Help... Hiking C2C June 5th???

[peak-a-thon]

I want to take my 10yr old and 12yr old up Cactus 2 Clouds starting at around Midnight Saturday night. I know... "there too young!"

They are both very capable hikers and have done several significant hikes in the last few months. We are training for Kilimanjaro which we leave to hike with Kurt Wedberg later this month.

My concern isn't their capability, but my navigation. Is there anyone who has done this hike before who'd be willing to start with us at midnight?

Thanks,
Joe
www.peak-a-thon.org

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for contacting me Joe. I WISH i could have gone with you. Any friend of Kurt's is worth hiking with. You will find the people on this board very friendly and co-operative. Last week there were dozens of people on the trail.
I love your website and good luck with the seven summits
http://7summits.com (Jordan Romero aged 13 just climbed Everest and only needs Vinson to complete the seven highest on seven continents)

[halhiker]

I can't go this weekend but I want to warn you that it will be extremely hot this weekend. If, for some reason, you or the kids get tired out and think about turning back, DON'T. Continue up to cooler temps. Last year we had three people die from coming down on hot day like we expect this weekend.

I'm sure you'll come across a lot of people on the trail and navigation should not be problem. The trail is pretty much like a highway these days.

[hikehigh]

Just read this post after reading yours. Really sad. Makes you think about taking kids into potentially dangerous situations.

From supertopo board:

This involved a family of four, including two boys ages 10 and 15.

While skiing in the canyon, the 10 year-old got into a tight spot above a cliff band. In the process of trying to access his son, the father took a fall off the cliff. (approx. 30m)

Mom was at their basecamp a bit up the canyon, at their tent. 15 year-old went down and informed his Mom.

Subject was unresponsive and bleeding from head wound, as reported by wife and 15 year-old who skied out after being unable to access the 10 year-old.

After dark, the 10 year-old managed to get himself going back down the canyon, and ran into personnel.

Late last night SAR personnel were able to escort the boy down.

Victim's body is being flown out as I write this.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum ... rhorn-Peak

[Cy Kaicener]

The midnight temperatures are expected to be around 80 degrees getting to be well over 100.
The Sierra Club has a midnight hike on October 23 (Saturday)

[AlanK]

My son and I did Skyline together for the first time on Memorial Day weekend in 2002. He was 12. It took us over 11 hours to hike to the summit and back down to the tram (admittedly, there was a fair amount on basking on top that day). Although we both recall a hot day, Eric still remembers it as a great time and we have done the hike quite a few times since then.

As far as navigation goes, back in 2002 it was still possible to miss the trail on the last, steep scramble up to Long Valley. Today, one would have to be blind to miss it. Or deaf, given the size of the crowds. Navigation is not the problem. At this point, the danger is heat.

So, although I am not the one to be advising against doing this hike with a child (or children), I urge a heavy dose of caution. When Eric did C2C, we had, among many other things, done Iron Mountain a couple of times on rather hot days. In fact, Eric had quite a bit of experience with heat at that point. Otherwise, I would never have considered taking him on Cactus to Clouds.

Maybe these kids are even better prepared. I have no way to judge, since "significant" means different things to different people. However, Whitney (which I gather is on the "done list" from the link in the original message) is a decent start (although not much of a test of hiking in heat).

Back in 2002, we started at 5:25 AM. A much earlier start sounds very sensible. (We voted to be well-rested. ) If the kids are used to early starts (and midnight certainly qualifies), there should be half a dozen relatively cool hours to gain some altitude (although it should still be plenty warm this weekend).

If Kurt Wedberg knows these kids and does not think the plan is nuts, that would carry a lot of weight with me.

Best of luck all the way around on this one.

[some guy]

Kilimanjaro is a gradual climb for the most part and is quite cold. How is this training for that? Your biggest concern should be having broken in boots. Well, that, and the thin air. I remember seeing a couple young kids at the Kilimanjaro trailhead... then I saw them again as their porters were racing them down the hill on stretchers. Kids seem to be much more susceptible to altitude sickness.

Seems like it's a needless risk to subject your kids to C2C during a heat wave.. Save your luck for Kilimanjaro.

[KathyW]

Extended forecast for Palm Springs:

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 104.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 104.


Is it worth the risk?

[bluerail]

Peak, check your pms -steve

[halhiker]

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... tType=text