Skyline 6/26

[msugarpants]

Hey Yall,
I got a group of 5 together, including myself, for a hike up to the tram for next Saturday. 3 are newbies to the trail but are in better shape than myself, and I have done it twice. Temperatures on the valley floor will hover around 101...or so they say thus far. It has been a few years since I have done this hike and I know people say there are certain spots that can be tricky....I just dont recall seeing any of them last time, however, I was not leading. We plan on being on the trail no later than 4am, but preferably 3:30. We will take our time going up....not trying to break my old record of 7 hours, hahaha. Anyone gonna be on the trail that day? I always read your posts, people, and it would be nice to meet a few of you

Mike

[Florian]

Hi Mike,

I would just suggest you read some of the other posts here regarding doing Skyline in the summer. If you're determined to go start early and carry lots (6 quarts at least) of water each.

-Florian

[cynthia23]

This is not a good plan. Never never take groups of newbies up Skyline on a day you CANNOT turn around. When you hike on a day the temp is above ninety five, you are committed. You will either finish the hike, die, or compel RMRU to risk their lives rescuing yours. I agree with Florian that you should review all the many many posts on this issue.

[Perry]

Have your friends done a long climb in the last few weeks? If not, I would strongly recommend finding a 5,000-foot climb instead, then hike the first third of skyline next weekend, then consider whether you want to do the whole thing the following weekend.

What's with the baby?

[bluerail]

Hey Mike, listen to what there saying as far as the heat goes...it's alot of sustained work in those temps. You guys might all be really good in the heat though...I have been suprised by a few,and run into others that died. be careful buddy.

[Perry]

And even if you do manage to be safe and reach the tram, it's gonna suck! It will be hot as hell, or you'll be doing it in the dark. Now Zip gets away with doing summer Skylines because he's a trail runner in good shape, and the timing works out, but most hikers are not going to enjoy it right now.

[msugarpants]

Thanks for all the advice, folks. We are mulling this idea over. I know we all mountain bike here when it is over 100. One of the guys trail runs in the summer, I have done the guadalupe trail when it was 100 during the day (it wasnt that at 7am, nor was it that at 4500 feet of course). Also, any time I have done this hike it was with no prep at all. Granted, It took 7 to 8 hours each time, but I am confident the heat wont be a big issue if we start at 3:30 and finish by 1. However, I agree that hiking in the heat may not be as enjoyable this time of year! I dont fear for my life, and I know there is no turning back once you head up but I also dont want the hike to suck on account of the blazing sun and heat at 5000 feet when it starts getting hot during the day. For that reason....

We have some other hike options available. May think about tram to peak or something on alta seca bench in the santa rosas.

And I assume to answer the question I posed, "will anyone be on the trail that day..." the answer is No?

Oh well. Maybe next time.

[KathyW]

=Also, any time I have done this hike it was with no prep at all. Granted, It took 7 to 8 hours each time, but I am confident the heat wont be a big issue if we start at 3:30 and finish by 1. =.

Mike have you done this hike before when the temperature was over 100 degrees in Palm Springs? Just curious.

[msugarpants]

Well, I was unable to sleep well last night, and figured it best NOT to attempt to hike to the tram on 3 hours of sleep. Plus, my pregnant wife could certainly use my help around the house. 4 of my friends did, however. They left at 3am and I got a call around 11:50 that they were drinking a beer and watching the world cup at the tram station. They said it did not go above 75 degrees it seemed the whole time! One of the four, who I dont know, cramped up, which slowed them down, but all-in-all a beautiful hike on a clear, breezy day. I guess the key is to leave early enough so that you chase that sweet 75 degree mark, stay hydrated, eat properly, and wear protection from the sun.....and hope that there are no injuries.

[Florian]

Happy to hear the hike went well for your friends! Today's temps turned out to be fairly mild.

-Florian