Father's Day Fun

So, my son and I decided to climb up to Shirley lake, in the Squaw Valley ski area this week. On the map it's about 5-6 miles and 1500 feet of elevation gain. However, most of the gain is in the last mile, with one section that's pretty steep and will definitely get your lungs working. The hike itself follow along Squaw creek and takes you from the valley floor to the lake which is actually at the foot of one of Squaw's chairlifts - it must freeze in winter.

If you are feeling rich and lazy you can take the tram up from the valley floor and then hike a mile to the lake. In fact, there is a sign warning hikers that it's $10 to ride the tram down posted on the trail. Not our kind of thing, but if you want to see the lake without much effort it's a definite possibility.

I wanted to climb Granite Chief (mountain in the background) but my son's not old enough yet.

Anyway, arriving we were hot and tired. There is a little peninsula that sticks out into the lake and though the water is snow melt, and maybe 40 Degrees, my son did a 'if you do it, I'll do it' dare to go for a Polar Bear and jump in. We did - and out again in a second. It was crazy cold, but exhilarating.



















Though I've been climbing pretty consistently for the last couple of months, I've been bad about getting into the gym. This week it finally showed as the climb took a lot more out of me than it should have. So, it's back to the elliptical trainer for me.



Happy father's day all.

Life's good at the top

This week we decided to climb Mt. Judah in the Donner Pass region of California. It is supposed to be a pretty easy 4.4 mile round trip with about 1300 foot elevation gain to the summit at 8500 feet.

Not for us.

The snows still haven't melted along the pacific coast trail. We met some people coming the other way who told us the way to the top was snowed in and very difficult/ impassible because it was too slippery. So, when we got to the top of a switchback and saw that we were in the middle of an intermediate run at Sugar Bowl ski resort, and could just power our way up to the summit via the relatively snowless runs (they are south facing) we decided to go for it.

We were the only ones.

It was relatively easy for the first 300 feet or so, up to the area where the chairlift ends. ( I'm pretty sure we were on private property and they wouldn't be real happy with us up there). Anyway, for those who don't know, snowmelt plus dirt equals mud bogs. They were pretty tough at points. We were still okay though when we got up to the snow. At first the going was easy through the trees and we felt very confident. At one point I asked my son to hand me a branch to use as a pole. Well, pretty soon it was clear that to get to the top we'd have to kick steps (three kicks per step) up a massively steep snow field. My son was pretty scared but I have more experience and felt good. I'm pretty sure my wife would have been horrified. Anyway, I'd kick the steps, advance and he'd follow behind me holding onto the other end of the branch for balance. It was a good 'teaching moment' so I told him how to self arrest should he fall and he felt better.

Near the top we were able to rest on a bent tree. It was super physical - I thought my heart would give. It was so steep I had to three point (one hand, two feet on the slope) most of the way and my left had was frozen. Right was holding the stick. Kicking steps in ice at 8500 feet and pulling an 80 pound kid behind you - whee!




Anyway, we finally got to the top. No one else there - it was amazing. Very windy (25-30 MPH), and a bit cold. We climbed along the ridge to the true summit, took some pictures. Layed down and rested for 20 minutes. My son had some snacks. It was amazing. Finding a way down that didn't involve the snow wasn't too hard (if only we'd known!).






































A great day.