America's Hardest Hike: Cactus to Clouds to Cactus
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 жов 2023
- Cactus to Clouds to Cactus trail is known for being one of the hardest hikes in America. C2C2C takes hikers along the Skyline trail, almost 15 miles and 11,000 feet from the Palm Springs valley floor to the summit of San Jacinto, where you then turn right around and hike 15 miles and 11,000 feet back down to the valley floor. While some hikers opt to take the Palm Springs tram down, we wanted to challenge our bodies and our minds to see if we could hike the entire 30 miles round trip. Let's just say, this was truly one of the hardest hikes we have ever done, and we completely agree with the argument that this California hike is one of the hardest in all of America!
Join our channel memberships to get access to behind the scenes vids and more:
/ @livehardxlovehard
#hiking #cactustoclouds #californiahiking
My buddy and I ran into Adam and Elise close to the summit. They were so friendly and down to earth. Despite on their epic adventure they were still full of positive energy and we felt very blessed chatting with them! Such an inspirational hike!
Thank you, that's so kind of you to say! It was really a pleasure talking with you guys, and the truth is you gave us a ton of positive energy too, which turned out to be super important when we got to the lower parts of the hike in the dark. Thank you again, and we hope to see you out on the trail again soon! ❤️
Elise- Why is that big spider walking toward me? Now it wants a stare down competition. That was so funny.
Haha it's so ridiculous, but I have a total spider phobia and Adam has a total snake phobia, so between us there's always potential drama on these desert trails 😂 --E
Nothing but the utmost respect for attempting and finishing this brutal hike! At 61, I don't think my legs would allow me to do such an extreme hike, but it's great to see you take on the challenge and conquer it! Great video!
Thanks very much, and ya honestly that much steep descending is probably not the best idea at any age! But if you're in strong climbing shape you should definitely think about Cactus to Clouds, where you do the climb up and then hike back to the tram station and take the tram down. It's still a super hard hike, but nowhere nearly as brutal as the full thing with that extra 8000 feet of descending. We've now done it both ways, and the tram way down is just as fun and a lot easier on your body! ❤️
The hiking is too hard for a normal hiker who will easily get loss and encountered with death situations. You are so brave and amazing.
Thank you so much -- that is really nice of you to say! And you're right, people should definitely be ready for this hike because if they get lost, especially on the lower part, they could easily die in the heat within hours. ❤️
You guys are amazing... This hike had it all >>> Pop Tart Ledge, The Great Jelly Bean Traverse, Summit meditation, refueling with 2x Hoagie sandwich, Tarantula chasing, welcome sign hallucinations, and sleep driving trip back home....
Hahaha The Great Jelly Bean Traverse is genius, Mark! We will most definitely need to use that as the title for a video in the future 😂❤️
Love that tarantula at the end! It's like he was saying, "You shall not pass!" 😄
Ya it really was a very confident tarantula! We had a stare-down, and I lost for sure 😂
I’ve done rim to rim Grand Canyon in a day. That was hard. This is clearly on a whole other level.
That's awesome you did rim to rim, such a fantastic and challenging hike! We totally loved it. But you're right -- this one was much more grueling. It's more on the level of rim to rim to rim, which we might be shooting for at some point later this year! ❤️
Just having flashbacks when doing C2C2C during the pandemic, where of course tramway, restaurant and water stations were shut down. After the second turn at the Art Museum I almost bumped into a Skunk and later on I had to step over a lazy snake. I felt as well that the downhill section was even harder than the climb.
Wow huge props to you for doing it with no water stations and no bailout option! Was the stream running so you could refill with filtered water? If not, that would drastically raise the difficulty level, because you have to carry so much heavy water up. How much water did you bring? And did you leave caches for yourself so you didn't have to carry it all to the top? What an adventure! ❤
Carried about 8 liters with me in the beginning. There would have been some water in the creek mid May but I didn't want to rely on assumptions. But weather was by far not as hot as in your case, there were even some snow patches left below tthe summit @@LiveHardxLoveHard
There are very good videos of the actual avalanche in March of 2023 from a person in a car on her way to Palm Springs. Just look under Snow Creek avalanche videos. Really beautiful but glad I wasn’t in that spot on the mountain then☃️
For sure! A little concerned it might be super heavy snow again this year with el nino. ❤
As the old saying goes, it sounded good on paper.
Haha exactly, Monte! We really thought the down would be hard but still easier and faster than the up, which turned out to be not the case at all. ❤️
One of my favorite areas having lived in 29 Palms and visited Palm Springs many times
John that is so cool you lived in 29 Palms! Please let us know if there are any local-knowledge Joshua Tree or surrounding area climbs that haven't done yet that we still need to do!! ❤️
29 Palms -Robert Plant (1993)
When I lived in SD, was my all time favorite hike, but I made it into a backpack cause I was alone and could sleep anywhere I wanted over two days. It’s such a beautiful hike was nice to spread it out. But I always took the tram down. Twice I hid a little kids scooter under the leaves at the tram, and scootered down the road to the main drag, and through town back to my car on Ramon rd. So fun! You guys are so inspirational! You can also do it as a mountaineering adventure in the snow, or go over to another canyon called Snow Creek canyon, but there have been avalanches there cause fewer trees! Have fun, and never stop the adventure🏜🏄♂️🧘♀️☃️🧗♀️🚴♂️ Beautiful video, thanks so much!!💗
Thanks Mary! That must have been so fun to camp up there and see the sunrise from the top -- what a nice memory. Definitely a major goal of ours, and maybe even in the snow! ❤️
wild stuff. i have mountain biked down from tram all the way down. pushed my bike up for 9 hours.
That is freaking awesome!! Someone was just telling us about that. Much respect to you -- pushing the bikes up must have been insanely hard, and biking down that traverse must have been super gnarly!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard in all fairness, i only made it to about 600 vertical from the tram, so probably right before the traverse. downhill still super technical
Good on you for the big accomplishment.
Thanks very much! This one was truly brutal -- definitely one of those you only need to do once, but still glad we did it! ❤️
Congrats on a beast of a hike.
Thanks Jeffrey! Probably would not do it again, but glad to have done it once just to know. Will for sure do more C2Cs, but will take the tram down from here on out! ❤️
Badass. You are definitely in shape for the epic winter slugfest week in the wild. T-Meadows. Once it snows enough. Awful road trudge but you can ski it. It is famous. There are good peaks close by. Kearsarge is where I went. 12 miles to Bullfrog, good camping in trees. Road up is not bad walk.
T Mead seems up the channel lane and you do like Yosemite. Time to do winter on the east side. Bam. No tarantulas.
Haha yes Dan! We will be getting after some serious Sierra snowshoe adventures this winter, especially if we can get at least a few weeks with normal snowfall rather than snowmageddon avalanche chaos like last year! ❤️
Wow, that is wild....
It was pretty crazy, Luis. Def the longest we've been on trail in a single day! ❤️
Epic day. Im a 2x ironman and can appreciate what a long day grind is like. I really like the honest advice at the end, hats off to you both for finishing and having the humility to say it was more than you recommend. Great videos lately, ive been around watching for the past few years. Youve come a long way!
Darren
Thanks Darren -- that's such a nice comment to hear coming from an OG! And super cool that you've done two Ironmans. You can probably imagine that we'd really like to do one, but we just have to get my biking and Adam's swimming up to par! ❤️ --E
When I think of Palm Springs I think of art deco and tiki bars. After watching your video I think I will stick with the Tiki bars and take the aerial tramway to get to the top
Haha omg a Mai Tai would have gone down so smooth during the last couple hours of this one 😂
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Well I think on future hikes Adam brings the poptarts and Elisa brings the Mai Tais. I swear that combination would work just fine.
I don't care what anyone says...a 30 mile day hike through San Jac mountains is brutal! 👊
Brutal! But the good thing is we learned we can do 30 miles and LOTS of up without too much trouble -- we just don't ever want to do 11,000 feet of steep down again if we can help it! ❤️
I love that feeling after you leave everything you have on the trail and you're totally spent, it's euphoric.
Yes! And much better than that feeling the next morning when you can barely walk 😂❤️
WOW! A big SALUTE to the two of you. You didn't even take the tram down! I knew a woman who did that hike and she also did the Western State 100 milers, but she took the tram going down. I agree about doing these things while you can. Enjoy and rejoice in your youth! You never know what will hit you in your senior years. I never thought I would get a blood clot in my eye, or be in the hospital from vertigo or get a stent in my heart. Thankfully, I have great memories of hiking and climbing over 26 years in the Sierra. I miss it, but such is life. Naval Aviators love to land jets on carriers, but the day comes when they don't get to do that anymore either. To everything in life there is a season. 😃
You are absolutely right, and we're really grateful for your advice and the advice of other experienced people on this channel, because it has really encouraged us to seize the day while we can. Thank you! ❤️
So behind with your adventures :(....busy busy busy..but I loved this one!! So now we know...I mean 30 miles in one day is absolutely insane though!
It was crazy, Michael! Glad we did it once, but never again. ❤️
Thank you for always, always keeping it so real! ❤
Our pleasure, Jamie! It actually feels good to acknowledge the mistakes -- it seems like a lot of times we learn more from those than from when everything goes perfectly! ❤️
You guys are the GOAT
Thank you! Not gonna lie, we struggled pretty hard at the end, but we got it done and that's what counts for sure! ❤️
You two are just insane. I love it! So inspirational. Gotta do this one soon...
Haha so glad you liked it! Just don't be mad at us for inspiring the muscle pain you're going to have for about 5 days after. Sorest we've ever been after a hike -- that descent is just freaking nuts! ❤️
One thing I found doing the things you two are doing, is how alive you feel when your done! Nice job, well done!🎉
Totally agree, Keith. We both have such a sense of satisfaction after these kinds of things, and really do feel like we're making the most out of life! ❤
That was great! Definitely loved watching the sufferfest
Haha yes!!! We love watching sufferfests too -- like full Kona Ironmans and ultras. Not sure what it is, but seeing people suffer yet still persevere, even (or especially!) if they're crawling by the end, is incredibly satisfying. 💪❤️
100%. it's identification... when you've been there, you appreciate the sufferfest all the more
Great video and the two of you're conquering these challenges one after another! Congratulations!
Thanks very much! Yes I think the Europe trip this summer really gave us a lot of confidence that we can do some of these super hard efforts, and we just brought that energy right back to the US with us! Really glad you enjoyed this one -- definitely one of the hardest we've ever done. ❤️
Beautiful view from up there! Thanks for the video!
Our pleasure, Harlan! Yes the San Jacinto view is one of our all-time favorites -- just really cool to look that far down to the desert floor. ❤️
This is another level. Loved the golden hour sunrise at 0:54. Great video guys, as always!
Thanks Miguel! Yes totally agree -- this hike has utterly incredible sunrises with the whole valley spread below you. And the sunset wasn't bad either! ❤️
Fill your boots guys, I have been climbing mountains all my life but at 71 my knees have given up on me. I can no longer do what I love to do, but watching you brings back great memories of days in the mountains. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much, Gary -- really happy to bring those joyous mountain memories back for you! We will absolutely follow that advice and keep filling the boots for as long as we are able, and of course keep bringing you along with us virtually! 💪❤️
This is where I come when I want to be inspired. Love you guys so much!! You are absolutely amazing!!
Thanks so much, Josh! That brought a big smile to both of our faces this morning. ❤️
You two are absolutely living the dream. One again and outstanding adventure. Great video.
Thanks so much! Not gonna lie, that dream felt like a nightmare when we still had 3000 feet to descend in the dark and that tarantula was charging at me, but now I'm back to feeling the dream. ❤️ --E
You both are my inspiration!!! Love watching your videos.
Thanks Mike! We absolutely love hearing that, and it will definitely keep us motivated!! ❤️
You guys are simply amazing. Never stop doing what you're doing.
Thanks Kevin! We will definitely keep going until we simply can't any longer, and then we'll probably start hitting some cruise ships! ❤️
Thanks for taking us along on your adventures! Love having you on in the background while I'm stuck in the office; helps get me to the weekend!
OMG we love to hear that! Really happy to help get you through a long Thursday. And we totally know what you mean -- during lunch on a long workday there's nothing we like more than outdoor adventure videos. Either that or researching beta for our next adventure. Some days it's all that gets us through! ❤️
So proud of you. You both are amazing ❤
Thanks very much, Elif -- that's lovely to hear. We def didn't feel too amazing the next day, but we're now mostly recovered! ❤️
That might have been my favorite video so far. Really enjoyed the real talk about the hike at the end.
Thanks Thomas, that is great to hear. Ya the longer we do this, the more we realize that just keeping it real is always the way to go. We're naturally positive people so of course it will be mostly positive, but when we make or mistake or just get brutalized, we're gonna be honest about that too. ❤️
Wow! Sufferfest indeed! One heck of a downhill to be sure! Glad you made it down safely! ♥️♥️
Thanks very much -- yes we felt the same way, just making sure to avoid twisting an ankle or something on those last few thousand feet in the dark! ❤️
You guys are awesome. Impressive! You will remember this one for sure!!
Thanks Bruce! Oh my gosh you are right about that. We were actually talking about it coming down in the dark -- for some reason you remember things even more when they're really painful or traumatic, it's like the memory gets written into your body or something. Anyway, we will no doubt remember it! ❤️
This was incredibly inspiring! Especially when you shared about chronic pain and overcoming pain through the mind.
Thanks so much, Lori! It was wonderful to be able to share that with you guys, because I know a lot of other people have chronic pain and it was just life-changing for me to learn to reprocess it and get back to doing what I love. So excited to keep sharing about that in the months and years to come! ❤️ --E
11:44 Halloween content 😂😂😂
Haha for sure!!! 😂
I swear your walks just keep on getting better and better !!!
Thanks Carl! This one really was marvelous until it got dark, and then it was pretty brutal. But definitely memorable -- especially with the tarantula! ❤
You guys are both awesome
Thank you! We weren't feeling so awesome the next day 😂 but now fully recovered and ready for more adventure! ❤️
Love it when you join Adam on the snack-spots! I remember you guys doing this hike a couple of years ago when it was super windy. I remember hiking this mountain in Boy Scouts back in the 80's and loving it...but we did it from the other side with a lot less elevation to climb. Thanks for bringing back lovely memories of the summit. Most of all, thank you for sharing your adventures with us. Love you lots.
Great memory, Mark! I'd actually forgotten about all that wind the first time until you mentioned it. Man, that was crazy. So much nicer on the summit this time! This would be a great Boy Scout hike. Adam took his daughter up the Marion Mountain trail to the summit when she was a teenager, and she loved it. So fun to share all those memories, and thanks for reminding us! ❤️
Love you guys. Keep fighting! I was really looking forward to this video, and it seems like this hike delivers on all of the suffering, and all of the pain. This seems way harder than anything I've done- parts of that downhill look so gnarly and slippery. Congrats a 1000 times over!
Thanks Thaddee! Not sure if this is harder than R2R2R or not. The down is definitely much worse, but it's also shorter, so it's hard to say! Hopefully we'll get R2R2R at some point and you'll do this, and then we can really compare! ❤️
I've never even been above 11k feet! 🤣It looks similar to hikes in yosemite- steep, not well groomed, rocky dusty and slippery. Those are much harder than an R3 in general. You'd crush it for sure.@@LiveHardxLoveHard
OMG!...that's a legit hike. Nice work. Can't believe you did this
Thanks David! We honestly didn't think it would be this hard coming down the last part or we might not have tried it. But now kind of glad we did, even though it was a lot of suffering at the end! ❤️
Way to go and hang in there , I think it is the hardest hike in no. America , great attitude great video, it's also awesome that you both love hiking so much, down is always the worst, thank you for sharing, oh, glad you are feeling better E. Larry Owens
Thanks Larry! Oh my gosh I always knew down was the worst, but this one shows that more than anything else we've ever been on. The steep slope didn't seem that bad going up, but coming down it was a nightmare that lasted about half the night! ❤️ --E
Love it! Have done C2C, but only back down to the tram :) A group of friends did C2C2C a couple of weeks ago! The views from SanJac are always so awesome. The heat seemed like it was bad, but the weather was gorgeous for the camera. Thanks for taking us! Do Leatherneck next, lol :)
Haha Matt we should have known your group of friends would be psychos! Just tell us they at least had a hard time walking the next day, because we were partially crippled for like 72 hours 😂
You guys are nutz !!! Incredible hike
Being from the east coast , NJ
When I occasionally get out west to hike the altitude Kills me !! Kudos to you too
Thanks Tony! We feel your pain -- living at 0 altitude in Santa Monica, we also suffer every time we get above 9 or 10,000 feet. Hopefully one day we'll all of us get to retire to the mountains and have that "mile-high" advantage! ❤️
Well done! I pray for you guys when you do your class 5 climbs without ropes! Breathtaking! Keep up the Great videos!
Thanks Don! Ya thankfully this one didn't have any of those surprise class 5 sections -- just good old fashioned suffering with some beautiful views! ❤️
Loved meeting y’all on top of San Jacinto!! Super impressed and inspired by you.
Hannah it was so great to meet you too! It gave us a real jolt of positive energy at a crucial time, and as you can see we needed every bit of that energy and positivity by the end. Thank you very much, and we hope to see you out on trail many more times in the future! ❤️
Have done it, not very technical but insanely steep! One of top day hikes in America! Just be in shape! Top to bottom in a day is truly a feat!
That's awesome you did it! Yes you're right. Basically non-technical on the way up -- a bit dicier coming down the traverse, but still totally doable. As you say, it's all about being in shape -- and even then we were sore for three days after 😂❤️
I only just found your channel and I've only seen a few videos so far, but I love watching your videos. They're amazing and let me see landscapes I would otherwise never be able to see. And I love the energy and enthusiam you two bring, it's infectious and makes the viewers want to join you there. If I was able to request them, my wishlists for your future videos would be:
1. Longer videos of your climbs/treks - they're so amazing and I can't get enough
2. Drone footage where possible to get a greater appreciation of some of the mountains and terrain you're climbing
3. 360 degree videos to watch you climb in VR as that would be incredible!!!
Stay safe and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much, Paul -- we're delighted you found us, and that you're enjoying the videos! We've thought about a drone and might well do it, at least for some adventures (they're not allowed in American national parks), and VR really would be amazing. We just need them to come up with some ultra-light VR camera tech! ❤️
lol love this video, you guys were relaxed and yourselves. Elise sounded high, from exhaustion.
Thanks very much, and you are so totally right! I literally got slap-happy during the last hour or so and really did feel loopy from the exhaustion (and I guess endorphins). Very glad you enjoyed!! ❤️ --E
You guys never cease to amaze me! This hike was ridiculous!!! Marco and I watched together on our flight to Madeira. That spider is a big heck no from me. Yikes! Imagine chillin at your snack spot and he also wants a bite 🙅🏼♀️🙈 lots of love you two ❤️
Haha ya we would def not force you guys to come with us on this one. But the slot canyons and Joshua Tree hikes, yes! It's funny because I teased E about the spider, but if it had been a snake I'd have been outta there!! ❤️ --A
wow you guys are superhuman... I've done that hike and even taking the tram down its the hardest hike I've ever done. i couldn't imagine hiking down.
Thanks Eric! Well in our opinion you did it right. We've now done it both ways, and both agree that taking the tram down is better. As you say, it's still a very hard hike but avoiding that last 8000 feet of sketchy descending saves a lot of wear and tear on your body. We will def do C2C again at some point, but never again C2C2C! ❤️
Congrats on checking off a bucket list item! I hope you both recovered well!
Thanks very much! Yes the recovery took longer than we thought -- 3 full days of extreme soreness, and a full week of noticeable fatigue, but we are feeling great now and stronger than ever for having had this experience! ❤️
A remarkable adventure!! Props :)
Thanks Mark! It took a full week of recovery, but now we're feeling pretty good about it 😂
You two are definitely crazy, and I love it. I've done some hikes where I felt obliterated the last 5-10 miles, and while they were extremely challenging, I don't regret them. I just couldn't do anything the next 2 days.
Same here, Shane -- no regrets, because it teaches you that you can get through anything. But ya those next few days are rough. We were ultra sore for 3 days, and then just tired and worn out for about 3 more. Whoa. Looking forward to a couple of mellower ones in the next couple weeks! ❤️
I feel this pain esp the tram to museum part. My friends and I did C2C2C two years ago. I said never again but I did go again this past Saturday with my friend but I got smarter and we took the tram down after coming down from the summit, Lol. You guys are the best as always!
Haha yes! We're in exactly the same boat as you. We would happily do C2C again and probably will, but will take more time to play on the summit and then enjoy taking the tram down. But huge congrats to you on surviving the whole thing -- not too many people are willing to put themselves through that! ❤️
Awesome climb. Be safe.
Love ya
Jim
Thanks Jim! It's funny because the most dangerous thing on this climb is the heat, so even though coming down in the dark was a PITA, it probably did make it a lot safer in regard to heat stroke! ❤️
You guys rock!
Thanks very much -- wow this one was so hard coming down, but now really happy that we did it! ❤️
Wow, congrats, most incredible. Elise, not crazy at all, especially since you both train for things like this *AND* want to push yourself and test your limits. Most awesome, keep doing it. Loved your section on pain, I had a good friend once who said one of the keys is are your hurting, or are hurt? Mentally, getting through hurting is a key, and you guys did. Total respect.
Thanks so much, Paul, and that is a fantastic saying. It really encapsulates my beliefs well, because often the nerves are just firing when there's no significant structural damage -- that's hurting, but not hurt! ❤️
Hi - great job guys ! And thanks for the transparency at the end. This was a hike I considered when I was in Palm Spring last fall (last year), but thought that need more prep and was not sure it was fully feasible (scared of missing water) and was thinking to do it when back with a lot more of evaluation and preparation. but thanks to your comment, when I see how it was for you such experimented and fast hikers/runners, I will definitely go up but down only taking the tram… fantastic video as always ! (Met as well a tarantula in a trail last year and was as scared as you Elise, they are running so fast !!!). Keep inspiring me !
Thanks Blandine -- so glad you're now planning to do just the up part and then the tram! That's still a very difficult hike, but you won't notice as much because you'll be looking at all the beautiful views and focusing on getting to the top. All those hours coming down in the dark, however, would be miserable. Much better to enjoy that gorgeous summit and then take the tram! ❤️
Definitely on my short list of to do’s. I do plan to take the tram down. Going down more than 6,000’ just makes everything hurt. Awesome job you two!
Yes Jesse! The Cactus to Clouds part is amazing, and should for sure be a crucial part of your badass bucket list. But skip the last 8000 feet down -- it is a lot more suffering for a lot less reward than the climb up. ❤️
Recently found you guys as I am training to do Whitney in 2024 for my 50th! Now I have a new hike to add to my bucket list. I am thinking of C2C next fall. Anyway, love your videos. It is hard to find good hiking videos, especially adventurous day hikers. Keep ‘em coming!
So glad that you found us! Very cool that you're going to do Whitney, and C2C will be a fantastic follow up to it. You're celebrating the half-century right, and we will def keep providing inspiration for more!! ❤️
Excelente video
Gracias, Abel! ❤️
Walking down makes your legs shake, sliding trying to keep your balance be careful going down Awesome, looking down at the lights of Palm Springs is a beautiful site
That's exactly right, Andrea -- every step on steep downs is just such a challenge, and both of our legs were shaking by the end for sure! But we did stop repeatedly to look at the lights. Gorgeous! ❤️
Great video. Mt San Jacinto hikes present difficulties hard to duplicate at least anywhere else in the USA. I am 77 yo now and a SoCal local and life long avid hiker and backpacker. Have not done this hike but used Mt Sac as a day hike training ground in my younger days especially the Idylwild to summit trails in all 4 seasons. Was "obliterated" a few times up there and faced further pain in the 2 hour drive home at days end. Nature finally put me out to pasture a couple years back but I am blessed with memories.
Thanks Ralph! We've done those Idyllwild trails a bunch of times too -- so beautiful!! And we def were feeling your pain on the 2 hour drive home -- we could barely get out of the car once we got back to Santa Monica 😂 Still, all worth it for the memories! ❤️
You guys probable felt that hike for a week. Great job
We sure did! Our legs were physically sore to the touch for 3 full days afterwards, and then we were still sore and fatigued for about another four days, so we literally did feel that darn hike for a week! ❤️
Wow maravilloso
Thank you very much!! ❤️
Great work, guys and the light was amazing on top. I'm in the uk so we don't get many clear weather mountain days
Thank you, and yes you are right -- one of the best things about these mountains in the desert is that they usually have far less fog and cloud cover at the top. Of course you have to deal with some pretty extreme heat as part of the bargain, but it's definitely worth it for the summit views! ❤️
I'm exhausted just watching this. You two really pushed yourself to the limit. I think you realized this might not be the best choice for a day hike. Lots to reflect on.
Yes, that's well said. I'm sure there are people who could do this comfortably, but for us the suffering on the descent wasn't quite worth it. The C2C hike, yes, it's perfect for us. But that last 8000 feet down for C2C2C? Never again. ❤️
I really was not laughing at you, I was laughing with you! (well, except for the tarantula encounter - I was definitely laughing at that, Elise!). You are both studs for doing this one! I appreciated the 360 at the top too, as I saw and recognized so much of the territory I spent a lot of time in years ago! Even got caught in a snowstorm on the south flank after my camera rolled 400 feet downhill and busted my lens. Come to think of it, I think I may have suffered more on San Jacinto than not, so its a good thing the views are so spectacular! Much love to you both!
Haha Jeff you're on OG on this channel -- you can laugh at or with us, and it's all good! That's crazy about the snowstorm. We really want to climb this in the winter, but definitely not in an actual snowstorm!! ❤️
CONGRATS guys!!! I completed C2C last April (in the snow), gotta love how STEEP that section is after the traverse. 🤘⚡️can NOT imagine walking back down.
That is awesome -- C2C in the snow is badass! But no snow on the traverse, right? That seems like it would be deadly. Did you need crampons toward the top? ❤️
@LiveHardxLoveHard Spotty snow on the traverse yes, but only a few slide prone areas, we opted not to pack ice axes, but trekking poles helped. 100% snow coverage after reaching long valley, no spiked needed, can also straight line the ascent to save on miles which was nice. Beautiful day long sufferfest...gotta love it!
Fantastic 🙂
Thanks Petr! We're back in the States, but as you can see we're still going hard! ❤️
Hi Adam & Elise! Your original C2C video was part of my prep for our hike! It was such a coincidence and so cool to meet you randomly at the ranger station on this adventure! You guys are amazing! 🤩 What time did you start and end? We started at 2:20am and by the time we got down the tram and found a ride to the car, it was around 7pm.
Stephen! It was really great to meet you too, and it gave us a lovely jolt of positivity and a critical time. We started at 4:30 am and got to the summit somewhere around 1, so that part went great. We also got back down to the Ranger's quickly, but the last 8000 feet down from the tram station area were really tough and slow going, especially when it got dark, and we didn't get back to the museum parking lot until 11 PM! Glad you guys got down in good time. 7pm is perfect, and hope you had a delicious and well-deserved dinner! ❤️
When Adam said "We have no effing trail". Haha.
Nothing like getting lost multiple times while you watch your water supply dwindle. Makes for a good story when sitting around the campfire again.
Haha yes George! And also when you know you have SO many miles left to go, and you don't want to waste energy going the wrong direction. Those things are frustrating in the moment, but just as you say make a fantastic story for later. ❤️
I watched the recovery first, now I understand it. That was brutal. I have twice tried San Jacinto. Once from Idyllwild but ran out of time and once from the tram but got into deep snow. I still have a goal of getting up there. Fun to watch you at a place I know, I saw some familiar places on the way. Those goals will get you, this is definitely one for the records.
Haha that's a great order to watch it in! You must have been wondering what the heck we did to ourselves when you saw us limping around the house like accident victims 😂. Super cool that you tried to summit SJ in the snow. We'd like to try that at some point too. Meanwhile, we both think you're still gonna make it up there. The hike up from the tram is totally beautiful, but you gotta wait til the snow melts! ❤️
Wow! This was great! Did I enjoy myself watching it? YES, it was awesome all the way through!
Haha thank you! Very glad you enjoyed it. We enjoyed doing it -- well, for most of the way. We could have done without that last 5000 feet down in the dark, but the rest was a blast! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Thanks!
Know what's really crazy? A group of mountain bikers hiked all the way up, carrying and pushing their bikes. Took a break, turned around and BOMBED the downhill. Illegal probably - Epic for sure.
Whoa! Even if that's illegal, it's so badass that it's hard to be mad about it. I could totally see bombing down from the summit to the tram, but riding down that last 8000 feet would be so gnarly. Would love to see video of that ride! ❤️
❤Thank you for sharing another spectacular adventure! Can you tell me what type of boots you were wearing for this hike/climb?
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, on this one we just wore trail running shoes. There's nothing that's too technical, and for this kind of distance and elevation gain we just wanted the lightest and most comfortable shoes we own. Our feet were still wrecked by the end, but they would have been even more wrecked in anything else! ❤️
Wow Elise... Have been to Palm Spring and I know how warm it could get.. But 11,000 feet up.. It's insane... So amazing Elise... 😘🥂
Thanks Serge! Yes it was SO hot down in Palm Springs, but at least it was a lot cooler 11,000 feet up! ❤️ --E
@@LiveHardxLoveHard have a great evening..., 💤💤💤💤
@@LiveHardxLoveHard you are very amazing Elise.... Nite
Awesome. My first video on your channel. I'll be watching many more 😌
Fantastic -- welcome! So glad you found us...lots of adventures in the archive, and of course lots more to come!! ❤️
Bellísimo
Gracias!! ❤️
Hi Adam and Elise, it was SO AWESOME to meet you guys that day you were doing C2C2C and I was doing C2C. You both have now inspired me to go back and try C2C2C. You guys rock! Great video:)
Lauren you're the best! Did you get our message that we finally found your note under the windshield the next day? We'd driven all the way home with it 😂. Anyway, was so great meeting you, and super impressed you still want to do C2C2C after seeing how wrecked we were at the bottom. You've definitely got a little psycho in you too! ❤️
Oh, I didn't see that. That's awesome! I am glad I picked the right car after all. Being so wrecked is part of the fun:) It makes us stronger, right? @@LiveHardxLoveHard
@@laurenmullinsontrail Ya it totally does -- well, okay, we were pretty weak physically for a few days after, but definitely mentally stronger!
Oh god I would have died on spot at the spider part.
Oh my gosh yes, for those of us with a fear of spiders those big ones are terrifying. Adam was laughing at me, but let me tell you if it had been a snake and not a spider then he would have been the one freaking out! ❤️ --E
Have to train to get to this level. Great accompishment🎉🎉🎉!!
Thanks very much! Training for this one is hard, because no one likes to train the downhills but that is definitely the toughest part of the hike. Very glad it's over! ❤️
For me, the way back is always the worst. Good you brought poles. Good for sparing the knees on steep downhill.
Great hike. Because you can.
Yes! The way back is definitely the worst for us too, and on this one you have to times that by 2 because it's so long and so steep on the way back, it just never freaking ends! Thank goodness for poles. ❤️
Those of us that watch climbing videos or actually climb are in love with the idea of climbing but what we want isn’t always good for us, we’re in love with a very dangerous sport.
The concept of the “love of climbing” in a relationship is very often a person projecting what they want onto another person. The passion/obsession to climb often has a tendency to distort reality & rationality.
However, not for Adam & Elise. This climb isn’t about an imbalanced relationship or even preparation & opportunity, it’s about their mutual power, obsession & their alchemic relationship. Absent any of these factors this climb would not have been possible.
For Adam & Elise it’s not only safe & healthy but a fundamental part of what fuels their relationship.
Love & respect to both of you.
Thanks so much, Frans. That is a lovely sentiment, and also totally true for us especially on this hike. We each had some really tough moments on this one especially the last few hours, but every time being able to rely on one another and knowing we had to be there for one another got us through. We really appreciate your kindness and insight! ❤️
Awesome Video! You both should get some Leki trail running poles, with the trail shark grip. They're expensive, but so worth it for the types of stuff you both do.
Oh my gosh Anthony, just looked them up and they look amazing!! Christmas presents to ourselves, perhaps? ❤️
I have no idea how you did this!! Just amazing!
Thank you! It was definitely one of those one foot in front of the other situations for the last few miles. Glad to have done it, but would not do that down climb again! ❤️
Just did a night descent solo in the Appalachians. Don't envy you ❤ Happy you're safe!
Oh my gosh Kim, glad you're safe too! Ya night descents are brutal, especially when it's steep and rocky because you just don't see contrasts as well and it's hard to avoid the dreaded loose rock! Appalachians sound fun though -- looking forward to experiencing them first-hand next fall! ❤️
LOL, when you said, "Should we have taken the tram"! I feel you, I've said it so many times myself and I know exactly how you're feeling at that moment 🤣
Haha yes! On the one hand you feel good about doing the achievement, but on the other hand you're just like, ok, this was not worth it! ❤️
U guys r soo awesome
Thanks so much! We were definitely feeling less than awesome about 8 or 9000 feet into that descent, but we're feeling back to our normal selves now. Very glad you enjoyed!! ❤️
Increíble video
Thank you very much! This was for sure one of the hardest hikes we've ever done! ❤️
Respect! 💚
Thank you! It was really a tough one. ❤️
Congrats you two for such an incredible accomplishment. Thanks for the flood of memories via your videos. I'm in my 70s now and still hiking. I started the C2C hike in 1992 with Coachella Valley Hiking Club. My dear departed friend, Roger Keezer, came up with the name for the hike. We would finish at the tram , 22 miles in 12 hours.
Wow Ray that is freaking incredible -- thank you so much for telling us that! How great that you were friends with the guy who named this icon, and what a cool legacy for him to leave. Really happy you can relive some of those great memories through our videos, and even happier that you're still out there hiking. That's exactly what we hope to be doing in our 70s as well! ❤️
Not sure I am in C2C shape anymore but did just do Grand canyon R2R dayhike at age 73
@@raywilson548 That is fantastic, Ray -- what an incredible hike that is, and doing it in a day is hard as heck. You're an inspiration!