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I've been looking at a lot of the Sierra peaks lately on SP and one thing I noticed is that there seems to be some ridiculous stuff going on in California; looking at trip reports and climbers logs it seems like people are logging dayhikes with pretty outrageous distances and elevation gain, especially on the Eastern Slope and SEKI wildernesses. So my question is, in all honesty, are you folks in California faster and more athletically gifted than the rest of us folks?

Look at folks like Bob Burd or Matthew Holliman or Rick Kent (maybe you have already). Have you noticed that not only are they from California, but more importantly, they get out.....ALOT!!. I have hiked, scrambled, climbed with a few of those guys throughout the years......yes, years. And I have to say, that not only are they athletic dynamos but they have a level of desire, determination and overall motivation to pull these day hikes off. I do alot of climbing and also cycling and i consider myself pretty fit for a 44 year old. Its amazing to see someone like Bob (who is older than me), leave me in the dust on events like the Sierra Challenge (read about it here on SP). I've been there.....seen it and believe it. California has nothing to do with it......just look at rpc and his wife Shirley! I admire them and they motivate me all the time. They keep pushing their limits and they also accept humility when they are faced with it. The more you get out, the more you push yourself, the more you beleive......then you will SEE!

Cheers,

Dave from California
(born in Ohio)

Yes

patssox09 wrote:I've been looking at a lot of the Sierra peaks lately on SP and one thing I noticed is that there seems to be some ridiculous stuff going on in California; looking at trip reports and climbers logs it seems like people are logging dayhikes with pretty outrageous distances and elevation gain, especially on the Eastern Slope and SEKI wildernesses. So my question is, in all honesty, are you folks in California faster and more athletically gifted than the rest of us folks?

For a start, there aren't many places in North America that offer the combination of good trails, good weather, absence of brush, and vertical relief you find on the eastern side of the Sierras. Once yer above timberline, you can go almost anywhere.

In the Cascades, you could spend hours and hours in the devil's club and slide alder and not go an entire frickin mile. Throw in a few dicey river crossings, constant white-out that makes it hard to get yer bearings, and maybe an out-of-shape schrund or two, and backcountry gets slow, fast.

Yes, we are.

klk wrote: ...For a start, there aren't many places in North America that offer the combination of good trails, good weather, absence of brush, and vertical relief you find on the eastern side of the Sierras. Once yer above timberline, you can go almost anywhere.

In the Cascades, you could spend hours and hours in the devil's club and slide alder and not go an entire frickin mile. Throw in a few dicey river crossings, constant white-out that makes it hard to get yer bearings, and maybe an out-of-shape schrund or two, and backcountry gets slow, fast.

So you're saying that we're not better but our mountains are...

Actually we do have the weather on our side, and some good trails, but when you get off the beaten track in the Sierra you'll meet up with serious bushwacking, steep scree slopes, wild stream crossings and the like but at least you can usually see where you are.

patssox09 wrote:I've been looking at a lot of the Sierra peaks lately on SP and one thing I noticed is that there seems to be some ridiculous stuff going on in California; looking at trip reports and climbers logs it seems like people are logging dayhikes with pretty outrageous distances and elevation gain, especially on the Eastern Slope and SEKI wildernesses. So my question is, in all honesty, are you folks in California faster and more athletically gifted than the rest of us folks?

Better than whom? LMAO

Haha, I doubt it. I think the simple reason is that we have the highest concentration of people living near big mountains. That and weather that allows for lots of exercise.

I mean, the greater LA area alone has more people than the entire state of CO

Based on logistics and population, I do believe Californians definitely have the edge.

I mean, who can forget the Beach Boys and California Girls ???

And, you also got SCHWARZENEGGER, for crying out loud! Let's P - U - M - P it up !!!

Yes, we do have it a little better here in California.

Yes, we do have four seasons here in California - fire, flood, earthquake, and riot

We don't call it rain, its 'liquid sunshine.'

Yes, even in this digital age, its still an agricultural state. Its estimated over 50% of the marijuana consumed in the United States is grown right here in the 'Golden State'.

Yes, it is home to the digital revolution and entertainment media. In fact, there's more online pornography produced here in the Los Angeles area's San Fernando Valley than anywhere else in the world.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to an environmental ralley. Now where did I put the keys to my full-size SUV?

California . . . . its not a state, its a 'state of mind.'

phydeux wrote:Yes, we do have it a little better here in California.

Yes, we do have four seasons here in California - fire, flood, earthquake, and riot

We don't call it rain, its 'liquid sunshine.'

Yes, even in this digital age, its still an agricultural state. Its estimated over 50% of the marijuana consumed in the United States is grown right here in the 'Golden State'.

Yes, it is home to the digital revolution and entertainment media. In fact, there's more online pornography produced here in the Los Angeles area's San Fernando Valley than anywhere else in the world.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to an environmental ralley. Now where did I put the keys to my full-size SUV?

California . . . . its not a state, its a 'state of mind.'

And yes, we do have the best cheese. Bite me Wisconsin.

patssox09 wrote:I've been looking at a lot of the Sierra peaks lately on SP and one thing I noticed is that there seems to be some ridiculous stuff going on in California; looking at trip reports and climbers logs it seems like people are logging dayhikes with pretty outrageous distances and elevation gain, especially on the Eastern Slope and SEKI wildernesses. So my question is, in all honesty, are you folks in California faster and more athletically gifted than the rest of us folks?

Apparently, you haven't been to ID/MT/WY.

phydeux wrote:Yes, we do have it a little better here in California.

Yes, we do have four seasons here in California - fire, flood, earthquake, and riot

We don't call it rain, its 'liquid sunshine.'

Yes, even in this digital age, its still an agricultural state. Its estimated over 50% of the marijuana consumed in the United States is grown right here in the 'Golden State'.

Yes, it is home to the digital revolution and entertainment media. In fact, there's more online pornography produced here in the Los Angeles area's San Fernando Valley than anywhere else in the world.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to an environmental ralley. Now where did I put the keys to my full-size SUV?

California . . . . its not a state, its a 'state of mind.'

That cracked me up!!

goldenhopper wrote:Holliman & Kent in particular defy all logic. I've read about much of the stuff they have done and both are animals. I've put in some big days myself, or what I called big days before I read about those guys. [bowing in honor emoticon]

It doesn't merely require fitness. It requires outrageous drive. Obsession, really.

Maybe CA has a greater population of outdoors people?

sounds like a PnP topic to me!