A Slog up the highest Pk in Southern California

On Sat 14th June on what was a very warm day in Redlands (40 odd degrees) we arose at 4.30 in the morning to be driving by a little after 5. We were off to climb the highest peak in Southern California. San Gorgonio is the name and the Trailhead is just 40 odd mins from where I live. It is 11,499 feet (3,505 m) high and was the highest I have ever been by about 1400ft (I think). The route we did of course it is not the easiest and has over 7000ft gain (2200+ odd meters) and we took a longer route back so did 28 miles all up in a 10hr mission. Part of the reason for leaving that early other than for time constraints is to beat the hot temps before we got to the summit.

Anyway the fellows on the expedition were Derek, Myles, Mike (another guy from work) and surprising Dave Bones. Have not seen him in years and he has just recently moved to Orange County so thought what better way is there than two former CUTC (Canterbury University Tramping Club) Committee members to catch up. We might as well slog up the side of a big ugly granite mountain. Well hey at least it got us above the smog right…!!!

What was quite interesting is that we had 3 kiwis and two Americans climbing an American Peak. Figure that one out aye...



Anyway as you can see from the Pics its very different than the mountain back home. It really is odd to me that you can be on the top of a 3500m peak and not far below are large trees. Not to mention the Chipmunks trying too steal our food. I held up pretty well though. I think we all had stiff muscles a couple of days later. Well I know I did. The main issues I had was my big toes. They are quite bruised so I am hoping the nails will not just fall off.

Anyhow this climb has got me keen to do some more. In Sept all going well we plan on climbing the Mountaineers Route up Mt Whitney (The largest Pk in the US outside of Alaska) as well as the large local 'Cactus to the Clouds' climb up San Jacinto. A huge 3000m+ ascent in a day.

The day after the climb I headed round to Al's place for a pool party celebrating 3 birthdays. It was 40 odd degrees again and Margaritas and a pool were just what the doctor ordered after the big day before.

Until next time keep safe,
Cheers,
Kurt


This is absolute gold...

Baseball, Beach, Swimming, Food Markets, Touch Rugby - What a weekend!!!

So the weekend that Chris and Em left I headed down to Dodgers Stadium with a few of the boys in Downtown LA. Derek is a big time Chicago Cubs fan (Baseball) and his team was playing against the LA Dodgers. Unfortunately the cubs lost. It was an ok game but personally once or twice a year will be heaps. Good experience though I must admit and it was cool to see another stadium and just go somewhere different. I had heard great things about the Dodger Dogs but they were as ‘crappy’ as every other hotdog I have had here. It’s a bit Ironic really that the American Hotdogs are so much better in NZ than in America.


A Great Stadium. Sits about 52000 people.


Love having a camera with a big zoom...





After the game since I was much nearer to Myles place at Manhattan Beach it made sense to hang out there for the weekend. Myles is one of the 4 other kiwis I know working here at ESRI. He is also like Edan from Christchurch (well Woodend) so yeah 3 Crusaders Supporters within 100m of each other at the ESRI campus. We all went to a lovely place for dinner in Manhattan Beach (great margaritas) and great Mexican (surprise, surprise). Myles and Ashley really have a cool wee pad down there. It’s a lovely place. On Sunday morning we played 1.5hrs of touch rugby South African style with a bunch of Sth Africans, Kiwis, Aussies and a few Poms and an agro Scotsman. It was heaps of fun and takes some getting use to running in sand and playing the 1 touch rule, instead of the 6 touch rule back home. This is a regular Sunday occurrence at Sth Santa Monica Beach. We got some lunch at a great wee market in Sth Santa Monica before checking out the AVP Beach Volleyball being played on the beach in Hermosa.




Its hot work running round in the sun on the sand...










One of the many poses. Still do note there is no woman sitting next to him :-)






Looking down to Manhattan Beach from Hermosa Beach

All in all another great weekend in pure Southern Californian Style = Dodgers baseball, freeways, beaches, volleyball, fine dining and mighty fine weather.