...Rescue this past Saturday?????? the 30th ??

[Hikin_Jim]

all you have to do is stand anywhere in the valley and look at the damn mountain and it becomes readily aparent that it's gonna kick your ass if your not 100% prepared

maybe that's all we really have to say.

[cynthia23]

Ok, agree we are doing this topic to death (no pun intended) but here's my last (I swear, MagikWalt!) comment: Zip points out that he sometimes leaves at 5.a.m. SS/Guest is similar. Grandmaster P. even sometimes leaves at 7! That's true, and perfectly safe for you guys, but you are ultra athletes at a competitive level (the Pikes Peak race, the Death Valley ultramarathons, the Ironman events, etc.) They are literally among the most cardiovascularly fit people in the U.S.--one of a tiny, tiny, elite group of about a thousand people--tops. Grandmaster P, SS, and Zip can make it to the top of Skyline is just a few hours. Folks, don't try this at home. No matter how buff and fit you are, you aint' Zip, Guest, or Grandmaster. We are talking about people who literally run for one hundred and forty miles in triple digit temps. What they can do and what we can do are two whole different animals. I worry that the people reading this who don't personally know Zip or Guest or Grandmaster will not understand that. Admire their well-earned accomplishments, but don't try to emulate it. Just as normal people would not climb into a ring with Mike Tyson (well, the old, scary one) and expect to come out alive or without brain damage, you shouldn't expect to start Skyline at 5 in July and come out without getting sick, rescued, or dead. Don't do Skyline in the summer at all; if you still do, start by 2a.m. at the latest. At about 6. am, when you are sweaty and gasping and only halfway up, you will see a smiley streak whooshing past you. That was Zippety ....

[Cy Kaicener]

I just found out who was rescued on Skyline on June 30th. It was a guy called Paul from the http://www.outdoorsclub.org They have scheduled a trip for July 15th. with Udi who has done it many times and is a very strong hiker.

[guest]

Everyone has (heat) exhausted this point about the trail being Too Hot!
Unfortunately, it seems the ones who need to read this info aren't.
Even if someone starts at 2 or 3, it's hotter then, than 5am, but, yes, you will get up higher before it gets Really hot.

I would love to see rescues start charging, most of these yahoos never stop to think that even the rangers & rescuers are not immune to these conditions. I know & talk to many, and it ain't no fun having to put yourself through hell because of someones ego,(even if it is your "job").

How bout a Wall of Shame" at the trailhead, naming all who had thrown sensibility to the wind? I know, some lawyer would jump on that.

Grand Cyn has some strongly worded signs re. heat, it might help in addition to the one at 1,750ft., (some of us are lookin into it).

Happy summer hiking, at altitude!!
ss

[Hikin_Jim]

Wall of Shame

Nice!

[cynthia23]

There is a movement building for the Wall of Shame! Yeah! Right on! Let's do this thing:

First, let's brainstorm colors. I suggest bright pink, for the appropriately shameful effect ....