A buddy and I were hiking in Desolation Wilderness just east of Pyramid Peak. We came in via the climb up horsetail falls and decided to exit along the ridge to the east of the falls. I had climbed the falls before and done some sightseeing on two previous day hikes there. But this was the first overnighter for myself and the first trip to the area for my friend. As its name indicates, trails are nearly non-existant in many parts of Desolation.

The hike in was great, made it to pyramid lake no problems and set up for a day of fishing and relaxing. On the hike out we had to reference the map a few times to get our bearings, and finally got going. Well I was taking my sweet time taking pictures and my buddy was obviously not paying much attention to me. I turn around and he is no where to be seen. I started hiking in the direction i last saw him and after about 15 minutes started calling his name and blowing my whistle. Didn't see him for the rest of the hike.

I knew he had about 2L of water and some trailmix, bars etc. I had less water, but I had the filter and more food. I had the compass, he had the map. I had experience in the area and now know that my Iron Boogers are much better than his. I found my way along our intended path and hoped to see him along the way. I finally made it down to highway 50 at Camp Sacramento and was able to get ahold of his girlfriend down the hill. She said he had just called and was at the lodge at Fallen Leaf Lake!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If you are familiar with the area, you know that is like the opposite direction of where he should have went. I was exhausted because I was trying to finish the hike as soon as possible in hopes of finding him up the trail. Luckily my other buddy was at his girlfriend's cabin just down the road in Strawberry. He came and ferried me back to my truck at the base of horsetail falls 2 miles down the road (my hiking buddy and I had planned to hitch back after we made it out).

Took about 10 minutes to catch my breath and then made the hour drive to pick up my partner. I had to drive over Echo summit, down into tahoe, up 89 about 5 miles than 30 minutes around fallen leaf lake on a one way road. He was sitting on the deck of the lodge finishing up a cheeseburger. He had hiked mostly downhill about 3 miles to the NE on a marked trail while i took our intended route that was about 6 miles to the S, mostly over packed snow that covered up all the trails with a huge ascent up a ridge and a final 2 mile 2000' drop to highway 50.

Lessons:

One map/compass for a group does not constitute the 10 essentials

Dont loose sight of your partner, and if you do, start blowing your whistle immediately.

The intended way out is not always the easiest way out. And finding the trail without a map doesn't win you a cheeseburger.


It ended up with smiles and laughs, but he could have just as easily been lost for good.