C2C Oct/Nov - Skyline questions

[amongtheclouds]

Thanks! Was hard to turn away, but maybe another chance. Still thrilled to have made it through Skyline at a respectable pace for the first time. In the end, better to haven chosen the prudent action than a grossly miscalculated risk. The mountain won't be going anywhere soon.

My approach is actually in line with you Ed, something I do regularly. I did guzzle down a little over half a liter of extra water in the car right before we left the trailhead. That usually sets me right for about 2-3 miles before needing to dig into my carried reserves. That certainly made a difference on water needs. Those temps sound similar to what we were working with - and to what you said about weight, I'm about 145 FWIW. If there's a next chance for C2C with similar temps/weather as this time around, I'd be very comfortable experimenting with taking on 4L and re-fill at the tram if necessary for the final jaunt.

[Cabin96]

I would be happy to assist with any further questions. Here is a TR of my trip right around the the same time last year. PM me:

http://www.icorva.com/index.php/2013-03 ... -to-clouds

[cynthia23]

Good job AmongtheClouds, you were very well-prepared and made wise and conservative choices. I wouldn't be concerned about not making it exactly to the top; it's an accomplishment to even get so close to the peak, your first time. Few people, after their first time up Skyline, can keep going past the ranger station. Not to mention, many people don't even make it all the way up Skyline. Well done.

[63ChevyII]

Good for you for knowing when to turn around!! It's easier said than done!

8h 20m is a great time for your first trip, especially since you did it without someone that knew the trail. My first trip up Skyline took nearly 11 hours! My trips now are significantly less.

[amongtheclouds]

Thanks cynthia23 and 63ChevyII ! It's an experience to remember, both sides of the coin. Both for Skyline and for making responsible decisions in light of adventure.

It really hit me when I passed around Jean Peak and got the first good look at the summit block. First thought was "ughhh, not quite sure this is gunna happen". Kept going for a few minutes longer, then stopped and sat down. The time was 3:45 PM - I'd set out from the tram at 1:15. At the current pace, I figured I'd top out about 4:45 PM or even 5 PM. I estimated if I turned around where I was I'd make it back to the tram by 6 PM before actual nightfall and the chill (I happened to get back to the tram just a few minutes before 6 PM). Even though I had the gear and water for night, finishing in the darkness wasn't thrilling at this point. Nor was having only 1 apple left (in the event I kept going, missed the last tram, and got stuck for the night).

What may have done me in was the waiting at the tram station to see how my hiking partner was doing and making sure he got down safe. That was about 1h 15m of idle at the picnic tables resting... enough that I believe my body believed it was done, and just couldn't quite rev up again. Keeping moving, despite sore legs, might have been more successful in the long run. BUT, my partners well-being was far more important than foolishly ignoring their situation it or just ditching them. He was of first priority before considering anything.

However, here's 3 of my favorite photos of the trip to share, the sunrise and alpenglow.


Large: http://images.summitpost.org/original/917507.jpg

Large: http://images.summitpost.org/original/917509.jpg

Large: http://images.summitpost.org/original/917508.jpg

[Sally]

Great job, amongtheclouds! Congratulations! The mountain will indeed still be there for your next complete C2C.

[amongtheclouds]

63ChevyII believe it or not, we were the slowest of the day (from what we could tell) and kept getting passed! Though possible some poor souls began much, much later and were really far away behind us. I can certainly understand now how it could take 10+ hours on the first go-around, especially for those whose trip up Skyline is the first foray into use trail/off-trail route-finding. Maybe it was the Skyline page on this site that said it can take first-timers up to 14 hours sometime? Has there always been that much simple scrambling above 7,000 ft before and after the Traverse? I was quite surprised, but not in a bad way. It was a nice change of pace to use more hands here and there.

Thanks Sally! Yes, it would be nice to give it another attempt in the future since it won't be disappearing in the near future.

FWIW, the navigational mantra that morning was "follow the path of least resistance" - also what aided in rapidly questioning a route mistake and correcting it. That may even be worth adding to the Skyline guide(s). A simple rule to remember.

The magical thing about Skyline was to look at it's starting point, watching it disappear upward. And then following it with the trust that it it'll somehow, some way fluidly reach the intended destination. And when it does, and you're there, it's just an overwhelming feeling of "woah! that's wild!" I dunno, just find that very fascinating about these sorts of off-the-grid trails/routes, and how their existence stand the test of time (and the seasons).

[zippetydude]

Hi amongtheclouds. I've been following your thread here and I'm glad you had a successful adventure. You were smart to go ahead and turn back in my way of thinking for a couple of reasons. First, the reason you gave of not wanting to miss the last tram is quite valid; it would have been a cold and uncomfortable night waiting for the morning tram and it would not have added to the fun. A second reason is that there's no joy in hiking while worrying about making a cut-off time - the joy is in completely being there in the moment, savoring the experience. If you have to look at your watch every few minutes hoping to make a deadline, you lose that part of the trip. So you saved it for a future adventure - well done!

BTW I was a little confused about your description of the upper part of Skyline as a scramble and using your hands...it's steep, but not to the point where you need your hands at all. I'm wondering if you ended up off the route a little bit there at the end and just made a go of it anyway? In any case, congrats. : )

z

PS You might like to do the Snow Creek PCT route up as well. It's a lot longer (31 miles) but of course less steep, and you can actually look down from the peak back to your starting point and see your car from the top. That really added to the trip for me.

[bluerail]

yea zip,i was curious about the using your hands line too.

[hawkbill666]

Thank you for this thread especially since I cant make my annual trek to do the hike and am enjoying the trip report and pictures.

My hiking partner and I also turned back on our first C2C attempt. On our first we were so close to the summit, but it was cold and dark and we were the last people on that mountain and essentially newbie hikers. So it was a good decision as our "mental math" told us to get down for the last tram and we made it with about 40 minutes to spare. Had we gone to the top, nope.
But we have since gone on to complete C2C in the last two Octobers and never regretted turning back even though we had to wait a year for our next attempt.

I can end up using my hands a bit on that very last portion just before the notch....as I like to head straight up and can get myself at a speed and angle where I can involve my hands in the hike somewhat.

And whoever created that mini pacing map - Brilliant. I used it last October and it was dead on! I was able to know exactly when I would arrive at each point and was within minutes each time - Thank you for that.

I appreciate the trip report and details. Congrats on your hike.

Scott