Wednesday Skyline (11/26)

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Thinking of going up tomorrow to enjoy the cooler weather and not have to start before the carp of dawn Anyone else interested?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Ellen]

Howdy All

I usually hike with Sally on Wednesday but she had other obligations. I decided to take advantage of the cool weather and solitude of a mid-week Skyline. It was a beautiful day (perfect temperature for polar bears) and I had the trail to myself. At about 7 K, I ran into the Trail Angel (TA) doing trail work. Told him I'd like to buy him the beer I'd promised for his efforts in clearning the trees. The chilly nip of fall on the traverse felt fabulous and I reached Grubbs Notch in 4:31

Scrambled up the rocks looking foward to a celebratory beverage. Alas, the draft pumps needed maintenance so I settled for a bottle of Stone IPA. I was pleasently surprised when Diana (a greyhound -- she did a leisurely 4:20) walked in and joined me for post hike refueling. When the TA arrived, I bought him the last bottle of Corona -- talk about timing. Just as we were getting ready to ask for a cab, the tram chef David offered to give us a ride into Palm Springs The TA and I enjoyed a great meal at Las Casuelas -- the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Ellen]

PS -- I don't usually try to hike Skyline (or any other hike) in a specific time but every now and then it's fun to challenge myself. I try to hike mindfully and enjoy each moment.

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow! Does that ever sound like a nice day. Nice time there, Rocket Girl.

HJ

[D.K.]

4:31.........ok, ok....so now I have my 'goal'!

I'll just have to knock 3 hrs + off my time!

Give me a couple months.....

[Ellen]

Howdy D.K.

Saturday I'm looking to do Skyline in about 6 hours -- my usual pace

Physically (and mentally) I can't go at top speed every time I hike. I enjoy the company of my fellow hikers and the beauty of my surroundings.

Look forward to seeing you on the trail

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[PatrickSupra]

5:10 is my fastest so far. Really hoping to get down to around 4:30 next time out. If I can make a sub-4 ever, I'll have officially reached my goal.

[Ellen]

Howdy Patrick

You're a young greyhound and should go sub-five anytime now. Try to stay with Arturo, David, MyOtherBoots, Diana or (gasp) the Dynamic Duo and Z-dude I tried to grab Z's cape on Sat but he was too quick for me.

My trail speed isn't as fast as those who routinely do 4:30 Skylines. Instead, I keep an even pace and don't stop -- I eat (gels) and drink from my Camelbak while I'm hiking.

The few times I've had the pleasure of the greyhounds' company, the hike went something like this:

We start together and I immediately get dropped.
I keep going at my slower pace and catch up because the greyhounds have stopped.
We start up together again and I immediately get dropped.
I keep going at my slower pace and catch up because the greyhounds have stopped.
We start up together again and I immediately get dropped.
Repeat X 50

Seriously though, I'm really stoked when I can hang with them for a bit. They are great company and really nice people.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

I tried to grab Z's cape on Sat but he was too quick for me.

Careful! You could get rope burns from doing that!

HJ