This reminds me of my brief dip a couple of weeks ago -except that mine was in the sea, at the end of the season, not the beginning. I'm envious of you, having the warm season still ahead!Alligatorob's Diary
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This reminds me of my brief dip a couple of weeks ago -except that mine was in the sea, at the end of the season, not the beginning. I'm envious of you, having the warm season still ahead!jackbenimble
New member
59 degrees? Omg, I would die. I remember my days learning to swim at the local beach - the water was always freezing. The instructors would never go in, they would just send the kids in. At least it was enough so that I could eventually pass and take sailing lessons, which was way more fun.
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, I ate well, exercised and feel good right now.
I did another mountain assault, and did pretty well. I walked for 5 hours and 50 minutes and managed an elevation rise of 687 meters, 2,253 feet, my highest yet. That is the equivalent of climbing the Eiffel Tower 2.3 times. I only walked 10 km in the process, but today was about climbing and keeping at it, not speed. I am pretty happy with the result. However I think this may be my limit for a while, coming down was hard, I fell twice, both times just rolling back into a very steep hill, no damage done. On very steep ground the gravel came out from beneath my feet. It did make me think, I need to not fall at all, and injury up there would not be good. I also need to learn how to better find down routes, up are not so hard, I just take the steepest way that I feel safe on, down is harder to plan. I got stuck a couple of times and had to go back up to avoid trying to go down impossibly steep faces. I guess I am learning. My goal was to get to the top by end of summer, and that seems doable. Today I climbed 59% of the elevation I need to, and I think I can see a path to the top. Upward and onward! The top from my turnaround point, sure feels close.
The lake I was on yesterday from near my turnaround. You can only see a part of the lake, the marina with my boat is hidden by the mountain. The "lake" is Willard Bay, actually a reservoir. It was originally a bay on the Great Salt Lake, but in the 1960s they diked it off and let the freshwater inflow flush the salt water out. You can only see a little of the lake, most of the water in the picture is bird refuge wetland or Salt Lake.
I did another mountain assault, and did pretty well. I walked for 5 hours and 50 minutes and managed an elevation rise of 687 meters, 2,253 feet, my highest yet. That is the equivalent of climbing the Eiffel Tower 2.3 times. I only walked 10 km in the process, but today was about climbing and keeping at it, not speed. I am pretty happy with the result. However I think this may be my limit for a while, coming down was hard, I fell twice, both times just rolling back into a very steep hill, no damage done. On very steep ground the gravel came out from beneath my feet. It did make me think, I need to not fall at all, and injury up there would not be good. I also need to learn how to better find down routes, up are not so hard, I just take the steepest way that I feel safe on, down is harder to plan. I got stuck a couple of times and had to go back up to avoid trying to go down impossibly steep faces. I guess I am learning. My goal was to get to the top by end of summer, and that seems doable. Today I climbed 59% of the elevation I need to, and I think I can see a path to the top. Upward and onward! The top from my turnaround point, sure feels close.
The lake I was on yesterday from near my turnaround. You can only see a part of the lake, the marina with my boat is hidden by the mountain. The "lake" is Willard Bay, actually a reservoir. It was originally a bay on the Great Salt Lake, but in the 1960s they diked it off and let the freshwater inflow flush the salt water out. You can only see a little of the lake, most of the water in the picture is bird refuge wetland or Salt Lake.
It's really a pretty basic boat, cheapest I could find that would carry a lot of people. Not nearly as fancy as most on the lake. I think my heart is ok, so far so good. I have actually been very lucky, my blood pressure has always been low, even when I was overweight.
It was too cold for me, I like Florida warm near body temperature! Thanks I did remember snacks, apples and yogurt and ate everything, plenty of water too. I was also careful to turn around before exhaustion. It sure was tempting looking at the route to the top just to keep on going. I think I probably would have made it, but then would have needed an emergency medivac helicopter for the trip home.yikes i can't do cold water at all!! Good luck on the walk tomorrow. Don't forget your snack this time (or your water)
And yes glad to hear you plan to not overdo it--no sense in hurting yourself just for a walk!
I love swimming and plan to do more when it warms up. I always prefer the sea to lakes, but we don't have that choice here. How warm does the water get in Ireland, not real warm I am guessing.
Yes, our season is just beginning, but I envy your swim in the sea, I prefer that.
I agree, my preference is 80+, Florida warm. Where I lived in North Florida in the coldest of winter the water rarely got as cold as 60 F.
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Very much not good. But your plans for future improvement sound good. Take care.
Amazing endurance being out there close to 6 hours Rob!!
Yes I don't like to hear about you being out there alone and falling. Even a simple sprain could really have you stuck. I don't suppose you could find a hiking buddy and keep your 6 feet distance as you walk? Is that allowed where you are? Do you have cell reception where you go? That's also pretty crucial for something like that.
I am glad you made it back safe and sound!
Yes I don't like to hear about you being out there alone and falling. Even a simple sprain could really have you stuck. I don't suppose you could find a hiking buddy and keep your 6 feet distance as you walk? Is that allowed where you are? Do you have cell reception where you go? That's also pretty crucial for something like that.
That makes my palms sweat just reading that. Please be careful Rob and don't risk your life for a hike. There are lots of places i won't go alone--sometimes it sucks to have to avoid places but it's worth it to stay safe I think.
I am glad you made it back safe and sound!
overlandflyer
Well-known member
re: pics... beautiful. i really miss clouds. in San Diego there are only two types of sky... clear or overcast.
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alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, exercised, ate well and I feel good. Got in a workout but no walk, just too busy then tired, should be able to tomorrow.
Maybe I over dramatized the walk hazards. I am trying to be careful, and getting better at it.
No one is more amazed than I am. Not so long ago I had trouble standing more than a few minutes without taking a seat. I got in the habit of checking out rooms when I entered them to spot places to sit. I still do, but then remember that I no longer need them.
I probably overstated the hazards. In answer to Liza, yes there is excellent cell reception, much of the hike is probably within line of sigth of half the cell towers in Northern Utah! And I carry a cell phone.
We do have a lot of nice clouds and views of them. However as summer comes on we will not have so many.
More power to you on these wonderful hikes, but Rob, I don't like the sound of those falls. One wrenched knee (I speak from experience) and your exercising will be stymied for months.
3 possibilities: shoes with really good gripping soles. Walking-sticks (of the alpiney sort). Going very slow and canny on the downhill parts - especially on that loose scree.
3 possibilities: shoes with really good gripping soles. Walking-sticks (of the alpiney sort). Going very slow and canny on the downhill parts - especially on that loose scree.
This is brilliant Rob.
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, ate pretty well, exercised both a workout and a 7.5 km walk.
Tonight we had a socially distant Cinco de Mayo bbq, about a dozen people did it outside and all sat apart. I always wondered why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than they do in Mexico so I looked it up. The date celebrates the Mexican Army's defeat of the invading French May 5, 1862. The battle took place in Puebla, Mexico. At that time California had only been a part of the US for about 15 years and had a substantial Mexican population (still does today). The Californians first celebrated Cinco de Mayo in 1863 and it has caught on, mostly a Mexican American holiday, but like a lot of holidays is now celebrated by many Americans regardless of ethnicity. I did my best to limit my eating, but the calories were pretty much a WAG, probably not too far off. One disappointment is that my favorite Mexican beer, Corona has been taken off the market. I guess its the name, doesn't make much sense. Had to make do with a copy cat Michelob and a sugarless Margarita. Beautiful near full moon rise over the mountain sitting around the fire tonight!
Tonight we had a socially distant Cinco de Mayo bbq, about a dozen people did it outside and all sat apart. I always wondered why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than they do in Mexico so I looked it up. The date celebrates the Mexican Army's defeat of the invading French May 5, 1862. The battle took place in Puebla, Mexico. At that time California had only been a part of the US for about 15 years and had a substantial Mexican population (still does today). The Californians first celebrated Cinco de Mayo in 1863 and it has caught on, mostly a Mexican American holiday, but like a lot of holidays is now celebrated by many Americans regardless of ethnicity. I did my best to limit my eating, but the calories were pretty much a WAG, probably not too far off. One disappointment is that my favorite Mexican beer, Corona has been taken off the market. I guess its the name, doesn't make much sense. Had to make do with a copy cat Michelob and a sugarless Margarita. Beautiful near full moon rise over the mountain sitting around the fire tonight!
Good to hear from you Petal, always nice. I do try to be careful and have been thinking about ways to make the hike a bit safer, thanks for your concern.
Already doing the good hiking boots and walking sticks (2 of them). I stay away from the scree as much as possible. I have decided that the reason for the falls was trying to follow what limited "trails" I can find. Not really trails, just places where some thing deer, elk or people have gone before and left a kind of path. They are tempting, but mostly straight up/down very steep slopes and have been eroded leaving more loose rock than non-trail routes. That is what got me, fortunately it was so steep that a backward fall was more like sitting down against the steep hillside. From now on I will avoid them, in the more open terrain the limited vegetation holds the rocks together a bit better. I also need to be better at scoping out the down routes, its harder than when going up. Maybe I can figure a way to use the GPS and stick closer to my up routes.
Thanks Emily, it does feel good!
Lovely! I noticed that close to full moon on my walk this evening
Nice that you could celebrate in a safe way!
I seem to remember the French had convinced an Austrian Arch-Duke to be their figurehead emperor: Maximilian of Mexico. I think he sent his wife and kids home when things were headed south but he himself stayed and was executed. Which is what happens when listening to empty promises of support and/or believing in racial superiority makes you punch above your weight.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Down 3 lbs to 188, I am happy! Last week I was down none, so this feels good.
Yes, things are opening up here, not that we were ever a shutdown as most of the world. I hope its safe, time will tell.
Yep, you got it right. Have to feel a bit sorry for Emperor Max and his wife Carlota, not sure they understood what they had gotten themselves into.
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, I ate well, exercised and gave blood. Did a workout in the morning and a shorter, 4 km, walk in the afternoon after the blood letting. A couple of pictures from Sunday's hike. The lupine are starting to bloom.
And the indian paintbrush are getting more prolific.
And the indian paintbrush are getting more prolific.
Thanks LaMa, but on the weight I prefer to think of it as plunging!
Thanks, you know looking from the outside I am sure it appears that way, I would have said the same about someone like me a year ago. But to me, right now, it doesn't seem so, not so hard. Really makes me wonder why I couldn't or didn't do it years ago... I like the name goat tracks, I think I will start calling them that. We do have wild mountain goats here but I have not seen one on my hikes.