22,000 ft elevation gain (2 c2c's)

[zippetydude]

A different challenge that might be fun would be to do the loop around the top, going over to Tahquitz, Saddle Junction, Strawberry Junction, to the Peak, and back by way of Little Round Valley. I did a shortened version of that last year, and the terrain reminded me of the Sierras. I think Perry called it the 22 mile loop, but he may have been referring to a slightly different version of the same idea. (Perry?) Not quite so much up and down, but still some real distance.

Incidentally, I agree with Cynthia that doing it twice would mess with my mind. I find that I get all wimpy when I have to do the uphill at the end. I went out to Caramba last year, and thought I was going to die coming back up. Not nearly as much climbing as Skyline, but I was feeling very sorry for myself as I climbed back out. This, despite a delightful refreshing dip at Caramba. Yeeow, that water was cold.

z

[AlanK]

Z'dude -- The goal is 20K feet of climbing without doing the same thing twice is, at the very least, an interesting thought experiment.

Since going uphill is easier on the body, at least an old body, it is tempting to use the tram to go down. If the tram is allowed, are we allowed to use a car to go from place to place?

1. Standard C2C (~10500')

2. Ski Hut Trail (up and down, ~4000')

3. Bear Flat Trail (up only, 6000')

Why one way on the Bear Flat Trail? Because you are allowed to die on top of Baldy and be carried down in a plastic bag.

Alternatively, you could combine C2C with the San Gorgonio 9 Peaks Hike. The right choice of route could get you close to 20K feet.

[magikwalt]

Zippetydude - If the little San Jacinto $1.00 map is any good that loop route is coming in pretty close to 25 miles but its one I can see me enjoying...at least at the beginning.

Anyone - If a crazy person was to do the standard C2C and the Snow Creek/PCT route on the same day which would you do first? Save the standard route for last just in case you need to bail at the tram or do it first so a tram bail out wasn't an option? Never having done the PCT route, is it easier, harder or not much different???

[Ellen]

Alan -- thanks for the best laugh (carried down in a plastic bag) I've had today

20 K of climbing up and down? When I rode the Mt. Lassen double century 30 years ago, a 15 K climb on a 200 mile bike ride was considered outrageous.

Heck, I haven't even hiked up 10 K in a day yet. I still need to get my butt from the museum to the top of San Jacinto and back to the tram.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[AlanK]

Ellen -- You have done some impressive things and I am sure you will do the museum to peak hike soon.

Personally, despite a weakness for thinking about truly outrageous outings, I am satisfied to do things like C2C, perhaps adding to them a bit over time. For example, if I ever get back my confidence in my aging knees, I may do C2C2C (i.e., walk down instead of using the tram). I also like things like the Baldy and San G 9 Peaks hikes. Trouble is, people like Rick Kent and Rick Graham keep adding more peaks.

Here's a nice target for the over-60 set:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/ou ... utdor.html

[zippetydude]

Walt: If you click on the 3 on the intro page of this bulletin board, there's a posting by me from a trip I took last fall up the PCT that compares the two trails.

Alan: I'm with Ellen, I always enjoy your posts.

Ellen: I have a couple of questions about nutrition. Would you mind, or do you like to leave work at work?

z

[TRumble24]

Even the thought of attempting all this 20k in one day stuff, or San Jacinto, Gorgonio and Antonio all in one day is jaw-dropping to me, something I am not even in shape enough even start thinking about, so a big tip of the hat to all of you people who could do that sort of trek. Definatley the kind of thing I would love to do at some point.

Two hikes I want to do are PCT from Hwy. 74 in Palm Desert to Snow Creek with a side trip to the peak (I envison this as an at least 2 day trip if not 3 at my pace.) Also doing Cactus to Clouds and down into Idyllwild. Wimpy hikes compared to ones on the rest of this thread, but has anyone done that 74 to Snow Creek trek?

[magikwalt]

Thank you Alan. Gives an old Marine like me another hero to worship. I've done some pretty long days as a Marine but nothing to compare with those types of miles in that short of time. He truely is a Marine's Marine!

[magikwalt]

Thanks ZippetyDude for the reference to your trip report. That and the post from bcox say alot for the distance being covered and the obvious lack of support or bail out. I'll bet finding partners for that trip is a bit difficult.

[AlanK]

I always loved this logic:

Metzger's thinking was, if the British Marines can cover it in 14 days . . . then a U.S. Marine should be able to do it faster.

That is exactly my picture of what a US Marine would think.

And of course he backed it up! Talk is cheap.

I did the JMT with my son last summer and we've thought about trying it again sometime, aiming for something like 7 days. Maybe when I'm old enough (Metzger was 61 when he set his record). Of course, Metzger has done it in 14 days... both ways!