peakjumper

Timp Solo Trip Report

	I decided I needed to get out and start hiking before this summer ends. So I finally made it out on July 24, 2009. I decided to hike Timpanogos on the Timpanokee trail. I have hiked Timp 13 times - all from the Aspen Grove trail. I couldn't get anyone to go with me so I decided to hike it by myself. I figured it would be pretty safe since it was a holiday and there would be tons of people on the trail. Sure enough I got to the trailhead at 6:20 am and the parking lot was almost full. I started hiking at 6:25 am and soon started passing people on the trail. At about 6:38 am I saw a man running down the trail and I figured it was Davy Crockett. My friend Craig had mentioned to me that he would be hiking/running it but much earlier than me. I continued passing people up the trail. The Timpanokee trail is much nicer than the Aspen Grove trail. There is a lot less sun and it is not as steep. I was making really good time. I made it to the saddle at 2:20 and took my first break to eat some food. Then headed on to the summit which I made at 2:53 (my fasted time ever). At the summit I signed the log in the shack and noticed that Davy Crockett signed earlier so it was him I passed, I ate the rest of my food, took some peakjumping pics of myself, taped an annoying blister, and then headed off south to the glacier saddle. I got to the saddle and two other guys were struggling making their way down. I picked a spot I thought looked good, put my gloves on, moved the pack to the front and started down. It was probably the most comfortable glissade I ever had there on Timp. The snow was soft and slushy. It wasn't rough or rocky or bumpy and freezing cold like the last 12 times I had done this. It was perfect. After I slid as far as I could I just ran down the rest of the way with the snow cushioning each of my steps. I made it over to the edge of the basin and sat on a rock to change my socks. With dry socks I headed down the trail. I knew I was making really good time and I wanted to try and run a little bit on the way down. Unfortunately I have no running stamina so I it was more like run for 30 seconds, walk for a minute, run for 30 seconds, etc. I made it back to the trail head with a total time and new personal record of 5:27.