Solo Skyline first timer- 5-16-10

[Lcpl Hughes]

I have been thinking about and researching this trail for about 7 months now..ever since I joined this forum..The Danger, the Rescues, the Lost and the Waterless..Man, what a turn on!..lol..at that time, from reading all of the warnings, I was sure I was not ready and then winter came and it pretty much made it inaccessible, to most , including me..I did make a couple trips to halfway within the last couple months or so, to stash some water and just get a feel for it...the feeling I got from the trail was great, the vibe felt right..I know that one of the warnings was to do the trail with someone who has done it before..but, with as much reading as I have done, I feel I was fine going solo for my first trip..
I arrived at the TH on Ramon at 4:10 and was on the trail by 4:20 and came across the painted rocks and warning sign




I wanted to push as hard as I could without stopping so I could get as high as I could before the sun came up..


I was going good, I ended up passing the rocks at 4300 and passed my water cache..by the time I figured that out I was already a half mile past..oh well, I made sure to bring enough water, to not have to depend on it...
At around 5500, for some reason I got dizzy, it was trippy and I even stumbled, I stopped and I felt like I had the spins, it felt just like when you have had too much to drink, laying in bed wishing for the world to stop spinning..for a second, I said to myself "Oh shit"..I just sat down and tried to focus my vision..I was finally able to get centered after about 45 seconds..got up and continued on..



Now from the night before I knew Florian had said he was going to start at 5 and said he usually does the trail in about 6 hours..So, I was sure it wouldn't be long till I seen him and I was right, about 3/4 of a mile past flat rock I seen him coming up the trail, actually I wasn't exactly sure it was him, but..so, I stopped and waited so I could meet him..a very cool guy, we talked for a few minutes and it was time to carry on, he said he was out to beat his personal best time for the trail and the way he was movin' I was sure he did..
and I continued on..also was able to hide a cache at about 6600 ft..which is not published yet



This is one of the couple of snow crossings..not to bad, as you can see, a well worn trail


I knew this area was where most of the lost hikers get lost..I kept in my mind on the traverse if the trail looked iffy..keep looking up and head toward Coffmans..which I did and it worked out great..ended up topping out at 11:45..for a total of 7 hours and 25 minutes..not the greatest compared to some..but its my personal best

Once at the tram, I know I was faced with a $12 ride down and probably a $25 cab ride..I was thinking of just slipping in with the day hikers on the tram without paying, but my conscious got the best of me and the tram guy praised my honesty..haha..but there were a couple of real nice pretty ladies that started asking questions about the skyline and that she does it once a year and we talked about what most hikers talk about, MOUNTAINS and she offered to give me a ride back to my truck on Ramon..I was very thankful and offered gas money but she scoffed at my offer..

Overall, an awesome trip and all that I expected..
I ended up drinking all 206 oz of fluids that I had..taking the last few gulps at the top..
btw..please excuse the pictures quality, they were taken with my phone
Also, thanks to all the great hardcore hikers here for all of you info, warnings and insight..very, very useful..

[Hikin_Jim]

Congrats amd thanks for a good TR.

[Florian]

I was just about to leave a comment that if i'd seen you at the mtn station we had room for one more ride back to town .. but seems things worked out for you even better!

I was wondering who's truck was at the Ramon trailhead, now i know.

-Florian

[Phil B]

Lcpl,

Nice report, I liked the picture of the snow patch crossing, we have been hearing so much about the condition of the traverse it was good to see it melting at last, that looked like a pretty clear path through.

Cheers, Phil

[Lcpl Hughes]

Thanks HJ..

Florian, yeah, I was trying to push to at least finish close behind you because I figured you had the ride thing all set up..but, that last part is pretty steep and I was feelin it..but yeah, it did work out pretty nicely..plus it was a ride in a Range Rover so I was feeling like a celebrity..haha

yeah Phil..there aint much left..but a few of the snow patches make the trail seem to disappear..

[DaddyLongLegs]

Lcpl Hughes said: "At around 5500, for some reason I got dizzy, it was trippy and I even stumbled, I stopped and I felt like I had the spins, it felt just like when you have had too much to drink, laying in bed wishing for the world to stop spinning..for a second, I said to myself "Oh shit"..I just sat down and tried to focus my vision..I was finally able to get centered after about 45 seconds..got up and continued on.. "


That's happened to me several times. It usually happens on warm mornings after I've been hiking hard. In my case, it might have something to do with caffeine.

Anyway, nice job on Skyline.

[Ellen]

Howdy Don

Congratulations!!! Completing your first Skyline is always special.

It sounds like you got a bit dizzy on the "Never Ending Ridge" between 5,000 feet and Flackrock. I've had problems on that section many times, thus the name. I tend to over heat on the ridge (feel like my head is going to pop off of my body) because there is little to no airflow and no real shade.

Hope to see you on the trail this weekend

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Lcpl Hughes]

DDL said: "That's happened to me several times. It usually happens on warm mornings after I've been hiking hard. In my case, it might have something to do with caffeine".

Well, all that could apply to my situation..I was also reading that it is also could be a sign of dehydration..and thanks for thanks

and Ellen, thanks

I still cant remember exactly where it happened but it was in that vicinity..I, at first thought it was some type of vertigo, but honestly I am not really sure..it went away, so I guess all is good

My right heal hurts a bit this morning, but I am ready for another go round this weekend..I can remember thinking at around the 7200ft level that I would never do this hike again, but I was sure after I finished I would want to do it again..haha..

[tinaballina]

yes, congrats to you. nice tr. glad you enjoyed it.

i miss my trail, won't be able to get out there until june 6th.

[Ellen]

Howdy Don

As Cy (of Skyline fame) says -- welcome to Skyline Addicts Not So Annonymous

In my case, not feeling good on the Never Ending Ridge is a sign of hyperthermia (increased body temperature).

Even though I bleed easily I wear shorts and a sleeveless shirt on Skyline when the weather is warm to better dissipate heat.

Weekend weather report indicates a high temp of about 95 for Saturday. Even so, I'll start early (3 to 4 AM).

Howdy Pain Sister Tina

See you on Skyline on June 6

Miles of smiles,
Ellen