Wednesday Skyline anyone?

[zippetydude]

Good for you Carl.

I just might do a quick trip out there myself tomorrow. I've got some Kahtoola Flightboots that I'm just dying to try out, so I might see you two on the trail. No worries about the upper section - even if you fell, the snow is not all that deep, nor is it consolidated, so if you fall, you're just going to sit there, even in the traverse. You might slide a foot or two like you would on dry ground, but it's not a firm, smooth, icy surface that would be dangerous. Not yet. Enjoy.

z

Ps You're a lucky man to have a 22 year old daughter who will do Skyline with you!

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Had a lovely time with Cindy on Skyline. Snow started at Flatrock (6 K) and we put on microspikes shortly thereafter.

We were surprised at the amount of the snow on the traverse (7.4 K), though there was a nice boot track laid down. Thanks so much to Spedy Steve, InFerno, Z-dude and other greyhounds who did such a lovely job breaking in the traverse. We loved the transition from desert to winter apline wonderland.

I wore shorts and t-shirt and got lots of strange looks in the upper tram station.

Merry Christmas,
Ellen

[tramtim]

Ellen
It was great to see you this afternoon; you chose one of the clearest days this year. Also it was nice to see NO BLOOD trail

Everyone have a safe Holiday

Tim

[Carl F]

Hello Skyline lovers!

Today was an epic day, as they all are on Skyline. The plan was for my daughter Alyssa and I to meet up with Russ, a greyhound here as you all would say. The forecasts of high winds spooked me into having my daughter wear warmer clothes.

Normally I don't worry about Alyssa because she kicks my butt on every trail we've been on together (Vivian Creek Trail, Franconia Ridge - Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette, in the White Mountains of NH)

Mistake #1. I offered to turn around after the first 0.5 miles to get shorts but she refused. She suffered for awhile and had hip flexor tenderness basically the whole way. Despite this, thanks to Russ, who came back to look for us (somehow passed us and had stopped at Flatrock), we persevered and made it to Lunchrock, where with the transition to Alpine my daughter got more comfortable. Russ helped Alyssa with some nice visualization techniques ("there's a puppy waiting for you at the Tram" and so on.)

The traverse had excellent soft snow and there was no need for microspikes (but we had them) 50 mph winds made it an acoustical event (I didn't have an iPod so I had to actually listen to Mother Nature) The balaclava came in handy, as did the down sweater. Made it to the top, no PR but getting my daughter baptized was priceless!

PS got to say "hi" and "bye" to Fern! Sad to say we didn't see Zippety.

PPS Thanks Russ you are a Saint!!

[Ellen]

.... getting my daughter baptized was priceless!

My favorite part of the trip report. Also loved the puppy at tram visualization supplied by Russ

I'm looking forward to Z's daughter Kat joining him on a hike.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Ellen]

Almost forgot...Cindy is a new member of the Skyline Addicts not so Anonymous Club Only took three trips up

It is amazing how warm it can be in the bottom section (5 K and below) this time of year and how cold it can be on the traverse. Maybe it has something to do with that white stuff and a howling wind

Merry Christmas All,
Ellen

[Carl F]

A couple of pictures from my daughter's first skyline! From generation to generation it shall pass. My apologies to those who do not have FB.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 074&type=1

PS D.L. is my FB alias...

[bluerail]

looks like another beautiful day on the Sam Adams trail..

how many hikes around here have a bar at the end ?