This is just a big thank you to all of you out there who helped me brainstorm ideas for training in the bay area. Obviously, it all helped because we summited at 9:30 AM last Friday morning!!! It was a dream that was a year and a half in the making and a fitting tribute to my Mom's memory. She had bought me my pair of Lowa's last year so that I could climb last summer, but her health deteriorated and she passed away last June.

The weather turned away a few people before us (apparently they ran into some hail just past Trail Crest) and we were getting sliced in the face by ice crystals as we climbed the switchbacks, but we made it!!!! (not to mention our tent and a pair of pants I had hung to dry in our tent vestibule almost getting vandalized by a very curious marmot. )

Again, a very gracious thank you to all of you who suggested hikes, it all helped very much and I would not have been able to do it without the brain power of this message board!!

Congratulations on a successful hike, Anya. And so sorry for the loss in your family. I am sure wearing those boots to the summit was a fitting "Thank You" memory and tribute to your Mom.

Congrats Anya! Sounds like it was a memorable trip, way to press on!

Congratulations!!

Great job Anya! Hopefully my wife and I can add to the tally of Bay Area folks who make it to the top when we head down there next month. Your thread on Bay Area training has been really useful.

Surprisingly helpful was actually climbing Lassen Peak. We stayed at a campground at about 8000 feet and did a 14 mile hike on the Saturday, got up early the next day and loaded up our packs and did a climb of the peak (only about 5 miles round trip). The grade of the trail is comparable, as well as the material (scree)