That's an average of 1.37 mph, climbing 1194 feet, that's pretty good! If you could hump that with a 70 pound pack you'll have no problem getting through Army Ranger training!
ITTOG's Overlanding Trips
- Thread starter ITTOG
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That's an average of 1.37 mph, climbing 1194 feet, that's pretty good! If you could hump that with a 70 pound pack you'll have no problem getting through Army Ranger training!
ITTOG
Well-known member
Three of us did pretty good on the hike. I did well even in my heat illness condition. A couple guys struggled a bit: one struggled on the climbs and another struggled with the distances and weight of the pack.That's an average of 1.37 mph, climbing 1194 feet, that's pretty good! If you could hump that with a 70 pound pack you'll have no problem getting through Army Ranger training!
the deputy
Well-known member
Are you guys all part of a witness protection program or something...lol
Great pictures and story. Glad you were able to keep going.
Great pictures and story. Glad you were able to keep going.
ITTOG
Well-known member
It is easier than asking if everyone is okay with me posting their faces on here... and I am not a fan of showing personal identifiable information (PII) online. That probably comes from my work given PII is such a hot topic these days. Or, I like being able to say what I want without anyone looking me up.
Thanks for the compliments.
the deputy
Well-known member
Oh, believe me...l get it. You'd be hard pressed to find a picture of me anywhere on the net. The prairie dog one cracked me up though...lol...and figured you must have a pretty good sense of humor to do that...so l was just 'pulling your chain' a bit about the WPP. Absolutely love all of the hiking stuff, so envious (not in a jealousy way), just envious of, and happy for, anyone that can get out there and hike to that level. Keep it up!
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ITTOG
Well-known member
If I would have been a bit more quick in my thoughts I would have said we were all spies. A missed opportunity.
Yeah I was wondering who would see the prairie dog. I assume you noticed the deer as well? Thanks for the compliment.
If you go to the first page of this thread you will find a backpacking trip in the Tetons. It was more scenic than the sierra's.
ITTOG
Well-known member
It was another long night. A lot of getting out of the tent to expel water. I woke up about 5 AM but stayed in bed because it was cold. I got out at 6 AM and everyone was up shortly after that. I was in a lot of pain and was cramping everywhere below the waist. It was much worse than yesterday. After about 90 minutes I was feeling better, not ready for a hike though. I did have coffee this morning so that may have helped. Oxycodone helped more.
We were back on the trail before 9 AM.
The meadow was very long, and very hot.
After a couple hours we were exiting the valley. I had already burned through 4 liters of water and had to refill my bladder. I was getting plenty water but it was going right through me no matter how much electrolytes I added to my system.
It has been dry in the area.
It is a long trip to Donohue Pass.
Fortunately, Tuolumne Meadow was much closer and would become my exit point. I didn't want to leave the team, but my dehydration wasn't getting any better and I was afraid of it getting worse.
The last picture I took on the trail.
The first picture I took off the trail. It was from a bus taking back to Yosemite's Curry Village.
But, a lot happened between those two pictures. The campgrounds at Tuolumne were closed because they were rebuilding them. Fortunately there were construction crews there and we went to see if they could get me where I needed to be to catch the bus back to Yosemite. We sat down at one of the camping tables for a snack and good bye's. I gave the team the option to go through my remaining food and take what they wanted. Then it was time to go find help. Kevin and Eric M decided to go with me to ensure I make it to the help. We were only walking for about ten minutes when I car stopped and yelled at us to leave the campgrounds. Kevin told him about the situation and he said there was a search and rescue EMT nearby. Instead of offering me a ride he gave us directions and said he would let them know I was coming. Not giving me a ride made Kevin and Eric very mad. I was not in a condition to have a thought about it. After another ten minutes or so we found the EMT and he checked me out while we let him know what had been going on for the past two days. Everything checked out fine. He said I probably had a heat stroke given my mental condition when this started. After he was finished checking me out he called the bus stop and told them to hold the bus for me. He drove us to the bus station so I could board and Kevin and Eric went to the store there. I got on the bus and ended my hike. It was very nice to be in AC and off my feet. Kevin and Eric bough beer for them so they had a good drink when they were back together.
Once I got to Curry Village I went to the main office to rent a cabin. Unfortunately all they had available was a tent and community bathrooms and showers. Usually that would have been great but unfortunately there was no AC and that is what I needed. Fortunately at night it would drop into the low 60's.
Other than getting something to eat I didn't do much. It was too hot to stay in the tent so I found a spot outside with a breeze and watched all of the busy people trying to get to their activities for the day.
I found a great pizza place called Curry Village Pizza Deck. They had a good wheat beer as well. I know, I shouldn't be drinking given my condition but I had never had that beer and had to try it.
It took a while for the tent to cool off even though I had all the windows and doors open. I think I didn't get in bed until 10 PM. Right as I was about to fall asleep I was disturbed by a drunk guy puking nearby. What a lovely sound to fill your head while trying to fall to sleep.
I hiked 10.2 miles and climbed 541'. I was on the trail for 5 hours and 26 minutes. The total so far: 41.2 miles, 6,673', and 27 hours and 33 minutes.
My tent was at 4,036'
We were back on the trail before 9 AM.
The meadow was very long, and very hot.
After a couple hours we were exiting the valley. I had already burned through 4 liters of water and had to refill my bladder. I was getting plenty water but it was going right through me no matter how much electrolytes I added to my system.
It has been dry in the area.
It is a long trip to Donohue Pass.
Fortunately, Tuolumne Meadow was much closer and would become my exit point. I didn't want to leave the team, but my dehydration wasn't getting any better and I was afraid of it getting worse.
The last picture I took on the trail.
The first picture I took off the trail. It was from a bus taking back to Yosemite's Curry Village.
But, a lot happened between those two pictures. The campgrounds at Tuolumne were closed because they were rebuilding them. Fortunately there were construction crews there and we went to see if they could get me where I needed to be to catch the bus back to Yosemite. We sat down at one of the camping tables for a snack and good bye's. I gave the team the option to go through my remaining food and take what they wanted. Then it was time to go find help. Kevin and Eric M decided to go with me to ensure I make it to the help. We were only walking for about ten minutes when I car stopped and yelled at us to leave the campgrounds. Kevin told him about the situation and he said there was a search and rescue EMT nearby. Instead of offering me a ride he gave us directions and said he would let them know I was coming. Not giving me a ride made Kevin and Eric very mad. I was not in a condition to have a thought about it. After another ten minutes or so we found the EMT and he checked me out while we let him know what had been going on for the past two days. Everything checked out fine. He said I probably had a heat stroke given my mental condition when this started. After he was finished checking me out he called the bus stop and told them to hold the bus for me. He drove us to the bus station so I could board and Kevin and Eric went to the store there. I got on the bus and ended my hike. It was very nice to be in AC and off my feet. Kevin and Eric bough beer for them so they had a good drink when they were back together.
Once I got to Curry Village I went to the main office to rent a cabin. Unfortunately all they had available was a tent and community bathrooms and showers. Usually that would have been great but unfortunately there was no AC and that is what I needed. Fortunately at night it would drop into the low 60's.
Other than getting something to eat I didn't do much. It was too hot to stay in the tent so I found a spot outside with a breeze and watched all of the busy people trying to get to their activities for the day.
I found a great pizza place called Curry Village Pizza Deck. They had a good wheat beer as well. I know, I shouldn't be drinking given my condition but I had never had that beer and had to try it.
It took a while for the tent to cool off even though I had all the windows and doors open. I think I didn't get in bed until 10 PM. Right as I was about to fall asleep I was disturbed by a drunk guy puking nearby. What a lovely sound to fill your head while trying to fall to sleep.
I hiked 10.2 miles and climbed 541'. I was on the trail for 5 hours and 26 minutes. The total so far: 41.2 miles, 6,673', and 27 hours and 33 minutes.
My tent was at 4,036'
ITTOG
Well-known member
I was pretty bummed out when I woke up but after an hour or so I decided I would make the best of it and explore the park while it was cool. So I decided to do a hike to the base of Half Dome. The trail name was Mirror Lake Old Carriage. But before I began the hike I had these great shots of half dome as the sun was rising over it.
Now it was time to find the trail head. But there was so much to see on the way.
Looks like deer may have been bedding down right by the trail.
The Merced River winds its way through Yosemite Valley.
Now it was time to find the trail head. But there was so much to see on the way.
Looks like deer may have been bedding down right by the trail.
The Merced River winds its way through Yosemite Valley.
ITTOG
Well-known member
Mirror Lake is usually dry this time of year and it definitely was. Half Dome is way up top.
Half Dome towers 4,800' above this point.
The valley continues a lot further but I was not continuing my hike. I didn't want to get too far away from tent.
The trail connects with another trail that is half way to Yosemite Village. So I decided to take it but it wasn't a good idea. The mosquito's and fly's were so bad I had to jog until the trail gets out of the tree's.
While in the village I found the visitor center and discovered there is a bus system in the park.
Half Dome towers 4,800' above this point.
The valley continues a lot further but I was not continuing my hike. I didn't want to get too far away from tent.
The trail connects with another trail that is half way to Yosemite Village. So I decided to take it but it wasn't a good idea. The mosquito's and fly's were so bad I had to jog until the trail gets out of the tree's.
While in the village I found the visitor center and discovered there is a bus system in the park.
ITTOG
Well-known member
Since it is warming up fast, I took the bus to El Capitan (El Cap). What a view.
As I continued to look, I found a spot on the wall that didn't look normal. Sure enough, there were two guys that spent the night on the wall. That would be so awesome.
The river goes right by the meadow below El Cap so I spent a lot of time there. I was in the river a lot.
One of the climbers is moving.
After a while I jumped on the bus again and went back to Curry Village.
Even though I was getting out, I was still overheating and had to stay near water to lay in or near buildings for the AC. I have drank well over 10 electrolyte packs in the last 1.5 days but it hasn't helped. The bus route takes 1.5 hours to complete the loop. So I rode it three times today.
Every time I look up and see Half Dome I am a bit mesmerized. It would be so cool to hike it. I am sure I will one day.
It was about 5 PM so I went back to the Pizza Deck for dinner and a beer. The animals will get up close to get some food.
I had my pizza and beer with a young couple that were long distance runners. They have been coming to the park for several years and basically Ultra Running all the long trails. We had a nice conversation about all the trail heads in the park they had completed. After dinner I found places to sit and watch people go by or stare at the landscape in wild wonder.
As I continued to look, I found a spot on the wall that didn't look normal. Sure enough, there were two guys that spent the night on the wall. That would be so awesome.
The river goes right by the meadow below El Cap so I spent a lot of time there. I was in the river a lot.
One of the climbers is moving.
After a while I jumped on the bus again and went back to Curry Village.
Even though I was getting out, I was still overheating and had to stay near water to lay in or near buildings for the AC. I have drank well over 10 electrolyte packs in the last 1.5 days but it hasn't helped. The bus route takes 1.5 hours to complete the loop. So I rode it three times today.
Every time I look up and see Half Dome I am a bit mesmerized. It would be so cool to hike it. I am sure I will one day.
It was about 5 PM so I went back to the Pizza Deck for dinner and a beer. The animals will get up close to get some food.
I had my pizza and beer with a young couple that were long distance runners. They have been coming to the park for several years and basically Ultra Running all the long trails. We had a nice conversation about all the trail heads in the park they had completed. After dinner I found places to sit and watch people go by or stare at the landscape in wild wonder.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
At that point, its not just water and electrolytes anymore. The treatment would be, go home. > Somewhere and rest, with AC, water, food,snacks,protein. And do nothing for at least a few days. Probably a week. It’s almost impossible to recover, while still being exposed. As the body is not able to recover, the second part is. Once you have hit that point, your body is more apt to continue to struggle with it. At least for a little bit, days-weeks.
Thanks , I am enjoying following along. And glad you eventually made it back, and are able to post.
Thanks , I am enjoying following along. And glad you eventually made it back, and are able to post.
ITTOG
Well-known member
You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I will wait to provide the full details.
No problem and thanks for following along.
ITTOG
Well-known member
After 1.5 days in the valley I was done. I was ready to go home. I was frustrated. Really frustrated. But if I was on the trail I would not want it to end. So, once again I decided to make the most of the day and go "see what I can see".
Like yesterday I did some hiking in the morning while the temperatures were low and then hit the bus once it warmed up. It was nice seeing these two deer.
I went to El Cap a lot. I found it amazing people camped overnight on the wall. I would love that but I am not a climber.
This bird was not afraid at all. This is without zoom, probably only a couple feet away from me.
At the base of the wall.
I climbed up the wall as far as I could. I wish I had the gear to climb the wall at least one pitch. It was a beautiful sight looking out over the Yosemite valley.
A panoramic of the two shots above.
Like yesterday I did some hiking in the morning while the temperatures were low and then hit the bus once it warmed up. It was nice seeing these two deer.
I went to El Cap a lot. I found it amazing people camped overnight on the wall. I would love that but I am not a climber.
This bird was not afraid at all. This is without zoom, probably only a couple feet away from me.
At the base of the wall.
I climbed up the wall as far as I could. I wish I had the gear to climb the wall at least one pitch. It was a beautiful sight looking out over the Yosemite valley.
A panoramic of the two shots above.
ITTOG
Well-known member
I met a couple climbers and spent some time with them. One of them was going to climb up and place anchors. When he was done they were going to let me climb up. I was excited. I agreed to take some pictures of them.
Unfortunately I never made it on the wall. I got too hot and had to go soak in the Merced river. I still am not able to sweat. I went back to them to climb the wall but only lasted about ten minutes. Not even long enough to get the gear on.
So, I did a lap on the bus to cool off.
Not long after that it was time to pick up the guys. But before I did, I wanted to have ice cold beer waiting for them. Unfortunately I did not have a cooler so I did the best I could. I bought a bag of ice and shoved four beers into it. Even though about half the ice had melted by the time they arrived it did keep the beer cold.
As they drank their beer they were telling me about highlights they experienced after I left. They were able to climb Half Dome before finishing the hike. I was, and still am, so jealous. That would have been great.
We then went to the Pizza Deck to have dinner. Then they decided to go to the cafeteria area and several bought a chicken dinner. Clearly they were hungry. Thus I had pizza three days in a row. But it was great pizza and I wasn't concerned about it. It was just as good as the first time.
On the way out, to the hotel for our flight in the AM, we stopped at the Wawona Tunnel to get some pictures of the valley. It was an amazing view.
After that, our next stop was the hotel in Fresno so we could catch our flights home in the morning. It was a great trip regardless of the heat stroke. But I do feel I will have to do that hike again so I can complete it. I don't like to not finish what I start. It eats at me.
Recovery
Well, obviously everything turned out okay in the end. But it definitely took some time. I didn't sweat until the fourth day being home. I tried each day but nothing happened. I think it was two weeks before I had no symptoms (tiring easy, headaches, of course overheating but not nearly as severe, and weirdly over sweating with minimal exertion).
Unfortunately I never made it on the wall. I got too hot and had to go soak in the Merced river. I still am not able to sweat. I went back to them to climb the wall but only lasted about ten minutes. Not even long enough to get the gear on.
So, I did a lap on the bus to cool off.
Not long after that it was time to pick up the guys. But before I did, I wanted to have ice cold beer waiting for them. Unfortunately I did not have a cooler so I did the best I could. I bought a bag of ice and shoved four beers into it. Even though about half the ice had melted by the time they arrived it did keep the beer cold.
As they drank their beer they were telling me about highlights they experienced after I left. They were able to climb Half Dome before finishing the hike. I was, and still am, so jealous. That would have been great.
We then went to the Pizza Deck to have dinner. Then they decided to go to the cafeteria area and several bought a chicken dinner. Clearly they were hungry. Thus I had pizza three days in a row. But it was great pizza and I wasn't concerned about it. It was just as good as the first time.
On the way out, to the hotel for our flight in the AM, we stopped at the Wawona Tunnel to get some pictures of the valley. It was an amazing view.
After that, our next stop was the hotel in Fresno so we could catch our flights home in the morning. It was a great trip regardless of the heat stroke. But I do feel I will have to do that hike again so I can complete it. I don't like to not finish what I start. It eats at me.
Recovery
Well, obviously everything turned out okay in the end. But it definitely took some time. I didn't sweat until the fourth day being home. I tried each day but nothing happened. I think it was two weeks before I had no symptoms (tiring easy, headaches, of course overheating but not nearly as severe, and weirdly over sweating with minimal exertion).