Well, lemonade from lemons, I guess.

Photo/Video

Edit: Reddit lost the whole damn trip report!

2nd Edit: Unpacking and heard a plastic bag scrunch sound coming from the Cutaway. Looks like the cold weather caused a 5-inch patch of delam in my 18-month-old bag - super disappointed. I realize that this is not uncommon with Ultra but I was hoping for it to last longer - Video

TL:DR - Original route was scrapped due to leaving my glasses at the TH and altitude effecting sleep. Some beautiful weather followed by crazy wind and low overnights had me really, really cold but overall, a great trip.

Original Route

Highlights

Piute Pass - very easy ascent

Tomahawk Lake (thanks pastry king)

Tuttle Creek/Alamba Hills

Lowlights

Leaving my glasses at the TH

Altitude effecting sleep (20pt HRV drop) - Diamox is in my future.

Almost losing my aquamira bottle through once in million rube goldberg rock face/crevice (ever wondered if a trip is "cursed"?)

Wind chill - 30mph at 6am had temps below 20f. Windy cold weather is much more difficult and draining than cold still weather.

Gear

Cutaway has the best damn pockets! I think I might switch over to my Nunatak Bears Ears for shoulder/extended trips. Mid 20's in the cutaway is not as comfortable as 3lbs more in the Bears Ears.

Frogg Togg/90GSM Alpha - blown away (literally) at how effective this combo is for sleeping and hiking at or near freezing.

Nunatak Sulo 30f Xtherm - had to vent quilt at 35f on first trip but comfortable all night long when it hit 25f on the second trip.

Timmermade Waterbear UL Apex - love this thing, keeps me warm and blocks sunlight.