Congrats to HJ!

[cynthia23]

Congrats Jim! This is a real achievment, so relish it. It was great fun seeing you (and getting to finally see all the goodies inside the Mysterious HJ backpack!!)

[Hikin_Jim]

Good job, dude.

Thanks, man.

http://www.backpacker.com/may_2005_feature_hardest_dayhikes/destinations/8485

Hmm, interesting list. Maybe I can actually do an R2R. Hadn't ever seriously considered it before, but maybe. I've been wanting to do a multi day backpack there for quite some time...

This is the top challenge, and you nailed it.

Thanks, man. It felt really good to "go over the top" at the Notch. Thanks again for keeping me company on the way up.

Congrats Jim!

It was one heckuva hike. I really enjoyed seeing what everyone has so effusively talked about.

Only 5th? What on earth is harder?

Telescope Peak from Shorty's Well.

Really?

Congratulations, Jim.

Thanks, Ed

[Hikin_Jim]

Congrats Jim! This is a real achievment, so relish it.

Thanks, Cynthia. I was pleased that overall it went pretty smoothly. A bit slow at the start, but I picked up speed on the Neverending Ridge, and then kept a good pace above Flat Rock.

It was great fun seeing you (and getting to finally see all the goodies inside the Mysterious HJ backpack!!)

And thank you for being a great hostess and providing a "base camp" for an itinerant hiker.

Oh, and remember, you're sworn to silence as to the mysterious contents of my rather large pack.

HJ

[guest]

Congrats Jim, I knew you "had it", heart & soul.
Sorry I missed you, somehow I got "off trail" and went by, then meet Ellen, and she told me you were on the trail behind us.

Meet Fern & a fast & fit gal from Canada at the tram, I knew he was a bit ahead of me, as I kept seeing bare footprints. Here's his profound proclamation. He asked, "Do you know what hurts more than stubbing you toe (repeatedly) on rocks barefoot"?
Well, after looking at bloody feet even Ellen would have cringed at, I guess, " Stubbing the same toe after your lost the toenail (because of same abuse).
Bingo! How did I guess.
But he does carry a lite pr. of shoes to ride the Tram Down!! You know, keep them toesie's warm, and keep the tram peeps happy with their dress code! Besides, that pavement's awfully hard!

Your 1-2 days of pain & soreness should wear off Jim, which is when you'll declare, hey, maybe I just might want to climb the mt. again!
ss

[Hikin_Jim]

Sorry I missed you, somehow I got "off trail" and went by, then meet Ellen, and she told me you were on the trail behind us.

Oh, doggone it. I was hoping I might run into you on the way up. Haven't seen you since forever (since we had BBQ with Walt at the top of the tram in 2007?)

Met Fern... at the tram

Dang it. I missed him too. And supposedly Perry was on the mountain too.

On the plus side, I did get to see Ellen and Zip, and I finally got to meet Doreen. I also got to meet Jack and Nick who sometimes post here. I met a few other people too that are "friends of friends" of posters here. The real reason to do Skyline? That's where all the cool people hang out.

Your 1-2 days of pain & soreness should wear off Jim, which is when you'll declare, hey, maybe I just might want to climb the mt. again!

Actually, it's not too bad. My three day backpack in the San Gorgonio Wilderness in September was much worse, but that trip in September was a lot more gain and tons of loss and in much steeper XC terrain (and I hadn't been working out as much). I'm sore, but not that bad. I took one anti-inflammatory yesterday, but that was it. I guess this working out thing actually does pay off.

HJ

[HH8]

I guess this working out thing actually does pay off.

The only catch is, you have to KEEP doing it

[Hikin_Jim]

Well, immediately after cresting Skyline, I started a new, rigorous excercise program: The 12 ounce curl!



Many thanks to Ellen for the, er, "excercise equipment."

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy HJ

Now I regret not treating you to two AB beers -- that would have increased the number of repetitions of the 12 ounce curl

Congratulations

From the heart,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Now I regret not treating you to two AB beers -- that would have increased the number of repetitions

Boy, talk about drinking to someone's health!

"But honest honey, this was a registered dietician's advice..."

HJ

[arocknoid]

Congratulations to you, Jim! You have always been so generous sharing your time, knowledge, and experience with the SoCal Mtns; it is nice to see there a few more Firsts for you to enjoy.

Geez, you're probably the only (posting) hiker to have completed all the 10Ks *before* doing Skyline.

One thing for sure: you might equally well be called Smilin' Jim, as your effervescence is prominent both On Trail and online.
'Tis a heritage you are already passing on :)

kind regards,
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
arocknoid