c2c may22

[Terry]

Hello

Looks like the 22nd is a go. I climbed a 5,00 footer last week but my friend has not. This is the first time for both us. Do you think we can make it and if so, is 8 hours a reasonable time?

Terry

[Hikin_Jim]

It's hard to say on times. Some take 5 hours, some take 10, some take 12.

And the "5,000 footer" you mentioned, do you mean that you climbed a 5000' peak or do you mean you went on a climb that gained 5000' over the course of the climb? If all you did was to climb a peak that is 5,000' in elevation, not so good. If you went on a climb where you gained 5,000', that's pretty good, but keep in mind that a full C2C is over 10,000' of gain. Even if you just go up to the tram, it's over 8,000' of gain. Keep in mind also that gain on one hike doesn't always compare to gain on another. How steep was your 5000' climb? Over how many miles did you gain the 5000'? C2C is really really really steep.

Keep in mind that C2C is not really a trail anymore. It hasn't been maintained since the 1930's. There are a lot of false tracks and spots where the trail is not clear. Be prepared to spend some time on route finding. Carry a topo map (and compass) and know how to use it.

Also C2C is very exposed. The sun can be relentless. You'll need far more water than you would on other trips. Six liters is not uncommon. Four liters per person might get you by if you start early and keep a very fast pace. Personally, I would never risk it by going with such little water. Bring electrolyte mix (Gatorade, Cytomax, Hydralyte, etc) or electrolyte drinks.

Keep your eye on the weather. If the predicted high in Palm Springs is over something like 95, cancel. People have died on the route due to heat exhaustion. A 4:00 A.M. start time is pretty normal for this time of year, many start earlier.

Hope that helps,

HJ

[Terry]

Hi HJ

Thank you for that.

Terry

[tinaballina]

HJ said it perfectly.

[bluerail]

He sure gets my vote !

Perfect.

I wanna throw this in....I have been doing the Northface of San Jacinto regularly this spring, 15 hrs of very hard work. very hard. I thought it would turn Skyline into a breeze....it didn't at all. Skyline is a very demanding trail, it is a constant, steep, uphill climb for hours. It is relentless, and it is already warm on the lower half, start early and bring lots of fluids and electrolytes just like Jim said...

[Ardiner]

We just did this Saturday. We were first timers. We took just over 9 hours. I'd done a couple 15-20 milers in preparation with 5K+ elevation gains including some very long steep climbs on route. My wife and friend that went did El Capitan hike which is the hardest in San Diego County several times in preparation. This was a long hike and there are almost no reliefs from a constant uphill. We took along lots of water and gatorade as well as electrolyte tablets and cubes. I'd suggest that you set a steady pace but don't push so hard you burn out. We saw someone coming back down that had gone out with a group that pushed very fast and they tried to keep up. About 6500 feet their legs gave out and they turned around and went back down. I could see that happening. We stopped about every 2 hours for a 10 min break eating energy bars and about 4 1/2 hours in ate a lunch of a PB&J, Apple and energy bar. The theme is for a first timer I'd say drink lots of water, use the electrolytes and eat to keep your energy up.

Temperatures hit the upper 90s although they were forecasted in the low 90s. It really got hot on the lower section until about 6000ft. I mean really hot. If we were not in such good shape that temperature could have been really bad. As it was a couple times I found myself thinking that I could easily see how someone could underestimate the heat in the desert and if we had run out of water could have been in real trouble.

Also make sure you really read the forums and research the trail. We found that the trail was pretty straight forward to follow but we'd read up on several sites and that allowed us to understand what we were looking for.

Good luck with the hike. I'd get out no later than 4:30am as the extended forecast is for the mid-upper 90s even though this week is supposed to be cool through Wed/Thursday.

Enjoy and be safe. The wildflowers were incredible last week so taking a break every so often to enjoy the scenery isn't a bad way to refresh before you move on.

[Florian]

We saw someone coming back down that had gone out with a group that pushed very fast and they tried to keep up. About 6500 feet their legs gave out and they turned around and went back down.

I think it's almost always best if you're above 6000' or so to continue up and not turn around. Certainly once you reach the trees you should continue up. Maybe not when the upper trail is snow covered but now that the trail is open you should continue up. Heading down into the heat is what kills people. Also if you really can't continue if you're up near the top it's easier for search and rescue to hike down to you from the tram. The people that died last year were all near the bottom of the trail heading down after exhausting themselves.

-Florian

[Ardiner]

[
I think it's almost always best if you're above 6000' or so to continue up and not turn around. Certainly once you reach the trees you should continue up.

-Florian

I think you are dead on with this. After getting to the top I would think that the energy it would have taken to do the last couple miles up, although hard, would have been easier than going down into the heat.

[Bob is Your Uncle]

I would like to offer a bit of a different opinion on the trail. I did it on Saturday. I started around 6:30 and was done less than 6 hours later – after taking about a hundred photos. I was not pushing it. It was my first hike of the year and after reading all of the warnings on this message board, I was a bit worried. It turned out to be easier than I had been led to believe. I did not find it terribly hot. I drank less than four litres. I had enough energy to walk the six miles back to my car at the end.

Everybody is an individual with different capabilities and points of reference. I am not saying that I am a great hiker – I am only saying that this may be a really challenging (or impossible) hike for many people – but for others it is not. I was passed by a couple of parties.

There are a lot of warnings on this message board, but you have to take into account your own fitness and experience. Compared to many of the trails that I have been on I found it very easy to follow. The only tricky part was at the craig. The only place I considered it “steep” was the last 1,500 feet or so. I am used to steeper trails. While the start was a steady uphill- I personally wouldn’t classify it as steep.

I guess that what I am trying to say is that while it is great to warn (scare) non-hikers and weekend warriors – people who are experienced have to temper the advice that is posted here and try to judge for themselves based upon situations they have been in before.

Overall I was blown away by the scenery. The flowers, hummingbirds and lizards were great. I was a marvelous hike that I may do again if I find myself in Palm Springs. Thanks to all who posted thier opinions and advice.

[guest]

Hi Bob is your Uncle,
You make some good points, and I'm sure many that read this will benefit from your comments.
Many of us are attempting to minimize the problems, rescues & tragedies on this route & may pour it on a bit strong, but we'd rather hear comments like yours than have people not taking it seriously.

Some folks are better trail followers than others, and some can take the heat better as well.

The night time low temps are beginning to climb, this is more important than the highs, unless one starts to late.

Glad you had a good climb,

BTW, if Bob is your Uncle......"Who's your Daddy"!!
(couldn't resist)!

ss