Sat. Skyline Report

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi All my Hiker Friends,
Sat was #296. Only 4 more to go to hit 300!!! It was a great day for the hike even though it was very humid and still a little more hotter than I like it.
I was amazed at all the hikers on the trail. Was very saddened by the idiot low life, that painted, "Are we there yet?" in vivid green paint all over one of the
rocks before you hit 4,000 ft. This moron also painted a few circles on other rocks. When will these idiots just leave this trail alone. Also noticed more white
dots and of course, a number of them were in the wrong place. I'm not going to get on the soap box about the short cuts again, but, I had to rearrange a
group of rocks that cut off the actual trail and forced hikers to go up that stupid hill at "spanky" instead of just dropping down to the REAL trail. I stopped
a group of hikers from having to climb up that hill for no good reason. I want to thank that group of hikers that gave me some water. My frozen water did not
melt as fast as I thought it would. Got very dehydrated before I hit Florian's bucket, which is no longer there!!!(lol) Wondered what happened to that bucket. I heard
it was becoming a trash collector. Once again, pretty sad that people do those things on this trail. I can understand getting rid of the bucket. I just liked knowing there
was always water available. Checked the rescue box and that was empty of water. I never usually need water, but that day was the exception. Lesson learned.
Well, the season is upon us and for those of you coming back to Skyline and for those of you who will do it for the first time, please treat her with respect and
be aware of the numerous cuts in the trail and do the right thing and stay on the trail. It was great seeing all of you, especially David.
Happy Trails to all
Doreen

[Robert Hunt]

Way to go Doreen! Whenever I'm planning an outing and thinking through the stuff I'll need, I often wonder how the hell spray paint (or glass) can be on anybodies list! I hope your 300th will be your best one yet. You'll need a bumper sticker that puts all those 26.2 or 100 ones to shame.

[Ellen]

Howdy Doreen Skyline Queen

Congratulations on 296!

Please let us know the date for 300 -- your mountain family wants to celebrate with you.

From the heart,
Ellen

[cynthia23]

Ditto on that, Doreen--definitely let us know when #300 is in the offiing.

And congrats on #296! Awesome!

[Ed]

Congratulations on 296!

I had the same reaction to the spray painting. Though the white spots I noticed were where the trail is perfectly clear, and well above where people hike in the dark. Some people seem to have a desperate desire to leave their mark, or play pathfinder. As Robert noted, who would even think of packing a spray can? Perhaps there is too much discussion of route finding problems on the trail, when they actually tend to take the form of trying to figure out which way is the main trail, rather than being truly lost. Am also amazed by the number of cigarette butts on the trail.

Who left the big collection of full, fresh water bottles on the ground, at the first rescue box I think? A cache, or a contribution?

Again, congratulations on 296. And it makes me feel like a super-wimp when I see you walking back to Palm Springs.

[Brian]

Was on a C2C on 10/18/14 and was thinking of you. I started at 4:00 AM and was passed by Diane and a few other locals before the Traverse. Looking forward to your 300th!

[Cy Kaicener]

Wonderful news Doreen - "only" four to go to 300 - Wow - what a feat. You are so lucky to be near that trail. Can you believe its been five years since my last Skyline at age 72.
Let me know (or post) when you intend to hike # 300

[Hikin_Jim]

She hit 296 yesterday? She's probably past 300 and working on 400 now.

Way to go, Doreen.

HJ

[tekewin]

296!?!! Very impressed! Keep going, you inspire all of us.

[Perry]

Congrats Doreen. Sounds like there's a party waiting for your 300th.