Oakhurst Library Workshop: “High Odyssey”

It is obviously pride and love that compels Phil Bartholomew to retell the story of his father’s ambitious ascent of Mt. Whitney in the winter of 1928. He will tell that story again, along with a photo presentation of his dad’s experience, at a special workshop at the Oakhurst Branch Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

According to Bartholomew, his dad, Orland, one of America’s foremost adventurers, left Lone Pine on Christmas day in 1928 to climb Mt. Whitney.

“He then proceeded to travel in the High Sierras alone and unaided for about three months until he reached the Yosemite Valley in April 1929,” said Bartholomew.

During his adventure in the Sierras, Orland Bartholomew spent 32 nights above 10,000 feet, traveled over 300 miles – mainly on skis, crossed 13 passes and climbed 70,000 vertical feet, including two 14,000-foot peaks.

“My dad also kept a day-by-day diary and took photographs of his experience during that three-month period with a small Kodak camera,” Bartholomew added.

Bartholomew said his father’s high mountain trek, “the first solo winter assault of Mt. Whitney and the Muir trail area” was recorded in a book called “High Odyssey” written by Gene Rose, 90, a friend who now lives in Oakland, CA. Copies of the book which sells for $15 will be available at the presentation.

Bartholomew, who lives in Oakhurst with his wife, Tamar, is retired from the California Department of Fish and Game. During his career, Orland Bartholomew, who died in 1957, worked for the U.S. Forest Service.
The free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library (FOBL). It will be held in the Oakhurst Library’s Community Room at 49044 Civic Circle Dr., Oakhurst. For more information, call the library at (559) 683-4838 or visit oakhurstfobl.com.