TreknMike

While my friend is preparing for Patagonia by ice climbing in Canada for 4 days, I was knocking of a 17-mile, 4000 ft elevation gain hike at Point Reyes National Seashore. Mt. Wittenberg is the highest point in Point Reyes at 1407 ft. So for elevation, I had to zigzag my way up and down every ridge (Sky) to valley trail (Bear Valley) between the Bear Valley visitor center and the Pacific Ocean.

I started my hike at 10:40 am and wanted to be back to the car by 4:30 pm. When I reached the car and opened the trunk, it was 4:29:30. Now that’s how you estimate wilderness speed!

Point Reyes is a nice place to hike because the ocean keeps the air temperatures more constant than inland locations. I hiked in a t-shirt all day on this beautiful, sunny, blue sky 48 deg F to 60 deg F day (I just thought I had to rub that in for my snowbound friends!). I called Dad before my hike and he said it was 7 deg F at noon in Utah.

Two weeks ago the Sierra Nevada Mountains received about 10 feet of new snow. This is the same storm that killed my power for 48 hrs and created 16 hrs of yard work. Anyway, I jumped on the chance last weekend to make a new path in the snow and snowshoed from Big Bend up and around Middle Lock Leven Lake – roughly 7 miles and 1000 ft of elevation gain. I found a sweet site for future winter camping at the south end of the lake where I saw some free water (don’t have to melt snow for drinking water).

I’m feeling fitter for trekking in Patagonia, but need to keep at it.

Flying to Patagonia on March 3 for three weeks of trekking. In late December, I realized I only had 2 months to get in shape. For some reason, I thought I had 3 months. Guess I better replace the dead batteries in my calculator.

Since I need 8 weeks minimum to “get in shape,” I started my conditioning routine on December 31. I’ll spend 6 days a week now (which is hard because work is extremely busy) strength training and improving my aerobic endurance. I kind of lost the desire to lift weights years ago, but I do squats, step ups and downs, and lunges to build strength in my legs. Aerobic conditioning includes walking fast on the treadmill, snowshoeing, walking, hiking, and, on occasion, riding my mountain bike.

I am also trying to improve my flexibility by stretching (paying special attention to my IT band in my leg – yea, my knees bug me) and yoga. I have this little yoga routine I do at home as detailed in the fine book “Real Men (that’s me – LOL) do Yoga.” Oh, for flexibility, how can I forget my monthly sports massage. Jennifer at Spa Therapy (see my links) really gives me a good stretch. I actually have to scream “uncle” on several occasions when she works my muscles. Her response is to tell me to “breath.” This cracks me up and reminds me of following my friend Terry up some mountain, feeling tired, and hearing him tell me to “breath.” I guess breathing deeply makes the pain go away.

Well, time to exercise. I’ll try and update my site before Patagonia, and will definitely tell you all about the trip after I return.

Mike