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I did part of this route nearly 10 years ago. As others say, Roper's descriptions are enough to keep you safe but vague enough to let you explore and feel like you are on your own.The only thing that bears repeating is that this route is *hard.* It is a physical and at times a mental challenge and you need to be prepared for it -- but if you are, it's the trip of a lifetime.
It is not an easy trek (much more rugged than the JMT) and there is no other hard-copy guide. I'm not sure that Mr Roper would approve of having his name taken in vain, but we sure took a liking to his style and found that his words of wisdom quickly became our loyal companion.Like others before us (and it broke my heart to do it) we cut out the actual guide section of the book to keep weight down, and I highlighted all route-finding information to make it stand out from the amazingly informative and, at times, highly entertaining, descriptive detail. My girlfriend and I now refer to this book as 'Stevie' after spending a month thru-hiking the SHR with it this fall. The book's also worth buying if you are craving a shorter High Sierra trip, as some great options are described for incorporating sections of the route into loops with access points on both sides of the range. Used in conjunction with Andrew Skurka's excellent accompanying map set (available via web) we had very few route-finding problems, although we were blessed with exceptionally good weather and zero snow cover. It appears that the guidebook maybe too good, as we found that use trails had become pretty well established over large portions of the route, possibly to the dismay of Roper and cross-country purists.If you are planning to thru-hike the SHR, you need this book. The author's advice is priceless for safe cross-country travel through some of the world's most spectacular mountainous scenery. May Stevie become your friend too - but tread lightly so that it remains as rewarding a challenge for future Sierra lovers as it was for us.
I have the original copy of SHR in the Sierra Club tote book series. I enjoyed this update with photographs though I prefer the smaller format of the original. Great read and better guide book.
i'd also recommend using a PLB or Spot Satellite Messenger with GPS Tracking even if you're not traveling solo. though i was able to finish up by detouring for another three weeks on the john muir trail, the SHR definitely requires 4 limbs.
not very easy to pick out the relevant bits when you're route-finding.the addition of the maps in the back are meant as a convenience, and while i realize that this is a ROUTE and not a TRAIL, it would be more convenient if the maps had a general indication of the route path described. the descriptions of the route are great, but they're mixed in with a semi-narrative about the landscape, flora and fauna.
i found his route descriptions and waypoints to be a perfect complement to this book.my attempt to do the route in it's entirety got cut short with a shoulder injury only 5 days in. at the very least, it should label by name, all the lakes, peaks and passes described.the book is also a bit heavy for a long haul, so i found myself tearing out the what i no longer needed wtih each resupply.i give steve roper total props for exploring, discovering and sharing this route.
and expecially for going back and updating it a few years on.Backpacker Magazine Editor, Steve Howe did this route in 2006 and made daily podcasts which can be downloaded free on iTunes. i'd recommend attempting it later in the season (August/September) to avoid the snow fields at high altitude on the north facing passes (i dislocated my shoulder when i lost my footing on a steep snow-covered face).
i didn't see another person for the first 8 days of this trip, and only then it was because i was on the heavily trafficked JMT.
A FANTASTIC book about an awesome wilderness area. This is a must do hiking trail for me. I bought my brother this same book and I'm already planning our hike.
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