Just now getting a chance to sit and write about this a little after the fact.
Okay so it was time to get things moving. I live in the South Bay area of Los Angeles and was hoping to find a few local trails to do some conditioning hiking just to get my base back. (Did I mention it has been a minute since I have done any thing you can call hiking.) So of course I jumped online as everyone does these days to find some likely suspects. I was very fortunate to find a great trail just few minutes away on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The trail is called the Crenshaw Extension Trail and Portuguese Bend Overlook. The Trail head is just down Crenshaw passed the Del Cerro park parking lot. It is a fire road that seems pretty well maintained. It starts with a long decent so you can get the hard stuff out of the way right off the bat. Everyone knows man was meant to go up hill right? I've seen varied distances on a couple different sights but, it is about 1.6 miles and I think it makes a good down and back. Link to trail information here: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/PalosVerdes_4472.asp
The was to find something close that I can do regularly around six miles long. If I do this trail twice it's a little over six and I also get some decent elevation gain. It looks like it's about 350 feet over the less than a mile. It will get your heart pumping and wake up your legs.
I decided to try it out Sunday, January 18, 2009. I told Scott and Mike P. I was going to start around 8:00 am if they wanted to join me. Well, Mike P. had gone out the night before and wasn't up for any real, moving, breathing, or anything else. Scott had decided to go snowboarding the lucky bastage the day before. (Bastage, not a real word I know but, you get the idea.) And when I talked to him later he had hit the trail that afternoon instead on his mountain bike with his lady. So, I set out on my own.
When I arrived at the trail head it was a clear morning and about 53 degrees Fahrenheit. It seemed cooler with the slight breeze. I was wearing shorts, a cotton t-shirt and a fleece zip-up. It was perfect, or so I thought. I also had decided to start breaking in the new trail shoes. Being an old trailhound, I of course, forgot my sun glasses, hat and water bottle at the house. Okay, I was a little excited to get out and move in the world.
I stretched and set off. By the end of the first quarter mile I as already feeling my shins starting to ache and had shed the fleece. I saw many people on the trail coming and going. It appears to be a popular trail by hikers, runners, and a few mountain bikers. It wasn't crowded and saying hello to others on the trail helped pass the time. Before I knew it I was at the bottom of the trail and had only to make the short climb at the far end to Barn Owl lookout. Once I got to the lookout point I rested just long enough to check out the view and started back.
Okay, the hike back was a little more work, being almost all up hill back to Del Cerro. Without water it was a bit more uncomfortable than I was hoping. Legs were tired and I could drink a river dry but, it was all good for a first day back on a trail. No blisters and the new shoes were very comfortable. I did notice a little rubbing on my right ankle so I'll have to try a different sock next time.
I had promised my Honey (Crystal) that I would accompany her to a bead show that afternoon so I needed to get back and shower. The shower felt great and I figured the walking at the bead show would help keep my legs from getting too tight. I was right about that but, boy my feet were tired after four hours more of walking and standing.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
It’s Gear hunting season!
Yes, it's gear hunting season.
So the Trailgoon suggests that for ultra-light hiking you don’t need to wear the big heavy boots. Now, don’t get me wrong. They still have their place, for example, on the trail with a 65 lbs. pack or in winter snow and ice. But, being that I’m going light weight on this trip I’m giving his suggestion to wear trail runners and trekking poles a try. Yes, nice light weight trail running shoes, which weigh ounces and not pounds. Wearing light weight shoes you do give up some ankle support so the trekking poles help with stability. I have never used trekking poles so that will take a bit of getting used to but, I’m game.
I headed back over to REI which is having its big year end sale. As I walked in and turned to my left what was the first thing my eyes fell upon. A stand of trekking poles and the beauty part was that they were on sale. I looked through the dangling rack and found they had not just the low end heavy poles but, the REI Peak UL Carbon telescoping poles. These babies weigh in at a whole 12.5 oz. Very comfortable padded grips and these usually go for $139.00 for the pair, where on sale for $54.00. It was a successful hunting trip and I had only made it ten feet into the store.
Feeling lucky, I continued and moved on to the shoe department. They have a very nice selection of trail runners and lightweight hiking shoes, so this was going to take 
a while. I found a friendly REI person and told her what I was looking for. She said, I needed to speak to Linda who was the resident shoe guru. Shortly, Linda came walking up and asked me how she could help. I explained what my plan was and she showed me several options. Then the light bulb went off and she walked over to the clearance rack. She handed me a box of Merrel's. I have heard of Merrell and know they make a good shoe, so I was happy. I pulled them out but, they were a little small. I went on to try just about every shoe she had. I loved the Merrell Moab Ventilators but, they are dry weather shoes and I like to do a lot of hiking where I have the potential to get wet. I also, can't presently afford both a dry and wet weather shoe. So I tried some of them on again and back and forth I went. Then for some reason I thought I would check the clearance rack one more time and presto there was a Merrell box under a larger box that I had missed previously. It was a pair of Grey and Red Merrell Chameleon Wrap Gore Tex XCR's. I tried them on and what do you know. They fit perfectly. But wait there's more! These usually sold for $120.00 and I got them for $60.00.
a while. I found a friendly REI person and told her what I was looking for. She said, I needed to speak to Linda who was the resident shoe guru. Shortly, Linda came walking up and asked me how she could help. I explained what my plan was and she showed me several options. Then the light bulb went off and she walked over to the clearance rack. She handed me a box of Merrel's. I have heard of Merrell and know they make a good shoe, so I was happy. I pulled them out but, they were a little small. I went on to try just about every shoe she had. I loved the Merrell Moab Ventilators but, they are dry weather shoes and I like to do a lot of hiking where I have the potential to get wet. I also, can't presently afford both a dry and wet weather shoe. So I tried some of them on again and back and forth I went. Then for some reason I thought I would check the clearance rack one more time and presto there was a Merrell box under a larger box that I had missed previously. It was a pair of Grey and Red Merrell Chameleon Wrap Gore Tex XCR's. I tried them on and what do you know. They fit perfectly. But wait there's more! These usually sold for $120.00 and I got them for $60.00.Well, that was enough for me. Wasn't going to press my luck and a good hunter knows when it's time to hike back out and be happy with what he bagged.
Monday, January 19, 2009
REI Preparing for Mount Whitney Clinic
Wednesday night arrived and right after work I headed over to REI in Manhattan Beach for the “Preparing for Mount Whitney” clinic that Scott had told me about. I was interested to see what the presenter had to say. I arrived and wondered around the big kid toy store like a five year old in FAO Schwartz. It had been a long time since I’d been in an REI and I really wanted to just take my time and check things out but, the clinic was about to start and I needed to find where it was being held. I turned the corner of the aisle and Scott was approaching with a guy who seemed twice his height. I said hello and Scott introduced me to Tyler. Tyler is Scott’s buddy from college and it looks like he will be on the Whitney team. We showed up just in time to get a seat before the clinic began.
Greg Patrick (A.K.A., Trailgoon) was the presenter and he knows his stuff. It has been a long time since I’ve been up this mountain and I wondered what had changed, as far as how to approach it and prepare. He covered everything. I’m not sure how many times he has summated but, during the clinic he spoke of at least three separate occasions. Not long after Greg began I turned to see where Scott and Tyler found seats just as Mike P. had showed up. Mike P. is another workmate who said he would like to join us on this little adventure.
Greg covered everything from permits to pooping in a bag. No more chemical toilets. It seems that using a helicopter to do maintenance had gotten a little too expensive. He showed us the six “standard” routes. The (main) Whitney trail, Cottonwood, Kearsarge pass, Crabtree pass, Mountaineer’s route and JMT. All of these trails have very different features. I’m pretty sure our intrepid adventurers will head up the Whitney trail, which is an eleven mile hike from Whitney Portal that requires no technical climbing. We haven’t discussed the route yet but, I get the feeling not everyone in the group has done a lot of hiking, little to no technical climbs.
Greg talked about AMS (acute altitude sickness) and other altitude related issues. Not a fun part of the presentation but, absolutely necessary. Of all the thousands of people who attempt to summit each year two thirds never make it. There are a lot of reasons but, most fail to plan, train properly, follow some sensible altitude rules, or a combination of these. My goal is to get our whole team to the summit and back down safely and enjoyably as possible.
For me the biggest tip and most interesting idea was he suggests going as light as possible. This is known is known as Ultra-Light hiking. Being from the old school of hiking, which basically means carrying everything thing and a few extras just in case someone forgets theirs; I was thinking I would be carrying a 45 lbs. pack up this mountain again. According to Greg, if you have the right gear you can complete this hike with considerably less weight. The goal is to carry no more than 15 – 20 lbs. Yep, including food. Let me just say how good that sounds. It makes a lot of sense too. Carry less weight and your body doesn’t have to work as hard, which means less stress, which means more fun. You can look around more and enjoy the trip more. Ah, there is something to be said about modern technology.
The clinic went fast and it was very much an overview, so Greg told us we could get more information on his Yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hikingmtwhitney/There is a great deal of information, such as a lightweight gear list, maps of the routes, other goodies. After the clinic Scott, Tyler and I must have talked for 20 minutes in the parking lot about ideas that had come to us while sitting in the clinic. This is going to be a fun year!
Greg Patrick (A.K.A., Trailgoon) was the presenter and he knows his stuff. It has been a long time since I’ve been up this mountain and I wondered what had changed, as far as how to approach it and prepare. He covered everything. I’m not sure how many times he has summated but, during the clinic he spoke of at least three separate occasions. Not long after Greg began I turned to see where Scott and Tyler found seats just as Mike P. had showed up. Mike P. is another workmate who said he would like to join us on this little adventure.
Greg covered everything from permits to pooping in a bag. No more chemical toilets. It seems that using a helicopter to do maintenance had gotten a little too expensive. He showed us the six “standard” routes. The (main) Whitney trail, Cottonwood, Kearsarge pass, Crabtree pass, Mountaineer’s route and JMT. All of these trails have very different features. I’m pretty sure our intrepid adventurers will head up the Whitney trail, which is an eleven mile hike from Whitney Portal that requires no technical climbing. We haven’t discussed the route yet but, I get the feeling not everyone in the group has done a lot of hiking, little to no technical climbs.
Greg talked about AMS (acute altitude sickness) and other altitude related issues. Not a fun part of the presentation but, absolutely necessary. Of all the thousands of people who attempt to summit each year two thirds never make it. There are a lot of reasons but, most fail to plan, train properly, follow some sensible altitude rules, or a combination of these. My goal is to get our whole team to the summit and back down safely and enjoyably as possible.
For me the biggest tip and most interesting idea was he suggests going as light as possible. This is known is known as Ultra-Light hiking. Being from the old school of hiking, which basically means carrying everything thing and a few extras just in case someone forgets theirs; I was thinking I would be carrying a 45 lbs. pack up this mountain again. According to Greg, if you have the right gear you can complete this hike with considerably less weight. The goal is to carry no more than 15 – 20 lbs. Yep, including food. Let me just say how good that sounds. It makes a lot of sense too. Carry less weight and your body doesn’t have to work as hard, which means less stress, which means more fun. You can look around more and enjoy the trip more. Ah, there is something to be said about modern technology.
The clinic went fast and it was very much an overview, so Greg told us we could get more information on his Yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hikingmtwhitney/There is a great deal of information, such as a lightweight gear list, maps of the routes, other goodies. After the clinic Scott, Tyler and I must have talked for 20 minutes in the parking lot about ideas that had come to us while sitting in the clinic. This is going to be a fun year!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
And so it begins!
Hello out there. Is this thing on? Can anyone hear me? Okay, well. Here goes nothing. I am Aidan and this is a blog about my adventures for the next year as I prepare to hike Mount Whitney. I hope I can keep it up, as I have never successfully keep a journal, diary, or blog going for very long.
I guess I should start with a little about myself. I am a forty something male, living in the Los Angeles, South Bay area of Southern California with my girlfriend Crystal. I am a father of two, (from my first marriage) and grand-father of two (just last year). For a guy in my forties, I would say I'm in reasonably good shape, although since I started the new job I have neglected the gym and put on about five pounds over the holidays.
I am an experienced hiker, although most of the miles I have logged where in my youth as a Boy scout. It was an addiction. I was a member of troop 281 which was a high adventure troop. We hiked year 'round and on the average did a hike a month. I have been on all the major trails in California and portions multiple times. However, that seems a lifetime ago as I think about what lays before me now.
My last hike of note would have been, on the trail to the Seven Lakes above Bishop in 1995. Yes, for those keeping score, almost 15 years, ago. It was a beautiful morning as we hit the trailhead around 6:00am. The sky was clear and blue. The air was crisp and I couldn't wait. It had been several years since I had been out on the trail due to family and school obligations. The four of us set out at a good pace with Bill in the lead and a plan to make it up to the seventh lake to make camp and fish along the way. Bill a friend of mine, was the point man and made this trek regularly. We made it up to the fifth lake; wet our lines for about 20 minutes and the sky opened up. I'll be honest, this wasn't actually rain. It was more a deluge. I was prepared, like all good Boy scouts are. I checked with my Dad and he said he had his rain gear on him and wasn't all that concerned but Bill wasn't interested in staying and so down the mountain we went. Let me say it was a brisk march back to the trooper in a full down pour. Life went on after that and although there have been many car camping trips no real hiking worth mentioning. That brings me to how the heck I decided hiking Whitney would be a great idea.
It’s all Scott’s fault!
I was sitting in my office and Scott wondered. I asked how his weekend had been and we talked about this, that and the other thing. Then he mentioned he was considering going to the Preparing to Hiking Mount Whitney seminar at REI. A light came on over my head and a bell rang in my ears. I told him that sounded like a great idea and asked if he would mind if I tagged along. He said, no he didn’t mind, then I explained I had hike Whitney twice before and would love to do it again.
And that is all it took.
Stay tuned.
I guess I should start with a little about myself. I am a forty something male, living in the Los Angeles, South Bay area of Southern California with my girlfriend Crystal. I am a father of two, (from my first marriage) and grand-father of two (just last year). For a guy in my forties, I would say I'm in reasonably good shape, although since I started the new job I have neglected the gym and put on about five pounds over the holidays.
I am an experienced hiker, although most of the miles I have logged where in my youth as a Boy scout. It was an addiction. I was a member of troop 281 which was a high adventure troop. We hiked year 'round and on the average did a hike a month. I have been on all the major trails in California and portions multiple times. However, that seems a lifetime ago as I think about what lays before me now.
My last hike of note would have been, on the trail to the Seven Lakes above Bishop in 1995. Yes, for those keeping score, almost 15 years, ago. It was a beautiful morning as we hit the trailhead around 6:00am. The sky was clear and blue. The air was crisp and I couldn't wait. It had been several years since I had been out on the trail due to family and school obligations. The four of us set out at a good pace with Bill in the lead and a plan to make it up to the seventh lake to make camp and fish along the way. Bill a friend of mine, was the point man and made this trek regularly. We made it up to the fifth lake; wet our lines for about 20 minutes and the sky opened up. I'll be honest, this wasn't actually rain. It was more a deluge. I was prepared, like all good Boy scouts are. I checked with my Dad and he said he had his rain gear on him and wasn't all that concerned but Bill wasn't interested in staying and so down the mountain we went. Let me say it was a brisk march back to the trooper in a full down pour. Life went on after that and although there have been many car camping trips no real hiking worth mentioning. That brings me to how the heck I decided hiking Whitney would be a great idea.
It’s all Scott’s fault!
I was sitting in my office and Scott wondered. I asked how his weekend had been and we talked about this, that and the other thing. Then he mentioned he was considering going to the Preparing to Hiking Mount Whitney seminar at REI. A light came on over my head and a bell rang in my ears. I told him that sounded like a great idea and asked if he would mind if I tagged along. He said, no he didn’t mind, then I explained I had hike Whitney twice before and would love to do it again.
And that is all it took.
Stay tuned.
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