Last Friday, a team of hikers started their trek up the Y mountain trail around noon and finished Saturday evening. The idea “Yike Everest” came to Chris Gladden and his friend last year. This was the second annual trip up and down the trail for Chris.
To “yike Everest” means hiking up and down the Y trail 27 times. The idea is not necessarily to mimic the thrill or terror of the real hike, rather a creative way to enhance a favorite hike. Chris said he hiked the Y three hundred and fifty times last year. This was not in effort to train; simply an expression of the love he has for the Y!
When asked where the idea came from, Chris explained, 'We wanted to see how many times in a row it would take to get the same elevation as Everest from sea level. This year there were 4 of us. Three women and myself. I didn't finish this year. I had a rough night, but they did.'
Chris said the idea to match the elevation gain of Everest doesn't come from the desire he or his buddy have to summit the beast, rather to set a new goal to push them up their favorite hike.
While I was on the trail talking to hikers sharing the new facts I learned about the this painful truth of hiking the Y 27 times in a row to reach the same elevation gain of Everest reactions were priceless. The majority of hikers said one trip up and down was more than enough for them.
However, there are a few people who were interested, because the following for the Facebook page “Yike Everest” grew substantially within the past year. This year they had more than doubled the turnout of last. Chris said with this growth rate he looks forward to seeing just how many people show up next year.
The hikers involved this year each had a goal of completing one lap in about 50 minutes time, with a ten or so minute break in between each lap. This carries them through Friday night all the way to Saturday!
But for those who can't make the 27 laps, Chris said, 'They are welcome to come join in for however long they want, then sit with the family members of those hiking at the bottom and cheer us on!'
To track and stay involved in future feats like this, look on Facebook for hiking groups or next year for “Yike Everest.”