Sally and I have decided that Mother Nature throws down on Wednesday -- blizzard in the winter or deadly heat in the summer.
Sally, Perry A, Marilyn T and I headed up Baldy at 5:45 yesterday. The gnats were bad and it was hot and humid. We suffered climbing up through the brush and dripped enough sweat on the trail that we watered the folage. Even Perry -- who would be comfortable in a French Foreign Legion desert post -- thought it was hot.
It was a relief to gain the ridge and have periodic areas of shade. The breeze at the narrows and the saddle between West Baldy and Baldy was heavenly. Perry was on fire and reached the summit first -- it took us a bit under four hours. The weather on top was so nice, we ejoyed a leisurely
brunch -- normally the wind chases us off fairly quickly.
We went down the Bowl -- had arranged a shuttle. Below the ski hut, we ran into a nice gentleman with a German Shepard and three small dogs -- we've seen him before. The heat kept increasing as we descended. It was wonderful to reach the car. We went to PF Changs in Rancho for a late lunch -- the heat when we stepped out of our cars was oppressive. Hopefully this weather system will move on quickly.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen