Well I just returned last night from my first trip to the mountain . Here is how it happened....
Thanks to this board for all your help....I got to the Portal Sunday afternoon and settled into my campspot, number 42(awesome spot...44 looks awesome too). I lounged around Sunday and Monday and tried to rest up...although I did walk about a mile up the trail to know what to expect. Had a veggie burger and fries at the store on Monday...GOOD!! REALLY GOOD!!
Tried to go to sleep at about 8pm Mon for my 2:30am alarm time Tuesday. Tossed and turned and still not sure if I ever really slept. Hit the trail at exactly 3am (perfect time to start). Weather was cool and turned windy and cold by trail camp (about 6:20am). Filtered and headed up the switchbacks. Much easier than I expected...never stopped or got winded. Lots of ice at the cables. Made trail crest at 8:15 and summit at 9:30am. It was incredibly windy and freezing. Too cold to hang around...headed down...Back at portal by 3:45pm with veggie burgers on my mind only to find out that they ran out hours before I arrived (bummer).
Some observations:
-Maybe I was running on adrenaline, I don't know, but I thought this trail was easy. Not bragging I swear...just easier than I expected based on what I've read....Relatively speaking of course. I'm not a super strong hiker...vivian creek in San G. kicked my butt, but I flew up this trail and really only started getting a little tired on the last half mile to the summit...seriousely. Even the trip down, which is usually the hardest for me, was pretty easy. I was totally surprised. Not even sore today. Go figure.
- Starting at 3am was perfect...no traffic..no heat...and you can't see how much further up you have to go..mentally helps.
- The trail is gorgeous..I had no idea...Constantly muttering...Wow...Damn..look at that...You gotta be kidding me...just beautiful!
- Took 2 advil at outpost camp...I think they helped.
- Ate only one cliff bar on the way up and half a pb&J sandwich at the summit...one balance bar on the way down. Didn't really have an appetite.
- Drank about half gallon of water and half gallon of Cytomax...I truly think the Cytomax works...and it tastes great
- Altitude was no problem...never felt it.
--Hot as heck at the trailhead, but probably 40 at the summit with 40-45 mph winds from trail camp to summit....bring warm stuff even if you don't think you'll need it. I wore everything I owned. Saw lots of people heading up with light shirts and socks on their hands and not much else. Even saw one guy wearing a black plastic trash bag with arm holes cut into it...yikes..Be prepared...even with my windstopper gloves and hat...I was cold...fingers got numb.
--Went to my local Nike outlet store and bought a pair of Air Teocelli's ($60.00)..Left my heavy boots at home. These are like trail runners on steroids. Light but super stiff and Gore-tex XCR equiped. Loved them and for the first time and no feet trouble.
--bottom line..I went with the "going for the experience and don't mind not making summit" attitude. Discovered that I loved every step and worried for nothing. Go do it...it's not as bad as you've heard. Start early...you'll be glad you did.
I would have to say that this was the best day on any trail that I've ever had. Wouldn't change a thing! To finish the perfect day...I got back to spot 42 in the portal(which was empty by then) to pack up and found a deer munching leaves right next to my tent...perfect!
