Tahoe Trip

On Aug 26th evening aroung 7.30PM I left bay area to Tahoe, intend on climbing three peaks in as many days. At 9.30 I stopped at Placerville for eat. At 11.30PM I arrived at the Mt Tallac trail head. I intended to sleep in my car overnight.

Friday, Aug 27th: Mt Tallac

Surprisingly I had a good night sleep, may be I was tired. I woke up at 7.15AM by noises of other two hikers who are about to hit the trial. After about 45 minutes of preparation I hit the trail at 8.00AM. The trail is about 10miles r/t with about 3200ft elevation gain. After about a mile or so in, the scenary gets awesome, as the Fallen Leaf Lake comes into view. And after sometime the Lake Tahoe comes into view. It was a clear day so the view from here on is awesome. It's one of the best views I've ever seen hiking in the Sierra's. After slow progress due to the high altitute, I arrived at the summit at 10.40AM. Shortly after the other two hikers who started earlier arrived at the summit. View from the top is increadible. I'll recommend this hike to anyone who wants to see the full view of the Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains and peaks. After staying for about an hour at the summit I arrived at the trailhead aroung 2.00PM.

After lunch at Taco Bell, I drove to the Freel Peak trial head (Fountain Place), which will be my destination tomorrow. But the off road trail was closed about the 2 miles before the trail (makes my r/t 15miles and considerable amount of elevation gain). So, I decided to do from the High Meadows Trail head which has about 14miles r/t. Again I drove to the High Meadows TH and see if I can sleep in my. The trail is totally isolated, and see no one or no cars. I drove back to the lake and read book for about an hour while enjoying the sunset. After dinner at local McD, I went back to the TH and slept in my car.

Sat, Aug 28th: Freel Peak (well almost):

I woke up really tired at 7.00AM. I didn't sleep well. Still I managed to start around 8.10AM. No one has come up yet. The trail is wide off road trails (no vechicles allowed though) for about 4 miles. Then the trial narrows. I start noticing that the trial is lot harder and I'm slow. I arrived Star lake at 10.35AM. And continued to press on towards the Armstrong Pass. I met some people on this section of the trail, finally. After arriving at the saddle really tired, I climed a small rock formation to eat my lunch before heading into the summit. From here on the summit is steep about ~1000 straight up. And no established trials. After having my turkey sandwich I realished I have all by 24 oz of gatorade. All my 3 liters of water has been gone. I don't think I can make it to the summit and back to the star lake with 24oz of gatorade on this hot day. So, I decided to turn around and reached the star lake thirsty. I decided not take water from the lake (I didn't carry purification tabs or filter; stupid mistake) and continued to press on thinking of those creeks that I passed while going up. Finally, my thirst took over me and I started drinking the water from the creek. I just hope that I don't get sick until reach my car. I arrived TH at 3.30PM and still there is no car, no one.

At the TH, I decided skipping the Round Top my tomorrow's would be destination, in the fear of getting sick for drinking the unfiltered water direct from the creeks. So, I decided to drive back to home and arrived at my home around 9.00PM.

Heart Breaking

This is heart breaking. So much loss. So sad. All I can hope is that the authorities wake up and do something about it.
 
Looking back, it really scars me that I studied in one of those schools. And thinking about it I don't recall there is an emergency exit in any of those schools that I went to.
 
Peace.

Top 10 Movies

Here is the top 10 movies (for now...it might change in future):

1. Goodfellas
2. Pulp Fiction
3. The Matrix
4. LOTR
5. Terminator 2 - Judgement Day
6. Brave Heart
7. Sixth Sense
8. Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid
9.
10.

Backpack Trip - Emigrant Wilderness

Went on overnight backpacking trip to Emigrant Wilderness.

June 25th: Left home at 7.30am, an hour later than my original plan. Arrive around 10am at the Sonara ranger station...picked up permit and drove to Crab Tree trail head from HWY 108. The drive from highway to the trail head is about 10miles and it mostly offroad. Arrived at the trailhead at 11.15. By 11.30am I started the suppose to be 2 night 3 day trip to Emigrant Lake.

Immediately I noticed that there is lots of wild flowers...started taking pictures...Arrived at Camp Lake 12.15...I saw just 2 other people. I just kept on going...the trial sometimes disappears due to creeks/fallen trees etc...but mostly easier to find it...more wild flowers...more pictures. Lot's of mosquitos. After crossing the Piute Meadow arrived Piute Lake at 3.30pm. It's a pretty little lake. Cooked some noodle soup and a coffee...arrived at Gem Lake 5.30pm...decided to camp at Gem lake instead of my original dest Deer Lake. Lots of fish...mosquitos kept bothering me...so went inside the tent pretty early. And started reading Murder on Iditrod Trail book by Sue Henry...weird, huh?

June 26th: Woke up at 7.30am...I didn't had enough sleep, as my sleep bag was too warm inside or just too cold without it. As soon as I came out of the tent I was welcomed by millions of mosquitos. I decided to pack things and go back instead of going further to emigrant Lake. Left Gem Lake at 8.30 and an hour after I arrived at Piute Lake...stopped to refill water then decided to make breakfast...oatmeal and coffee. On the way back to trail head I ran into about 10 people starting their backpack trips...still I think the crowd to too light for sierra (compared to Yosemite etc). Arrived at 1.30pm at the trail head.

Note1: I have to come back in late season when the mosquitos are not a problem and complete the trip all the way upto Emigrant Lake.
Note2: It's one of the best hikes I did. Less crowded...wildflowers...lakes...ponds. Just beautiful.

June 20th, 2004

Went for my usual 10 mile hike...a loop around the Lake Chabot. It was balmy day with little wind. Kind of felt little cold in the shades...otherwise nothing special. Gives me 2.30hrs of workout.

How about Jason Schmidt? He throws one hitter against Red Sox. He is the best pitcher in the ML right now.

June 18th, 2004

It's a pretty good day in San Fran...just the weather though.

At office I had to do my perf assessment, the boring exercise that we go through every 6 months. It $#@$!...

What went wrong with Lakers?. To quote Rick Fox "it's team against bunch of individuals". Agreed. Superstars let the fans down for all their personal agendas. Without fans you'll never be a superstar.

What's next for Lakers? Is the Lakers going to follow 49ers (Owens/Mariuchi saga) and Nets (Kidd/Scott saga) by letting go Phil to keep Bryant?

BTW, I saw a display by a Pistons fan: "LA needs Dr Phil, not coach Phil". Totally.

june 17th, 2004

this is my first blog....let's see how it's goes.

Will try to write as often as i can find time (?)