Who doesn't want to begin their birthday MONTH celebration at the summit of a peak? To be quite honest, no body that I would care to know because that is exactly how I DID begin my birthday month festivities. Though I will be the first to admit that I was NOT prepared for the freezing temperature at the summit and was FORCED to wear a foil blanket turned skit to stop the incessant shivering and teeth chattering.

This was my first every hike to El Cajon, and while I heard it was going to be a brutal hike I could not have picked a better birthday hike (technically my birthday is 3/2) but this was MY birthday hike nonetheless.  I invited a bunch of friends to celebrate, and to be honest this could have gone one of two ways:

a) the hike was soo brutal, they would curse my name and NEVER speak to me again

b) the hike was soo brutal, our friendship would be solidified in a common suffering

I am glad to report that for the most part, the outcome was the latter. With the exception of one friend who I have not spoken to since (mind you it is now May 26th). I guess these things happen, BUT I did specifically state that the hike was rated as difficult. Soo .. I guess these things happen.

The trail itself was in good condition, and very difficult to lose; with the notable exception of the rock scrambling part which becomes fairly difficult when you cannot stop shaking from the cold. I guess those 10 Essentials really do come in handy 🙂  So now that I am a year wiser, I pack a pair of pants whenever I hike in shorts. Yes! I wore shorts to El Cajon in March and I have only very marginal regrets 😛   To keep warm I may have taken a shot .. or three of Peach Moonshine which most definitely helped me manage the cold weather.

Oh yeah, and the Post Hike burgers were AMAZING! I know, I am one lucky gal to have such a great group of friends 🙂