ESEE-4 in the Yosemite Wilderness

[MArathonman]

I speed hiked to the top of Smith Peak in Yosemite, elevation 7,751. The trailhead was at 4,200 so the climb was just over 3,500 feet in 6.5 miles!

I needed to go light weight, so I brought my new ESEE-4. It's a perfect balance between weight and capability for me, especially when every ounce counts.

You can see the reservoir, Rancheria Falls, The Tuolumne River, and...forever.

The view cannot be described or even captured in photographs.

This was a leg burner! I didn't seen anyone in two days (this was a solo overnight hike). I don't think too many people would choose this location due to its difficulty to get to.

The peak overlooks Hetch Hetchy Reservoir which feeds into the San Francisco Bay Area. Here is the valley just below the dam.

My attempt at a video from the top :

YouTube - ESEE-4 in Yosemite

MtnTrailRunner

 

[Diesel_Dog]

Nice Pictures, Thanks for sharing. Really Digging the scales on your RC-4!

 

[nate1714]

Great pics. What gear you bring?

 

[greyhound352]

Nice pics thanks for sharing.

 

[thejamppa]

Beautiful scales, breath taking photos! Thank you for sharing! :thumbup:

 

[Georgia Guy]

Dude you have to stop showing me pics of those new scales. You are gonna cause me to ruin my new ESEE 4 trying to copy them. Great work

 

[ratamahatta]

man that second pic is my favorite, thanks for posting!!!!

 

[texastonydobbs]

Excellent Thread & I like those scales on the 4

 

[crowdog]

Thanks for the video hoss! great hike, and wonderful scales.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Lucky you, looks like a great hike in a fantastic area! Are those cocobolo scales? They look real nice!

 

[Hodaka]

Very cool! I love those scales.
There's a hike near here that I've done a few times that offers a similarly spectacular view. (http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/facility/silspray.html)
3,333ft gain in only 4.3miles! Some people do it as a day hike, and you can scramble another 700 feet or more to one of the surrounding peaks if you still feel energetic.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

awesome pics man... we were just in that area the day after 4th of July.. we spent a day in Tuolumne Meadows.. hanging in and around the Lyell fork of the Tuolumne river...

 

[basb]

Incredible pics! And nice scales on the 4!

 

[XMP]

Awesome pictures. I've only been to Yosemite once and I sometimes forget how beautiful it is. And (like everyone else) I love those scales; I'd really like to see what they'd look like on an RC-4 with the coating stripped.

BTW do you use some type of lightweight hydration pack when you are trailrunning? If so, what?

 

[MArathonman]

I appreciate all of the great feedback! Yes, the esee-4 any my Izula are two of my favorite pieces of gear. Besides running and backpacking, one of my favorite hobbies is woodworking. I cant even look at a blade without thinking how I can put some custom scales on it. The esee-4 in the photo is wearing cocobolo - sanded to a smooth 2000 grit and finished with Tom's 1/3 Military Wax.

Here is my gear list :

Light Backpacking
-----------------
Deuter 65+10 Backpack
Marmot Never Summer 0 degree or REI Zephyer 15 degree
REI Quarter Dome Tent and Footprint
Big Agnes Inflatable Mattress
MSR Dragon Fly Stove
MSR Fuel Bottle (11 oz 3 season, 30 oz snow camping)
GSI Cookset
Sawvivor
ESEE-4, Becker BK7, Becker BK2 or Scrapyard Dog Father
Garmin 305 GPS Running Watch
Cammenga Tritium Lensatic Compass
Paracord
First Aid Kit
MSR Miniworks Water Filter
GSI Cookset
Lexan fork/spoon
Light My Fire
Headlamp infinite adjustable to 30 lumens
1 Liter BPA Free Nalgene
Foam sitting pad
BV 450 Bear Canister
Whistle
GoreTex Paclite Jacket and Pants

Very Light
----------
Cocoon Silk Liner
REI Mimimalist Bivy
REI Quarter Dome - Minimalist
Daypack + selected items above

Ultra Light
----------
Ultimate Direction Waist Pack and 32 oz water bottle
space blanket
whistle
REI Storm Proof Matches
Emergency Mirror
Water Purification Tables
3 Packs Running Gel
Reflective Hat with LED Strobe
Nike Trail Air Pegasus
and my Aboyna Izula!

Whew!

 

[eloreno]

Truly incredible scenery. Nice knife too! Thanks for posting them!

 

[Todd Murphy]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.

 

[solocanoe]

nice photos! It's cool you found a way to make the knives the way you like them too.