September 11 Skyline

[Ellen]

Howdy All

The siren song of Skyline is calling again due to the unusually cool weather.

I'll be bringing my American Flag bandana to honor those who serve and have fallen to protect our freedom.

Hope to see some familiar faces on the trail.

From the heart,
Ellen

[tinaballina]

Have a good time pain sister.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Headed out at 4:45 yesterday morning. Ran into a group of young folks (first time Skyliners) who were taking a break on the Never Ending Ridge -- we continued to leap frog each other all the way up. They liked my US flag bandana.

I had just reached Florian's cache when I heard a helicopter. My initial reaction was "oh oh --a rescue?" Then I saw the helo hovering near the 5 K elevation and realized this was probably the PSMP working on the survival boxes. Thanks to the dynamic duo Steve and Fern for working with the PSMP to make this happen

Although I felt better than I had two weeks ago on the section after Flat Rock, I was still struggling. It was wonderful to reach the blessed shade and breeze of the traverse. The young folks took another break and I went on ahead.

While I rested at Grubbs notch and had a snack, Florian called -- he had just passed Flatrock. We decided to meet at the tram bar. I waited until the young folks arrived, answered their general C2C questions and then scrambled up the rocks to the tram viewing area.

I didn't know whether to drink the Sam Adams Octoberfest or pour it over my head. Both Florian and I were covered with salt. He kindly gave me a ride back to my car. I had the usual excellent meal at Las Casuelas and headed home. I was too tired to bathe right away, which delighted my Sheltie -- I became her human salt lick.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Florian]

As always, was good to see you Ellen. And good to be on the trail again now that temps have cooled a bit. Was still pretty warm and i was really dragging coming up the last few miles.

I posted a few pics and videos showing the rescue box installation here ► http://www.flickr.com/photos/fboyd/sets ... 16/detail/

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice photos and vids, Florian. So are those metal boxes going to be mounted on posts?

HJ

[Florian]

So are those metal boxes going to be mounted on posts?

Yes, a post set in concrete. I'm going to run up to the first one tomorrow morning. I want to see what the box looks like installed and i'm going to pick up a bunch of trash i passed on my way up on Saturday. I'll take a pic of the installed box.

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Florian,

If you have time, would you take a photo of one of the boxes? I'm very curious as to what they look like. So, does it have a glass front and you have to "break glass in case of emergency"?

HJ

[Florian]

Stainless steel box roughly 10" square on base and about 20" tall. You can see the box pretty well in some of the photos i linked to above. No glass but supposedly some sort of "seal" to dissuade casual opening. But of course once someone does open the box the first time nothing will stop everyone from opening the box again and taking what they want. I hope the boxes last and don't get trashed too fast. I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

-Florian

[Nick-SJM]

Great effort on the part of PSMP. Unfortunately, it only takes one idiot to open the box and take things out.

[brad]

We were up there yesterday. They dont seem to be sealed as there was a twist tie holding it shut. There was water, gatorade, an umbrella also a phone, I think. Not sure how long the items inside will last, especially the phone( battery) during the summer heat. It seems to me that this is just inviting more trouble than it will help. Having "help" along the route will only bring on more people that should not even be attempting the hike. I say have them removed.