janibrat

Wave and say hello....I won't let someone else who's having a bad day ruin mine!  Maybe they just need a nice smile and a wave to feel better.

 Had a wonderful hike last weekend on Spencer's Butte in Eugene.  My nephew, bro in law and sister went.  It was an awesome hike, straight UP!  We almost made it to the summit, it was foggy and pretty wet.  Huge rocks were sticking out the side of the hill which we would have to climb, and I mean climb to get there.  We went half way or better and decided our "dream" photos of the Eugene area would not happen through all the fog.  We thought about it and decided to head back down, a bit disappointing in that we didn't make it all the way.  I look at it as a challenge, now I want to get back there as soon as I can and master it.  My sister is ready!  Between all the knitting, working in my office for the state, I've had so much on my plate it seems like hiking has been a great release of stress.  I feel wonderful when I'm done but after this hike,  my calves were killing me!  I walk 4 miles each and everyday, I thought I was in pretty good shape, especially my legs, I guessed wrong.  This hike proved to me I have to keep pushing and get out there!  A lot of work to be done before heading off to Half Dome!  

My sister and I went to REI in Eugene prior to our hike.  She purchased some trekking poles, they are very light, have a nice cork handle with straps in case they are dropped your not going to lose them.  We are deciding what gear to take with us.  Poles are necessary along with leather fingerless gloves, great hiking boots, mine will be Keens!   I tried on the Keen Pyronees and fell in love!  Like butter, fit like a glove.  They will be traveling with me in June and  a lot of hikes between now and then.  Tired now, it's late!

I am doing just that in June!  My biggest fear is heights.  I don't know when or how I became afraid of heights, maybe it was due to the fact my father was 6'4" and used to through me in the air when I was little and catch me?  In June of 2011, I am planning a trip to Yosemite National Forrest to climb Half Dome with my sister Sandra and my beloved cousin Elaine.  Elaine goes hiking there each year so she invited us to come down and join in the fun.  We are renting a cabin the night before our 14 mile one day hike.  Sandra and I are planning several hikes in preperation for this big event.  We have hiked Mt. Pisgah in Eugene Oregon.  Wonderful hike, beautiful scenery!  About Pisgah:

Several hiking trails are maintained by the Lane County Parks Department on Mount Pisgah. The summit is accessible by a steep 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail from a parking area near the base of the hill. Several other trails make their way through the adjacent arboretum and up the slopes.

The summit offers a panoramic view of the southern Willamette Valley and includes a bronze relief sculpture (a memorial for Ken Kesey's son Jed) [2] illustrating the surrounding topography and identifying many nearby geographic features.

Arboretum
The Mount Pisgah Arboretum covers 209 acres (0.85 km²) at the base of Mount Pisgah and offers visitors 7 miles (11 km) of trails through natural riverside habitat and hundreds of catalogued plant species. Admission is free.

Half Dome:

Half Dome Elevation:  8,842 feet (2,650 meters)
Total Elevation Gain:  4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley

Hiking Time:  10 - 14 hours

Why climb the trail to Half Dome?  Half Dome is the ultimate Yosemite day hike - the one you can't die without doing, and the one you're most likely to die while doing.

It's got 900 feet (300 meters) worth of spectacular waterfalls at the bottom if you take the Mist Trail route; bigger-than-life panoramic vistas at the top; and a knee-knocking, hand-clamming cable ascent that will test your courage, your strength, and the tread on your shoes.

Half Dome Elevation:  8,842 feet (2,650 meters)
Total Elevation Gain:  4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley

Hiking Time:  10 - 14 hours

Why climb the trail to Half Dome?  Half Dome is the ultimate Yosemite day hike - the one you can't die without doing, and the one you're most likely to die while doing.

It's got 900 feet (300 meters) worth of spectacular waterfalls at the bottom if you take the Mist Trail route; bigger-than-life panoramic vistas at the top; and a knee-knocking, hand-clamming cable ascent that will test your courage, your strength, and the tread on your shoes.
 

Half Dome Elevation:  8,842 feet (2,650 meters)
Total Elevation Gain:  4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley

Hiking Time:  10 - 14 hours

Why climb the trail to Half Dome?  Half Dome is the ultimate Yosemite day hike - the one you can't die without doing, and the one you're most likely to die while doing.

It's got 900 feet (300 meters) worth of spectacular waterfalls at the bottom if you take the Mist Trail route (this is the one we are taking) ; bigger-than-life panoramic vistas at the top; and a knee-knocking, hand-clamming cable ascent that will test your courage, your strength, and the tread on your shoes.

Difficulty:  Extreme. It's long, steep at the beginning and end, and more dangerous than most Yosemite hikes. It's probably the most difficult of all Yosemite day hikes. On the traditional 1 to 10 scale, this one rates an 11.

Insanity Factor: 9 out of 10.  Wait 'til you get to the cables, and you'll see.


So wish me luck!!  I will keep you posted on other short hikes we will be taking in prep for the "big" Half Dome hike!!!