Heat stress on San Jacinto

[Ellen]

Howdy All

The title pretty much says it all -- the complete oppossite environment from last weekend. I got warm on Sid Davis -- not a good sign since to wear less clothing I would have been naked. Z-dude flew by us in Tamarack (is it a bird or a plane, no it's Z!) -- he was on the second tram up. Started in snowshoes, took them off and went to microspikes, then put them back on once I reached Miller saddle.

The climb was HOT -- I was constantly wiping my face and looking for shade. In fact, I've felt much better on Skyline going up through the manzanita out of Flat Rock. We had lunch at the summit and noted that we've actually been colder up there in the middle of summer. Epic views as usual. As Brent mentioned, the snow softened up considerably on the descent and we enjoyed some glissading -- no ice axe required. I cooled off with my ritual beer at the tram bar. We didn't stay long and I didn't get my weekly Las Casuelas fix The entire hike I wished I had on shorts and a tee-shirt. Well, there's always tomorrow...

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Blooty]

Hi Ellen...if I get you a camera, maybe you will slow down and take time to cool off! LOL. And...take photos of your excellent adventures. You are fast...

[tinaballina]

sorry it was so hot but glad you made it up.

[zippetydude]

It was fun seeing you on Saturday. I agree, it was amazingly warm. In fact, if the weather stays like this all week, I can see doing the summit next Saturday in shorts and a t-shirt! I just love the snow in the early spring. Enough snow to cover the brambles, but warm enough to skip most of the cumbersome snow gear. Sweet!

z

[Biletchick]

Hi Ellen
We saw you fly by us in the parking lot on the way to the tram. I was gonna say "HI" but you looked like you were on a mission!

It was pretty warm up there, I heard the same comment about the summer temps from a couple who had never done it in winter.
All of us were a little "over" dressed for the occasion.
Curt and I were all 'Johnny Cash'ed out in black...wrong choice of colors.
We each had 2.5 liters of water and the tanks were dry by the time we got back to the tram.
You couldn't beat the view up there, that's for-sure!!!!
See you out there,
Stacy

[Ellen]

Howdy Stacy

We saw you fly by us in the parking lot on the way to the tram. I was gonna say "HI" but you looked like you were on a mission!
Stacy

Sorry about that -- I'm really not a snob, I wanted to make the first tram. Please forgive me and introduce yourself next time. As my friends can tell you, my eyesight isn't great so please yell my name or walk right up to me.

Very unusual weather on Saturday. If I could have hiked naked without burning every square inch of my Swedish skin, I would have We had a nice, cool breeze on Sunday. Couldn't stay at the top so had lunch at the hut (my winter home).

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Biletchick]

Ellen
No worries, no harm, no foul! No snobby-ness detected AT ALL!
I understand how important making the first tram is, especially now with our late return and the drama that ensued. Yuck!
Next time I will just walk up and say HI!

Naked hiking? Hmmm I've heard that they have "Naked Hiking Day" on the PCT...I've seen pictures and I have to say, it wasn't pretty! LOL

We didn't use sunscreen and payed the price later. I forgot how much of the sun reflects off of that nice white snow! I'll be peeling until next weekend!

Take care,
Stacy
ps - we'd live to visit your winter home next time we're up there.