Skyline 49 degrees for starting weather this Saturday?

[lilbitmo]

Question is, can he show me the way to the top?

The answer to that Carl is yes, he can show you all the way to the "top" of the food chain

[Carl F]

OK It's official, I am brandishing an ice axe so steer clear!

[zippetydude]

Question is, can he show me the way to the top?

Sorry lilbitmo, but the real question is, if he finds you, will you come out at the bottom?

Sorry, that was horrid.

I love the trail when there's a "ton of people". Understand that means you meet maybe 15 to 20 really good folks along the way. It's not like downtown LA, where "a ton o f people" means you're robbed twice, get asked for money by 200 homeless souls, and bounce off 10,000,000 individuals as you walk one block of the city. It means you simply encounter some other like-minded individuals who will encourage you and give you of their own personal stores to help you make it to the top. There are worse groups.

In fact, the increased numbers will help you find your way at the top where the trail is a little confusing. Not to worry. Have fun. Maybe I'll see you out there!

z

[lilbitmo]

OK It's official, I am brandishing an ice axe so steer clear!

Only joking but I think the "Kitty's" like that it's a handy "tooth pick" when their done with dinner

For those that really want to know the likelihood of a "cougar attack" (other than the ones at the local bar) the list can be found here there have been four confirmed attacks since 1995 but they do happen, sounds to me like everyone is doing the right thing, throw rocks at their feet, stomp on the ground, make loud noises, make yourself look bigger by waving your arms in the air or your trekking poles, but do not run. Read the reports, it's surmized that some things trigger their instinct to knock down moving or wounded prey.

I have had the pleasure of an un-nerving encounter on July 4th 2007 at 10:30 PM on the way down from Ontario Peak just below the Ice House Saddle in the San Gabriels/San Bernadino National Forest/Cucamonga Wilderness - let's just say I surprised him/her while they were stalking a young deer, it tried to circle me to get the high ground but it eventually ran off after I threw five or six rocks at it's feet, smacked my poles together, made all kinds of crazy noise - that was the most nervous hike out of the wilderness I had ever had - it was a moonless night so it was me and my imagination and I made a fast departure from the area .

[bluerail]

Thanks for the info Patrick, good to know rocks are more effective than a knife.

When theres snow, you really get a good idea of the cat activity up there, but it seems with all the traffic on that part of the hill right now, all the deer should be moved away already. Hard to imagine the cat still has much to look for over there, I'm sure it's not real interested in a bunch of annoying, glow in the dark, stick banging bi-peds..

...or maybe it is, only time will tell...you know it knows all the
shortcuts.

[KathyW]

Let it snow: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.p ... +Statement

[zippetydude]

Sweet! The summit is never prettier than right after a fresh snow. Kathy - C2C or Skyline? I'll be doing a tram to summit with newbie friends, but it will be perfect conditions on Skyline.

z

[bluerail]

zip, when are you going to peak? we will be coming off NR and through shangri-la late afternoon...maybe ranger station by 5...

[KathyW]

I'm likely just doing Skyline, but maybe I'll push on past Long Valley if there isn't too much snow and my gimpy hip and ankle don't hurt too much. I'm going up with a small group (8 right now, but usually people drop off at the last minute) - We'll be taking our time getting up the hill. Some in the group are just planning on doing Skyline and some would like to go all the way to the summit. There are actually 3 groups totaling 22 people from our meetup group planning to do either Skyline or C2C on Saturday, but that number will likely shrink a bit due to the weather forecast and other issues that come up.

[Zé]

nice temps! Zip, got a PR time you're shooting for?