2018 - A year in review

For those interested, here is a list of my gear that I have found works well for me. This is, of course, an affiliate link and your enjoyment of these may vary:

100 Peaks Amazon Gear List

01/01/2019
As in most years, our first day was spent on the trail.

Soon after, we headed to Park City in the hopes of finding powder. However, Mother Nature was not on our side. Instead we had some great food and some fun hiking.

Hiking along the Yellow Pine Trail outside Park City, UT

I started more trail running, in preparation for the Fear the Rabbit Race, which has since been rescheduled. I am seeing my local trails in a new light.

I was able to take Soph, the PD and his daughter backpacking to Whale Peak. It was cold, but the silence and scenery was just what we all needed.

A highlight of the year was seeing some old friends that I got to know back in the late 80’s. Our first outdoor trip together was to Joshua Tree over New Years 1990. We saw a haloed full moon rise over us as we huddled around the fire, trying to survive the 14F weather. It was great to see them all again.

As a family, we normally spend a lot of time outdoors, but this year felt pretty exceptional. Soph and I made it to Volcan Mountain for a very windy day hike with the usual after-hike pie.

We also headed out to Anza-Borrego to explore a little bit.

On one day, I scanned the weather and Soph and I drove out to Mount Laguna on an early school day to play in the snow. Snowballs were thrown.

Soph and I on Wooded Hill - After School Snow Day

We also participated in the March for Our Lives. It was a great venue to discuss many issues of our time.

As part of my training, I decided to see how far I could get up Villager Peak before I either bonked or ran out of time. I wanted a benchmark. I got up about 5 or 6 miles before I had to turn back around. The trail was better than I had remembered, but it was still easy to lose it here and there. Still, it was a 10-12 mile day.

We spent some time in Palm Springs as a quick getaway, and of course we had to go out for a hike. We took our time as we enjoyed our time along the trail on San Jacinto. I lay down on a large rock and stared up at the trees. I closed my eyes and was in my happy place.

We then had a small “guy trip” for my brothers-in-law and me. We rented a cabin in Julian. While we were planning on hiking on Saturday, I got up there a little before everyone else and snuck in a trip up Volcan Mountain which we all repeated the next day.

I was able to go on a couple of hikes with Jason Fitzpatrick of Mile, Mile and a Half.... and Tip from Noatak. It was a great time.

I was able to start training for some long runs, averaging between 15 and 20 miles. They were long days but great training.

Boucher Hill from the bottom

Cuyamaca Traverse

Palomar Mountain High Point

Santa Ysabel East from the Bottom

We made it back to Italy, with Soph this time. We enjoyed Rome, Florence, and Milan, while spending much of our time touring Chianti, tasting food and wine. It was a great trip.

The view from out room in Radda in Chianti

I was able to get a another solo trip to the Sierra. The plan was to summit Mount Langley, but it didn’t work out exactly as planned. Was still a great trip.

The View from near the top of Mount Langley

We were able to visit some family in Mississippi. We went on a river tour and had some of the local food. Was the perfect weather.

Took my daughter on her first Sierra backpacking trip to Treasure Lakes. We had a blast and it sparked her interest in returning as much as possible.

Coffee and tea with our dinner after a 3-hour thunderstorm

Still having the backpacking bug, my daughter and I went out for a short backpacking trip in the San Diego Backcountry. We’re still learning how to camp out here, since there aren’t many developed sites, but we’re having fun.

A warm summer morning in the San Diego Backcountry, no fly needed

I was able to go on a nice road trip with my dad to Sedona, one of my favorite places. We were able to go on a bunch of hikes, eat some great food, and spend some quality time together.

My father at Montezuma Castle National Monument

Since my daughter was so amazed at her trip to Treasure Lakes, we decided to return in the same year with my wife and stay in a cabin, doing day hikes. It was later in the season and the fall colors were wonderful.

Returning to the Sierra with all three of us, the Bishop Creek area was heavenly

Jeff graciously invited us to the Six-Pack-of-Peaks Finishers Party, where Sophia and I were able to see Jeff again and meet a bunch of great people. Sophia wanted to climb all the peaks in 2016, but our travel (and her dance) schedules did not allow it. :)

We enjoyed a family trip to Kauai; we spent the time adventuring all over the island.

Sophia and I were able to attend the Switchback Showcase, where the idea of me going on the Wonderland Trail formed as I chatted with Jason and Jeff.

42 - Soph and I at the SoCal Switchback Showcase.jpg

Outside of all the traveling, I was able to squeeze in some Anza Borrego Desert peaks. The day was cool and the clouds were amazing. I made it to Wilson Benchmark and Pinyon Ridge High Point.

We decided to spend New Years in Las Vegas, and of course, we hiked all over during the day and went out for great food at night. We were able to watch the NYE fireworks from the comfort of our hotel room.