White Mountain - 14,242 FT

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This weekend was a very compact with a lot of naps, time in the car, and my highest peak so far!
Friday evening I drove to Temecula to meet up with 5 others and start our trip. Thankfully, for this trip I was a passenger and didn't worry much about the logistics. We got all of our stuff in the truck and were off. I was pretty tired and took a few naps along the way. We made a couple stops and made it to a camping area in Alabama Hills area/Lone Pine a little before midnight. Most of us cowboy camped under the bright moon and stars. It was warm and just the right amount of wind to keep the bugs away. We were all up pretty early with the rising sun, packed up, and headed to breakfast in Lone Pine. We ate at Alabama Hills Cafe and it was delicious. Great way to start off the morning! We then drove to Grand View Campground to find our next site for the night. We got set up and had a few hours to kill because we didn't want to start hiking until about 2pm.
I read, took a nap, and ate some lunch. We all got ready and headed out. The drive to where we would start hiking was up a windy road that turned into an unpaved windy road. It took about an hour to get from the campsite to the gate where we started. It was pretty warm and we were pretty steady most of the climb. I was sure to drink a lot of water because I didn't want to get altitude sickness. I snacked along the way on Stinger Energy Chews and a kind bar. The trail was pretty easy however the altitude gets to you a bit and it's hard to breathe. We took a few short breaks and ate dinner around 5:30. I had a tortilla, hummus, tomato basil cheese, and pepperoni. It was pretty good and I needed something to get up the next big climb. It seems like the last 2 miles of the peaks always seem like the hardest. These two miles took about an hour and half. I did put on music for the last 20 minutes or so and that seemed to help. I got up there and Dan was already there. I could see his bright green shirt most of the time when we were going up and it was a nice to see where the switchbacks were going. There is also a building at the top so it was good to know that was the peak. I climbed on top of the roof to take some pictures. It was a really beautiful view. I was really happy with how well I did and how my body felt. I changed into my capri pants and had every other layer on and was getting cold. We waited for everyone to join us and hung out for almost an hour before heading back down. The way back wasn't too bad until it was completely dark. There were areas where it was really cold. The sky was so incredible. When we would stop and break, we would turn off our lights just stare at the stars. I don't know if I've ever seen the Milky Way so bright before and that was really awesome. I wish I had the ability to take a picture that would turn out. The road seemed to go on forever. I am not sure if it's because we couldn't see very far in front of us or because we were just tired. We had one more long climb before getting to the research center. We knew that meant only 2 more miles and all downhill. We made it back to the car drop our bags and got in the truck to try to get warm. We had to wait a little bit for the rest of the group to finish and then we're on our way down the bumpy road back to camp. I'm not really sure how but I fell asleep on the drive back. It’s pretty normal for me to be asleep in a car but was surprised with how bumpy it was!
When we got back to camp I heard some people talking about hanging out but I just went to my tent, cleaned up, put on sleep clothes, warm socks, and was done! I woke up a couple times once the sun came out but didn't hear anyone else so stayed in the tent a little longer. I eventually got up because I had to pee and was hungry! It was nice to have some luxuries car camping and enjoyed a peach for breakfast #1.
I packed up my stuff and as I was waiting for everyone asked how far of a drive the next place we were going was... Then was told it was a 4.5 mile hike. And it was already getting hot. I didn't realize we were hiking today and wasn't excited about it. We got all packed up and got to the visitor center about 9:45 (they open at 10). Chad & I were debating what to do and said we would go for a bit. I know the trail isn't long or anything compared to yesterday I just wasn't prepared for it mentally and didn't drink my water. About half a mile in Chad and I decided to go back and chill and relax until they were doing. We enjoyed the visitor center for a while, an early lunch, cookies, and a little nap. They were done about noon and we left. I'm sure it's a cool place to see and maybe one day I'll be back. But I don't regret my decision.
We drove back down the mountain and stopped in Lone Pine for lunch at the Pizza Factory. The Hawaiian pizza looked the best. I had enough bread for the weekend and wasn't feeling great so opted for a salad that was just ok. Then all got back in the cars and headed south. I had a great nap and was thankful I didn't have to drive. I got home around 8. Crazy what you can do in a weekend. I was really happy to have completed my 2nd 14er and excited for the next one which should be Mt Whitney when I officially start the JMT!

Cactus to Clouds

This was one of the hardest hikes I have done.   Backpacker Magazine list it as the 5th hardest hike however I am not sure that the other ones listed are really a "day" hike.   The elevation gain was about 11,000 feet.  It was just over 20 miles and I completed it in 11 hours and 50 minutes! 

We started at 5:10 am from the Palm Springs Art Museum, Elevation - 500 Feet.
In the first mile I was already nervous if I was going to be able to make it.  There were a few scrambling parts but a lot of climbing.  There are a few different trails/paths but we followed the white dots for the most part going up.  We got to the first set of picnic tables and I thought that they would have been farther along.  The sunrise was beautiful and there were a few times I stopped to enjoy it - and catch my breath. 
Going up a little farther we hit rescue box 1.  We passed a lot of people on the trail and a few of them looked like they already needed to turn around at this point. 
I tried not to stop much and continue with my slow pace even if it meant not taking much of a break so I could try to not fall too far behind the group.  Ever couple of miles they would be waiting for me.  Right before Rescue box 2 we all stopped and I had to have a larger snack. I was already feeling it and knew that the next couple miles were the most challenging. 
It seemed like I would take 20 steps and have to stop so my head would stop pounding.  I finished the water in my camelback (3 liters) at this point and still had a little Gatorade and spare 1 liter water bottle left.  These were both frozen solid the night before and had melted all the way but were still cold and heavenly!  At one point I soaked my hat with water to try to cool off.  We had beat the heat for the most part but at times the sun was blazing. 
In these last two miles, I had many thoughts that I would bail at skyline and just call it a day.
I was wondering how much father I had to go as I sat for another break, when I got called on the radio asking where I was. I wasn't really sure how to answer, so when he describe the large slab rock and said I only had about 15 more minutes I was excited!  Once to the top of skyline, it was still questionable if I really wanted to continue but I gave myself a turn around time and decided to go for it.  We got the permit (free and you fill it out) from the ranger station and they were talking about a rescue they had to do on the skyline trail.  By the sounds of it this is very common.  The main thing with the skyline trail is at some point you need to continue up rather than going down even if you feel like you cannot continue because of the heat.  At the base on the day we hiked it was 94 degrees.  If you hike down you are more likely suffer due to the heat. 
We refilled our water and two of the guys decided they were done for the day and headed to the tram and home (it didn't sound like a bad plan).  The 5 of us continued on. 
It wasn't long and I had fallen behind again.  Once I got to round valley they were waiting for me.  It was always nice to see them and I tried to judge how much slower I was.  I said hi and continued walking before they got up so I could get a little ahead.  They caught up quickly and continued at a pretty quick pace.  It was motivation to keep going knowing that they would be waiting. 
Once I was almost to the peak I heard the radio again and they said they would wait for me for a picture because I was pretty close! I was happy I made it before the turn around time I set in my head.  I had my lunch, took our pictures, and we headed back down.
Once I knew I was close to the 12 hour mark I started to walk a little quicker.  My original goal was anything under 13 hours but it was awesome to be under 12 hours!
I am super happy that I completed this trail and I am not sure that it is one that I would want to do again! 

Hiking up at sunrise





One day I hope to keep up with them!

My reward! Ice cream & Margarita