tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post7318385197897943147..comments2024-03-18T00:21:32.363-07:00Comments on Hikin' Jim's Blog: The Road to Hell is Paved with... Weather Balloons?Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-6570294416217054102022-01-27T09:07:17.942-08:002022-01-27T09:07:17.942-08:00Interesting thought. Yeah, those mylar balloons a...Interesting thought. Yeah, those mylar balloons are freaking everywhere. I can be 3 or 4 days into the Sierra and come across one.<br /><br />I suppose that there are two principal drainages on my map, the one with the "last ping" and the one to the east with the "estimated landing point". Either of those drainages would require an ascent of falls of some type to approach from the bottom. Not trying to disuade; this is just information. The drainage with the estimated landing point has a pretty rugged looking dry falls (from what I could see) just above its confluence with Hell For Sure Creek. If I were to try to access either of those two drainages, I would do it via the route I have labeled "2018 route." The route I took in 2018 gives you good access if you want to go all the way up the "last ping" drainage and decent access via the purple dotted line that I just added into the "estimated landing point" drainage. Just some thoughts. Of course you should take the route that makes the most sense to you. I hope you'll do this and post somewhere. I'll be curious to hear what you think of the area -- and if you actually find something!<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-58049335918006009842022-01-26T20:22:46.655-08:002022-01-26T20:22:46.655-08:00Thank you! So it's definitely happening late m...Thank you! So it's definitely happening late march, life and weather permitting of course. I can share my caltopo map if you're interested, but I think we'll approach it from another drainage directly. My reasoning is Mylar balloons haha. If there's one thing that is common from all the canyons I've been to, from popular ones, to first descents, to dry and wet, to ones here in CA or out of state, or international, is that you will very often find Mylar balloons in canyons. Why? Maybe because there are so light and drain down, but I think if anything is within that drainage area, something could have drained down. So if we go up that drainage, we may potentially come across remnants from either the balloon or the parachute, or something else. Plus, it's just a more direct route that we are ready with technical gear regardless. Wild theory but it'll be an adventure either way. I've been in that area and it's beautiful. BTW, yes, N Fork Whitewater; does look overgrown via sat imagery but will keep on my list "just in case" haha. Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923427425540981147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-24626817607488530102022-01-26T18:16:45.967-08:002022-01-26T18:16:45.967-08:00Hi, Christian,
I plotted a couple of more points. ...Hi, Christian,<br />I plotted a couple of more points. My sense is that the 3rd to the last point is a little bit distorted by the way the points are projected to the terrain because of the depth of the canyon. But see what you think and see if it's helpful.<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-75189675727077427422022-01-26T18:03:26.489-08:002022-01-26T18:03:26.489-08:00Hi, Christian,
If by a canyon further west you mea...Hi, Christian,<br />If by a canyon further west you mean the N. Fork of the Whitewater River, good luck. It was a deadfall choked mess last I was up that way. If we got a really good rain since I've been there about 3 or 4 years ago, then maybe it's cleaned out.<br /><br />Getting to Hell For Sure Falls wasn't too bad. I plotted my 2018 route going up the west ridge on the topo map link. I was able to get down canyon and to the top of the falls without too much bushwhacking. The falls themselves are a fairly technical challenge, but I know other canyoneers that have done it, so it's doable. I also know canyoneers who have done the E Fork of the Whitewater down from the 11,000' level, so I suppose the N. Fork is also doable. I have been to the top end near Big Tree and found it to be an uber bushwhack, and the lower part where it joins the Middle Fork was a log jam.<br /><br />Let me see if I can get more points plotted on the map. If you scroll all the way down, there's some more information presented visually.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-45648722526978224482022-01-25T18:10:54.718-08:002022-01-25T18:10:54.718-08:00Hey Jim! I must have subscribed for updates on thi...Hey Jim! I must have subscribed for updates on this post and saw you recently replied. I've been meaning to get out there, it's beautiful as it is rugged. I came across your post because I was looking into running a canyon further west of HFS, and this sparked my interest. As a canyoneer, this area has always interested me but it all has major commitments. Probably like the stuff I did in the Santa Rosa Mountains. This was years ago but I am now ready to make this actually happen. I just needed a partner in crime crazy enough haha. Anyways, I know you have the last ping on your map, you wouldn't happen to have maybe another 2 or 3 previous ones? Just want to draw out a line further down. I will look into the alternate route you suggested, but I may have one myself. Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923427425540981147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-27846669327133563102022-01-24T21:07:50.942-08:002022-01-24T21:07:50.942-08:00Hi, Elizabeth, sorry I never noticed your question...Hi, Elizabeth, sorry I never noticed your question. The payload and parachute were never found. That is some seriously rugged country out there. MLK weekend would be OK, but the days are pretty short. I think March or April would be ideal. May is going to start getting too hot.<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-3831360298833860342018-10-29T22:40:44.472-07:002018-10-29T22:40:44.472-07:00Has the payload and parachute been found yet? Woul...Has the payload and parachute been found yet? Would this be a good area for a MLK weekend trip?Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04236302417678603139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-7942944600704074072017-12-10T12:05:54.119-08:002017-12-10T12:05:54.119-08:00Tim, do you have a report of Silverwood Falls? Bee...Tim, do you have a report of Silverwood Falls? Been meaning to head up there for a couple years now. Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923427425540981147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-62239392679851812482017-06-26T10:24:52.669-07:002017-06-26T10:24:52.669-07:00Hi Jim. Great report. Thanks! I visited Middle ...Hi Jim. Great report. Thanks! I visited Middle fork Jump off (and Silverwood Falls this weekend with three of my kids. The view down canyon from MFJO is one of my favorites in the SGW. Warm regards, YucaipatimYucaipatimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619960599607699054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-66876169868124844342017-05-23T16:15:00.003-07:002017-05-23T16:15:00.003-07:00Yes... it was like nothing I've ever heard bef...Yes... it was like nothing I've ever heard before and I did not know what it was until I did some research online. I thought someone (female) was injured/screaming nearby but nobody replied to my calls and a general search(got to a high point) of the area revealed nothing. I don't scare easily(except for heights), but it was CREEPY!Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735250702042449738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-89260938525588604332017-05-15T22:38:21.248-07:002017-05-15T22:38:21.248-07:00Yipes! That had to be an attention getter to hear...Yipes! That had to be an attention getter to hear a mountain lion scream!<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-71313638973603798122017-05-08T08:13:40.537-07:002017-05-08T08:13:40.537-07:00Unfortunately not. I imagine all of the fires of ...Unfortunately not. I imagine all of the fires of the last few years together with the drought have taken their toll on the local fish population.<br /><br />HJ Hikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-71686197202500191702017-05-08T07:30:33.985-07:002017-05-08T07:30:33.985-07:00Spot any trout up there? Thanks for the trip repor...Spot any trout up there? Thanks for the trip report!iWaltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232012034139610903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-90804449686206499852017-05-05T15:45:01.049-07:002017-05-05T15:45:01.049-07:00Tim,
First week of December. It's been out t...Tim,<br /><br />First week of December. It's been out there for about 5 months. The Whitewater/Hell For Sure drainage did not get the kind of rains the coastal plain got. A lot of the canyons were still brush choked which would not have been the case if they had gotten really heavy rains there, so the balloon and payload are <i>probably</i> close to wherever they initially landed. Probably. <br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-25281309249023572202017-05-05T15:37:56.189-07:002017-05-05T15:37:56.189-07:00Hi Jim, can you advise the date the balloon was lo...Hi Jim, can you advise the date the balloon was lost?Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14285186155817242761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-78684293978386911642017-05-05T08:41:30.482-07:002017-05-05T08:41:30.482-07:00The best view of the falls comes at 1:07.
HJ The best view of the falls comes at 1:07.<br /><br />HJ Hikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-20355101238334235782017-05-05T08:40:05.171-07:002017-05-05T08:40:05.171-07:00Yeah! That's the one I remember, pretty darn...Yeah! That's the one I remember, pretty darned cool. I'd love to be able to do an aerial recon like that.<br /><br />HJ Hikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-19080822314655175852017-05-05T00:06:57.407-07:002017-05-05T00:06:57.407-07:00Hi Jim,
I hiked that area a little bit a few years...Hi Jim,<br />I hiked that area a little bit a few years back..right after the Conservancy opened up at Whitewater. Really unique/different and very remote. 'Heard' my first nearby mountain lion scream up there; I never spotted the cat, but remained in the center of the wash I was climbing(solo)..not sure if being out in the open would stop an attack, but at least I'd see it coming!<br />Anyway, best of success on finding the package...<br />RicRichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735250702042449738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-64033732159660895242017-05-04T23:56:49.032-07:002017-05-04T23:56:49.032-07:00Pi circling over Hell For Sure:
https://www.youtub...Pi circling over Hell For Sure:<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cif0gtbjxQ&list=UUlgthECp4CH07D2DrOKmFOg&index=25Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735250702042449738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-91577462448442139342017-05-04T23:54:27.931-07:002017-05-04T23:54:27.931-07:00Hi, Ric, yes, I remember Pi's videoes. That&#...Hi, Ric, yes, I remember Pi's videoes. That's actually how I knew that there was a falls somewhere up there. I recognized the terrain in Pi's video and identified Hell For Sure as the Canyon containing the falls.<br /><br />Well, if I had a helicopter at my disposal, I would surely use it, but inasmuch as I do not, I am compelled to walk. "If wishes were horses, then beggars could ride" as it were.<br /><br />A drone might also suffice, but as you say, the challenge and adventure of planning and successfully executing a trip into rugged country like HFS is fun in and of itself.<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-77450127751550510362017-05-04T23:25:05.339-07:002017-05-04T23:25:05.339-07:00Hi Jim,
More fun to search by foot, but Pitownpi p...Hi Jim,<br />More fun to search by foot, but Pitownpi posted a couple of videos of flying over that area in his/someone's helicopter about six years ago.... haven't seen him post anything/anywhere in a long time, but he probably knows that area as well as anyone..and a search by helicopter might locate the balloon more quickly. <br />RicRichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735250702042449738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-50156370829050964842017-05-04T10:42:45.216-07:002017-05-04T10:42:45.216-07:00Hey, Sean,
It's a really fascinating -- and w...Hey, Sean,<br /><br />It's a really fascinating -- and wild -- area. You and Willie should check it out.<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-52892506822275781032017-05-04T10:41:00.066-07:002017-05-04T10:41:00.066-07:00Awesome. Thanks for the intriguing trip report and...Awesome. Thanks for the intriguing trip report and pics. Hope you find the balloon.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01772015278208782210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-84028405935271702622017-05-03T13:17:06.515-07:002017-05-03T13:17:06.515-07:00Hi, Andy,
Thanks.
Yeah, I haven't done a lot...Hi, Andy,<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Yeah, I haven't done a lot of trip reports lately, but I thought I should document this one.<br /><br />I have been very active on my Adventures in Stoving blog. Lots of new stuff there.<br /><br />HJHikin' Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-25570806602698962422017-05-03T11:10:02.274-07:002017-05-03T11:10:02.274-07:00Great report Jim. I haven't seen anything fro...Great report Jim. I haven't seen anything from you for a while and was pleased to see this pop up. Cheers on another adventure! Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06986120777912079835noreply@blogger.com