Weather: 97°, dark
About this hike: Was an impromptu after-work climb with a friend. I didn't bother taking the time because I knew it wouldn't be my usual fast pace, and rightfully so. I've come down in the dark plenty of times, but at least half the hike up was just after sunset. Glad I remembered my headlamp. Despite the temperature being in the mid-90's it felt pleasant. Overall a nice night hike.
Showing posts with label night hike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label night hike. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Night Hike & My First Injury!
Weather: 99°, warm breeze, sunset
About this hike: Got back from a crazy Hawaii trip on a red-eye flight to PHX this Saturday morning. While I consider myself pretty hardcore, I didn't have any hiking gear in the car, and I was exhausted after no sleep on my flight...needless to say, my Saturday morning tradition didn't happen.
But by 6 pm I was rarin' to get my feet on Piestewa Peak. I didn't take my time for this hike, mainly because I was stiff and sore having spent 10+ cumulative hours crammed into an airplane seat. I knew it wasn't going to be a record-breaker.
What a beautiful evening. I reached the summit just after sunset. A large, puffy white cloud over the McDowell Mountains was shooting out dazzling bolts of lightning. And there was a warm breeze. I stayed up on the zen-like summit for a long time just observing, thinking, reflecting... And then on the way down, all was well (I remembered the headlamp this time!) til near the base when I took a tumble. Not sure how it happened...but I skinned up my hand and knee and hurt my left ankle. None of it bad though, and my injuries haven't stopped me from working out today (not hiking tho!). So after 2+ years of hiking Phoenix's and the surrounding mountains, one minor fall isn't a bad safety record.
About this hike: Got back from a crazy Hawaii trip on a red-eye flight to PHX this Saturday morning. While I consider myself pretty hardcore, I didn't have any hiking gear in the car, and I was exhausted after no sleep on my flight...needless to say, my Saturday morning tradition didn't happen.
But by 6 pm I was rarin' to get my feet on Piestewa Peak. I didn't take my time for this hike, mainly because I was stiff and sore having spent 10+ cumulative hours crammed into an airplane seat. I knew it wasn't going to be a record-breaker.
What a beautiful evening. I reached the summit just after sunset. A large, puffy white cloud over the McDowell Mountains was shooting out dazzling bolts of lightning. And there was a warm breeze. I stayed up on the zen-like summit for a long time just observing, thinking, reflecting... And then on the way down, all was well (I remembered the headlamp this time!) til near the base when I took a tumble. Not sure how it happened...but I skinned up my hand and knee and hurt my left ankle. None of it bad though, and my injuries haven't stopped me from working out today (not hiking tho!). So after 2+ years of hiking Phoenix's and the surrounding mountains, one minor fall isn't a bad safety record.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Slow Sunset Hike up Squaw Peak
Weather: 105° and sunset/dark
Time to summit: ~40 minutes
About this hike: Went with a friend for this uneventful hike. He slowed me down considerably, and I didn't even take an accurate time; 40 minutes is a guesstimate at best. There was a nice sunset, and at dark I realized I forgot my headlamp. So I learned how to be extra careful hiking down Squaw Peak in the dark. Hopefully this will serve as a lesson learned, like forgetting hiking gloves for Camelback.
Time to summit: ~40 minutes
About this hike: Went with a friend for this uneventful hike. He slowed me down considerably, and I didn't even take an accurate time; 40 minutes is a guesstimate at best. There was a nice sunset, and at dark I realized I forgot my headlamp. So I learned how to be extra careful hiking down Squaw Peak in the dark. Hopefully this will serve as a lesson learned, like forgetting hiking gloves for Camelback.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Piestewa Peak by Night
Weather: ~85° & sunny
Time to Summit: ~28 minutes
About this hike: Hiked up for the sunset, which was disappointing. Hiked down in the dark, but I came prepared with my headlamp. Since Piestewa Peak trails are open until 11pm (parking area closes at sunset, oddly enough), there were numerous other hikers. Seeing all the flashlights coming down the side of the mountain was pretty cool, like when everyone puts their phones up during a dark concert. Oh, and to mitigate the parking issue, I left my car in a residential neighborhood just off Lincoln Drive. Numerous other hikers were in violation of the no parking after sunset rule, but it didn't appear to be getting enforced.
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