Pine Mountain from Baldy Village

[FIGHT ON]

I planned to hike to Wrightwood and back but turned around after reaching Pine Mountain. I wanted to carry all my water and food but 8 liters wasn't enough as I was half way through at Pine. I also started too late to guarantee being back before the sun set. My wife doesn't like me hiking after dark. So I turned around. I wasn't feeling too good anyway. It was hard to hike. I had a bit of a pain in the gulliver and felt light headed. I had to lay down and rest a few times when it got bad. Felt like I was near Whitney! It was hot but there were breezes that cooled me off often. I usually pee a lot but only did a few times the whole hike!? Even after all those liters. When I got to the Pine register I met Alan and Jill. Who were hiking from Wrightwood to Baldy and back. So I joined them on my return to Dawson except directed them off the trail along the ridge so they could sign that register. I hiked the trail and they tried to catch me before I got back to Baldy. Jill was lucky that there were some forest service people that just arrived with water. I saw this guy just as he reached the sign. I then walked back to see Alan and Jill come up.
As they got close I asked how she was doing on water. She said she was very low (way to go Alan!) just then we turned toward the sign only to see the ranger dumping out the water bottles! We all screamed in unison, STOP! LOL. And you can see how fried she was. (way to go Alan!) This was her first hike ever. (way to go Alan!) So she filled up and (so did he!) They both didn't have enough.
So they left and so did I. When I left I saw another couple walking toward West Baldy. Then then veered on the main Bear Flat trail and continued down. When I caught up with them at that long straight section I asked them where they started from. She wasn't carrying anything and he was carrying a pack and some sticks. He said they walked up from Manker under the chairs across devils backbone and were headed back down. He then asked the magic question. "How much further down is the waterfall?" I said what waterfall?
Then I realized they were on the wrong trail! I finally convinced him where he was on the map and figured it was five miles either way he went but going back up to the summit wasn't what they wanted to do so they continued on. They had enough water so I told them they could easily hitch a ride and I was off.
Then I met ANOTHER couple just above the half way rock. They were stopped on the trail so I asked if they were going up or down. The lady replied they were on their way down and I kid you not she said and I quote! "How much further is the waterfall????" I thought she was joking! She wasn't She thought I was lost! lol. I also convinced her where she was on my map and she and her partner continued on down. But what was really funny was when she said she lives IN BALDY!!!!!!!!!! MAN O MAN! And all these people had maps!
pictures

[Zé]

first hike up the north backbone to baldy? lol

two couples getting lost?

jeebus

[FIGHT ON]

first hike up the north backbone to baldy? lol

two couples getting lost?

jeebus

Not for Alan, he's been hiking for years. This was Jill's first hike ever!!! (way to go Alan!) They were lucky water was at the summit. she was out!

[AlanK]

I think that Jill should have stuck with Jack. His crown should be better by now.

Still, heaping all of the blame on my namesake is eliminating her responsibility. She's fit enough to hike to Baldy and back from Wrightwood but doesn't know that a body requires water? Doesn't make sense.

[FIGHT ON]

I think that Jill should have stuck with Jack. His crown should be better by now.

Still, heaping all of the blame on my namesake is eliminating her responsibility. She's fit enough to hike to Baldy and back from Wrightwood but doesn't know that a body requires water? Doesn't make sense.

I suggested he change his name to Jack several times along the way. But did not sing that song.
His name really was Alan! an (experienced) hiker! I did a double take and said K? just to make sure it wasn't somebody else. boy did I feel safe! Doesn't K mean what in spanish? it was a confusing moment! Poor Jill, seriously she only had a small bladder and it was more than half empty at Pine. Man they really were lucky those ranger people brought up water when they did!
I agree each person is responsible but this was her first hike, ANYWHERE! Alan was supposed to know enough to bring more than they did. (Way to go Alan!)

[AlanK]

Alan was supposed to know enough to bring more than they did.

Agreed. And another Alan would have.