mount whitney - preparations

so it's set: our first attempt at ascending mount whitney takes place monday, october 4. taking the day off from work, as we have our day permits lined up (weekends are too tough, as they issue only 100 per day in peak season and one has to enter into a lottery prior).

we're planning to spend sunday night in lone pine, then hit the whitney portal trailhead 4am sharp. it's a 22-mile out-and-back hike climbing over 6000 feet in elevation from the start at 8,365 feet. i've never done a hike this long nor in this altitude before, so i have no idea what to expect. the most difficult part is strategizing what to pack - you want to be prepared, but at the same time you need to travel light because of the distance.

water is an issue, because you can't possibly pack enough H2O to last 22 miles - unless you're either the incredible hulk or have a sherpa at the ready. and weather will be tough to gauge, as temps in lone pine are in the low 90s this week, but at the summit it's sunk as cold as 34.

regardless, i'm ready for the challenge and excited at the opportunity to take down my first "14." wish me luck!

eats - pizzeria mozza

still euphoric from my first meal at the pizzeria (i've dined at the osteria). i lucked into reservations for saturday dinner - normally one must call a month in advance - so my excitement was palpable leading up to 8:45pm.

the dining area can only seat 60, so it was packed and bustling with hopeful visitors clogging up the waiting area. since they have an assortment of about 20 pies and i have only one stomach, i was saddled with the impossible task of choosing just one. the general consensus seems to favor the fennel sausage, so i stood firm in my selection. our meal consisted of:

* nancy's chopped salad
* bruschetta w/chicken livers, capers, parsley & guanciale
* margherita w/mozzarella, tomato & basil
* fennel sausage w/panna, red onion & scallions
* butterscotch budino, maldon sea salt & rosemary pine nut cookies

the chopped salad invokes the feeling of a cafe in little italy and the creamy chicken livers left you wanting more.

but the real star was the ballyhooed pizza. the crust is second to none, as it's bubbly, crispy and chewy all at the same time, and the super thin middle somehow holds its shape despite the garden-fresh toppings. i literally could eat this everyday.

pizzeria mozza
641 n. highland ave.
los angeles, CA 90036
http://www.mozza-la.com/

mount whitney

toying w/the idea of climbing mount whitney in 2 weeks' time before the weather takes a turn for the colder. the 'day' hike would tally 22 miles and at 14,494, it's the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. plan is to sleep over sunday night, attack the trail at 5:30am and hope to finish by nightfall...

R&R gallery - bill murray exhibit

on the walk back to our ride, we passed the R&R gallery - which was premiering its new exhibition "mr. bill murray" - complete with the ghostbusters ectomobile (the license plate indeed read ECTO 1) parked right outside. there were a gripload of people waiting to get in, so we opted not to queue up in yet another line...

hollywood hills - view

the view from yamashiro restaurant - nestled atop the hollywood hills - at about 7:15pm.

SF giants vs. LA dodgers

and the jinx has been broken! my trusty g-men pulled out last night's game in heartstopping fashion, breaking my previous 0-4 winless streak at dodger stadium. behind the strength of HRs by pat burrell, buster posey & juan uribe, the g-men emerged victorious 5-4. we also sat directly behind KTLA weatherman mark kriski (who?) ...

7 wins in a row!

emerged victorious on the softball diamond tonight, 18-17 in thrilling fashion. after starting the season 1-4, tonight's win made it 7 in a row and we finished in sole possession of 3rd place! it was definite cause for celebration immediately after. cheers!