How I did it: Foolishly, well thought out, but still foolishly.  A friend and I were on a cross country road trip and stopped at the big ditch.  We spotted the Plateu Point trail and on a whim we.... I..... decided we were going.  Now we are expereinced outdoorsmen and not against hiking at all.  We had equipment, water, food, an extensive FAK and the will.  What we lacked was preparation.  We didn't go all the way down.  We stopped at the point evac'ed that day.  Now 6.1 miles down is cake, gravity is your friend.  But 6.1 miles up, in the dark, 58 switchbacks, poor visibility, donkey crap, and utter exhaustion is not your friend.  There are signs everywhere telling you that you will die if you go all the way down and back in one day.  We damn near did.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat; but I need to practice elsewhere... New Jersey is too flat.

Lessons & tips: Prepare.  Rest.  Bring more water.  Bring more gatorade.  Bring salt.  Be ready to help fellow hikers.  We encountered a group in much worse shape than us with one member boarderline heat exhaustion, and this was near 2300 hrs at the time.  The heat was disappated.  Don't be foolish, and don't be reckless. Spend the day at the bottom and start early.  Fill your water at every station and REST OFTEN!!!

Resources: Muscle, determination, water and will.

Sep 27, 2008, 02:25PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer