Our day started early with flashlights in hand, on the trail at 4:45AM. Going into this hike we knew it was going to be warm on the peak with weather forecast predicting anywhere from 62 to 66 degrees with only 5mph winds. Hiking up the Vivian Creek Trail was enjoyable in the cooler morning temperatures; I enjoyed watching the sun come up over the mountain and shine a new days light on the mountains and valleys around and below us.

We didn’t have to deal with the sun beating down on us until we reached the top of the ‘rocky mountain’ of switchbacks starting at High Creek (where you have that nice view of San Jacinto). At this point, I took out my trekking umbrella and used it for the rest of the day. By the time we reached Red Rock Ridge it was 79 degrees with 0.0mph winds (used Weather Flow to measure wind and weather), it was HOT! If it wasn’t for my trekking umbrella providing me shade I seriously don’t think I would have made it across that long traverse up to the ridge in that heat; even with my umbrella it was slow going.

About half way across the traverse to the ridge two guys where hiking back down from the peak; they told us they were training for Mount Whitney, that they had hiked up San Gorgonio last week as well and that we were almost there. One of them obviously saw how hot and tired I was; he gave me words of encouragement and a fist bump. I wish I knew who he was so I could tell him his words of encouragement were much needed, greatly appreciated and meant the world to me.

After hiking 8 hours and 43 minutes we made it to San Gorgonio’s peak and had it to ourselves for almost an hour. Last time I was up here we had to watch out for aggressive chipmunks, this time it was bees. Of course hiking down from San Gorgonio’s peak was much quicker, only took 4 hours and 50 minutes to get back to the car. Our total time on the mountain, including just over an hour at the peak and all other breaks, was 14 hours and 49 minutes. Which is about half an hour faster than when I hiked up San Gorgonio for my first time in 2016.

Now that I have completed the SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks twice (first time in 2016) I can see how I have progressed as a hiker. In 2016 my friend and I signed up for the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge really doubting that we would be able to make it up to San Bernardino Peak or San Gorgonio Peak. I remember how my muscles burned going up each mountain, and being sore from head to toe the day after hiking each peak. I was so proud of myself when we completed the challenge in 2016, however, there were many moments I just couldn’t believe I actually did it.

The 2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge was a completely different experience for me. In 2016 I had to dig in deep physically; in 2018 I had to dig in deep mentally. This past year I have been seeing a pulmonologists and found out that I get trapped air in my lungs, preventing me from completely filling my lungs with air (since air is already trapped in the bottom of them), so I was instructed to measure my oxygen levels when I hike. I was told if my oxygen drops to 80 to call for medical help. I don’t think the pulmonologist ever fully understood what hiking to the top of mountains meant. I would tell him over and over again that I would have to call for a helicopter if that happened, explaining there was no medical facility close by while hiking up mountains. So my husband got me a can of oxygen to take with me when I hiked up San Gorgonio, which I ended up having to use once.

Another issue I had to deal with in 2018 was overheating. Whatever helps my body deal with the heat and cool down is broken. I was well hydrated while hiking up each peak but that didn’t help; by the time I reached the peaks (three of them) my body had been too hot for too long and I wouldn’t be able to eat without feeling sick. No headaches, no dizziness etc.. just plan old HOT (even with my trekking umbrella). It took digging in really deep mentally to overcome the heat, remain positive and keep moving. It also took digging in deep mentally to give myself permission to stop on the trail so I could let my body cool down a bit before continuing on. I could have easily quit the 2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge due to the breathing and overheating issues, but that’s not who I am, its just not in my DNA.

In the end, the 2016 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks was a physical challenge while the 2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks was a mental challenge. Both challenges were conquered.