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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