The Assault on Sackrider Hill (MI hikers )

“After hiking 5 miles through some of the wildest country in SE Michigan, we were left with a decision. Should we attempt the summit or not?

It was not a decision to take lightly. We were not carrying supplemental oxygen. And the sherpas we asked to accompany us refused - obviously nervous about the arduous nature of the trek.

If something went wrong up top, there was no telling how long it might take to find help. But could we live with ourselves if we turned back?

Finally, we headed up. The decision had been made. Footstep after footstep, we moved forward. Finally, after what seemed like 10 minutes, we made it. The summit was ours.

Just like Everest, we were troubled to find the summit crowded. As we ate our carefully planned meal - Pringles, oatmeal cookies, couscous - the specter of the trip down loomed forbiddingly before us.

But the view, ah the view. How often does one get this high? 1200 feet? 1200 feet? Imagine it. Whatever bitterness might lie ahead was washed away by a view. We were on top of the world and we knew it.

PLEASE NOTE: The climb of Sackrider Hill should only be attempted by serious mountaineers, dayhikers, babies and small dogs. It is not for those without previous walking experience.”

“get any frostbite?”

“It took a lot of sack to ride that hill.”

“LMAO!!!”

“Reformed you forgot to mention the large cross at the top in memory of all of those who died trying to reach the top.... It was indeed a frightful trip....Im really tired today, I cant figure out why.”

“I lost two fingers in the ascent. Neither to hypothermia but to an incident later that day while making an alcohol stove.

Adventuregirl,have you figured out why you are tired after hiking yet?”

“Maybe HAPE or HACE?”

“Adventuregirl, I'm tired too. Winter sloth is starting to set in.

So, I've decided to rearrange my house and bring in some workout equipment from the garage. I can't let the winter get to me.

Rockbuck, you make light of our great adventure, but if you'd seen the fangs on that dog - or was it a wolf? Yeah, must have been a wolf.”

“It was a harrowing ascent to be sure. The almost vertical pitch and the huge yawning drop-offs on either side tested my courage and my will. I had to focus my eyes on Smiley girl in front of me to keep my wits and lead me to the summit.”

“Le Subtil, before we go out again we need to practice our self-arrest skills. I'll go first: "Reformed Lurker, yu are undr arrest."

Well, not bad, but I see that I left an "o" and an "e" out. Ah, the life of a mountaineer in Michigan.”

“Hey, that ain't a bad name: The Michigan Mountaineers.”

“Reformed Joy and I both like the idea for our group being called "The Michigan Mountaineers". We can actually try to "bag" all of the peaks in Mi. over 1000'. I garantee no one has done that yet. Our slogan can be something like " We are the Michigan Mtneers and we aint BLUFFIN' (a weak attempt at humor regarding the bluffs on lake Mi).”

“That is a great name Im all for it!”

“You guys are hilarious! Whatsa matta, you no wanna talk politicks all day?!?!?! Just where do you get off with this blatant exhibition of a sense of humor?”

“Birch, that actually would be quite an accomplishment - probably more difficult than climbing Mount Rainier.

Reason: I counted at least 16 "peaks" above 1000 ft. just in Southeast Michigan. Once you got into the real fake mountains up north, you'd be talking hundreds of peaks. Just the logistics of permission would probably make this more difficult than those weak-arsed pseudo-challenges in the Cascades.

Talking smack from the lowlands...”

“Oh man, this thread has got me crackin' up!


It really was worth the weight for the crampons and ice axe. I don't know how I made it...




We ain't bluffin'.....



GGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEZZZZZ!”

“The worst was the friggin' avalance. Thank God that sherpa (Emil) saved us!”

“So that's who I had to eat...”

“I've got his purple hiking boots, saved them for a souvenier.”

“Joy I have a question for you but I don't have your e-mail addr here. Send me a note?”

“I sure was tired on the ascent, but when I got home, I had a ton of energy! Perhaps it was the altitude. Need some serious training. :)

Michigan Mountaineers, climb on!”

“It was great meeting you Smiley Girl, as well as meeting laqtis. Hopefully we can all do it again real soon.”

“Don't forget, not only did we accomplish our goal, no one got shot with an arrow in the process.

Buddha Bear, you're actually acknowledging that I'm real? :)”

“Bad news fellow mountaineers. My Dr. is PISSED! I just got chewed out about "taking unnecessary risks","walking ther razors edge between life and death","living like no one would miss me","tempting God's eternal mercy". Not having undergone a physical prior really set him off. I now am on a strict training regimen. Walk up my front steps (5 total) at LEAST 4 times a day. Lay around and watch T.V. for 2 hrs 5 days per wk. and eat lots of fudge...IT IS TOO MUCH! I doubt I can keep up this crazy pace for long. Time for a power nap, I am pooped!”

“Congratulations Michigan Mountaineers!
An impressive ascent, indeed. Glad to hear, that you all returned safely.

Were you able to operate cameras at such high altitude? I hope someone will post the pics, so we don't have to wait for the Michigan Mountaineers Journal to be published”

“You didn't mention if you were roped together or not. I sincerely hope that y'all didn't attempt such a risky endevor without the proper safety precautions.It was bad enough that you didn't use oxygen.
It's amazing you all returned safely.”

“ChuckD, ROPES? HA! We didn't need supplemental O2 and we dont need no stinkin' ropes. Our group is comprised of highly skilled people,we free climb baby...the only way!

I think that some pics were taken. I just dont know if they will come out . The high winds made focusing very hard.”

“The view was obstructed by a weird, white like mist. Rumor had it we were down wind from the main Al-Queda plant.

birch - just to be safe, I would increase that R-Factor by adding one more hour of TV, followed by three bags of popcorn (extra butter, of course). Though I have heard that peanut butter cookies will work just as well.

This has worked well for me in the past...”

“I smoked the whole way up, and didn't even get winded.

BTW - I think Joy's Peanut Butter cookies helped with the altitude change.”

“Laqtis! Is the Al Queda plant union? I say we get some UAW organizers in there and bargain away this suicide bombing thing. But just think of the interoffice turmoil in a place like that: "If you no bring jelly donuts, I'm taking out the pop machine."”

“No, no! Not the pop machine! I can't live without my Pepsi!

(For those of you who don't live in MI, that's SODA to you....)”

“You like pepsi too Smiley girl? I think it's time we go steady.”

“Oh Buddha Bear, I knew you were the one from the moment I laid eyes on you!”

“That's what they all say smiley girl, but you sound sincere, so I'll send ya my letter jacket tonight!”

“RL - that's a good one. I was crackin' up all day over that I've been thinking about what I could add, but I'm at a loss for words.”

“Michigan Moutaineers sounds good... but aren't we, then, limiting ourselves to Michigan? Our next hike is in Ohio, after all.”

“SSSSSSHHHHHHHH don't tell anyone. It's a covert hike.”

“You will just be coming to the promised land (Ohio that is). lol”

“I think its ok to call ourselves the michigan moutainiers, because most of us are from michigan. And to go to Ohio is not being predjudice. We are simply going to Ohio, becuse we can.”

“Oh and for the record, It now looks like I cant go to Ohio that weekend. i get to empty out my bank account for car repairs. If someone wants to stop by Grand Rapids and pick me up then I can go, other wise Im out. Sorry gang I was really looking forward to it!”