TR 11-07 Skyline & Skyline

[magikwalt]

Jean and I missed the midnight alarm and our whole plan began to fall apart. Our 1:15am start time became 1:45am and my 6:30 pace plan would put me dangerously close to missing the first car down. The first thing we noticed was how much warmer it was than if we had waited until 4:00am to start. The 2nd thing was that there was some major partying going on down in Palm Springs. The first 2500ft were hot and humid at our pace was suffering. Lack of sleep was the cause. As we cleared 3100ft we got the great view of our Coachella Valley and a slight breeze kicked up. Jean declared she was feeling much better and that we could pickup the pace. Must be the GU talking but we pick it up anyway. From here through 4500ft we start gaining back our time encouraged by "Man Tracker" like scene unfolding behind us. Someone had released the hounds.

Jean now informs me she would like to try and go sub 6:00 and our goals for the day seem to be jockeying for first position. Obviously I lose and our pace moves up again. As we pass Florian bucket she tells me that she won't need a rest at Flat Rock. We move through Flat Rock a little under 4:00. Jean was started to feel the pace effect about 1000ft above Flat Rock and I encouraged her on letting know she was a 1000ft above where she was last week at this same time. She finshed off the traverse and hated me the entire time she climbed up to the notch. I kept singing the Rocky song. She closed out at 5:49 and now sits a mere 22 minutes off my best time ever.

We saw so many new and familiar faces this during the trip. ZippetyDude and Mark passed us before the driveway. We spoke to DaveG I believe at the top of the shady area to make sure he knew where the shortcut trail he was starting down went. Then ran into Patrick at 4300ft. The hounds went snuck by in the dark. SDAthlete zoomed by near 5500ft. Ze, Mike, Rick Kent, Gigamike and another fast mover went by us above Flat Rock. As we walked up the sidewalk Norma was jogging up yelling to "Hold that car!" When we walked into the tram station everyone was there.

The second round I hiked with two good friends. Ellen and my umbrella. Laugh all you want the umbrella was perfect since the sun just kept coming. We were in it all the way to above Flat Rock. We saw Lee's party around 4300 and then the RMRU Rangers about 5500ft. So nice of them to hike down. I noticed they were offering and leaving water for others. Ellen and I aren't grey hounds but were able to finish off the second one in 6:45 and join the other crazies at the bar. OMG was a scene to walk into.

We enjoyed dinner at Spaghetti Ria (Palm Cyn & Racquett Club shopping center) since they had old door seating. No way I was sitting down in someones dining room. What a meal we had. Great food and chatting with Gigamike, Tina, Ellen, and Perry.

After that I slept a dreamless sleep.

Jean and I had a wonderful day!

[Zé]

great job! did you really hold that umbrella the whole time?! that would make my arm tired.

[Zé]

Then ran into Patrick at 4300ft.

Patrick as in lilbitmo?

we were moving fast in the dark and a Patrick was resting a bit off the trail. I didn't make the connection (it was early, lol). Sorry I didn't really get to meet you Patrick

[lilbitmo]

It was not my best day or my worst, but I had a blast just the same.

I started cramping at 6800 feet so I slowed down to make sure it didn't turn into anything else - which worked.

Ze I'm curious as to when you went by - at the spot where I was taking a break on the fallen tree? Funny thing is I kept asking others in the dark if they were you all negatives and at the fallen tree when three guys went by I forgot to ask - I'll catch you on the next one.

For a first time up Skyline that was a fun group of people, like Magicwalk I could feel the warmness at the bottom, I'm oh so glad that we started in the dark.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Part I

I also overslept and dashed to meet Norma, Dave G, Patrick and friends at 1:15. I was happy to find that my C2C friend Steve Fosset had also came up from San Diego for the Terrible Two. As Walt noted, it was warm and humid and trying to keep up with Seve F contributed to the sweating as well We chatted our way up the trail and welcomed the cool breeze above Shade Rock.

I took off my headlamp shortly before daybreak and was astounded by the haunting beauty of the landscape in the moonlight. (Now I want to hike Skyline mindfully during a full moon). The front runners started zooming by on the Never Ending Ridge. The paceline (including my pain sister Tina) passed us on the traverse. We reached Grubbs Notch in 5:45 and I thought "uh oh, hope that wasn't too fast."

Headed into the tram station and started fueling up for round two. Jean was glowing after going under 6 hours in only her second Skyline
I applied sunscreen in the tram on the way down and entertained my fellow hikers by looking like a mime. The scene in the tram parking lot was reminiscent of the Keystone cops as Tina coordinated transportation back to the museum.

Part II

I changed into a clean shirt and shorts at the museum and restocked my fluid and food supply. It felt warm even before starting off -- not a good sign. I headed over to the trail head with trepidation. Suddenly, a tall, muscular knight with an umbrella was following me up the trail. Thanks to Sir Walt's banter with other hikers, the umbrella provided essential comic relief as we ascended into the bright sun. Trust me, no one will dare laugh at a 250 lb. Marine carrying an umbrella

I entered major suffering mode between 3000 and 4000 ft. The clouds seemed to provide shade everywhere but where we were on the trail It was a relief to reach the Enchanted Garden and take a short break before grinding up to 5000 ft. On the Never Ending Ridge we recognized the orange shirts of Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit. It was wonderful to meet them, shake their hands, and thank them again for saving my life on San Jacinto in 2008.

Even this late in the day, I was constantly wiping sweat from my face as climbed out of Flat Rock up through the manzanita to the traverse. Sir Walt kindly distracted me with hilarious stories and encouraging words. When we reached Coffman's Crag, we took a moment to breathe and reflect before the final push. We wasted no time at the Notch and headed forthwith to the tram bar. Following Sir Walt up the cement was like watching Moses part the Red Sea -- everyone got out of our way

We rolled into the tram bar at 3:45 PM. Blessed Jean handed us Fat Tire beers and we got down to the serious business of celebrating. Hiking Jim joined the festivities a bit later. We finished off the day with a fabulous meal and companionship.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Florian]

I took off my headlamp shortly before daybreak and was astounded by the haunting beauty of the landscape in the moonlight. (Now I want to hike Skyline mindfully during a full moon)

Yes, i agree. The trail was wonderful in moonlight. I started at about 3am and hardly used my flashlight at all. I'm thinking to go up again in a month under similar lunar conditions and even start a bit earlier to hike most of the trail before dawn.

-Florian

[Dave G]

We spoke to DaveG I believe at the top of the shady area to make sure he knew where the shortcut trail he was starting down went.

Hi Magikwalt: Yup, that was me. Thanks for the course correction! At that time of the morning I need all the help I can get.

It was strange seeing the string of headlamps above and below me--an unusual scene on Skyline for sure.

[magikwalt]

Hi Ze,

Hiking out here in the summer is made a lot easier with the extra shade and no lid on the head. Staying cool means carrying less water. The umbrella I used weighs 8oz. Less than a single hiking pole. Another 6oz is added by the PVC. The extra length of the PVC allows for passing over brush or small trees with out much effort or thought. The lack of thought part was essential on trip #2 Saturday. The umbrella handle has been modified to slide down into the PVC so when seperated the will fit a pack similar to hiking poles. When opened it is 36" at its smallest point and puts almost all of my upper body in the shade. I picked up on the idea from reading posts of folks doing the entire PCT or AT. On a trip from Hwy74 on the PCT to Tahquitz Valley and on up to the tram station it will be onboard for sure. The same with hiking Snow Creek via the PCT up to San Jacinto peak.

Magikwalt