I started the sixpackofpeaks challenge last year

and in January 2017 hiked Mount Wilson in Snow and freezing, cloudy weather. The Winter creek trail was an actual winter creek and you had to hop from rock to rock. I was preparing a little before that hike but didn't think I was going to do the whole 14 miles last year but ended up just muscling through one step at a time. It was for sure one of the hardest things i had ever done. It took me 8 hours and a lot of breaks because i thought my heart is gonna jump out of my neck, but i stuck with it through the pain in the knees and my inexperience.

Fast forward to this year. I lost 40 pounds through Weight Watchers and stopped smoking on Christmas. I got watertight boots and hiking poles. I also learned to take a lot less stuff with me and cut the weight of what I was carrying. I went up on the most direct way leaving the falls alone and straight for the summit. I couldn't believe when I passed a bunch of spots I remember taking breaks on last year without a thought of needing a break now. After I passed a couple more landmarks I got a kick out of not stopping.
But then I came to the steep switchbacks before the summit. But again I thought “I wonder if I can actually make it all the way without a break”. So i did. It took me 2 hours and 49 minutes to hike all the way up to the Observatory. I know people are faster and some even run up, but the difference from last year when i got there a lot later (hours later) was astounding.

I felt like a million bucks. I'm now looking forward to Cucamonga which I turned back on last year because of the Snow after the Saddle without crampons. But coming back from my sprained ankle, which was the reason i had to stop the challenge last year, without any problems on this 6 hour hike really makes me hope I can finish them all this year. (btw the sprained ankle was a curb, not on a hike)

as they say: One down, Five to go
Aimo