by sdpacatc | Apr 5, 2016 | Hikes, Uncategorized
Looking up at the last hill to climb on the way up to the peak of Mt Baldy during the 2016 “Climb for Heroes” event.
2016 was another great year for the “Climb for Heroes” event. So far the event has raised close to $120K to help these wounded veterans in expeditions around the world to reach some of the highest peaks. Today USMC SSGT Charlie Linville is on his way to Nepal to try for the 3rd time to be the first Veteran Amputee to reach the peak of Mt Everest. Unfortunately the last two years had some disastrous unforeseen circumstances with the avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas 2 years ago and closed down the climbing season in 2014 and then again with the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Nepal last year killing many on the mountain and devastating the region. Charlie and the team stayed and helped as best as they could after that travesty and now they are back again to give it another go. You can read more about it here. People Magazine’s Article on Charlie and the Heroes Project.
Heading up the first leg burner of a hill as we start the “Climb for Heroes”.
The event starts in the parking lot of the Mt Baldy Ski area. Once you check in you can get some food provided by one of the event sponsors Tender Greens, before you get your teams together and start the hike. Then its time for a leg burner. Right out of the gate you hit the first hill and climb some 460 feet of elevation in less then 1/2 mile as you make your way up to the fire road that leads up to Mt Baldy Ski Area.
Looking back down the road as teams make their way up the leg burner hill in the beginning of the hike.
Once the fire road is reached the pace picks up a little. The road winds its way up to the “Notch” at Mt Baldy ski area. you will gain about 850 feet of elevation or so as you make your way along the fire road for a little over 2 miles. One of the many things I like about this event is that there are 4 camps on the trail and one at the summit, at each camp you will receive a coin that you can turn back in latter for “Swag” and at each camp one of the many wounded veterans that benefits from this organization and event will be there to hand you that coin, I’ve never heard so many people thanking veterans for their service before, its a great chance to meet these brave souls and thank them for what they have done, and I think its a great way for these veterans to feel the love and thanks from their fellow Americans.
Navy veterans themselves, these women get to meet one of the many brave wounded veterans ( Issac Blunt ) that directly benefit from this event.
Once at the “Notch” it is your last chance to use the restrooms before you move on to the next adventure so take advantage of it. People must have thought I was slightly crazy because as female members of my team keep reaching this point I keep informing them that this was their last chance at a real bathroom for a while and that they should take advantage of it.
Looking up at the “Notch” at the Mt Baldy Ski Area
After the “Notch”, the service road will continue to make its way up the mountain for another 1.4 miles and 860 feet of elevation gain going from 7780 feet to 8650 feet, passing by camp two and finally hitting camp 3 before it starts to become a real trail and you make your way along the “Devils Backbone”. If you where not feeling the elevation before you probably are by now.
The “Sketchy” area on “Devils Backbone”, where the team has set up ropes to help people.
Coming down the “Sketchy” area on the “Devils Backbone”
Team members stationed along the way to make sure everyone is safe.
After camp 3 you will make your way along the famous “Devils Backbone”. Going from 8600 feet to 9400 feet over the next 1.4 miles with some spectacular views to either side of you as you make your way along a trail that is sometime only a couple of feet wide as it makes its way along the ridge of the mountain. The “Climb for Heroes” event team sets up a rope along the most sketchy part of this hike for your safety and has some team members stationed along the way in case someone needs some help. I think this section is the most fun part of the hike with unbelievable views off to either side of you.
USMC SSGT Charlie Linville and my self at camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mt Baldy during the 2016 Climb for Heroes event.
At camp 4 USMC SSGT Charlie Linville was waiting to hand you your 4th coin, this was a good chance to say my thanks and collect my breath before the last ball buster of a hill on the way to the peak on Mt Baldy. The last hill gains almost 700 feet of elevation as you make your way from 9400 to 10,064 feet in just a half a mile. You will defiantly feel the elevation at this point, so take your time and cheer your fellow hikers as they make their way up the beast towards the top.
Hikers making their way up the last hill to the peak of Mt Baldy on the “Climb for Heroes” event
Once you make it to the top join they many throngs of hikers as they take their pictures with the MT Baldy Plaque and don’t forget to get your 5th coin and say thanks to another veteran. Take your time at the top, enjoy the view. Its all down hill from here.
Some of my team members and myself at the summit on Mt Baldy during the 2016 Climb for Heroes event
Veteran Kionte Storey , Gyalbu Sherpa and myself on the Mt Baldy Peak during the 2016 Climb for Heroes
Once you have made your way back down to the Mt Baldy Ski Area “Notch” you can decide whether or not your want to hike down the last couple of miles on the dirt road or take the Chair Lift down for $12. Supposedly its only slightly faster then walking down, but if you have some tired dogs (feet) you may find it worthy of your $12. At the very bottom in the parking lot don’t forget to turn your coins in for “Swag”, and take advantage of the food that Tender Greens is serving. It was another great event this year and I’m looking forward to hiking with friends again next year in support of this great cause. Until then you can check out more information on this organization below.
Video of the 2015 Climb for Heroes Event.
by sdpacatc | Mar 16, 2016 | Hikes, Uncategorized
Climb for Heroes is coming April 3rd 2016. This is the 4th year this charity event has been held on Mt Baldy. The event is a 12 mile round trip hike from the MT Baldy Ski Area up to the top of Mt Baldy at 10,034 feet. The event is being held to raise money to send wounded veterans on life changing expeditions to some of our worlds tallest peaks. These trips help heal these wounded veterans both mentally and physically as they look deep inside themselves to find what it takes to conquer these peaks.
If you would like to join this event or donate you can follow this link here to the main page : https://www.crowdrise.com/ClimbforHeroes
If you live in San Diego and would like to join my team and or donate on behalf of my team here is my link : https://www.crowdrise.com/bradspiess-ClimbforHeroes/fundraiser/bradspiess
This is a video I made from last years event. I hope to see you on the mountain.
by sdpacatc | Dec 15, 2015 | Hikes, Uncategorized
Happy Holidays to my readers.
The good folks over at Eartheasy where kind enough to provide me a sample of the Lifestraw Mission to review.
Check out the review of the Lifestraw Mission Here.
Lifestraw Mission Review
by sdpacatc | Sep 25, 2015 | Hikes, Uncategorized
Garnet Lake early in the morning
What a great time of year for this hike. After sweltering heat in San Diego I was ready for some cold temperatures up in the Sierras and man did I get them, sleeping in long underwear and fleece top in my 15 degree sleeping bag. This was a great time of year to head up to Mammoth Lakes and a little luck was on our side. The rain the week before washed most of the smoke from the rough fire out of the air so that we didn’t even see it until we came back up out of the valley. The crowds where mostly gone, Reds Meadow Resort was getting ready to shut down 2 weeks after we left. What a great trip.
Read more about the hike to Garnet Lake from Agnew Meadows via Shadow Lake Trail.
Garnet Lake Hike from Agnew Meadows
by sdpacatc | Jun 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
Its that time of year again. Summer is here, and with it the heat. San Diego is a wonderful place to hike, there are so many hiking trails to chose from and so many different types of terrain and climates. There can be such a difference in climate between the coast and the inland areas that many people forget just how hot it can get just 20 minutes from the coast, for instance hiking at Torrey Pines and Hiking at Lake Poway can be vastly different experiences. While you may expect some warm weather at the beach and will put on a little sun block and or a hat for a small hike through Torrey Pines if you go inland that temperature can now change by 20 degrees or more, you no longer have that cool ocean breeze to help you out, and there can be virtually no shade to take advantage of.
While the two areas of Cedar Creek Falls and 3 Sisters Falls are no stranger to heat injuries two recent incidences remind us of just how perilous these hikes can be if you are not prepared.
On June 16th 2015, a 24 year old man and his companions were making their way back up the Eagle Peak Road ( the trail from the Julian down to Cedar Creek Falls) when he began to stumble and feel faint ( signs of heat exhaustion) before they knew it he had passed out and they where performing CPR on him while they waited for the rescue helicopter, unfortunately he died while on the way to the hospital.
About a week after this incident 2 girls about 9 years of age overcome by heat had to be airlifted from the Cedar Creek Falls Trail even after the YMCA hiking leaders were advised not to take the group down to the falls in 100 degree weather by the trail hosts. Thankfully this incident had a good outcome, the girls where ok and released back to the YMCA camp until their parents could pick them up.
These two instances underscore the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and how to treat it before it progress’s into heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat Exhaustion is a heat illness that can occur after you have been exposed to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity and strenuous exercise. Without proper treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life threatening condition.
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Faintness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure upon standing
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
- If you and or your companions experience these symptoms while hiking it is essential to get out of the heat and rest, preferably under some shade somewhere.
- Lay the person down and elevate the legs if possible.
- Loosen and or remove any tight or heavy clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluid ( water or sports drinks) stay away from caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
- Cool yourself or companion by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning.
- Monitor yourself or companion and if the condition continues or deteriorates after 15 minutes call 911 if possible.
Heat Stroke
If treatment for heat exhaustion doesn’t work and you think you and or your companions are slipping into Heat Stroke call 911 or get help as soon as possible. Heat Stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Heat stroke usually occurs as a progression from lesser forms of heat illness such as heat cramps, fainting, or heat exhaustion, but Heat Stroke can occur even without any signs of previous heat injury’s.
Heat Stroke is strongly related to the Heat Index. The Heat Index is a measurement of how hot you feel when the effects of relative humidity and air temperature are combined. A relative humidity of 60 % can hamper your body’s ability to cool itself and a heat index of 90 degrees or more increases the risk of heat related illnesses.Keep in mind that exposure to full sunshine ( no shade) can increase the heat index by 15 degrees. With that in mind its important to check the weather reports before heading out on a hike especially during any heat waves.
- Schedule your hikes during the coolest times of the day such as early morning or early evening.
- Wear lightweight and light colored loose clothing and a wide brimmed hat.
- Use a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more.
- Drink extra fluids preferably with a electrolytes.
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Lack of sweating despite the heat
- Red, hot, and dry skin
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- The treatment for Heat Stroke is the same treatment for Heat Exhaustion, so if you are already dealing with someone going through Heat Exhaustion then its imperative to call 911 and get help as soon as possible.
- Continue to cool yourself or your companion. Poor water on the torso and head and continue to fan in order to help cool the person down.
- If you have something cool like ice packs, apply them to the armpits, groin, neck and or back to help aid in cooling.
- If at all possible move yourself or your companion to a cool shady area and remove excessive clothing.
by sdpacatc | May 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
I was recently sent this product to review, what a cool concept, reliable drinking water wherever there is a source of water available. This makes a nice edition to the hiking essentials to carry with you on your hikes, or even to have in your homes in case of an emergency.
Check it out.
Check out: The LifeStraw Go
