A Redlands man who turned back late Friday on an attempt to bag 24 peaks in 24 hours in and near the San Gorgonio Wilderness started making another try early Monday, and by noon he was near the east end of Yucaipa Ridge, according to GPS updates online.
Paul Melzer, 56, a seasoned mountain runner, hopes to cover a 40-mile route that includes the highest point in So Cal in an effort to help raise funds for the Wildlands Conservacy of Oak Glen. Melzer told Patch May 24 he works as a fundraiser for the conservancy.
Melzer, who started his first attempt in Mill Creek Canyon at 6:30 p.m. Friday, turned around just before reaching San Bernardino Peak in part because temperatures were in the 30s, and he found the initial 6,000-foot ascent exhausting while his body was wanting to shut down for the night.
Melzer told Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Sunday he intended to begin his second attempt at 4 a.m. May 27. He is tackling the 40-mile loop in the opposite direction this time, via Yucaipa Ridge to Galena Peak, then into the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
To follow Melzer's progress online, visit share.delorme.com/PaulMelzer.
For more information about the Wildlands Conservancy visit www.wildlandsconservancy.org.
For info about how to donate to Melzer's effort to raise funds for the Wildland Conservancy visit 24n24.blogspot.com/p/levels-of-support.html.
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