"9.10.19 Charleston Peak #82. (17th time this year matching my all time record in one year) 13.5 miles, 5,000’ gain, 5:51hrs total including :12min on the summit. Took the Cathedral Rock/Upper Little Falls Ridge mountaineer ascent to the south ridge/SLT. Then Old SLT Down. Maia joined me so I could show her this amazing secret route. One of my Favs. She is tapering for a 100 mile race so we parted ways at the ridge. After my trip and fall and gruesome thumb injury on my last summit, I had to get back on the horse before I become afraid of trail running. Today I had high knees and good form but I took my time and kept it slower running down as to not take a chance on hurting my injury while it’s healing. Cold & windy today. Flowers are dying and the meadows are turning brown. Winter is Coming. Or at least Fall." — paula.raimondi • Sep 10, 2019

"9.6.19 Charleston Peak #81 (16th this year) w/Maia. Via Big Falls class 3 (and 2) ascent. Winter Mountaineer ridge and cliff bands variation (skipping the airplane gully.) 13 miles, 5,400’, 5:39hrs total starting at Echo TH and NLT descent. This is a special, unique and scenic route very few ever see. It’s challenging and rewarding. I was honored to guide Maia for her 1st time so she can see how spectacular it is. I had a few navigational errors. One on the cliffs which was almost class 4 and a short spell in the thickets. Our Mountain Bromance has been so epic! I’ve enjoy every moment. I did take a crash downhill and tweaked my thumb and bashed my knee but I’m ok. Only my pride (and maybe my thumb, which bent in a weird direction) were seriously damaged. " — paula.raimondi • Sep 6, 2019

"8.31.19 Charleston Peak #80 w/Maia. Big Loop, 16 miles, 5,300’ gain, 6:01hrs. 3:27hrs up, :17 min on the summit, down in 2:17hr. TC➡️NLT➡️Devils Thumb➡️Old SLT➡️Hwy. I had the pleasure of showing @maiabirdygoat Devils Thumb. I took her on my own variation of the route I call “climb through the tree tunnel”....She invited me for a Mtn workout this morning. I was beat up from Whitney but that’s irrelevant. (Peer pressure is a good thing when you love mountains.) I threw myself into a hot bath, rolled out my legs with my bakery rolling pin and went to meet her. I was super tired from Yesterday’s Mt Whitney Summit, so I let her go after we did the Summit so I could do the “tired legs scamper”...and she could run. Thank you Maia! I adore you. Congrats on your 1st DT ascent. It was masterful. " — paula.raimondi • Aug 31, 2019

"8.22.19....Charleston Peak #79. Finally, a sub 5hr Charleston Summit from Kyle Canyon. 16 miles, 5,000’ gain, 4:59:44hr....By a thread....TC➡️NLT➡️Devils Thumb up. NLT ➡️TC Down. Got a 3:02hr PR to the summit, 7 min on top, Down in 1:50hr. I was so exhausted by my ascent effort, my legs were not cooperating on the way down. I begged them. Pleaded with them. Then finally, at the top of Trail Canyon they came back to life and got me to within seconds of my goal. I’ve wanted this for years and I fought hard for it today. 14th Charleston Summit in 2019." — paula.raimondi • Aug 22, 2019

"8.18.19....Solo Sunday Charleston Peak #78. 9 miles, 4,200’ gain, 5:21hr via Ski Lee & Devils Thumb. I was Masterful today and accomplished my 1st DT solo (2nd DT ascent.) I also did a pure climb of the Lee Waterfall gully taking on the class 3 climb inside the waterfall. It had a creepy pitch at the top but I got up. I can’t put into words how satisfying today’s route was. I feel empowered. I’m independent in the mountains now. What an amazing feeling to rely solely on myself....not needing anything or anyone. I’ve had some hard workouts this week including a SLT Chaz #77 PR of 5:14hr 2 days ago and the UNLV runner study I participated in yesterday, so today I just enjoyed the ride. " — paula.raimondi • Aug 18, 2019