Newby looking for some tips

[squeekbug]

Hi, I've enjoyed reading the posts on San J. This looks like a great resource for me!
I've lived in the valley of the Saints for the past 20 years and have come to think of my mountains as old friends but I've never had much opportunity to learn the sport of mountaineering... I once talked a boyfriend into taking me hiking and he took me up Vivian Creek for my first exposure... It about killed me but I wouldn't let it show and I loved every min of it!
I still have limited access to people that can teach me what I need to know so I'm hoping to find a little advice here.
I'm a dayhiker, a mountainbiker and triathlete so i have pretty good strength and stamina.
I really want to hike to the summit of San J for my 34th Bday in a couple weeks but I'm feeling a little short on direction.
My ususal style it to just wing it but I'm feeling like I need to be a little more prepared. My family wants me to be sure i'm hiking a well traveled trail since I'll be going alone... I figure I can get info at the ranger station but I thought I'd fish here first
Thanks!

[squeekbug]

...I guess I didn't really ASK a question did I?
I guess I'm looking for route/ trail recommendations and perhaps some knowledge of the time it will take.

[DaddyLongLegs]

Well, there are winter conditions up there now, and probably will be for 1-2 more months. Some real competent people have gotten lost, rescued, and worse up there in winter conditions -- in fact, in all conditions.

Rather than going solo at your stage, I would recommend using this board to find the friendly, competent hikers/climbers who will be happy to have you along for an outing. As a triathlete (good for you!), you probably won't have much trouble finding willing companions.

Just post a date and propose a route, and see if there are any takers. The bigger the group, the better. That way, there will be a buffer between you and any wackos . . . which is another hazard (and maybe that's why you want to go solo?).

Hope that helps!

[tinaballina]

Welcome SB-what is the date you are looking to go? With all this new snow i think the conditions will require snow gear, from what i am hearing it sounds like you want to hike vs climb in the snow?

[bluerail]

Hey Tina...whos Sam calling a whacko ?

[zippetydude]

I would recommend using this board to find the friendly, competent hikers/climbers who will be happy to have you along for an outing.

What about the friendly, incompetent hikers?

There will be a buffer between you and any wackos . . . which is another hazard (and maybe that's why you want to go solo?).

Wait a minute, are you talking about group of guys you did Falls Creek with?



My best advice would be to celebrate your birthday on a Saturday, go up on the first tram car (be at the station by about 7:20 or so to make sure you get to go on the first car) and then go up with all the crazy people from this board who always go and could find their way to the peak blindfolded.


There are lots of great ladies and wacko guys (!) that make the trip up even more fun than it would be alone. I'll be out of town, but there are plenty of people (mostly from the Valley of Sinners!) that will be going up.

z

[DaddyLongLegs]

Hey Tina...whos Sam calling a whacko ?

Ok, I am a bit of a whacko, but only in dense brush. Otherwise, I am as square as an equilateral rectangle, to which this Houston Press article attests.

Anyway, squeekbug, if you take the popular route from the upper tram station to the summit of San Jacinto, make sure to bring map and compass (and knowledge of how to use them). As you may have read, someone got lost for three days recently on that very route.

[Hikin_Jim]

Snow shoes might be in order.

HJ

[Nick-SJM]

You will get many opinions on this message board. Most of them are good. Here comes mine-
Hold off for a couple of months. The current snow conditions significantly impact how and where you hike. There are definitely equipment requirements. No doubt you have the conditioning to get to the peak. Then again, you may find hiking at altitude is something new. Get a summer of hiking behind you and then enjoy next winter in the snow. I spend a lot of time trying to find lost hikers and getting them safely off the mountain. I don't want to have to do this for you.

Respect the mountain and it will respect you.

Nick

[bluerail]

But Nick, a dose of the hill in white, gives the spirit so much to yearn for during that summer of hiking, and getting stuff ready for the following winter if you think youre going to be interested.

But whatever you do, the best idea is not to go alone for awhile, until you're very familiar with where you're at. In the snow, I'd say never go alone...I have a buddy I'm always on trails with, we're the same pace and and have the same interest...theres always someone there if something happens..it's perfect.

Hook up with any of these people, I've never met better people, even the wackos are good..pm somebody and arrange to meet at the tram or something, and instantly you'll know more about hiking or snowshoeing in the area than you could have imagined.

-steve