My last hike has been haunting me from posting. One of those "I'll get to it soon" things and before I knew it... dude, its like 8 Days from the hike! ok. 9. 9 days!!!
I just read Rick Deutsch's Yosemite's Half Dome, One Best Hike. I've had it for about a year now, and finally thought it was best to pick it out.
Its awesome. I just read this "Hiking Half Dome" chapter where he breaks down the hike step by step. Landmark by landmark. Giving an assessment, altitude, water details and what to expect. I've kinda using it as my bible.
I got some hiking poles 2 weekends ago... Brian broke one. So he replaced it the other day. He was nice enough to take care of it quickly, since, I’m starting to freak out a bit!
Its getting so close, I can't believe it!
Trying to mentally make a list of things I need... and begrudgingly need to carry!
5 liters of water in 2 bladders
Food
The Beast/ Gorilla pod/ Lens and filter
Sunscreen, Chapstick, band aids
Hat, extra pair of socks
Cheap raincoat poncho with chip clip for securing
Plastic produce bags for making gator boots
headlamp and fresh batteries
iPod and buds
sunglasses
small towel
tissues/toilet paper
gloves for the chains
Hiking poles
Velcro straps for securing poles to my pack.
Permit/Identification
watch
I'm hoping Brian can manage carrying the binoculars and maybe my Gorilla pod. Its not big, but this stuff is gonna be enough!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Lost Palms Oasis Trail... DONE
A camping trip to Joshua Tree NP led us to the Lost Palms Oasis Trail! This is a trail I had my eye on for a couple of year, but thought that's a CRAZY! A Seven mile hike! Fast forward to me, at 31, searching for hikes to practice on. Another reason that we never did this hike before, was that we are seldom in the south end of the park, but to pass through to get to the 10 freeway.
But, we did it! It was Me, Shannon, Steve and Susan. Brian, Brad and Mike & Stella (Shannon's new puppy) did a smaller 2 mile hike.
Look at Stella!
Me, Susan and Steve!
Check out all the liquid Susan had on a 7 mile hike in the sun!
Up we go!
I feel like this palm looks like a giant ice cream cone!
Beaver tail cacti
Susan was smart when hiding from the sun!
Steve helps Susan down a steep hill, cause she wasn't wearing proper hiking boots.
some red barrel cacti
Check out this incline!
Random lush green bushes on our journey!
Some sort of albino lizard!
No, Shannon's not showing off her jazz fingers... she's trying to get her fingers to stop looking like sausages... just like mine!
We finished! Now off for an hour trip back to the campsite to rest and eat grub!
But, we did it! It was Me, Shannon, Steve and Susan. Brian, Brad and Mike & Stella (Shannon's new puppy) did a smaller 2 mile hike.
See the "No Dogs on trail" icon... this will make sense in future photos.
Me, Brian, Steve, Mike, Stella, Susan, Shannon and Brad!
Look at Stella!
Me, trailblazing!
YAY! At the oasis!
Shannon uses her mini gorilla pod to get a group shot going!
The Lost Palm Oasis is behind us!
Check out all the liquid Susan had on a 7 mile hike in the sun!
Up we go!
I feel like this palm looks like a giant ice cream cone!
Beaver tail cacti
Susan was smart when hiding from the sun!
Steve helps Susan down a steep hill, cause she wasn't wearing proper hiking boots.
some red barrel cacti
This part of the trail was all sandy! It really worked the bum!
Check out this incline!
Random lush green bushes on our journey!
Some sort of albino lizard!
This was the most spectacular creature we saw!!!
No, Shannon's not showing off her jazz fingers... she's trying to get her fingers to stop looking like sausages... just like mine!
We finished! Now off for an hour trip back to the campsite to rest and eat grub!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Topanga Canyon Hike
Well, I forgot what was the name of this hike... but it was brutal. For very. Short. High. Steep. Climbs go.
I was sweating almost instantly. We even passed a whole family that were casually making their way up the hill together. I thought it was so endearing. There was a daddy that had the baby carrier on his back
Then, Lisa discovered this little guy. My guess is he sat down for a nap, and called it a life.
Another perspective going down...
Going down was do steep. There were lots of loose rocks and stones and dry dirt. I kept almost falling, and Lisa, being such a sweetheart, kept reaching out and grabbing me. The funniest part is that this is all that instinct that is built into us... I would have brought Lisa down with me! I did eventually reach the ground, and had this battle wound to show off...
Skinned knees... I felt like a kid again.
All in all, it was a good hike. Got my heart rate pumping, and enjoyed the company!
I was sweating almost instantly. We even passed a whole family that were casually making their way up the hill together. I thought it was so endearing. There was a daddy that had the baby carrier on his back
When "mom" came into view, I got to see that MOM was PREGNANT... Like... Ready! Naturally, I felt out of shape when pregnant women were on this trail... After making a comment, the lady revealed that today was actually her DUE date.... Damn, I admire that lady!
When we finally reached the top, we took these nice pictures.
PS... I had an entire camel bladder of water, and Lisa had 16 oz...
And had this view
Then, Lisa discovered this little guy. My guess is he sat down for a nap, and called it a life.
Another perspective going down...
Skinned knees... I felt like a kid again.
All in all, it was a good hike. Got my heart rate pumping, and enjoyed the company!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Devil's Chair Trail
I've been meaning to post this FOREVER!!!!!
I did a successful hike to Devil's Chair over in Antelope valley. According to maps and rangers, the hike was 7.4 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1400 ft (Half Dome is 4800 ft).
It was a lovely day out. Not too hot. Actually, not hot at all. It was GREAT. Come this time real soon, this part of the state is unbearable!
So, we started off! I had 1 camel bladder pack of 2 liters of water, some snacks and a husband.
We passed over some water!
and around scary left over tools and a wheel barrel...
At some point... we lost brian. He had started jumping a head of us with his super long legs, and before we knew it... he was out of sight! It turns out, He stopped to rest/smoke, and we passed him! But his newly sprained ankle had been bothering him, so decided to rest and wait for us to return on the way back.
And then... WE MADE IT DOWN!
And we had some snacks... even phallic ones!
A couple shots of the view...
And then, back up we go!
Shannon stopped to take a little nap...
Look at this incline!
and Shannon found a friend along the way...
and I spotted Brian! (good thing he was wearing such a contrasting color!)
and a turquoise lizard!
All in all, it was a good hike. I was pooped! And had to drive home cause Brian's foot was still bothering him. A good prep for HD.
oh, did i mention the snow we saw?!
I did a successful hike to Devil's Chair over in Antelope valley. According to maps and rangers, the hike was 7.4 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1400 ft (Half Dome is 4800 ft).
It was a lovely day out. Not too hot. Actually, not hot at all. It was GREAT. Come this time real soon, this part of the state is unbearable!
So, we started off! I had 1 camel bladder pack of 2 liters of water, some snacks and a husband.
We passed over some water!
And we went under bit trees...
At some point... we lost brian. He had started jumping a head of us with his super long legs, and before we knew it... he was out of sight! It turns out, He stopped to rest/smoke, and we passed him! But his newly sprained ankle had been bothering him, so decided to rest and wait for us to return on the way back.
And then... WE MADE IT DOWN!
And we had some snacks... even phallic ones!
A couple shots of the view...
And then, back up we go!
Shannon stopped to take a little nap...
Look at this incline!
and Shannon found a friend along the way...
and I spotted Brian! (good thing he was wearing such a contrasting color!)
and a turquoise lizard!
All in all, it was a good hike. I was pooped! And had to drive home cause Brian's foot was still bothering him. A good prep for HD.
oh, did i mention the snow we saw?!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Ode to my convertible pants
I had these amazing convertible hiking pants. They were "Titanium" and were made by Columbia. I saw my friend Heather with a pair, and fell in love.
They were dark brown.
They zipped off above the knee, making them shorts.
They were super rugged. They were big enough for me to move around, and do the tiny bit of "climbing" that I ever did, getting my knee up super high.
I loved them. They are as ever present as the family dog in a sequence of family photos throughout the years. My go-to hiking pants, and most worn object on each camping trip! They dried quickly, easy on easy off. Legs on, legs off. Even had tear up sides to not have to remove my chunky hiking boots.
Well, long story, short... I lost some weight, and therefore, these pants became reminiscent of the Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer pants.
I had to practically TIE them up with a belt.
But it was ok! Cause I would just ZIP over to REI and get a smaller size. I had already typed in "titanium" to the search and they came up! So I ordered the smaller size, with my 20% off member coupon and went to pick them up with their "free shipping to store" feature.
I ran to the changing room to try them on, you know, JUST TO BE SAFE... and AGHAST they did not fit! I was bummed, but just went upstairs to the women's department and scooted around looking for them to get the next size up. I asked an associate, and then the realization came... my PANTS WHERE DISCONTINUED! And the ones I a newer version (the ones in my hands), which was NOT the same. They fit differently, hugged differently, were not the same size ratio...
I sent my old pants to my mom, the day I placed the order for my new pants... not like I would taken them back...
But uuuuggggg, I have to find new beloved convertible pants for Big Hike! I always just assumed I would wear those! I will see this as an adventure, and not so much as the travesty (yes, I'm being OVERLY dramatic)
They were dark brown.
They zipped off above the knee, making them shorts.
They were super rugged. They were big enough for me to move around, and do the tiny bit of "climbing" that I ever did, getting my knee up super high.
And they were big enough to house a pair of jeans underneath them like below!
I loved them. They are as ever present as the family dog in a sequence of family photos throughout the years. My go-to hiking pants, and most worn object on each camping trip! They dried quickly, easy on easy off. Legs on, legs off. Even had tear up sides to not have to remove my chunky hiking boots.
Well, long story, short... I lost some weight, and therefore, these pants became reminiscent of the Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer pants.
I had to practically TIE them up with a belt.
But it was ok! Cause I would just ZIP over to REI and get a smaller size. I had already typed in "titanium" to the search and they came up! So I ordered the smaller size, with my 20% off member coupon and went to pick them up with their "free shipping to store" feature.
I ran to the changing room to try them on, you know, JUST TO BE SAFE... and AGHAST they did not fit! I was bummed, but just went upstairs to the women's department and scooted around looking for them to get the next size up. I asked an associate, and then the realization came... my PANTS WHERE DISCONTINUED! And the ones I a newer version (the ones in my hands), which was NOT the same. They fit differently, hugged differently, were not the same size ratio...
I sent my old pants to my mom, the day I placed the order for my new pants... not like I would taken them back...
But uuuuggggg, I have to find new beloved convertible pants for Big Hike! I always just assumed I would wear those! I will see this as an adventure, and not so much as the travesty (yes, I'm being OVERLY dramatic)
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