[pct-l] Found " Gold" , , Well In a History Way... Theodore H. Solomons

[montedodge at msn.com (Monte Dodge)]

  John Muir gets most the ink when it comes to the Sierras, but Theodore H. Solomon is the man we should tip our hats to when it comes to haves a South to North " Crest " to hike along and his trip in 1892 is nothing short of amazing. ( Read short story in book," Pathway in the Sky" by Hal Roth ,copyright 1965)  He was one of the founding members of the Sierra Club and now has a Peak named for him near Muir Pass. Yesterday I met a older couple ( he was 90 and she was 89 who hiked around a ton in the Sierras in 1940's and 50's. They and their son were the backbone to getting the peak named for Solomon as they noticed he had almost Zero credit for his efforts.   One another note, I mentioned meeting Dick Kelty on my 77 trip trip and his eyes lit up as he said," Well I bought one of Dick's packs when his shop was as big as my bathroom". " His very first pack's didn't have side pockets, so I came back the next year and Dick sewed some on for me".  I hope to get a photo of this cute couple and their Kelty packs by next week. I even tried to talk them into coming to an ALDHA_ West Gathering.  He said they are too old to travel much these days and his wife is losing her sight. These were folks for could pick their brains for hours.. ( I offered to scan any of their photos if needed which would be treasure top a PCT history buff like me) I also asked them the all important question, " So What Stove Did You Use".. He said , " An Old Optimus".... YES. I replied,,,,me too.......