Yeah, I was always terrible about running. Lately, I haven't been practicing what I preach with the Dawn Patrol...just too many new responsibilities with the kids! So I've reluctantly embraced running more and it's been pretty fun, but not as nice as a real dawn patrol!
Once dark started coming earlier and earlier...there isn't any other way to get in some good summits on a "day trip"...I think our earliest alarm setting was 2:30 am...two hour drive to Saddleback...on the trail by 4:30!!
Anytime you are trying to "steal time" in the mountains, during a work week or some such, it counts as something only the truly crazy, dedicated mountain lover would do. So I'd say "yes"!
After reading that I suddenly have the urge to wake up at 4am (which I very rarely have the urge to do), skin up into the Bear Rivers Mtns, and get a lap in before work!...when we get the snow for it I'm following your lead on the Dawn Patrol!
I don't do well with early starts anymore; I can't balance too well in the dark. About 3 times a year, I get up very early for trips with lots of elevation gain. But most of the time, I prefer to plan everything to fit in daylight hours, or at least start or end on a good trail!
One good thing about working part-time -- you can get back at 1PM and still put in a "full" day.
...I get to join the Dawn Patrol! Great Falls Park, a cragging area about a 15-minute drive from home, opens at 7, and since I have to be at work at 8:30 and the park is about a 30-minute drive from work, a legal dawn patrol is usually out of the question. However, yesterday's snow meant a two-hour delay at school today, so out I went bright and early to hike and scramble (the latter was not easy on snowy and icy rocks, as my sore knee would testify). But it was a great start to the day!
Bob Sihler - Dec 5, 2008 12:07 am - Voted 10/10
I think......I'll have to try this just so I can add a story! Who cares if I'm a little late for work? I never really wanted to work anyway!
Cool idea!
mvs - Dec 5, 2008 7:28 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I think...A little piece o' the hills in the middle of corporate America gives a nice boost!
rpc - Dec 5, 2008 4:35 pm - Voted 10/10
nice read!used to do the dusk partols in the columbia gorge...i.e. start at 7, 8, or 9pm after work and do a night hike. then laziness kicked in :)
(still this beats say running for work out by light years)*
(*)which I don't do either
mvs - Dec 8, 2008 10:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: nice read!Yeah, I was always terrible about running. Lately, I haven't been practicing what I preach with the Dawn Patrol...just too many new responsibilities with the kids! So I've reluctantly embraced running more and it's been pretty fun, but not as nice as a real dawn patrol!
aedwards - Dec 7, 2008 2:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Good idea.I was thinking about this during the summer.
Am going to at least start skiing before work.
Good way to keep on keepin' on.
mvs - Dec 10, 2008 4:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good idea.Right on, have a great time!
imzadi - Dec 8, 2008 12:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Is there any other way?Once dark started coming earlier and earlier...there isn't any other way to get in some good summits on a "day trip"...I think our earliest alarm setting was 2:30 am...two hour drive to Saddleback...on the trail by 4:30!!
mvs - Dec 10, 2008 4:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Is there any other way?You are indeed a great lover of the mountains. If you are anything like me, there is no way you can get up so early if it's not climbing!
mvs - Dec 10, 2008 4:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Every Day...Hey you know how lucky you are, Chief! All is good, looking forward to some ICE :D.
jordansahls - Dec 10, 2008 10:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Does it count...If you climb through the night and then go to work with minimal sleep?
mvs - Dec 10, 2008 10:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Does it count...Anytime you are trying to "steal time" in the mountains, during a work week or some such, it counts as something only the truly crazy, dedicated mountain lover would do. So I'd say "yes"!
jackstraw0083 - Dec 11, 2008 3:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Great article!After reading that I suddenly have the urge to wake up at 4am (which I very rarely have the urge to do), skin up into the Bear Rivers Mtns, and get a lap in before work!...when we get the snow for it I'm following your lead on the Dawn Patrol!
MoapaPk - Dec 12, 2008 10:44 am - Voted 10/10
too hardI don't do well with early starts anymore; I can't balance too well in the dark. About 3 times a year, I get up very early for trips with lots of elevation gain. But most of the time, I prefer to plan everything to fit in daylight hours, or at least start or end on a good trail!
One good thing about working part-time -- you can get back at 1PM and still put in a "full" day.
mvs - Dec 14, 2008 4:28 am - Hasn't voted
Re: too hardYes, that would be "the life" indeed!
Bob Sihler - Mar 3, 2009 11:52 pm - Voted 10/10
Finally......I get to join the Dawn Patrol! Great Falls Park, a cragging area about a 15-minute drive from home, opens at 7, and since I have to be at work at 8:30 and the park is about a 30-minute drive from work, a legal dawn patrol is usually out of the question. However, yesterday's snow meant a two-hour delay at school today, so out I went bright and early to hike and scramble (the latter was not easy on snowy and icy rocks, as my sore knee would testify). But it was a great start to the day!
mvs - Mar 4, 2009 6:24 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Finally...Congratulations on injecting a little wild into the work week!