Archive for July, 2006

Tuolumne Meadows-Mt. Dana

Saturday, July 29th, 2006

Mt. Dana Panoramic The Top of Mt. Dana
Two years ago, my friends Evan & Rebecca recommended this hike as one of their favorites up in the Tuolumne Meadows area. On Saturday, Dennis & I finally committed to hiking Mt. Dana. We did it with Tom R.’s daughter Megan (a former Ridgecrestee) and her boyfriend Nick. We left the campsite sometime around 9:15am, driving 20+ miles back to Tioga Pass where the trailhead is located.

Beautiful Wildflowers!!! Looking back to the Tioga Pass Nick Hiking

The Mt. Dana hike is a great half day activity. It took us approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to reach the summit and just under 2 hours to come down. From the top, you see Mono Lake on one side and the domes of Tuolumne Meadows on the other side. It is spectacular, and totally worth the effort! (more…)

Tuolumne Meadows-Cathedral Peak

Friday, July 28th, 2006

Everybody at the Summit Girls with Guns

Picture Above Left: Alisha & Mike, Justine & Rachel, Me in front.
Picture Right: Me, Rachel, Alisha, & Justine! Who let the babes out!?!

And here it goes!!!!!!!!!!

The cell phone was croaking, a signal that I was supposed to hop out of bed. At 4:45am, not much is happening by way of brain movement, but my body was going through the motions. Get dressed, grab sunblock, brush teeth, take some pills, put sandals on, bug spray, …

It was so quiet all around my campsite-FINALLY a moment of peace and solitude rare for such a popular campground. And yet there I was banging around in the back of my truck! Where’s my Nalgene water bottle? do I have everything? double and tripple checking my actions-last year I forgot my sunglasses-do I have them?

Clutching the Nalgene, throwing the 20+ pound backpack on my back, I walked over to the groupsite. Stoked I was ON TIME and READY to climb Cathedral Peak. It was 5am. (more…)

Tuolumne Meadows-West Crack

Thursday, July 27th, 2006

Jumping for Joy on Daff Dome Walter Standing on Top! Rachel & Daryl Fashion Fiends Clare On Top
The plan on Thursday was to wake up at a decent time, and leave for West Crack at 9am. We figured we had no control over the crowds at the base, so we might as well get a nice nights rest. Technically, it *is* west facing, so it could possibly be a frigid start; another reason for our luxurious wake up time.

Fellow Climbers…For West Crack, there is NO start time TOO early!!! By the time we got there, at 10:30am, there were 7 people in front of us (on a Thur!). 2 of them were veering off to the climb Blown Away, leaving 5 climber dudes between us and the summit. Nobody came after us. Thus, if inclined, another option is to wait until 2pm, and then you will have the wall pretty much to yourself! (more…)

Tuolumne Meadows-West Country

Wednesday, July 26th, 2006

On Wednesday, I left Ridgecrest at 9am for the annual Tuolumne Meadows camping trip. I have to give props to the Runkles for arranging the campsites. Making the phonecalls back in Feb. to reserve the sites, arranging logistics, and having a killer campfire every night at the group site!! They took the guesswork out of the camping trip, and it made everything so much more enjoyable.

OF COURSE, I stopped in Bishop for what seemed like eternity. Shopping for goods at Wilson’s Sporting Goods, Schat’s Bakkery, and Vons. Amazingly at 11am, midweek, Bishop was packed with people! (more…)

15th Annual Hats Hops & Hucks

Monday, July 24th, 2006

Team Rubik's Cube Cheer time Chantal the quarterback
This was my second year competing in the HHH event in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, Ben Lomen and Boulder Creek area. It stands heads and shoulders above EVERY other Ultimate Tournament. Good spirit, teamwork, laughing, nice fields, fun people. Even though it was 108 on Sat and 100 on Sun, we had a blast!!! Running was a sizzling, soppy affair. We were all soaked in sweat and sunscreen.

Ultimate Monster Ellie Throws a Beautie Failed foot block

For those unfamiliar with Ultimate…check out UPA It is a NON CONTACT, fast paced running, SELF referreed, game played with a plastic disc. It’s very intense, with continuous sprinting (like Soccer) and fast turnovers (like Basketball). (more…)