Random Pics 5

Here are some more random pics:

Downtown San Diego














San Diego Harbor













My buddy Ted skating downtown.













Winter vineyard











Seagulls








Lake Henshaw











Starry Night












The Grand Canyon in winter.

Mt. San Jacinto 10,804'

So I went on a hike today. I hadn't actually planned on climbing Mt. San Jacinto for the 7th time, I just kind of started walking that way. Accessed via the Devils Slide Trail so 16 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 4,324'. 5hrs up and 3hrs down. Slow going at times because of the snow and ice. Used instep crampons most of the way up and all the way down. Due to the time and the cold I didn't stay on the summit very long. Thermometer showed 34 degrees and it was windy too. Not really any good pictures from this trip. It was too cold to stop and get the camera out. I made it back to the truck just after dark so it ended up being a long day. But a good day nonetheless. Here's some pics:





Driving









Suicide Rock with the Diamond Valley Reservoir in the back.









I can't remember ever seeing a coyote in these mtns.







I like Albertsons "PoorBoy" sandwiches!




Looking down on Palm Springs/Coachella Valley









Towards Temecula

Random Pics 4

So the last 3 highpoints were already covered in the black hills postings so there's no need to repeat them. I've been super busy with work but I have a 3 day coming up so I hope to get out on monday for a good hike and maybe some pics. Here's just a few quick random pics of local stuff.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and His ears toward their cry."
Ps 34:15

"Look at the birds of the air:
they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?"
Matt 6:26

Highpoints Part 4

Summit #6

Mt. Whitney, California 14,496.811' 8/5/06



Mt. Whitney is not only the highpoint of California, it is also the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Although it is a long and strenuous hike, it is all done on a well-maintained trail and no technical climbing skills are required. It is also a very popular hike and normally requires a permit to climb during the peak season. However, I found that if you go by yourself it is no problem to get a permit. The weather for my hike was perfect. Clear and sunny in the low 60's with only occasional clouds. Nights however were a little cooler around freezing. Although many people are able to do this hike in a day, I am not one of those people. I chose to spend the night on the trail in order to acclimate. Regardless of a persons physical condition, altitude sickness is always possible and I didn't want to risk it. The best way to avoid it is a slow ascent and hydration. Both of which I did. I have to say that I felt great on this hike. No serious headaches or fatigue which I honestly was expecting to have based on past experiences. God really helped me out on this and kept me healthy and energetic. Not to say the hike wasn't very tiring though. The hike itself is about 22 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 6,750'. I camped at the trailhead Thursday night, hiked the 6 miles to Trail Camp on Friday, summited early Saturday morning and then hiked back to the truck Saturday afternoon. All in all a great trip that I definitely plan on doing again. I have alot of pics to show so this might end up being a long blog. Sorry.
To try and save time I'm just going to list the captions here and you'll have to match them:
1) the peak from Owens Valley
2) the Whitney Portal
3) looking up trail
4) entering the John Muir Wilderness
5) looking down trail onto Lone Pine Lake
6) a waterfall
7) Bighorn Park
8) Mirror Lake
9) looking down on Bighorn Park
10) a stream
11) flowers and stream
12) Consultation Lake
13) my campsite
14) Trail Camp
15) sundown
16) sundown
17) sunrise
18) sunrise
19) sunrise
20) on the trail to the summit
21) Trail Crest (2.5 miles to go)
22) on the trail to the summit
23) view west from the crest
24) view west from the crest
25) view west from the crest
26) the summit
27) the summit
28) view north from the summit
29) on the trail
30) on the trail
31) end of the road