Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#135141 - 06/14/10 06:18 PM Erratics--from our blog
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
There is something really wonderful about walking through the Sierra and coming face to face with a massive boulder that looks as if it has been delicately placed there by the hand of God. The one in this photo was on top of a bare granite ridge overlooking Spicer Reservoir, and is about ten feet in diameter. I can't imagine how much it must weigh.

http://sites.google.com/site/backpackthesierra/home/our-blog?offset=0

You might think that it had rolled here from somewhere else---but there's nowhere else to roll from. It was on top of the ridge--and it was all downhill from there. Nope, it was dropped on top of the ridge by a glacier that picked it up miles away and carried it this far. And when the glacier finally melted, this massive boulder was let down easy--delicately balanced on top of the ridge for all eternity--or least the foreseeable future.

The name for these rocks is "erratics," meaning that they don't always make sense in relationship to their surroundings. Sometime they are of a complete different geologic make-up, and only the slow glacial train can account for their location.

But I also think of them as iconoclasts--a bit like us backpackers. We often march to a slighlty different drumbeat, and find ourselves where few have ever gone before. Or at least we like to think of ourselves that way. And much like the glaciers, we aren't exactly speed demons. With the speed at which we hike, it takes us a long time to get anywhere, too.

So we hike for hours, cover a few miles, and the sit down on top of a ridge, or along a stream, and rest for a while.

Just call us erratics.
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#135154 - 06/14/10 10:11 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: balzaccom]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
there are some impressive erratics in that area. Closer to Lake Alpine I have camped under the edge of a 25' diameter erratic.
Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#135160 - 06/14/10 11:14 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: balzaccom]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Now if the slide marks over alkali flats by rocks can be explained.

Top
#135175 - 06/15/10 01:07 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: hikerduane]
MarkNM Offline
member

Registered: 05/03/10
Posts: 141
Loc: Pompton Lakes, NJ
Originally Posted By hikerduane
Now if the slide marks over alkali flats by rocks can be explained.
are those the death valley rocks that move miles?

i saw a show that led to believe its mositure freezing in the late hours providing a decent surface for the rocks to be blown by the 100 mph winds
_________________________
I do it because I can...it also helps that you are not there...

Top
#135178 - 06/15/10 01:40 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: MarkNM]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Or maybe it's just Jimshaw, pushing them around, chuckling to himself about the crack-brained theory some nimrod scientist will come up with to explain how it happened. grin

Top
#135193 - 06/15/10 10:30 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: Glenn]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
I've wondered if it was the wind too, but the marks aren't necessarily in the right direction. Maybe the centrifugal force of the earth spinning. I see it in Nevada also, that's why I mentioned alkali flats, since I spent part of my youth there and young adulthood.

Top
#135197 - 06/15/10 11:39 PM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: hikerduane]
taM Offline
member

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 112
Loc: Nashville, TN
I saw a show a short while ago on the discovery channel or similar that did a good deal of testing on rock trails on the flats.

They actually took a good amount of soil from the surface of death valley, as well as several rocks which exhibited trails, and placed them all in a wind tunnel.

They simulated the usual wind levels the valley sees and concluded that on dry soil, the rocks won't really move. They moistened the soil slightly though, mimicking the brief rains they get on rare occasions, and the rocks made identical tracks through the soil, even replicating the erratic paths often seen. The amorphous shapes directed the rocks in different directions in a sustained wind from one direction...which I thought was the most interesting part.

Mystery solved!
_________________________
Light, Cheap, Durable...
pick two

Top
#135199 - 06/16/10 12:44 AM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: taM]
MarkNM Offline
member

Registered: 05/03/10
Posts: 141
Loc: Pompton Lakes, NJ
yes i believe that was the show i saw as well...

@ OP oh and BTW i like your blog...

what camera do you use? and do you carry it in your pack, or leave it hanging?
_________________________
I do it because I can...it also helps that you are not there...

Top
#135204 - 06/16/10 01:29 AM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: MarkNM]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Thanks Mark!

It's a new camera now. Until last year we had an old Fujifilm. BUt this one is a Canon Powershot SD 780 IS. Tiny little thing (hey, this is the UL backpacking board, right?)with a very big view screen. And I wear it in a little case that fits on my belt--you can see it in some of our photos. It's the perfect reason to stop any time the trail gets steep...because I have to take a photo!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#135205 - 06/16/10 05:58 AM Re: Erratics--from our blog [Re: balzaccom]
MarkNM Offline
member

Registered: 05/03/10
Posts: 141
Loc: Pompton Lakes, NJ
Originally Posted By balzaccom
Thanks Mark!

It's a new camera now. Until last year we had an old Fujifilm. BUt this one is a Canon Powershot SD 780 IS. Tiny little thing (hey, this is the UL backpacking board, right?)with a very big view screen. And I wear it in a little case that fits on my belt--you can see it in some of our photos. It's the perfect reason to stop any time the trail gets steep...because I have to take a photo!


it takes some nice shots...I have a olympus d620 so i am envious of any hipbeltable camera i suppose...but i love the detail i capture as well...as of late tho it seems the new pocket sizes are getting just as good
_________________________
I do it because I can...it also helps that you are not there...

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 257 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum