Round up the usual suspects - anyone going this Saturday ?

[zippetydude]

I'm hoping to do Skyline this Saturday - the weather looks perfect. Hoping to see some of you out there. Anyone going?

z

[Cy Kaicener]

I will probably be going at 3 am or sooner this Saturday.

[KathyW]

I might go up part of the way on Saturday.

[Cy Kaicener]

I saw Zip for a little while at the 7200 ft level of Skyline. I started at 3 am. Zip said he was on a four hour schedule.. Andy caught up near Long Valley at 11 am. He said that he passed about 15 people. The weather was great but very windy at Long Valley. Anyone doing the summit today will have gale intensity winds to push through.

[KathyW]

I didn't get up the trail today - maybe next weekend.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

I'm still recovering from the Grand Canyon R2R2R but may tackle Skyline next Saturday.

The wind in Riverside is awful right now -- I'd be nervous even trying to drive anywhere to hike.

Cy commented on the ferocity of the wind yesterday. Last fall I tried to hike up Baldy via Bear Canyon in similar conditions. We hit an exposed switchback near the first pine trees (about 7200 ft). I became airbone and was thrown back down the trail. First time I've ever flown -- it was terrifying The wind was blowing steadily at 45 to 50 mph and gusting to 70 mph. Needless to say, we turned around and hiked up Icehouse Canyon to the saddle instead.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

Hi Ellen. Welcome back - I hope you'll post a trip report and pics if you get a chance. I saw Kathy's post, but I don't think I've congratulated you yet - Excellent Job! Well Done! Hope you didn't get too many scratches!

Cy, I saw your note about the winds. Amazingly, there was no wind at Long Valley when I got there - it was cool and calm. I must have been there just a few minutes before you, so I was surprised to see how quickly the situation changed. Did the tram get a lot of wind on the way down?

Hope to see everyone on the trail soon.

z

[Cy Kaicener]

Zip - The winds started picking up after 12.00 pm when I left the Ranger station hiking towards Round Valley. I turned back almost immediately.

[guest]

You guys got lucky, I had to work Sat, so went up yesterday, got to 3,800 ft. saw tumble weeds being "flown" 30 ft into the air, was pushy around & almost over a few times, so I bailed out, which I rarely do, but I can hike it any day of the week.
Today would have been nice.

ss

[zippetydude]

Hi ss. I don't blame you - the wind can take away the fun, especially if it's kickiing up dust like it is this time. Dirt in your eyes the whole time is just miserable. It's supposed to be fun, right? I'd have done the same, though probably before 3800'!

Sometimes, it shows up once I'm already past the point of no return. That's when it gets tricky. I did Whitney in early September, and above Trail Crest it was crazy windy, but I was too far to turn around at that point. It made it hard to aim where I was going. That was kind of comical really, except for the "windows" - where it was gusting and wanted to throw me off the mountain. That was a little spooky!

See you on the trail soon.

z