#300 Skyline!!!

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hello my dear hiking friends,
Well I finally did it. I know some of you wanted to join me but, I was having such a hard time the past two weekends with my lungs that I
didn't want to make everyone join me and then turn around at 5,000ft. This Saturday was just perfect with the temp. and my lungs felt great.
Many thanks to Diane who stayed with me from 6,000ft to the end. She made the time go by and before I knew it, I was at the final section
of switchbacks. You were my angel Diane!!! I know a lot of you were there with me in spirit. I could feel you on the trail and when I finished
I took my usual bow and let the trees applause. It was a great day and I love you all for being in my life and for loving this trail that has come to
mean so much to so many of us. Lets continue to take care of her and teach those who come behind us to regard her with respect. She will
change your life!!!
To Scott, Diane, Ellen, Dave, Doug, Jack, Cynthia, Marilyn, Craig and so many of you that I have come to know over these years, thank you for always
looking out for me on the trail and giving me the encouragement to continue on, even on those days when I don't feel so great. You all inspire me.
Happy Trails
Doreen

[zippetydude]

Congratulations Doreen! That's a lotta Skylines! Not to mention I've run into you over on San G, so I know Skyline is not the only challenge you take on. I'm glad your lungs were feeling good and you made it up comfortably for the big #300! I understand what you mean about not wanting to announce it and maybe jinx it. : ) No worries, it's fun to run into you anytime on the trail. Hope to see you out there again soon!

z

[Ellen]

Howdy Doreen, Skyline Queen

Your post brought happy tears to my eyes -- congratulations on 300!!!

I continue to be inspired by your indomitable, cheerful and kind spirit -- thank you

From the heart,
Ellen

[Cy Kaicener]

Congratulations Doreen - I WISH I could have been there. I would have been happy to make it to 5000 ft but maybe I would have turned back sooner. Its been five years since my last Skyline.

Here is a picture of me on facebook with my 55 year old ice axe --
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

[Sally]

Congratulations, Doreen! I was just telling Ellen the other day that several years back, when I was only an "occasional hiker," I came across an article in the Press Enterprise about you and Cy doing Skyline a lot. It must have made quite an impression on me because I had never heard of Skyline or you two, but it has stuck in my head all these years and was likely an influencing factor in making me into the hikin' fool I am today! Thank you for the inspiration you have been for me.

I wonder if you have a copy of that news article, it would be fun to see it!

[Sally]

Aha! I think this is the Article:
http://www.hiking4health.com/?page_id=11

[Cy Kaicener]

Thank you Sally -- Here is a blog commemorating Doreen's wonderful news

http://cys-hiking-adventures.blogspot.c ... yline.html

[cynthia23]

Doreen, I am so thrilled for you! But I knew you would do it. You have enough determination to fill Mt. San Jacinto Like Ellen, I feel a little tearful, too. It's a wonderful, wonderful, thing. Hike on!

[tekewin]

Congrats!

[Brian]

Congratulations on your 300th

I meet you on your 283rd and again on 290th. I've hiked Skyline several times now with SJHC, and each time I see Dorren and Diane on the trail. The Skyline trail and San Jacinto has some unique power that keeps calling us back. No where else can you hike 8,500 feet from desert to alpine before lunch.

All the best,
Brian K.