Skyline May 9 - kinda hot - going elsewhere?

[Cy Kaicener]

Maria invited me to carpool with them. No use waiting for cooler weather which wont be for a long time. I hope I can keep up with you all for a while.

[Kathryn]

Hi Cy,
It's great to hear that you're feeling better! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

[Cy Kaicener]

Kathryn - We will start as close to 1.00 am as we can make it. Its been too long - more than four months. I am looking forward to seeing you all.
Update - I am not sure if I want to risk the heat considering that I am a bit out of shape. It will be a last minute descision.

[Kathryn]

Ellen, Karin, her friend Tamara, Maria and I left the museum at 2:15 this morning. The air was dry and the views crystal clear. A half moon was out, surrounded by brilliant stars. The night air and views were magical! I'm really enjoying going on Skyline in the middle of the night! Another great thing was that the temp. was pretty comfortable, not too hot at all. Steve left at 4:50 am and he also didn't feel that it was too hot. Congratulations to Steve! He made it in 4 hours and 2 minutes! Overall it was quiet on Skyline today. In fact, when we took the tram down, we were the only people on that car! So instead of that Peruvian style music that they always play, we were treated to Led Zeppelin. It was another great day for us on Skyline and I want to thank Ellen, Karin, Tamara and Maria for giving up a night's sleep. A big thanks also needs to go out to Maria and her husband, Ted, but I'll let Ellen tell you about that! Sorry we missed you on the trail today Tina.

Kathryn

[zippetydude]

Kathryn: What a nice turn of phrase you have...you write well. Glad to hear everyone had fun on Skyline today. I did a 5k with my daughter at the Iris Festival in Yucaipa, so I got a late start - too hot for Skyline! I did Vivian instead. San G is my favorite hike, so it's not like it was a sacrifice.

Steve: Sweet time there - seems like we'll be well suited to do the PCT together, although based on your marathon time, I think you're a bit faster than me. Probably closely enough matched to have some fun, though. My first time it took 10 hours, I think you and I can beat that...say, 9:59 or so!

Cy: Did you go? Hope you're feeling good enough to be back at it...

Everyone: Still doing Skyline for the next couple of weeks, or doing something else?

z

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for the early trip report Kathryn and thanks to Ellen for inviting Maria to join you. I am amazed she kept up with you. My spirit is still willing to go, but unfortunately my body is feeling its age.

[Kathryn]

Thanks Z! As far as the next 2 weeks: Ellen, Maria, Steve, Mark, Tina and I have been talking about doing Vivian next Sat. I've never been there, but from what I've been hearing it sounds wonderful. Also, from what the weather is currently showing, Skyline would be a good option too. Then for the following week, they are kicking around the idea of doing a c2c. I have already planned that if they do that, I'll take the tram up and go from Long Valley to the summit with them, get in the group picture and pretend that I did the whole thing. Hopefully, we'll see you soon!

Cy: You said you were amazed that Maria kept up- well, she and Ellen beat me to Flat Rock. Maria flies up that mountain! But of course, as usual, once we left Flat Rock, Ellen disappeared into the manzanita and went into that mysterious "gear" that only Ellen seems to possess. Somewhere above Coffman's Craig, Maria and I heard a screaming "Woohooo" as Ellen signaled us that she had made it to the top! Maria made it in about 6 hours 15 minutes! And Cy, I believe your spirit will overcome all and you will soon be back on the mountain. So, see you on the trail soon!

Kathryn

[bluerail]

Z, I will never be as fast as you. ever. I've watched you and it won't happen. yesterday was alot of fun but really worked me, had to do the section out of flatrock twice, realized that I had dropped my gel trash bag and had to go bag and find it. so I got to do my least favorite section twice. still trying to figure that one out.
after I got to the top I went on to the ranger station and waited for twenty minutes to fill out a pass. new item in my pack is a pen. I was going on down Willow creek to look for the girls as somebody said that was where they were going. they lied ! they were in the bar and Ellen already had a cold one in each hand.

I'll gladly go on the PCT but might carry my BIG camera so I have a solid excuse for sucking.

Cy, your in my thoughts buddy, I hope you get well enough soon to get out there where I know you want to be.

[Ellen]

Howdy All,

I really must be losing my mind. I swore that I would never again set my alarm for 12:15 AM to hike Skyline. And, to hike it again one week following my hardest C2C -- insanity. However, when Kathryn and Karin (who'd done C2C with me) said they wanted to go, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

It was the day of the Cinco Amigas. I'm convinced that Maria has been sand bagging us. I couldn't even hear her breathing on the Never Ending Ridge.

Ted met us in Long Valley at the rocks. We discussed options via cell phone and decided to regroup in the tram station. This gave me a chance to wash off the blood. A kind tram worker opened the bar for some tourists and I benefited by having my draft Flat Tire beer much earlier than normal. Ted generously offered to shuttle us back to the museum. What followed was worthy of a movie -- visualize "Little Miss Sunshine."

We filled Ted's trunk to bursting with our hiking gear and piled in the Saturn. It reminded me of high school -- how many people can you get into a VW bug? Ted pulled out of the parking lot and starting heading uphill. The car came to a complete standstill. We hopped out and ran behind the car, pushing it uphill towards the tram station. Once the road started downhill, we piled back in. It was without a doubt the most fun part of the day. The least we could do was treat Ted and Maria to lunch.

I'm definitely swearing off Skyline for at least next weekend. This will give me a chance to grow new skin on my arms and legs.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Bloody Blond Hiking (Really, it's only a flesh wound)

[Zé]

I'm definitely swearing off Skyline for at least next weekend. This will give me a chance to grow new skin on my arms and legs.

But aren't you hiking Big Iron next weekend?