Skyline Hike on 11/8/13

[bluerail]

cheez its and the jays, that was so much fun zip! more time like that needed. we should gather there again soon.

[smiles]

Thanks all for your kind responses to my first post here last week. Just wanted to let you all know that my 2 first time companions on this trek enjoyed every bit of it -- and I think the trail won their hearts over as it has mine. We ended up starting a bit later than planned (around 4:10am) thanks to a traffic delay due to a drunk driver crash in Orange County on the way out. It was a pleasant 56 degrees to start. Mr. Sun wasted no time rising though, and despite the cool shade temps, it felt quite a bit warmer in the sun.

I found this ascent to be the most difficult of my 3 times. I suffered between 5000 and 6500 feet, feeling the effects of dehydration. My own stupid fault! I was carrying 2 camelback reservoirs (6 liters total), and only finished one by Grubb's Notch. I had some mild cramping in this area, so decided to find a rock to sit on in the shade. I consumed a couple of GU gels and drank a decent amount of water, and after about 10 minutes -- I fully recovered. I felt like a million bucks by the time I hit the cool air and shade on the traverse, and was treated to a couple patches of snow.

I think I have to get over the psychological fear of running out of water, so I stop putting myself in this position. I had a bad experience in May of last year with a buddy while doing an out & back hike up the PCT from Snow Creek to Fuller Ridge -- I swore I would never drink too little again.

Anyways, we wrapped this hike up at 2 pm at the mountain station -- a long hike compared to my 8 hour time in the past -- but its not a race! I like taking photos, so I though I would share a few from this hike. Here is the address for my photo album:

https://plus.google.com/photos/11161010 ... 6HarZThkgE

SMILES

[Hikin_Jim]

I suffered between 5000 and 6500 feet, feeling the effects of dehydration. My own stupid fault! I was carrying 2 camelback reservoirs (6 liters total), and only finished one by Grubb's Notch. I had some mild cramping in this area, so decided to find a rock to sit on in the shade. I consumed a couple of GU gels and drank a decent amount of water, and after about 10 minutes -- I fully recovered. I felt like a million bucks by the time I hit the cool air and shade on the traverse, and was treated to a couple patches of snow.

OK, I'm slightly confused here. I think.

Grubb's notch is at about 8,000'. It's basically where you enter Long Valley. It sounds like you drank more water before the traverse (which is at about 7,000'). Help me out here.

HJ

[smiles]

Now that I read my own writing, I too am confused -- LOL . I rambled out of order on my story -- I guess I was still dehydrated! I did "suffer" between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, and when I came over Grubb's Notch (I think it is 8,400 feet per a wooden sign I have seen there), I realized I only consumed the first 3 liter reservoir. Long story short -- I still had a full 3 liter reservoir that I never used.