[Joyce]

I'm still a beginner in backpacking and I've only been on 3 backpacking trips and they're just overnighters.

1. San Gorgonio Mountain (Vivian Creek)

2. Joshua Tree National Park

3. Crystal Cove State Park

[Joyce]

I was taking a break from the challenge until October anyway since I have to train for a marathon, and long runs are not compatible with mountain hikes (I'm not a trail runner yet XD). Hopefully that'll keep me in shape when I come back to pick up the last two peaks in October. Thankfully there are at least 2 “lower” elevation peaks I can use in case the weather turns bad. I don't know if I'll be able to get to San Jacinto this year, though. (Tried that in May and ran out of time and energy to actually finish.)

[Joyce]

I'm not sure which “down” route I prefer, but the “up” route of preference for me (in case anyone is reading this now since it's past the time OP planned her hike) is the “Register Ridge” route. It's by far the steepest climb, and I needed a good pair of Exo Spikes to help on most of the climb (though I didn't see anyone else with a pair), but it was well worth the extra effort since it shaved at least 2 (maybe 3) miles off the route.

For me, I went down the Baldy Bowl Trail, and it was a hot mess of falling in sand. It was quite steep, but I couldn't imagine climbing up it.

[Joyce]

Thanks for the info! I talked to a rep at REI and he recommended crampons appropriate for my backpacking boots for San Jacinto. I also picked up some snowshoes separately thinking I'd use them for a winter trip to Yosemite, but I will bring them tomorrow as well and see what I end up needing. (I still have flashbacks of post holing on the hike up Wheeler Peak.)

I have not had practice with any of the equipment, so this is will be first try, hence the realistic expectations that I might just be walking around long valley instead of actually summiting. REI rep also recommended against ice axe until I learn how to use it (I guess you can rent them?) and for now I can probably just just hiking poles.

[Joyce]

Thanks! I went with the down puffy plus shell option. Thankfully it ended up being 50-60s and almost no wind today when I did the hike, so it was quite pleasant. (20s was forecast for last weekend, but I just overslept so I went today instead).

I'm glad I didn't pack the 5 pound parka XD I like being prepared but I would have been really salty if my hauled my backpacking bag just to fit the parka in there.