C2C first timer

[cgrizzard]

looking forward to our first C2C hike. We just completed 35 miles nonstop in 1 day in the Grand Canyon. We tried Rim-to-rim-to-rim, but came up a little short.

Now we are planning C2C in 2 weeks. Are there any trail maps available? is it easy to follow the trail? Any advice or links to resources would be helpful.

thanks,

Chip

[TRumble24]

http://www.geocities.com/cactus2clouds/skyline.html

Pretty much all you need to know, be careful, be prepared, plleeeaaasseee don't get rescued!

[Cy Kaicener]

Please start very early. You want to be at least half way to the tram before first light.. I might see you on the trail. Keep hydrated.

[magikwalt]

I think the first 30 minutes to get above the picnic tables and the sign rock are the worst of the trail navigation. After that its pretty much "stay on the most used trail". The only area I hear about consistently is leaving the shattered stump around 6,800 ft. Move left over the fallen tree to continue.

[Hikin_Jim]

You've probably picked this up already from the earlier posts, but there's really not a "trail" per se. This is a route that is commonly used, so a series of "use" trails have been worn into existence simply by the repeated passage of multiple feet. Some of the trails are mis-leading, some are the correct route. It is very common for people to get off track. Some waste multiple hours finding the route which can have very serious repercussions because of the building heat. You need to keep going higher to stay ahead of the "heat curve." Many recommend that first timers go with a person who's been before and is familiar with the route.

Many people are waiting for cooler weather, say October. If you're up for the heat, God bless you. Common starting times this time of year are 2:00 to 3:00 AM. I see Cy advises that you should be half way done by first light. That sounds like an excellent planning point. First light this time of year is around 5:45 AM. You can map out a series of "check in" points along the route, perhaps one for each hour. If you get to your check in point an hour or two into the hike and you're not on schedule, you might want to abort. One needs to abort early if one is to abort. To abort late means you will be hiking down an extremely steep, poorly marked "trail" into increasingly high heat. So not good.

Some people will ride up the tram the day before, hike down a ways and lay in a water cache. Others will carry all their water with them. There's a sign that says "bring 2 gallons." I think most people are carrying an amount of water somewhere in that neighborhood. I don't think you'd want to try this hike without 6 to 7 liters minimum. Many also bring (as one or more of their liters) sports drink or sports drink mix. I personally find Hydralite helpful, but there are many brands.

Just some thoughts. Don't be one of the many rescuees! (and definitely be another fatality)

[HikeUp]

Jim, you may want to rephrase that last parenthetical thought!

[Hikin_Jim]

Doh!

I meant "(and definitely don't be another fatality)"

Thanks, HikeUp

[marmot]

It is required that you hike with a fit companion the first time up. It is strongly recommended that you hike with an expert (such as Cy). Almost everyone does.

[Cy Kaicener]

We have another first timer on 9/1 and also 9/8. I will be doing Baldy from the Village at 5 am this Saturday if you want to get in shape. There are two other groups going at 6.30 am and 7.30 am - namely the mtwhitney.info message board and outdoorsclub.org There is also a race up Mt Baldy on Labor Day from Manker Flats.

[marmot]

I should be doing the hike sometime in fall as well.