Climb a Mountain Challenge

[OBob]

So, for years I've wanted to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48 (in the southern Sierras of California). Several years ago, as my weight was steadily marching upward, I managed to take a few high sierra treks, and got as high as 12,000 feet on one of them (starting from around 10,000). But, Whitney's a serious challenge, and it was clear to me that I needed to be in much better shape to conquer it.

It's not a technically difficult climb. To the best of my knowledge, it's a trail to the top. But, it's steep, it's high altitude, and it's either a very ambitious 1 day hike, or an overnight with the added weight of a backpack.

But, I want to do it. At or near goal weight, I know I can.

So, that's my challenge. Climb that mountain. I'm giving myself until the 10th of October to do it. That lets me get through the tourist season (I'm in the tourism industry, and that's when I do my most work), and it lets me do it when the weather should be mildish, and before snow starts falling.

I already work out pretty regularly (mostly cardio tennis), but will need to up the effort if I'm to make this hike.

Anyone want to climb a mountain as well? Pick a mountain. Doesn't have to be anything nearly as high as Whitney. Could be as simple as a big old hill you've always wanted to climb. Or, you could be a serious climber, and have something MORE ambitious than Whitney in mind.

Pick your own mountain, and make it happen. We could all seek to do it by October 10th, or we could pick our own time frames (I'm new, so I'm not sure what's the usual system).

Anyone with me?


OBob

[Molly]

Re: Climb a Mountain Challenge

How about backpacking the Caribou's in the Trinity Alps?

[jimmie 48]

Re: Climb a Mountain Challenge

how about joining our pledging flights challenge???
mt. witney isn't on the list of virtual climbs but there's plenty of stair climbing to be had!

[OBob]

Re: Climb a Mountain Challenge

How about backpacking the Caribou's in the Trinity Alps?

Works for me. Is that your challenge?

[OBob]

Re: Climb a Mountain Challenge

how about joining our pledging flights challenge???
mt. witney isn't on the list of virtual climbs but there's plenty of stair climbing to be had!

Thanks for the invite. I think I'll take you up on it as I get closer to Whitney. There happens to be an excellent stairs that come up from the beach below where I live. I used to do them fairly regularly. There are 151 steps to the top. I used to do between 6 and 8 sets (up and down), and maxed out at 11 I think.

Right now, my focus is on cardio tennis. I just finished an hour and 15 minutes of it, and I'm feeling pretty worked. I really love tennis, so it's not really a chore to get out there and do it. Stairs are going to require a little more mental effort to do again.

Tell me this: Do I need to commit to a weekly amount on the flights challenge? Or, can I just add steps as it makes sense. I'm just thinking that I can do stairs when it rains, but not tennis. I might supplement the tennis with stairs when the weather's not working for tennis.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Climb a Mountain Challenge

Tell me this: Do I need to commit to a weekly amount on the flights challenge? Or, can I just add steps as it makes sense. I'm just thinking that I can do stairs when it rains, but not tennis. I might supplement the tennis with stairs when the weather's not working for tennis.

bob, you can count the climbs in steps or flights. the first post of the pledging flights challenge gives you all the info. for instance, on a climb of 30 flights, that would equate to 455 individual steps. 15 is the number we are using because that is the usual number of steps per flight.