HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

No, it's not my wedding anniversary...That's still about three weeks away.  No, it's not the anniversary of my decision to change my life and quit the couch potato lifestyle...that's still nearly four months away. No, it's not the anniversary of my climb up to the peak of Half Dome in Yosemite Park...that's still about one month away. It is the anniversary of the day that I turbo-charged the change in my life and purchased my fitbit. During this first year... Sept 2015 through August 2016, I have been counting steps... I am aware that there is about one person on earth who might care about this. That person being me.

In the first year that I had this fitbit, I accumulated 9,012,198 steps. 
I had two months when my step count was over one million.
I had one month when my step count was under 200,000.
My average steps for this first year was 24,690 steps per day.
I earned my 'sneakers badge' (10,000 steps) 342 times.
I earned my 'cowboy badge' (50,000 steps) 22 times.
I earned my 'classics badge' (25,000 steps) 171 times.
I failed to earn my 'boat shoe badge' (5000 steps) 23 times.
I earned my 'volcano badge' (500 floors climbed in one day) once, on Half Dome.
I earned my 'genie shoe' badge (75,000 steps) once, the day I walked the Chicago Marathon before taking an additional hike in the evening that same day.

SEPT 2 - SEPTEMBER 30

OCTOBER 1 - OCTOBER 31

NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30

DECEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31

JANUARY 1 - JANUARY 31

FEBRUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 29

MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

APRIL 1 - APRIL 30
(HERNIA INJURY, SURGERY)

MAY 1 - MAY 31
(HERNIA RECOVERY)

JUNE 1 - JUNE 30

JULY 1 - JULY 31

AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31

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And now...back to our regular programming....



After an appointment in Mishawaka, Indiana, I headed towards Chicago and stopped at Indiana Dunes. As always, I parked my car at the visitors center. This time I was searching for the Little Calumet River Trail which I had not yet hiked on any of my previous visits. At one point, I lost the trail and it was a while before I 'recovered.'  I never worry too much as my MapMyWalk application always tells me where I am and which direction I need to go to get back on track. 

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, September 1, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Mccain - Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal	600	108	10	16	0	4
Fiber One - Chewy Bars - Chocolate	90	17	2	1	80	5
	690	125	12	17	80	9
L U N C H
Power Bar - Protein Plus 20g - Chocolate	210	25	6	20	200	12
Subway - Footlong Turkey Breast on Wheat	560	92	17	36	1,890	11
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium apple	190	50	1	1	4	38
	960	167	24	57	2,094	61
D I N N E R
Aladdin Food - Garlic Shrimp	250	14	7	31	664	0
Spaghetti - Spaghetti Noodles	221	43	1	8	1	1
Baby Spinach - Baby Spinaches	20	3	0	2	65	0
Campbell's - Condensed Tomato Soup	180	40	0	4	960	24
Quaker - Chewy Choc Chip, 1 bar	100	17	4	1	0	7
	771	117	12	46	1,690	32
S N A C K S
Generic - Twix Ice Cream Bar, 1 bar (3 oz)	250	28	14	2	75	23
	250	28	14	2	75	23
Totals	2,671	437	62	122	3,939	125
Your Daily Goal	3,569	446	119	179	2,300	133
Remaining	898	9	57	57	-1,639	8
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,639 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 191.3 lbs in 5 weeks     

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
10 MILE HIKE	146	1,750
Daily Total / Goal	146 / 30	1,750 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	595 / 210	7,784 / 4,130

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Little Calumet River Trail is located in the town of Porter in Porter County within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and is connected to the Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm Trails. To access the trails from US 20, turn north on Mineral Springs Rd. go ½ mile then turn left on Oak Hill Rd. another ½ mile, and then another left on Howe Rd. Parking is available near Bailly Homestead on the left and further down is additional parking to the right where the trailhead is also located.

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REVISITING THE HALF DOME CABLES

This picture below is the best way to illustrate why the permit system used for access to the Half Dome cables became necessary.  Contrast this picture posted on the National Park Service website with my picture of the cables.   It is difficult for me to imagine how much more difficult (and/or annoying) it might have been to climb that last 425 feet to the top of Half Dome constrained by the parade of people ahead of me.  On the day that I made my ascent, one thing kept me back, my own need to recoup my strength, catch my breath, and muster the courage to take another step forward (up)   I wish I had timed myself, as I can't tell if my entire climb took 15, 20 or 25 minutes.   I simply do not know.  Looking at this photo posted by NPS - it is easy to see that the climb could easily have taken an hour.   In fact, the line just to get started looks like the kind of line I often see at a Starbucks which usually encourages me to leave the store.

This 'gif' and text were lifted from http://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/hdp.htm

How many people are too many for a wilderness trail? Half Dome, one of the most popular attractions in Yosemite National Park, lies in designated wilderness. In 2008, up to 1,200 people a day tackled the famous trek up the cables; the high level of use has led to both safety and environmental concerns. The National Park Service (NPS) is developing a plan to provide long-term stewardship of the Half Dome route in a manner that is consistent with the Wilderness Act and the NPS Organic Act.

Contrast the photo above with my photo of what the 'traffic' on the cables looked like on the day of my hike.  In fairness, our hike took place at the tail end of the season.  Still, if I was faced with hundreds of hikers on the cables, I think the experience would have been much different.  

On the day that I climbed the cables, It appears that the total number of people on the granite rock face of Half Dome is less than 10 people and that number would include people going UP and DOWN.  

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this information came from recreation.gov

Yosemite—Cables on Half Dome Pre-Season Lottery Lottery applications for permits to climb the Cables on Half Dome are required during the peak season, which is from the Friday before Memorial Day Friday through Columbus Day. The lottery application period is open between March 1 and March 31 each year. Recreation.gov announces results in mid-April. Applicants receive an email notification of lottery results also in mid-April. Changes to lottery applications may be made only during the lottery application period, and only by calling Recreation.gov at 888-448-1474. Visit the Cables on Half Dome pre-season lottery application information web page for more details, as well as this application Tip Sheet!

Yosemite—Cables on Half Dome Daily PermitsApproximately 50 permits are available each day by lottery during the hiking season. The application period for the daily lotteries occur two days prior to the hiking date between midnight to 1 p.m. Pacific Time and notifications are made later that night. For example, to hike on Saturday, submit your application on Thursday between midnight and 1 p.m. Pacific Time and receive an email notification of results late on Thursday night. Results are also available online or by phone the next morning. Visit the Half Dome Daily lottery application information web page for more details.

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THIS IS THE CURRENTLY USELESS INFORMATION REGARDING THE UPCOMING 2016 SEASON... MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO CHECK THIS WEBSITE AS MARCH 1st, 2016 approaches.... That was the MONTH AND DAY in 2015 that the lottery applications opened to the public during the current season that ends within a few days.

Important dates for 2015: 

Half Dome Cables will be up Saturday, May 2, 2015
Daily Lotteries to begin Thursday, April 30, 2015

Due to the low snow pack, the Half Dome Cables will be put up on Friday, May 1, 2015 allowing permitted public access to begin Saturday, May 2, 2015. Day use permits will be available through a daily lottery which will run 2 days in advance of the hiking date. Daily lotteries will begin on April 30th. Each day the application period will begin at *12:01 A.M. (PST) and end at 1:00 P.M. (PST). Lottery results will be available early the next day (the day before the hiking date). Notification will occur through the email address listed on the application. If no email address is available, then a voice message will be left at the mobile number listed on the application.

You may apply for a hiking permit for up to 6 people, and you may apply only once per daily lottery. The name you specify on your recreation.gov account will be designated as the group leader, and therefore, must be your legal name. You may also specify an alternate group leader by their legal name. A permit is only valid when the group leader or alternate leader is present along with the group at the base of the sub-dome. The group leader or alternate leader must carry a copy of the permit (electronic or paper) and a government issued photo identification. The name on the government issued photo identification must exactly match the group leader or alternate name on your permit.

Persons proceeding beyond the base of the sub-dome or ascending the cables without a permit are subject to citation or arrest (Federal misdemeanor). Refunds or date changes are not available because of inclement weather. Hikers must always use proper judgment when assessing whether or not to proceed to the summit. Permits are required 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to proceed beyond the base of the sub-dome or to ascend the Half Dome Cables. Day use permits are valid for 24 hours starting at 12:00 A.M. (PST) and ending at 11:59 P.M. (PST) for the date issued. Day use permits are not available for application or pickup in Yosemite National Park. Day use permits are available only through recreation.gov.

* An exception will occur on April 30th (one day only) when the application period will begin at 8:00 AM (PST). 

For more information about hiking Half Dome please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

      Attention: Before visiting Yosemite National Park for safety information click on this link: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm. For safety information specifically regarding hantavirus, go to http://www.nps.gov/public_health/zed/hanta/hanta_camp.htm. 

Know Before You Go

• The group leader or alternate listed on the permit must be present (with photo ID) to use the permit. Resale or auction of advance reservations is prohibited. Any resale or auction of permits will make the permit/contract null and void.

• Read the Safety Information prior to making your reservation.

• General Rules and Regulations for Cables on Half Dome are located here.

• FAQs for permits for Cables on Half Dome can be found here.

• Boots with sufficient ankle support and traction are recommended.

• Protective gloves for the cables are also recommended.

• The summit of Half Dome is extremely dangerous in the case of lightning; Check forecast before your hike and summit early in the day to avoid afternoon thunderstorms; If a storm appears nearby, descend immediately with caution and patience on the cables and steps.

• The summit is typically 15-20*F (8-11*C) cooler than Yosemite Valley and windy conditions are common; Be prepared for cool temperatures and rain showers.

• No trash service on trails.

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 Thursday MENU

breakfast     Quaker Oat Instant Oatmeal, 3 cups Fruit Loops dry cereal 950 calories

lunch           Panera Bread Roasted Turkey & Avocado 1/2 sandwich

                    Turkey Chili Bowl                                                                540 calories

dinner         Hormel Chili Turkey, Multigrain rice cakes, toast coconut 1250 calories   

SNACK      honey crisp apples, organic date pieces, granola                   826 calories

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 3576 CALORIES

                        

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CALORIES BURNED
65 minutes, MayMyWalk 5 mile walk, brisk pace    988 calories  

Thursday NET CALORIES 2588 calories  

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fitbit day 35

16900 STEPS

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FAVORITE HALF DOME QUOTATION

A couple of weeks ago, I found this quote on the internet.

“Half dome was perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of all the prominent points about Yosemite which has never been and will never be trodden by human foot.” 

– Josiah Whitney, describing Half Dome in 1868. George G. Anderson would be the first to ascend Half Dome just seven years later.

For as long as there have been people, there have been people making predictions. This particular prediction was disproved within 7 years.  That fact alone does not diminish the fact that this hike will be very demanding.  I have never seen Half Dome.  I have never been to Yosemite Park.  For nearly six months, I have been thinking about this hike and attempting to train myself for it as best I could.  In less than 100 hours, I will be in Yosemite Valley taking those first few steps on this vigorous hike.  I am looking forward to trodding on that mountain.

The blue line is pointing to the sub-dome.  The Red line is pointing to people on the cables.  Just looking at this picture, I can hardly fault Josiah Whitney for proclaiming that no man would ever step foot on this part of Yosemite.

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 Saturday MENU

breakfast  oatmeal, bacon, apple, popped corn, rice cakes, ginger         550 calories
lunch        apples, multigrain rice cakes, ginger, yogurt raisins             1180 calories
dinner       spinach salad, chicken fillet, manhattan clam chowder          550 calories
SNACK    Chuao Dark Chocolate, cherry vanilla granola, rice cakes    980 calories

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED   3260 CALORIES

calories burned

elliptical machine 125 minutes, 4:3 interval,  level 20              1678 calories

CALORIES BURNED 1678 CALORIES

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Saturday net calories 1582 calories

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fitbit day 24

20196 steps
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YOSEMITE PARK WEATHER

Exactly three weeks from now, 21 days to be exact...I will be in a van with 6 other guys headed to Yosemite Park in preparation for the climb up Half Dome.  A few months ago I was concerned that my physical condition was peaking.  I am sure that my conditioning has improved much over the past few weeks.  My plan is to start 'relaxing' my physical output as the October 1st hiking date approaches.  My current thinking is that once I get to within a week or ten days of the actual climb that I need to start ratcheting down my workouts.   During that last week or so will be no time to take 30 mile bike rides or spend three hours on an elliptical machine.   It is never a good time for an injury and now would be a particularly bad time - so I need to be extra careful.

It is now time to start thinking about the weather that we might be facing on October 1.

As I review this chart it appears that it might be quite cold in the early morning hours when our hike begins.   As the temperature is likely to rise to the high sixties or low seventies, it appears that we will not be too cold during the day.   The very fact that I am reviewing this information and thinking about the weather in Yosemite Park continues to confirm that the day of the hike is looming ever closer.   I am looking forward to it!

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 Tuesday MENU

breakfast   oatmeal, center cut bacon, poached eggs                                 608 calories

lunch         baby spinach salad, asparagus, tomato, clam chowder
                 ginger crystallized dark chocolate                                            841 calories
dinner       melon salad, copping soup, chewy ginger, choc chips            690 calories
SNACKS  MULTIGRAIN RICE CAKES, DIVINE DARK CHOC      1345 calories

total calories consumed     3484 calories                                                              

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YMCA PRECOR EFX elliptical 120 minutes, manual setting

level 20 resistance, level 20 incline                      1767 calories

TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 1767CALORIES

TUESday net calories 1717 calories

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Yesterday I received my first weekly update from fitbit... I am definitely enjoying this new toy...

Hi Marc, here are your weekly stats. Aug 31, 2015 to Sep 06, 2015 WEEK'S MOST ACTIVE DAY Sun, Sep 6 WEEK'S LEAST ACTIVE DAY Mon, Aug 31 TOTAL STEPS 91,616  DAILY AVERAGE 13,088 steps BEST DAY 40,001 steps TOTAL DISTANCE 43.87 miles  DAILY AVERAGE 6.27 miles BEST DAY 19.09 miles TOTAL FLOORS CLIMBED 72  DAILY AVERAGE 10 floors BEST DAY 33 floors TOTAL CALS BURNED 21,682  DAILY AVERAGE 3,097 cals BEST DAY 5,811 cals WEIGHT CHANGE 1.1 lb  LIGHTEST 225.8 lbHEAVIEST 226.9 lb AVG SLEEP DURATION 6 hrs 49 min  AVG TIMES AWAKENED 7 AVG TIME TO FALL ASLEEP 0hrs 10min Last week's step winners 1 Bobby 95,006 steps 2 Marc  91,616 steps 3 Andrew J. 83,253 steps See current leaderboard Last week's badges See all of my badges

THIS FIRST WEEKLY SUMMARY THAT I RECEIVED FROM FITBIT ONLY INCLUDED THAT STATS FROM FIVE DAYS (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon).... I ONLY PURCHASED THE THING ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON!

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fitbit day 6

15,691 steps