Mt Whitney Training hike #2: Cucamonga Peak Via Icehouse Canyon

After setting the pace for our Mt. Whitney training on Iron Mountain, the husband and I decided to tackle one of the big Southern California peaks.  For this hike we chose Cucamonga Peak.  This prominent peak towers above Rancho Cucamonga and the sprawling suburbs of Los Angeles.  It tops out at an impressive 8859'.  And might I say, it is an absolutely stunning hike!

Just one view from the top of Cucamonga Peak

Cucamonga Peak is the second hike in what is known as the "So Cal SixPack of Peaks."  The So Cal SixPack is a series of more and more strenuous hikes that go higher in elevation with each peak.  The peaks included in the six pack are as follows:  Mt. Wilson (12.6 miles, 5710'), Cucamonga Peak (11.6 miles, 8859'), Mt. San Antonio (a.k.a. Baldy, 11 miles, 10068'), San Bernardino Peak (15.7 miles, 10649), San Jacinto Peak (11.8 miles, 10834'), and the crowning glory, the tallest peak in So Cal, San Gorgonio (a.k.a. Old Greyback, 17.3 miles, 11503').  Done in sequence, these hikes are an excellent training schedule for any big hike like Whitney or Half-dome.  But they are also great accomplishments in their own right!  We plan to hike all of these peaks before Whitney with the exception of Mt. Wilson.  We skipped that one because it is the lowest, and we aren't sure we have enough weekends for all of them. For more info on the So Cal SixPack,  check out the SoCal SixPack page at EveryTrail.com.  They have great trail descriptions, difficulty ratings, distances, and elevations.  Overall they are one of the best hiking sites I have found.  They are definitely the site I go to most often for my trail info.

Training Hike #2  

Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

Peak Height: 8859'

Distance: 11.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 4300'

We completed this hike on Sunday, June 14th.  We left the house at 7am.  We planned to leave at 6am but we were both feeling pretty groggy and it was a struggle just to get out by 7am.  It is 1hr 45 minute drive to get up to Baldy Village from Oceanside.  Our first stop was the ranger station to pick up our wilderness permit and adventure pass (we left our annual pass in the other car.  It was a rough morning).  The minute I got out of the car and inhaled that cool, clean mountain air filled with the scent of pine, I was instantly refreshed. This was our first visit to the Baldy Village area, and it is a great little spot!  You really feel like you have escaped all the hustle and bustle of the city.  And these are some real mountains with huge towering trees and some respectable peaks.  These things can sometimes be hard to come by in So Cal.  I was stoked to get started!

We drove up the road a mile or so and grabbed a spot in the Icehouse Canyon parking lot, gathered our gear and set out at around 9:30am.  We set a leisurely pace as we began to climb up through the canyon.  Icehouse Canyon is absolutely beautiful.  It was the perfect temperature, and the canyon hosts a flowing creek complete with many waterfalls and clear pools, as well as a smattering of little stone cabins and ruins.  Some of the cabins appeared to still be in use.

Cute little waterfall in Icehouse Canyon

With the sound of the creek and the multitude of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks lifting our spirits and propelling us onward, we made good time through the canyon.  It really seemed to fly by in such a gorgeous setting.  We followed all trail junction signs up to Icehouse Saddle by the shortest route.  At one junction there is a slightly longer, but gentler trail option called the Chapman Trail, but we opted for the shorter, steeper route.  Once you climb out of the canyon there are some switchbacks that lead up the mountainside.  The views start to become more grand.  

Climbing out of the canyon on the switchbacks

Once we finished the switchbacks, which are pretty strenuous, we arrived at Icehouse Saddle.  This is a junction of three major trails.  The 3 T's trail branches off to the left, the Ontario Trail branches right, and straight ahead is the Cucamonga Peak trail.  For many hikers in Icehouse Canyon, this is their destination.  But after a quick lunch of PB&J (that I dropped in the dirt, much to my dismay), and some trail mix, we continued up the Cucamonga Peak trail to the summit.

Erik checking out the map at Icehouse Saddle

The saddle is more than halfway to the peak, but we had a long drive home so it was time to get moving!  As we left the saddle the trail quickly became looser and less maintained.  We got to cross some impressive talus slopes and the views were quite spectacular.  We kept moving as the trail became increasingly strenuous.  There is one final push up a steep slope to the peak.  We made it!

Basking in victory at the summit!

At the top we got to relax for a bit and have a snack.  My legs were toast!  But it was worth every step.  The views on the summit were amazing.  The peak is really prominent and plunges directly down into the Inland Empire.  And in the other direction you get a stunning view of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Erik enjoying a snack at the summit

Luckily the hike down is pretty gradual in most spots so it wasn't too brutal.  Plus on the way down there was a little more time for photography!  We booked it down the trail stopping for pictures here and there.

Crossing a talus slope on our jaunt back to the trailhead

The afternoon light in Icehouse Canyon is perfect for pictures.  On our way back down into the canyon we stopped at Columbine Spring, which flows directly under the trail, to splash some cool, refreshing water on our face.  The waterfalls in the canyon were gorgeous, so we dipped our heads in a few of them as well.  

An inviting pool in Icehouse Canyon, but the water is cold!

The cabins in the canyon are quite adorable, so of course I had to pose with one.  I wouldn't mind having a cabin like this of my own someday!

This is my future summer home

We got back to the car around 5:00pm with plenty of daylight left.  It was a fantastic hike, and a gorgeous day.  I definitely plan to do some of the other hikes from Icehouse Canyon in the future.  I can honestly say this was one of my favorite So Cal hikes to date.  It would also make a great backpacking trip!  I can't wait to go back to the area to tackle more of the peaks.  

Till next time, keep living life to the fullest and hike on!

   

Mortality.... Using the time we have

Hello to all my lovely readers. I know I have been seriously neglecting you since the engagement, but wow have things been busy!

Erik and I have made the move to California! We are now settling in to our new place in Cardiff by the Sea. The location cannot be beat, and it is great to be back in the Golden State. Erik is toiling away working for the man, and since I have yet to secure full time employment I figured this would be a good time to catch up on my blogging.

This last year has had many ups, and a few downs. The weekend before last I lost my Grandfather. He was 90 years old and lived an amazing life. This man was and is an icon in our family. He grew up on a ranch in Texas during the depression, and went on to become a fighter pilot in WWII and Korea, get a petroleum engineering degree, become an oil executive in the south and midwest, and raise 3 healthy children who went on to have 4 grandchildren (myself included.) He always seemed invincible, and in a way he is. He is a legend and a hero that I will tell my kids about. He made you want to be better, and to always make him proud. I will miss him dearly, but I know that his life was long and full of accomplishment and love.

Dealing with mortality is always difficult. The realization and fear that our time on this planet is not infinite can come as a bit of a shock to someone my age. I am still young enough that something like mortality is a distant thought. I can stay healthy and strong, and I won't have to deal with old age, like, forever, right? Do people have bad luck and get in accidents? Of course. Do people get sick and die? Sure. With modern nutrition, exercise science and medical practices, is almost seems like we can get out of mortality. It is a multi-billion dollar industry after all. If I just try hard enough and do everything right, it won't happen to me. But Grandad was invincible, until he wasn't. No matter how well you live, and how strong you are, either way the end will come eventually.... Bummer.

However it does give us the opportunity to reflect on our own lives. When someone close to you passes it is impossible not to examine your life and see if you are living it to your fullest. I have been doing my best to live my life well, however recently I feel I have fallen short in some categories. Sometimes it is difficult to separate societal expectations and a personal fulfillment, however in this case I think my personal fulfillment is also suffering. Generally my report card looks good. But there is one glaring flaw:

-Family: Great job. Relationships with all relatives are good.
-Friends: Satisfactory. Need more local social connections, but I just moved so i get a pass. Distant friends are supportive. :)
-Health: Good. Healthy diet, active. However activity level should be improved.
-Love life/domestic: Excellent, gold star. Marriage in three months!! :)

***-Professional Goals: NEEDS WORK! Hmm...Got a great scientific degree (geology), worked as a geologist for a couple of years, with a break for some ski resort work. Decided to take a break and work some retail and recreational jobs. Then kind of lost my... train.... of........ thought.....um... right.

I have never put much weight on professional success, however over the last few months I have been feeling the societal pressures of being unemployed, as well as feeling low about not contributing much to Erik and I's financial situation. While I have made myself useful in other ways as the mistress of the house and executive assistant, it just isn't as satisfying.

While professional success has not been the top of my list, I have realized that I do want to do something "meaningful" with my life. But how does one define meaning? My family and friends often ask me what I want to do, and the honest answer is, I don't know. I know I want to help people. I love the outdoors and the environment. I want to make positive changes in the lives of those around me. How do I accomplish this while still paying the bills? Many of the positions I had the most personal satisfaction from payed the worst and had the worst hours. Working at the bike shop was fun and rewarding. How can you not feel all warm and fuzzy all the time when you are helping people get into a sport that you so enjoy. But $9.00/hr while working weekends and holidays all over the map? It may have worked when Erik was in school, but now we like our weekends to ourselves.

So I will continue to search and try to find the missing piece of the puzzle. And for now keep trying to focus on enjoying the opportunities that present themselves. I hope to do some volunteer work so I can at least give back to the community while trying to decide on a path to take. And I know my Grandad would be proud, no matter what i choose. As long as I am satisfied that I am living to my full potential.

Less is more when it comes to healthy eating!

Erik and I have decided to begin phasing out most animal products from our diets. In this day and age I believe it is just a healthier choice. We are starting with red meat and cheese. Soon we will hopefully be able to give up chicken and eat only fish for a while. I think the toughest thing to give up for me will be yogurt. I would be okay with a diet that included organic yogurt and fish even though they are still animal products, we will just have to see. Phasing out milk in my coffee will also be tough. I am going to try rice and almond milk and see what flavor/texture works best with coffee. I have found some great blogs for vegan lunches, which i believe is the hardest meal to plan for as it has to be portable. This is a great one http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/. Wish us luck!

Milk business. Best picks in the dairy industry!

Cow 1: "Moo?" Cow 2: "Moo!"

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted! I kind of fell off the P90X bandwagon. I've been snowboarding so much and going to the mountains to snowshoe and hike a lot (I got some Ice Trekkers for winter hiking, fun!) I just haven't had the time or inclination. But I have still been staying very active and going to the gym regularly for cardio, weights, and to sit in the hot tub :).

I have also been working at GNC, which is very interesting! There are so many products out there with so many uses, it is very fun to learn about all of the nutrition products available these days. I, myself, only take a multivitamin, extra vitamin C, fish oil, and protein shakes (and occasional protein bar), but the array of products and uses is truly astounding!

But on to our current topic: MILK! If you are a milk drinker you probably want to read this. I was just reading an article over on http://fitnessachievement.com/ talking about some of the nastiness found in factory farm milk (antibiotics, hormones, and other bodily fluids that should NOT be in milk). Many people have switched to soy, rice, and almond milks to avoid these issues. That is a great solution, but I just can't get over how weird soy tastes in my coffee!

If you must drink milk, there are some very good companies. Going organic is a good idea but it doesn't end there! The USDA grade of Organic does not mean the cows are well treated, happy cows. It just means they are not treated with hormones or antibiotics, and must be allowed some access to the outdoors (this can be only minutes a day!). Some of the big so called “organic” brands are almost as bad as factory farm milk (like Horizon). But if you go for a small, local, organic brand you can know just what you are getting.

I get Farmers All Natural milk whenever possible. http://www.farmersallnaturalcreamery.com/index.html. It is from the Midwest and not available everywhere. The cows are raised on small family farms, and free grazed during the growing season. It is non-homogenized (cream top), organic, and all natural! And you can go take a tour of one of their farms if you want to. They only keep a small number of cows on a farm. I only really use milk in my coffee and cereal, but it is nice to know you are using a quality product.

This is a great site where they rate all the dairy companies based on farm size, hormone and antibiotic use, grazing practices, if they get milk from outside sources (factory farms) etc. http://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html. I try to stick with brands that get at least a 4.

Product review: Magic Bullet and Protein Shake recipe

I have always liked protein shakes. They make a great quick breakfast or post work-out snack. It is said that eating 5 or 6 small meals a day boosts your metabolism and keeps it at a higher level than eating 3 big meals a day. Protein shakes make great "in-between" meals. However, many people may not enjoy the benefits of the protein shake because they can be such a pain to make. My full size blender was such a hassle to clean, it wasn't even worth it. And if I accidentally made too much and stuck it in the fridge, it inevitably separated and got all nasty. But now, everything has changed. The world, as I know it, will never be the same (overly dramatic?)! I now blend all of my smoothies in the Magic Bullet! Here I present to you my review of the Magic Bullet, followed by a healthy, nutrient packed smoothie that tastes awesome!

The magic bullet is a great little mini blender/food processor. There area few methods to buy this thing and it's not cheap. It sells on TV for $99, but you get one free (feign enthusiasm here). I don't know why you would want two magic bullets (aside from offloading one to a family member who really wanted Guitar Hero for Christmas) but I guess whatever floats your boat. Or you could do what I did and get one at Target for half the price, and split the cost with my boyfriend. Now that's more like it!

The Magic Bullet takes up very little space on the counter top, however the attachments and accessories take up an entire shelf in the cabinet. There are two blades (one for blending, one for chopping, grinding and whipping) a small and large sized blending containers, a pitcher attachment, four cups with threads, colored rings for the cups, a shaker lid, a strainer lid, and some solid lids. The lids are great because you can make pancake batter or whatever, use half of it, then screw on the lid and throw the container in the fridge. The containers are microwavable, so if you are making nacho cheese or Alfredo sauce, you can microwave it right in the container you blended it in! Hooray for less dishes while cooking!

There is also a recipe book. Some of the recipes work better than others, but it is fun to try them all. To use the magic bullet, you attach the blades directly to the container you would like to blend in and just press down. The pressure activates the motor and spins the blade. It's quite cool. It is great at blending, and does really well with certain foods, though for some it under performs (destroyed onions and garlic to a chunky mush, and salsa became frothy weirdness). We grind whole bean coffee with the flat blade in the small cup every morning, and it grates a killer nacho cheese! Though in our attempts to make guacamole usually some of the chunks never get mixed. I have found guac is easier the old fashioned way (smash avocados and other stuff with a fork).

The cool thing for shakes is that the cups are threaded, so you can make smoothies by twisting the cup right on the blade and blending them one cup at a time. That way you don't end up making a way too massive smoothie that then gets funky in the fridge. You know exactly how much your serving size will be. Also, once a blade is screwed on a container it completely seals (except for the pitcher). This means you can take it off and give it a good shake if you need to! No more trying to scrape honey or chunks of protein powder off the side of the blender with a spoon or knife. Just shake it up!

Here is what I put in my Very Berry Vanilla Protein Shake:

A handful of fresh or frozen berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries)
2 cups Vanilla Soy Milk
1-2 oz. Acai puree
1 oz. liquid multi vitamin
1 oz. liquid glucosamine
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (Whey or soy. Muscle Milk, Myoplex, or just your standard store brand protein is usually whey (dairy) based. For a vegan and non-dairy alternative, be sure to use soy protein!)
1/4 cup of raw oats

(To make a chocolate version, simply add 1 - 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder!)

Screw on blending blade (four prong) press and hold down until shake is mostly blended (5-7 seconds). Take the cup off of the magic bullet base and give it a vigorous hand shaking (three or four shakes) to mix up any liquid or powders that are stuck to the bottom.

***A note on the order of adding ingredients: It doesn't really matter, as the magic bullet is a powerful blender, and the shaking step I include usually mixes any straggling items. That being said, I like to add frozen fruit first, then liquids and liquid supplements, followed by any dry ingredients. This way when you screw on the four prong blending blade, the dry ingredients will get blended completely as they are closest to the blade. And we continue....

Return the shake to the base and blend a bit more (around another 5 seconds). Now take your smoothie off, unscrew the blade and rinse it (for next time), and screw on one of the little colored cup lips. You can drink your shake right out of that cup without dirtying another dish! This is huge!

Why do I choose these ingredients and supplements?

-Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are all rich in antioxidants, not to mention totally delicious. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C
-Vanilla soy milk is full of healthy soy protein. It is also rich and creamy while still dairy free. You can use plain soy milk for less added sweeteners.
-The Acai berry is an antioxidant super food. It is said to have 1000 times the antioxidant power of blueberries. This means it scavenges free radicals in your system that can lead to premature aging and cancerous cells. All I know for sure is that it I feel good when I drink it, and it tastes good too!
-Liquid multivitamin is more easily and readily absorbed than solid multivitamins. Think of it this way, how would you vitamin pill do in the dishwasher? Now imagine how much work your stomach has to do to break it up. Liquid is much easier for the body to process, thus you get more nutrient benefits.
-Glucosamine supports the natural lubrication and elasticity of your joints. In a liquid form it is quickly absorbed and put to work helping your tired knees or creaky shoulder!
-Protein is needed to build and maintain muscle. If you work out vigorously, or are attempting to reshape your body, adequate protein will help you gain and maintain lean muscle and achieve your goals.
-Raw oatmeal is a whole grain. It is loaded with soluble fiber and helps maintain proper digestion. It also aids in lowering cholesterol, and is said to be a natural antidepressant. It ads a great flavor and texture to the smoothie!

The overall result is a creamy, rich, delicious healthy protein shake packed with vitamins and essential nutrients! If made with soy protein this shake is also 100% non-dairy/vegan.

I hope you enjoy the shake! I am going to go make one right now!

Climbing: Totally and ridiculously fun!

So last week the boyfriend and I finally took the plunge.... We joined a climbing gym (were you expecting something else?). We joined the Boulder Rock Club, witch is a totally sweet climbing gym in Boulder with free massage and yoga classes (yes free!) and unlimited climbing during the length of your membership.

Climbing indoors has become a popular way to keep in excellent climbing shape during the off-season of the cold winter months . Some people climb indoors year-round to practice technique and stay in the best shape possible. The stronger and more skilled the climber, the safer the sport. Now I am not in any particular climbing shape as I am just getting into the sport, but man is it an intense workout! I have never experienced anything that is quite so full body and complete. A climbing gym allows you to tackle this dangerous sport in a relatively safe controlled environment.

Traditional climbing requires a multitude of expensive protective gear, ropes, anchors and devices. To climb in the gym, all you need is a harness and belay device. It helps to have climbing shoes, but they are not necessary. A harness and belay device can be rented at the gym if you don't have your own. Every climber in the gym is required to pass a belay test before they can climb. Belaying is the act of holding on to the other end of the rope that keeps the climber secure. The rope is run through a belay device, or ATC, and the belayer if able to use the device to create friction and control the speed of the rope running through it. With this technique the belayer can catch the climber if he falls. It is very important that your belayer knows what they are doing and is trustworthy and attentive, as they are the only thing keeping you from falling to injury or possibly death (hence the test!).

A climbing gym is set with routes, which are hand and foot holds you use to climb the walls. These routes are marked with colored tape and the difficulty is posted. These routes include everything from easy vertical routes to cracks, overhangs and extremely difficult sport routes.

Another option that does not need much protective gear or ropes is bouldering. Bouldering is like climbing, but the routes undertaken by boulderers generally keep you closer to the ground and are often incredibly difficult. A boulder "problem" as they are called, can take many attempts to solve. Often boulderes will use crash-pads in case of a fall. This is a thick mat placed under the climber that they can fall on to prevent injury. For even more control in a fall, there may be a spotter that can guide the climber's fall. Bouldering can be undertaken anywhere. There are often bouldering areas in a climbing gym. It is normally undertaken on any big rock or rough surface. I have seen people boulder on the sides of stonework buildings!

So far we have climbed at the gym a number of times, and it is crazy fun! I have this amazing ability to completely trust technology, and I am naturally comfortable with heights, so I think I am on my way to becoming a good climber!

I bought a new harness yesterday (pictured above), and I am so stoked about it! It's a Black Diamond Iris women's harness. It's contoured to fit, and very lightweight and comfortable with auto-locking buckles. It was a little more expensive, but so comfortable I couldn't say no. This harness will be supporting me in a life or death situation, so I think it justifies spending a little more money. I also got a new belay device, so I will no longer have to swap back and forth with the boyfriend. I can't wait to get back to the gym!

Climbing works out every muscle in you body, but the big ones are the forearms, shoulders, upper back, and grip strength. The day after my first big climb I could barely cut things with a serrated knife! In climbing when your forearms are totally worked, it's called being pumped, and man were my arms pumped! I also felt some nice muscle soreness in my shoulders and arms. As the weak links in you climbing get stronger (usually forearms and fingers) you start to feel the burn in other areas, like your core. Have you seen climbers? They are almost always totally ripped (men and women) with those perfect, lean, yoga-bodies. I'm totally hooked!

This is a good example of how getting fit is so much easier if you have an activity that you enjoy and are passionate about. Going to the gym and spending two hours on the elliptical in tortuous boredom will not help you get as amped about fitness as spending a couple of hours mountain biking or playing sports with your friends. Find something you enjoy, start small, and keep with it! It's amazing how much it will improve you mood, health, and general well being. I find that getting started is the hardest part. Once you are going, momentum can see you through. And if your fitness activity is something you look forward to, that's the best! I can't wait to

Till next time, I'll see you on the wall!

Stepping into the unknown.... (Ditching a job in an unstable economy)

On Thursday the 16th of July, I gave my two weeks notice at the job I have held for the last year. I finished my last day of work yesterday, and I feel relieved, nervous, and excited. Many people have questioned my decision. How could I quit my job in such an unstable economy? Do I have another job lined up? The answer is no, I don't have anything in the works. I quit my job with very little idea of what I am going to do now. I needed a change.

Millions of people drag themselves to work day in and day out to a job that they can't stand just to pay the bills. I respect those people for keeping at it, especially if they have a family to support. But I refuse to be held by the "Golden handcuffs," as my boyfriend refers to them. The golden handcuffs are what holds you to a job you would otherwise have left long ago. It's the fear of losing the money, holding you this position. What if you can't find another job? What if you can't make enough money somewhere else? What will my friends and family think? It's easier to stay and be miserable than to take a risk. This is why so many people are unable to leave jobs they hate, no matter how depressed they may become. No matter how negatively it has impacted the rest of their life. The golden handcuffs have chained them to their desk. I have decided to find a new direction. I want take a break from the 8 to 5 and find out if I am really on a path that will lead to my happiness. I don't know how this story will play out, but I plan to see it through to the end. I am nervous about finding another job that I enjoy, nervous that the job market is not as good as it once one. Employment is no longer a guarantee for a young, educated girl like myself. But it is a chance I have decided to take.

During this time of change I plan to focus on myself. I not only want to make changes in my professional life; I am on a mission to improve my health, nutrition, and general well-being. I want to get back into taking care of myself and maintain the active lifestyle that keeps me happy and healthy. And to eat the foods I that will make me feel energized instead of exhausted. Regular exercise, healthy foods and good nutrition, and spending more time in nature. I have been neglecting these things for the past year, and it is time to take this chance to refocus. It's time to live clean!

Later!