C2C2C?? thoughts? anyone interested?

[SDathlete]

I'll post it over on our meetup site as when we get closer to the date - a few people over there might be interested.

Thanks Kathy!

It would be nice to have an interested group of about 10-15 that we could split into two or three smaller groups....this is one of those trips that's good to stick with someone for safety reasons.

[bluerail]

gonna bring your rocket ?

[leftcoast]

I am interested in hiking to the peak. I am guessing this hike is not a good FIRST hike. Any suggestions?

Could possible include others. Friends relatives.
October 6th is my 50th, and would love to celebrate at the peak.

thanks
Mark

[Hikin_Jim]

I am guessing this hike is not a good FIRST hike. Any suggestions?

Mark,

CTC is a death march, and I'm really not exaggerating. It's nearly 11,000 feet vertical gain. If you don't have an immediate intuitive sense of just how insane that kind of vertical gain is, then that's probably a good indication that this might not be a good pick for your first hike in the area. If you think running marathons is child's play and a 12 mile run is "a good warm up," then you might be in the right league for a CTC.

Probably, a better first pick would be to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to Long Valley which is about 8,000'. You'd then hike from there to Round Valley, Wellman Divide, and then San Jacinto Peak (10,800+), about 3,000' of gain. Most people think about 2,000' - 3,000' of gain is plenty. If you pick a hot day, haven't hiked at altitude much, or aren't a regular hiker, just keep an eye on yourself and be prepared to turn back when your body says "enough." The whole wilderness is beautiful; I doubt you'll be disappointed.

HJ

P.S. The tram ride is worth the trip in and of itself.

[Vnthali]

Mark first off congrats on your making it to the big 5-0. I am certainly no expert with tons of hiking experience, but I would have to agree with Jim. At 45 I consider myself to be in good shape with regular (sea-level) exercise a part of my wellness routine. However, there is something to be said about the folks on this board who do this regularly. Age is not as much a factor as conditioning. Give the tram to the peak a go. I'm a little over a year and a half into hiking these beutiful mountains, and I won't even consider the CTC hike without more experience. That said, good luck and have a great time .

[Rick F]

Age is not as much a factor as conditioning.

Vnthali, Thanks for acknowledging age & conditioning as separate factors.

I also suggest that experience on San J. is another key factor. I wouldn't suggest to anyone, at any age, to make their first trip to San J. an attempt of a Cactus-to-Clouds. After several years and various routes on San J., I made my first trip up the Skyline Trail last summer at age 51. I'll be trying the C2C, car-to-car this coming October, just weeks before my 53rd birthday. I'll be working on conditioning until then.

[lightgy]

Are Hiking Poles allowed? I'm 55 and the trail has kicked 60 lbs of crap out of me over the last year. I love this trail. It has definitely made me fitter. I would suggest a good set of Hiking Poles because the down hill section is going to punish your quads and knees.

[Evie]

in Sept or Oct.

[KathyW]

11 people from the meetup group have signed up for the October 9th C2C2C. If we can do C2C2C, the next stop will be Shorty's Well to Telescope Peak.

Here's where we are:

http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and-Peakbaggers/calendar/13414937/?from=list&offset=0

[SDathlete]

11 people from the meetup group have signed up for the October 9th C2C2C. If we can do C2C2C, the next stop will be Shorty's Well to Telescope Peak.

Here's where we are:

http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and-Peakbaggers/calendar/13414937/?from=list&offset=0

OMG that is great...11! wooohooo.