A windstorm ripped through the area today. Winds were clocked at 50-55 mph.
The fiberglass awning on our garage patio sustained minimal damage. A section of our wooden fence between the house and garage was knocked off the posts. The posts showed significant rot hence the disaster. I managed to pick up the heavy section and place it back and secured it with long drywall screws. Our plans are to put up a new fence anyways.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
SIGNS YOU HAVE BEEN BACKPACKING TOO LONG...
1. You aerate your lawn with your crampons.
2. You begin buying your shoes 2 sizes too large out of habit.
3. You get mad of having to spend $40 on a pair of Levi's, but don't mind spending $200+ for a sleeping bag.
4. Your hiking gear is worth more than your car.
5. You give up a decent job so you can hike more.
6. You blow a good marriage so you can hike more.
7. Your body is worn out and you need medical attention, but that would take away from your hiking time, so you continue to hobble.
8. Your list of names for future trail hikes are longer than your list of friends.
9. Your ice axe and snowshoes are made of wood.
10. You can name all the PCT trailtown saloons, but cannot remember your significant other's birthday.
2. You begin buying your shoes 2 sizes too large out of habit.
3. You get mad of having to spend $40 on a pair of Levi's, but don't mind spending $200+ for a sleeping bag.
4. Your hiking gear is worth more than your car.
5. You give up a decent job so you can hike more.
6. You blow a good marriage so you can hike more.
7. Your body is worn out and you need medical attention, but that would take away from your hiking time, so you continue to hobble.
8. Your list of names for future trail hikes are longer than your list of friends.
9. Your ice axe and snowshoes are made of wood.
10. You can name all the PCT trailtown saloons, but cannot remember your significant other's birthday.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
ONE YEAR AGO...
On this date one year ago, I "met" a woman on Yahoo Personals. Her profile intrigued me with her simplicity.
Little did I know that one year later, I would be married to my soulmate.
I love you, Pam. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be "here."
Happy "Anniversary" and many more...
To the mountains we go...
Little did I know that one year later, I would be married to my soulmate.
I love you, Pam. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be "here."
Happy "Anniversary" and many more...
To the mountains we go...
Friday, February 01, 2008
THE CAGE
The Smith-half cage, VKR and Roman chair and 300 pounds of easy grip weights by Tuff Stuff came today.
We got the Smith-half cage at a tremendous discount after some serious negotiating.
Let the weightlifting begin...
We got the Smith-half cage at a tremendous discount after some serious negotiating.
Let the weightlifting begin...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
RAIN
Normal for full season: 11.31 inches
Month of January: 3.32
Season to date: 5.96
Normal season to date: 5.33
Last year season to date:
2.23
The mountains are looking good!
Month of January: 3.32
Season to date: 5.96
Normal season to date: 5.33
Last year season to date:
2.23
The mountains are looking good!
Monday, January 28, 2008
"TRI" FECTA
Rain...snow...hail...all happened this afternoon. The foothills at 3,000 feet have got a "dusting." Whatever melted away on Saturday there is now a fresh coat.
One and one-quarter inch of precipitation on Sunday and Monday. Nice. There are pools of water in the fields in the valley. The hills are beginning to turn green due to the rains.
Early this morning, the rain tapped against our bedroom windows. Winds at 25-30 miles per hour. My concern was water coming in through the door. Did not happen...thankfully.
It is now 7:48 p.m. and the temperature is hovering around 32°. Frost tonight. I draped blankets over the windshields of our vehicles to eliminate the next morning's ice scraping.
One and one-quarter inch of precipitation on Sunday and Monday. Nice. There are pools of water in the fields in the valley. The hills are beginning to turn green due to the rains.
Early this morning, the rain tapped against our bedroom windows. Winds at 25-30 miles per hour. My concern was water coming in through the door. Did not happen...thankfully.
It is now 7:48 p.m. and the temperature is hovering around 32°. Frost tonight. I draped blankets over the windshields of our vehicles to eliminate the next morning's ice scraping.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
SNOW II...WELL, MAYBE NOT
The temperatures rose up to the upper 40s and lower 50s on Saturday and melted some of the snow that accumulated on some of the foothills. A "storm" that was supposed to hit us fizzled and it didn't rain until early Sunday morning. A few downpours here and there but the temperatures are in the upper 40s at 9:30 this morning.
According to the rain gauges, three-quarters of an inch of rain has fallen. The low clouds are obscuring the surrounding hills and it is hard to tell if there is any fresh snow. It appears that this rain has melted what fell on Thursday.
According to the rain gauges, three-quarters of an inch of rain has fallen. The low clouds are obscuring the surrounding hills and it is hard to tell if there is any fresh snow. It appears that this rain has melted what fell on Thursday.
Friday, January 25, 2008
SNOW II
And the rains came down again. The air temperature at 1500 feet is at 37° and falling. Winds are 5-10 mph.
Two inches of rain have fallen since late Tuesday up to Thursday and there is more on the way.
The Sierra Nevada have got their "mountain coats" and the views from the valley are quite spectacular.
There is still more rain in the forecast for the weekend. Rain totals at YIA for the month of January is 2.42 inches. Season to date is 5.06 (4.98 normal). Last year's season to date was only 1.73 inches.
Need more...
Two inches of rain have fallen since late Tuesday up to Thursday and there is more on the way.
The Sierra Nevada have got their "mountain coats" and the views from the valley are quite spectacular.
There is still more rain in the forecast for the weekend. Rain totals at YIA for the month of January is 2.42 inches. Season to date is 5.06 (4.98 normal). Last year's season to date was only 1.73 inches.
Need more...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
SNOW
Over an inch of steady rain has fallen during the recent storm in the Northern Aeritories since late Tuesday and all day through Wednesday.
Then, there was this pleasant surprise...snow...all two inches late last night into this morning. Snow levels are at 1,000 feet and higher.
We live at 1,500 feet.
Yes!!!
The mountains are calling...
Then, there was this pleasant surprise...snow...all two inches late last night into this morning. Snow levels are at 1,000 feet and higher.
We live at 1,500 feet.
Yes!!!
The mountains are calling...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
102°
That is the thermometer reading on the new Marquis Spa Epic we purchased and was delivered and installed today on our back patio between our den and the pool. Measuring 90" by 90" by 35.5", the Epic has two pumps that pushes 450 gallons of water through 57 jets and has seating for six people. Two pumps and 57 jets. It provides the ulitmate hydrotherapeutic experience. It boasts a unique hydrotherapy pillar to achieve precision point therapy in areas not typically reached in a seating position. It has extra legroom, an oversized, barrier-free footwell, and strategically placed hand grips for stretching and aiding movement. The open, multilevel seating for six people features a combination of reclined and upright seats including the Adirondack chair which provdes full body support, while massaging the feet, calves, thighs, back and neck.
Pam and I haggle for control over the Ad chair!
Next is the "cage" and more on that later.
Pam and I haggle for control over the Ad chair!
Next is the "cage" and more on that later.
Friday, January 04, 2008
AND THE RAINS CAME DOWN...
and the wind is a blowing...
A hard steady wind with 15 mph wind gusts has hit the area.
We are too low in the Northern Aerietory. It is not cold enough to snow at 1500 feet, but I do know that 4500 feet and above there are blizzard-like condtions.
The woodburning stove is churning out the heat...the fire is blazing...I stand with near it with my back to it...it feels oh so good.
I stand outside in the patio and see my breath in the evening air as I hear the rain pelting the patio roof...it is a very nice sound...and the chilly air smells of the wood I am burning.
The amount of rain that fell during this latest storm was 2.75 inches where we live. With 3 rain gauges throughout the property, all three recorded the same amount.
Life is good.
A hard steady wind with 15 mph wind gusts has hit the area.
We are too low in the Northern Aerietory. It is not cold enough to snow at 1500 feet, but I do know that 4500 feet and above there are blizzard-like condtions.
The woodburning stove is churning out the heat...the fire is blazing...I stand with near it with my back to it...it feels oh so good.
I stand outside in the patio and see my breath in the evening air as I hear the rain pelting the patio roof...it is a very nice sound...and the chilly air smells of the wood I am burning.
The amount of rain that fell during this latest storm was 2.75 inches where we live. With 3 rain gauges throughout the property, all three recorded the same amount.
Life is good.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2008: A YEAR OF MANY FIRSTS...
The year 2008 will be a year of firsts for Pam and me...
We will...
Have fun.
We will...
Have fun.
Monday, December 31, 2007
2007: A YEAR IN REVIEW
February 17: I fly for the first time since 9/11/2001.
March 4: My sciatica flares up on the left side. Piriformis muscle is the culprit.
March 7: I fly home again.
March 10: My father passes away.
March 13: Funeral. Full military honors.
March 21: Aunt Kimiko arrives from Japan. Her first visit to the US since 1967.
March 31: I go to the ER in Palmdale for my sciatica.
April 16: Another MRI.
April 23: Neurosurgeon visit. NO SURGERY!
May 9: Mom and Aunt Kimiko fly to Japan.
May 12: Mt. Wilson hike. 14 miles; 11:24:00. First summit hike with Pam.
May 13: Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
May 16: 1,000,000th crunch at 0607.
May 26: Failed summit attempt of Half-Dome with Pam.
May 29: I propose to Pam while at her house.
June 2: I ask permission for Pam's hand in marriage. Permission granted. We later go to Whitney Portal to survey our "wedding chapel." Pam's first visit.
June 11: I move to the first floor of the office building. I finally get an office with a view.
June 17: Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, Dad!
June 18: 100 days since my father's passing.
July 5: Moving day. Good-bye, Orange County.
July 9: Mom returns from Japan.
July 14: Wedding day at Whitney Portal.
July 22: Auction. Everything sold.
July 24: Goodbye, Shelby County, MO.
July 27: My wife and I complete the honeymoon "loop." Mom returns to Japan.
August 6: Mt. Whitney attempt aborted due to work conflicts.
August 14: Training starts.
August 15: Pam's birthday.
August 24: My back "blows out" again.
August 25: We accept counter offer on house. The 45-day escrow starts.
September 15: Mt. Whitney attempt with Pam, Wes, and Sandra. I fail to summit. Pam and Sandra's first summit, Wes' second. Veronica was to go but had to back out due to family matters.
September 22: The first September snows fall in the mountains at the 6,000 foot and above.
September 29: My wife's last day at the Lancaster office.
October 1: My wife's first day at her "new" office.
October 6: The escrow signing and final walk-thru.
October 12: Training over.
October 13: The move from Southern California to Northern California
October 15: My first day.
December 25: Our first Christmas.
December 31: The end of the year.
And other notable events of 2007...
March 4: My sciatica flares up on the left side. Piriformis muscle is the culprit.
March 7: I fly home again.
March 10: My father passes away.
March 13: Funeral. Full military honors.
March 21: Aunt Kimiko arrives from Japan. Her first visit to the US since 1967.
March 31: I go to the ER in Palmdale for my sciatica.
April 16: Another MRI.
April 23: Neurosurgeon visit. NO SURGERY!
May 9: Mom and Aunt Kimiko fly to Japan.
May 12: Mt. Wilson hike. 14 miles; 11:24:00. First summit hike with Pam.
May 13: Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
May 16: 1,000,000th crunch at 0607.
May 26: Failed summit attempt of Half-Dome with Pam.
May 29: I propose to Pam while at her house.
June 2: I ask permission for Pam's hand in marriage. Permission granted. We later go to Whitney Portal to survey our "wedding chapel." Pam's first visit.
June 11: I move to the first floor of the office building. I finally get an office with a view.
June 17: Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, Dad!
June 18: 100 days since my father's passing.
July 5: Moving day. Good-bye, Orange County.
July 9: Mom returns from Japan.
July 14: Wedding day at Whitney Portal.
July 22: Auction. Everything sold.
July 24: Goodbye, Shelby County, MO.
July 27: My wife and I complete the honeymoon "loop." Mom returns to Japan.
August 6: Mt. Whitney attempt aborted due to work conflicts.
August 14: Training starts.
August 15: Pam's birthday.
August 24: My back "blows out" again.
August 25: We accept counter offer on house. The 45-day escrow starts.
September 15: Mt. Whitney attempt with Pam, Wes, and Sandra. I fail to summit. Pam and Sandra's first summit, Wes' second. Veronica was to go but had to back out due to family matters.
September 22: The first September snows fall in the mountains at the 6,000 foot and above.
September 29: My wife's last day at the Lancaster office.
October 1: My wife's first day at her "new" office.
October 6: The escrow signing and final walk-thru.
October 12: Training over.
October 13: The move from Southern California to Northern California
October 15: My first day.
December 25: Our first Christmas.
December 31: The end of the year.
And other notable events of 2007...
Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS
To my Mom and family over there in Japan and here in the States, my wife Pam, Jaymi and Casey, Joe and Ina, Joey and Brittney, Kuma and Jingles and Emerald, TeamBruin, Mountain Joe and family, Kandy Koyote, Kindra and Daphne and the TFG gang, the ODC gang, Bob and Jayne and Sarah, Ken Mc., Kurt and the SMI gang, Wendela, Garv and Heather.
Life here in the North Aerie has been rewarding...there is snow in them thar hills and quite cold, too! I have gotten my money's worth of all of the cold weather gear I have purchased over the last couple(?) of years from REI and Adventure 16. There is nothing like being all bundled up in down and fleece while sipping a hot cup of coffee in the backyard watching the sunrise with a slight breeze blowing in your face.
Oh, and I forgot...there is an option of sitting in the inground Jacuzzi, too, but it is too small for us.
Life here in the North Aerie has been rewarding...there is snow in them thar hills and quite cold, too! I have gotten my money's worth of all of the cold weather gear I have purchased over the last couple(?) of years from REI and Adventure 16. There is nothing like being all bundled up in down and fleece while sipping a hot cup of coffee in the backyard watching the sunrise with a slight breeze blowing in your face.
Oh, and I forgot...there is an option of sitting in the inground Jacuzzi, too, but it is too small for us.
Monday, December 17, 2007
T.G.F.M.
Today I received a Christmas card from my mother who lives in Japan. In it my mother talks of how she is getting by without dad. I know it is very tough for her without him. The family over there is doing their best to make this the best Christmas possible for my mother. The family will prevail.
My father-in-law said it best when I read the contents of the card while we sat at the dinner table: Thank God for memories. Couldn't have said it better myself.
I am not a religious person, but I do thank a Higher Power for all of my memories.
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad...
And Merry Christmas everyone!
My father-in-law said it best when I read the contents of the card while we sat at the dinner table: Thank God for memories. Couldn't have said it better myself.
I am not a religious person, but I do thank a Higher Power for all of my memories.
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad...
And Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, October 08, 2007
DREAM HOME COME TRUE
Pam and I signed the escrow papers on Saturday! Up on a ridge with an unobstructed view of the sunrise and sunset. Twenty-six hundred square feet of "breathing" room and a 1,200 square foot, 1.5 story, 3-car garage to boot! Add a Jacuzzi and a pool on over 2.5 acres and you got a dream home come true. Finally!
We spent a majority of our weekend at Home Depot to take advantage of their 10% deal on all appliances as well as the gift cards for certain GE appliances. A new front-load washer and dryer, a new side-by-side refrigerator with water/ice dispenser and a small beverage thingamahjingy, a new dishwasher, a new Jenn-Aire downdraft stove, and a new wine cooler to fill in the void where the old trash compactor would be replaced. All "cleansed steel" meaning you can stick magnets on the appliances (can't do that with stainless steel). Also, we placed our order in for the flooring (tile, carpet, hardwood) and that will be installed Thursday.
Move in day is just a few days away.
We spent a majority of our weekend at Home Depot to take advantage of their 10% deal on all appliances as well as the gift cards for certain GE appliances. A new front-load washer and dryer, a new side-by-side refrigerator with water/ice dispenser and a small beverage thingamahjingy, a new dishwasher, a new Jenn-Aire downdraft stove, and a new wine cooler to fill in the void where the old trash compactor would be replaced. All "cleansed steel" meaning you can stick magnets on the appliances (can't do that with stainless steel). Also, we placed our order in for the flooring (tile, carpet, hardwood) and that will be installed Thursday.
Move in day is just a few days away.
Monday, October 01, 2007
MORE "FIRSTS"
My wife Pam begins her first day at the new office "up north" today.
There were two going away parties held in her honor this past weekend.
The first one on Friday night was with the "big brass" at On the Border in Palmdale. Whitney Wes from the September 15 hike was there along with his wife and presented Pam with an REI gift card! Hmmmm...
The second party was held late Saturday afternoon at BJ's in Palmdale. It was time to either praise or roast Pam. Also in attendance were her boss, other supervisors, friends and family. A couple of people got up to speak, others just said their goodbyes with tear-filled eyes, and others vowed to keep in touch. They are a great bunch of people. Not only will Pam miss them, but I will miss them as well and I do hope we do still keep in touch.
Pam had spent over 30 years at this office in the high desert. That is a very long time at any location.
Yesterday, I helped Pam pack the Subaru Forester for her drive up north with her daughter. It was reminiscent of the time Pam and I did our Midwest trip to Missouri back in July. During my training I have been able to see Pam during the weekends. I would leave on Sunday afternoons to make it back to the hotel room where I was staying. Every Sunday was tough on the both of us. Married, living separately. This "living" arrangement will not last for long. Yesterday was the first time we left "home" at the same time in separate vehicles. Pam and her daughter went north as I went south. Again, the miles increase to separate us, but in a couple of weeks, that will all change for the better.
Pam, may you have an "uneventful" first day at your "new" job! I love you.
There were two going away parties held in her honor this past weekend.
The first one on Friday night was with the "big brass" at On the Border in Palmdale. Whitney Wes from the September 15 hike was there along with his wife and presented Pam with an REI gift card! Hmmmm...
The second party was held late Saturday afternoon at BJ's in Palmdale. It was time to either praise or roast Pam. Also in attendance were her boss, other supervisors, friends and family. A couple of people got up to speak, others just said their goodbyes with tear-filled eyes, and others vowed to keep in touch. They are a great bunch of people. Not only will Pam miss them, but I will miss them as well and I do hope we do still keep in touch.
Pam had spent over 30 years at this office in the high desert. That is a very long time at any location.
Yesterday, I helped Pam pack the Subaru Forester for her drive up north with her daughter. It was reminiscent of the time Pam and I did our Midwest trip to Missouri back in July. During my training I have been able to see Pam during the weekends. I would leave on Sunday afternoons to make it back to the hotel room where I was staying. Every Sunday was tough on the both of us. Married, living separately. This "living" arrangement will not last for long. Yesterday was the first time we left "home" at the same time in separate vehicles. Pam and her daughter went north as I went south. Again, the miles increase to separate us, but in a couple of weeks, that will all change for the better.
Pam, may you have an "uneventful" first day at your "new" job! I love you.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
PROUD
I am very proud of my wife Pam. She along with her two co-workers reached the top of Mt. Whitney. It was the first time for her and Sandra. It was a second summit for Wes in more than 35 years. They had to do it without me. I ran out of gas at Trail Camp. The altitude got the best of me.
3:20 a.m.: Start hike at the old stock trail
3:42 a.m.: Reach Mt. Whitney Trail
4:52 a.m.: The Whitney Zone
5:31 a.m.: Outpost Camp
6:44 a.m.: Trailside Meadows
7:55 a.m.: Trail Camp
12:09 p.m.: Summit
3:35 p.m.: Trail Camp
6:26 p.m.: Finish hike
15 hours and 6 minutes. What a day for all of us.
After training concluded on Friday, my drive to the holy city of Lone Pine began. I stopped at Carl's Jr. in Mojave to get a dinner consisting of a chicken sandwich, two large fries, and a drink. After scarfing that down on Highway 14 it was time to focus on my driving in darkness through familiar territory but under other conditions. I have never driven to Lone Pine in the evening. I stopped in Pearsonville, the "Hubcap Capital of the World," to get rid of the Carl's Jr. trash and refuel for the final 45 miles to Lone Pine.
I got to Lone Pine around 8:40 p.m. and made that left-hand turn to Whitney Portal. I stopped at Movie Road just to get out of the car and look towards the heavens. The Milky Way is a sight to behold.
When I arrived at cabin #12 a little after 9:05, there are 38 steps up to the cabin. My heart was thumping in my chest when I got to the front door. I knocked on the door and walked in and introduced myself to Steve, the owner of the cabin. I dropped my pack in the living room and went upstairs where my wife awaited me. The stairway is narrow. You have to literally climb up to the top floor. On the way down, you have to descend sideways. One false step and you go crashing down.
As I am lying down next to my wife, my heart is still pumping hard due to the altitude at 8,000 feet. I think I finally dozed off around 10:30.
Pam and I awoke around 1:50 a.m. I got my permit placard from Pam and secured it to my pack. Pam toasted half a bagel for me for breakfast but only had two nibbles. My appetite wasn't there. We put duct tape on our feet for blister prevention and made final preparations.
We leave the cabin around 3:00 a.m. for the one-mile ride to the parking area. We were so fortunate enough to park directly in front of the main trailhead. Keep in mind this is a weekend and one is lucky to find a spot like this during any day of the week.
We don our gear and make our way to the old stock trail. Somehow someway I "missed" our point. Pam was quick to alert me that we went too far. As we made our way up the three-quarter mile stock trail, my heart really started to pound. This is not a good sign.
We made it to the Whitney Zone without incident before our push towards Outpost Camp and beyond.
Once past Outpost Camp it was on to Trailside Meadows. On the way up just past Mirror Lake, I tweaked my back. The pain shot through me, but it was bearable enough to continue.
Just before Trailside Meadows, I could feel the altitude starting to take it's toll on me. I start getting a headache. Every so often I would have to stop and take my mountaineering breaths to rid my headache. Then I become dizzy and nauseous. Acute mountain sickness. This is not a good sign.
We stop at Trailside Meadows to rest before pushing on to Trail Camp. Again, every 100 steps or so, I stop to rest to catch my breath. At this point of the hike everyone else is doing well. I apologize to everyone about my slow pace.
We reach Trail Camp. It was there I decided enough was enough. With my troubles with altitude plus the twinge in my back, I told everyone this is where I stop and I thought it best to let the others go without me and not become a search-and-rescue project. I saw the look on Pam's face when I made the announcement. I don't know what she was thinking, but I knew that staying with me while the others continued WAS NOT an option. I told Pam it was okay and that I will wait for all of them here at Trail Camp. I kissed her and said, "To the summit and safe return."
As they made their way up the switchbacks, I tried to find a comfortable place to lie down. Temperatures were in the high 40s with a windchill hovering arund freezing. I tried to make the best of a bad situation since there is not much of a windbreak at 12,300 feet. I put on my fleeced vest, my Marmot DriClime jacket and my Marmot PreCip jacket just to keep warm and to shield me from the wind gusts. I still have a small lingering headache.
I find this ideal spot to lie down the middle of Trail Camp. It offered comfort and shelter from the Sierra wind. I laid my pack down and took a nap.
As I awoke from my slumber, a group of hikers came by looking for a place to set up camp. I told them that it was okay for them to set up camp where I was laying. After all, I am not the overnighter, but they were.
The group (two married couples) hailed from the San Francisco area. This was their first visit to Whitney. They had climbed Mt. Shasta earlier in the year. They asked me all types of questions and I was able to supply them with all the answers. Questions like which one is Mt. Whitney? How much water do we take? How much gear to take? How long will it take to reach the top? I answered all questions for them.
As they left for their hike, I asked them if they saw my wife (I provided them a description of her and Sandra and Wes), that they tell her I am wearing my orange jacket.
I finally saw Wes, Pam and Sandra around 3:30. They had made it. I kissed and hugged my wife and told her how proud I was of her. I high-fived Sandra and shook Wes' hand. Job well done.
All that was left was that 6.3 miles to the trailhead. On the way down there was some issues with knee pain and headaches, but nothing severe enough to worry. Wes finished well ahead of us. He took the Mt. Whitney Trail all the way down to the trailhead. Pam, Sandra and I took the old stock trail down.
Sore shoulder muscles due to ill-fitting packs and some minor blisters were post-hike issues. After dining on lasagna and salad, we all retired for the night for a well-deserved rest.
The last two months, Pam was worried about not making it to the top. WORRY NO MORE, PAM! You did it! My wife is a Whitney Summiteer!
Pam and I are planning for a hike next year up Mt. Fuji-san in Japan. Altitude shouldn't be a problem, just trying to get to the top while pushing and passing people will be strenuous enough.
After-thoughts:
The months of non-hiking caught up with me. The stairwells and gym were not enough to sustain my strength and stamina. Had I continued with training hikes in the Southern California mountains I would have fared better. A day of acclimatization would have helped, too, but that is not an excuse. The group arrived at the cabins on Thursday and did some acclimatization at Horseshoe Meadow on Friday. In my opinion, the successful summit of the group was attributed to their training regimen of running and going to the gym. You also have to factor in a lot of postitive mental attitude (PMA). They had it. I did not.
3:20 a.m.: Start hike at the old stock trail
3:42 a.m.: Reach Mt. Whitney Trail
4:52 a.m.: The Whitney Zone
5:31 a.m.: Outpost Camp
6:44 a.m.: Trailside Meadows
7:55 a.m.: Trail Camp
12:09 p.m.: Summit
3:35 p.m.: Trail Camp
6:26 p.m.: Finish hike
15 hours and 6 minutes. What a day for all of us.
After training concluded on Friday, my drive to the holy city of Lone Pine began. I stopped at Carl's Jr. in Mojave to get a dinner consisting of a chicken sandwich, two large fries, and a drink. After scarfing that down on Highway 14 it was time to focus on my driving in darkness through familiar territory but under other conditions. I have never driven to Lone Pine in the evening. I stopped in Pearsonville, the "Hubcap Capital of the World," to get rid of the Carl's Jr. trash and refuel for the final 45 miles to Lone Pine.
I got to Lone Pine around 8:40 p.m. and made that left-hand turn to Whitney Portal. I stopped at Movie Road just to get out of the car and look towards the heavens. The Milky Way is a sight to behold.
When I arrived at cabin #12 a little after 9:05, there are 38 steps up to the cabin. My heart was thumping in my chest when I got to the front door. I knocked on the door and walked in and introduced myself to Steve, the owner of the cabin. I dropped my pack in the living room and went upstairs where my wife awaited me. The stairway is narrow. You have to literally climb up to the top floor. On the way down, you have to descend sideways. One false step and you go crashing down.
As I am lying down next to my wife, my heart is still pumping hard due to the altitude at 8,000 feet. I think I finally dozed off around 10:30.
Pam and I awoke around 1:50 a.m. I got my permit placard from Pam and secured it to my pack. Pam toasted half a bagel for me for breakfast but only had two nibbles. My appetite wasn't there. We put duct tape on our feet for blister prevention and made final preparations.
We leave the cabin around 3:00 a.m. for the one-mile ride to the parking area. We were so fortunate enough to park directly in front of the main trailhead. Keep in mind this is a weekend and one is lucky to find a spot like this during any day of the week.
We don our gear and make our way to the old stock trail. Somehow someway I "missed" our point. Pam was quick to alert me that we went too far. As we made our way up the three-quarter mile stock trail, my heart really started to pound. This is not a good sign.
We made it to the Whitney Zone without incident before our push towards Outpost Camp and beyond.
Once past Outpost Camp it was on to Trailside Meadows. On the way up just past Mirror Lake, I tweaked my back. The pain shot through me, but it was bearable enough to continue.
Just before Trailside Meadows, I could feel the altitude starting to take it's toll on me. I start getting a headache. Every so often I would have to stop and take my mountaineering breaths to rid my headache. Then I become dizzy and nauseous. Acute mountain sickness. This is not a good sign.
We stop at Trailside Meadows to rest before pushing on to Trail Camp. Again, every 100 steps or so, I stop to rest to catch my breath. At this point of the hike everyone else is doing well. I apologize to everyone about my slow pace.
We reach Trail Camp. It was there I decided enough was enough. With my troubles with altitude plus the twinge in my back, I told everyone this is where I stop and I thought it best to let the others go without me and not become a search-and-rescue project. I saw the look on Pam's face when I made the announcement. I don't know what she was thinking, but I knew that staying with me while the others continued WAS NOT an option. I told Pam it was okay and that I will wait for all of them here at Trail Camp. I kissed her and said, "To the summit and safe return."
As they made their way up the switchbacks, I tried to find a comfortable place to lie down. Temperatures were in the high 40s with a windchill hovering arund freezing. I tried to make the best of a bad situation since there is not much of a windbreak at 12,300 feet. I put on my fleeced vest, my Marmot DriClime jacket and my Marmot PreCip jacket just to keep warm and to shield me from the wind gusts. I still have a small lingering headache.
I find this ideal spot to lie down the middle of Trail Camp. It offered comfort and shelter from the Sierra wind. I laid my pack down and took a nap.
As I awoke from my slumber, a group of hikers came by looking for a place to set up camp. I told them that it was okay for them to set up camp where I was laying. After all, I am not the overnighter, but they were.
The group (two married couples) hailed from the San Francisco area. This was their first visit to Whitney. They had climbed Mt. Shasta earlier in the year. They asked me all types of questions and I was able to supply them with all the answers. Questions like which one is Mt. Whitney? How much water do we take? How much gear to take? How long will it take to reach the top? I answered all questions for them.
As they left for their hike, I asked them if they saw my wife (I provided them a description of her and Sandra and Wes), that they tell her I am wearing my orange jacket.
I finally saw Wes, Pam and Sandra around 3:30. They had made it. I kissed and hugged my wife and told her how proud I was of her. I high-fived Sandra and shook Wes' hand. Job well done.
All that was left was that 6.3 miles to the trailhead. On the way down there was some issues with knee pain and headaches, but nothing severe enough to worry. Wes finished well ahead of us. He took the Mt. Whitney Trail all the way down to the trailhead. Pam, Sandra and I took the old stock trail down.
Sore shoulder muscles due to ill-fitting packs and some minor blisters were post-hike issues. After dining on lasagna and salad, we all retired for the night for a well-deserved rest.
The last two months, Pam was worried about not making it to the top. WORRY NO MORE, PAM! You did it! My wife is a Whitney Summiteer!
Pam and I are planning for a hike next year up Mt. Fuji-san in Japan. Altitude shouldn't be a problem, just trying to get to the top while pushing and passing people will be strenuous enough.
After-thoughts:
The months of non-hiking caught up with me. The stairwells and gym were not enough to sustain my strength and stamina. Had I continued with training hikes in the Southern California mountains I would have fared better. A day of acclimatization would have helped, too, but that is not an excuse. The group arrived at the cabins on Thursday and did some acclimatization at Horseshoe Meadow on Friday. In my opinion, the successful summit of the group was attributed to their training regimen of running and going to the gym. You also have to factor in a lot of postitive mental attitude (PMA). They had it. I did not.
Monday, August 06, 2007
SALUD, ART!
At the summit hut at 14,497 feet above sea level. Congratulations to Art and his friend Russ N. on their first summit of Mt. Whitney on August 6, 2007.
For the last couple of years, Art had always been "bragging" around work that Whitney was just a walk in the park and that he could walk it backwards and this and that. Yeah, yeah.
Anyhow, I finally convinced Art to apply for a permit back in February and he got it. I helped him fill out the form and told him when he had to mail it. I obtained my permit in March, but Art never got his in the mail. Apparently, his permit was "never sent" so I told him to call up the ranger station and find out what the delay was about. To make a long story short, Art was informed over the phone when he and his team were going.
Art was already an avid mountain biker, so I told him that the cycling will help him with his cardiovascular endurance and leg strength. All he had to do was incorporate some hiking in the local mountains. He would report to me that he and his wife were hitting the trails in preparation for their moment and he was always asking me questions and I was always providing him the answers.
Art's team of six and my team of four were to go on this day. We had it all planned out. We were going to combine the two teams into a mega-team. If someone backed out, we had someone willing to fill in the void. When two vacancies opend up on Art's team, I told my wife Pam and she was willing to go. I was going to do a "solo" starting at around midnight while the rest of my team would start at their own time, but with Pam going that would change. Art wanted his team to go when I went. "Are you sure you want to leave at midnight, Art?"
However, due to job changes and training commitments and requirements, I had to pass up the opportunity for my sixth summit. TeamBruin was to go, but they had other commitments and had to back out. Mike B. was a go, but I had to tell him of my circumstances and that I was canceling the hike.
My wife and I salvaged a camping trip out of this at Whitney Portal thanks to TeamBruin relinquishing their #44 camping spot for us to enjoy "bear country."
My wife and I hooked up with Art at the Pizza Factory in Lone Pine on Friday, August 3 and gave him the last and up-to-the-minute details of the weather and trail conditions. His plan was to go up to Horseshoe Meadow on Saturday and Sunday to get a quick acclimatization at 10,000 feet.
After Pam and I completed our Meysan Lake hike on Saturday, August 4, we decided to shower up at the Portal Store and it just happened to be that Art and Russ were there in the store. Pam and I sat down with them and I gave them the details on where the "secret" trailhead was, the "vanishing trail" around Mirror Lake, where to replenish their water supplies, what to pack, the time to turn around if not on the summit. Yes, they were bombarded with a lot of information just a couple of days before their big hike, but it was information I felt they needed to reach the top. The information I provided was something I never got before my first summit back in 2004.
While in Fresno, I received a voicemail from Art. He and Russ had made it. I believe it took them 8 or 9 hours up and 4 hours down. Not bad for a first time. Not like my 17 hours 12 minute 25.03 second "endurance test."
Again, congratulations to Art and Russ on their first summit! You were up there!
I bet you two are planning for a return trip!
Yo, Brohammy, I did it!
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