Nov. 17th - Skyline

[Ellen]

Howdy Cy

You're right -- I did have a late start. I was delayed by the accident -- a truck blocked all lanes of the east bound side. We had to creep by on the right shoulder. I was bummed that I didn't see you or Kathy

I met Karin at the tram station around 5:45 -- we didn't start hiking until 6:05 AM. Way too late due to the warm temperature. I drank a liter before starting and went through my 100 oz camelbak by the tram.

Steve Gossett was with a group that started later. Most of his party passed Karin and I while we had lunch and cooled off in the shade above flat rock. Steve stayed back with another hiker so I didn't get to see him. I'll never forget how he helped me on my first C2C.

We reached Long Valley at 12:40 PM. I felt like a corpus crispy, called it quits and rehydrated with Sam Adams winterfest at the tram bar We ran into Cynthia in the parking lot at the museum after having an early dinner.

I'll definately start earlier next Saturday.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Cy Kaicener]

Ellen - I also saw Cynthia in the parking lot at 1.15 pm when I got back to my car. She was going to go up for a short hike. Kathy and I took a taxi back to the museum and were sorry that we missed you. I had to rush back for an afternoon appointment, otherwise we would have waited for you.

[KathyW]

That accident on the I-10 must have happened just before I got there - not too much of delay for me as the traffic wasn't backed up too far at that time. I knew it was going to be a long back-up for those behind me though.

It was much hotter than I expected out there on the trail yesterday. I went through about a gallon of liquid and was moving very slowly from just before flat rock until Long Valley. I think the hike took me about 7 hours and 20 minutes - I was hoping to make it up in less than 7 hours, but it was just too hot for that yesterday.

Ellen: You guys made really good time and it must have been even hotter for you and Karin than it was for me. When Cy said he needed to hurry home and was going to catch a cab back to the Museum, I followed him so that I could share a cab with him.

It was pretty quiet along the trail all morning. One man (later I learned his name was Andy) passed me early, then Larry passed me just past Flat Rock on his way to the summit, and I caught up to Cy at the top of the trail in Long Valley. I never saw anyone below me, but I figured there must be more people down there struggling in the heat.

[Ellen]

Howdy Cy and Kathy

Based on the heat, I'm glad you started earlier even though we missed seeing you. Whatever heat acclimation I may have had before the fire closure has disappeared Karin and I met Cynthia after her hike.

About 20 minutes before Flat Rock, we caught up with a small group. They looked wiped out from the heat as well. I think they were going to turn around at Flat Rock.

Even Karin commented on the heat and she lives in La Quinta. I will say that being hot and dehydrated increases my enjoyment of beer

Miles of smiles,
Ellen