don’t know what to say! That’s amazing!

[@Case16710]

Man, my hands were sweating while watching that summit! Glad you guys got back safely!

[@trailkrum6750]

Very cool 😎 Glad you’re getting out and allowing the rest of us to live vicariously through your videos. Man do I miss the High Sierra!

[@dychui]

Really enjoy your videos !!

[@YongsungKim]

Amazing job Jimmy. Stephen's POV was killing me. I cannot imagine how did you guys get down from the summit. Glad that everyone came back in one piece. LOL.

[@HikingNerd]

We were scratching our heads up there for a long time. A good lesson: before committing all the way, figure out exactly how you plan to get down, move by move. Thanks Yongsung!

[@jinsjewelry]

Hi, Jimmy! You went with Stephen! I had to hold my breath for some scenes but breathtaking view up there! Congratulations on your accomplishments!😲🥳😍

[@HikingNerd]

It's a small world after all...! We're pretty excited to have made it and come back safely.

[@AMorgan57]

Superb views, your film of this is wonderfully done. I appreciate the work you put into it.

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks for the support, Andrew. While I have you: what's your opinion on some light background music (or did you enjoy the wind-blasted audio)?

[@ashwinvasavada8401]

You’re just doing more and more epic stuff! Great job on the climb!

[@HikingNerd]

It depends who you ask :) I like to think it was a pretty epic trip though... thanks for watching and commenting, Ashwin!

[@markcummings6856]

Wow, epic trip. Just spectacular. Thanks for sharing.

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks Mark!

[@jamesbadham228]

Another nice one from you.

[@VandrefalkTV]

You rock, damn. Always enjoy your videos :) Cheers from Norway

[@yuriykashnikov6296]

So badass!

[@guregorihattofirudo2627]

Impressive work

[@robstegman44]

Great job!

[@Patrick-lg8qd]

How is it that your channel doesn't have 10 times as many followers? Quality content over and over.

[@HikingNerd]

I might’ve asked some folks to leave 🤷‍♂️ haha thanks Patrick!

[@williammcdonald4922]

great trip, very impressive summit. well done!

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks William!

[@dperry7309]

Awesome trip! Thanks for the tip on Baxter Pass! Congrats!

[@HikingNerd]

Baxter Pass is the least efficient way to get in but if you’re willing to put in the work on the trail, you can put in less work on permits :)

[@santiagohills3997]

Baxter Pass looks hard on the map, it sounds hard in the guidebook, and what I just saw is harder than I imagined. Bushwhacking. Ugh. I spent a night at dollar lake wondering if Baxter would be a good way to get into Rae Lakes without a reservation. Nope…😮

[@HikingNerd]

However… getting a permit for Baxter Pass entry is fairly unstrenuous!

[@travelclimb]

Looks brutal! Hearing the marmots is always a motivator for me when summiting peaks

[@HikingNerd]

We didn't see any marmots on MCK... what do you think that says about this mountain? Haha

[@travelclimb]

@@HikingNerd I guess that peak's not for me then lol...must have marmots as a GPS indicator

[@HikingNerd]

😂

[@lanetaglio]

Stoked about your upcoming SHR Trip,.. I've hiked from Roads End to Reds,.. hope to finish in September!!

[@HikingNerd]

Sweet! Look forward to a preview ahead of your trip :)

[@lzwjr14]

Really enjoy the videos. I assume that you have the trails charted in some kind of app such as Gaia. If that is the case, do you ever share that information? I ask in case I wanted to re-create the trip since you have the experience of knowing the best route/campsites, etc. Thanks!!

[@HikingNerd]

I don’t record them actually, sorry

[@AMostlyFunctionalJess]

'It's 0420' - nice Apologies, couldn't resist. Great video!

[@JediMaddy94]

Hope you guys are all healthy, no rona's around. I hope to try this someday.

[@Rickwehrman]

What length of rope did y'all bring? What did you use for anchor material? Looked like just webbing over spikes?

[@HarryPotter-kd3bh]

Hey Jimmy, I was wondering what shirt you're wearing in this video? The subdued palate and texture of the shirt as well as the collar make it seem very nice. I'd love a video about your thoughts on hiking shorts, pants, underwear, headwear, and footwear for both winter and summer backpacking...

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks for the comment and question. I’m wearing a discontinued shirt from Sierra Designs (long sleeve polo) on this adventure. Will see what I can do about future clothing videos.

[@HarryPotter-kd3bh]

@@HikingNerd great! I saw your other video about the green jacket and you've mentioned the silver-gray down jacket a few times too... I figured it's a good idea to discuss these during covid since you can't go out as much. Congrats on the summit by the way, MCK is no joke!

[@melissasevoj7865]

I love your videos and way to go on that summit! Do you have a preferred replenishment/electrolyte mix?

[@HikingNerd]

Melissa Sevoj Thank you! I’m partial to Nuun tablets in the backcountry, and I like Gatorade Endurance (higher electrolyte concentration) for workouts.

[@peluso_palit]

It's look danger when so windy though.

[@NativeAngelino]

Hey question. What kind of watch are you using on your hikes? Thank you

[@HikingNerd]

The one I'm using is a Garmin Fenix 3 (non-HR). A few generations old at this point but holding up well!

[@KalebSchumaker]

nice climb, lets go harder ba bay

[@Fell214]

Great video. I assume you were being sarcastic about how easy Baxter Pass is??

[@JediMaddy94]

I want this magic PBJ

[@HikingNerd]

They say it gives you wings

[@patricklacson]

Jimmy, how much weight do you lose after a hike like that?

[@HikingNerd]

Couple of pounds I think. I get it back in a day or two. 3500 calories deficit = 1lb fat burned

[@peglegthered]

hahaha "pretty flat" I have moved down to San Diego :( It's flat as hell here. Need me more of the Sierras.

[@johnhelmuth9718]

Baxter pass? Never heard of her.

[@reedescalde1897]

yall are gonna be the next mediocre amateur, hopefully i can find an outdoorsy group like yall have one day!

[@HikingNerd]

We’re definitely more mediocre than them and could maybe win the race to the bottom. Unless they’re on their skis and use their heli.