Llama Rama '02. Time frame feedback.

“It may be a little early, but before I get any tourist bookings for next summer, I need to get some feedback on the dates for the Llama Rama 2002.

I'm already getting service requests for next year so I need to get a head start on this.

I need to block out the dates if we do another one of these insane gigs in '02.

Some people need advance notice so they can plan.
This is the preliminary.

I have printed up my 2002 trip calendar and the best dates for the terrain and altitude are:

July 18 to July 26.

The trip, so far looks like this:

A combo - car camp/ hiking trip over about nine days.

The car camp will allow some people to bring along a spouse or SO who doesn't "do" backpacking.

We can car pool and load the pickup with gear.

There are some pretty impressive places close-in right across the Valley in the Glass Mountains that are perfect for car camp deals.

Quiet, no people, aspens, fly fishing, artesian springs, hot springs, petroglyphs, chipping sites....
We could even take in a side trip to Mono Lake.

This half would take place over about four days.

Average elevation is about 7,000 feet.

The other half of the trip would be a four night/ five day hike into the area south of Mt. Whitney where the trail is easy, starts high (about 10 grand), has great scenery and better fishing.

And any one who wants to participate in both, can.

Any comments on the time frame?
Is anyone interested?”

“Me! ME! ME !!!”

“Me too!”

“I am interested! The camping part sounds like a good time to use Dutch ovens!!!”

“Time Frame Sounds Great Auntie M !
What a great idea, half of my family loves to backpack and the other half loves to car camp.”

“Take me!

So Phil's up for some Dutch Oven Action!”

“Mel,
Are you gonna have a 10+ day high country trip this year? If so, I plan on being there. I missed going with you all this year. I am very disintrested in the car camping thing and doubt I'd do that type of "split trip". Is this the only Llama Rama trip you are planning for 02.”

“Auntie M, Auntie M!?!?!?!?!?!?”

“Hey, Flip!

Naw...It doesn't look like a 10 dayer is in the works unless you want to do the car camp plus the hike.
Combine the two and it's about 9 or 10 days.

However...

We will be around Hot Creek which is a flyfisherman's paradise.

Big browns and rainbows.
Catch and release, barbless hooks only.

You should also like fishing in Cottonwood Lakes.
Some REAL pretty fish in them.

I don't have solid dates yet, but July 18 - 26, maybe 27 sounds good.

It'll be warm over in the Glass and by that time, the high country at Cottonwood lakes will have thawed out.

The fish should be hungry!

As for the rest of you degenerates....

YOU'RE INVITED!


I'm going to issue e-mail invitations to members of the crews from the last three years, and take potential signups from off this thread.

This will be by invitation only, to people on the page whom I know, and like, or to new people who sign up.

Here we go again!”

“Mel,
If there's room I'd be very interested in joining up. Sounds like a GOOD tiem!

Bill”

“......PS

For everyone who paid for the trips last year, but did not go, you are covered for '02.

And this year the price of the t-shirts will be included in the price of the trip.

T-shirts go for about $20/ $25 including the price of postage if we have to mail.

Solitary expressed some interest in doing the shirts for '02, so if he does them, or someone else, they will get a little compensation for their work.

We'll work that out later as we go.”

“Pants...

I'll put you on the e-mailing list.”

“Mel:

Count me and my SO in.

Thanks.”

“Fly Fishing??? Hiking??? Dutch Oven food??? Sign me up!!!!”

“I begin to compile lists......

NOW”

“Mel,
I hear what you say about Hot Creek. Every year in October a friend and I book a trip to Hot Creek. Only 6 more days to wait till our trip this year.
I don't know about the trip you are proposing...I'll think about the split trip approach. Maybe I can hook up with you all only for the BPing part or I could plan a trip at the same time and meet up with you all in the high country for a couple nights. I guess I have plenty of time to think about it.
BTW - Any time/date is fine for me...I can schedule last minute even (except for permits).”

“Uh......

Here:

First, people have to get here,that's usually the day before we head out.

That would be July 17.

That evening we have a party here, meet each other, eat and drink and make merry.

TT'ers crash on the lawn, or at a local campground.

July 18 we do the driving, pick a site (s), set up camp and go fool around.

July 19...we fool around.

July 20 we go to a new campsite, pitch tents, and go fool around.

July 21 pack up, drive around, and come back to my house. Eat dinner.

July 22 Break out the gear, pack up the Dodge.
Drive down to Bishop to buy soo-vineers, shop at the bakery, eat at La Casita, and
drive 2 hours down to the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead.
Spend the night at the trail head.

July 23 Hike to the base camp near all the lakes.

July 24 Fish and day hike.

July 25 Fish and day hike.

July 26 Fish and day hike.

July 27 OUT

I don't as yet have the car camp sites and activities du jour.
That will require I sit down with my maps.

People who go will also have to let me know if they want to participate in both trips, or just the car camp, or back pack trip.

Like last year with the seven day group, and the 10 day group.”

“Go-go mel!!!”

“Dunno Mel ....sounds like there's a lot of foolin' around in those car camping deals...now you've really got my curiosity up ;)”

“Oh I do, eh......?

We'll just keep you in suspense.”

“I plan to keep bringing up this thread every so often until it gets too large to manage.

Then, a new thread.

I am putting together an e-mail list of people who want to be kept up-to-date on the '02 llama hikes.

If you want to be put on the mailing list for '02, e-mail me at:

sierramel@qnet.com

I will also add to that list people who tried to go last year but couldn't because of mad bombers and court dates.

I have two sets of dates for trips next season:

Main Llama Rama:
July 18 to July 26

If you want to participate in the car camp only, it'll be $25 and the cost of the t-shirt.

Hot springs llama trip:

September 17 to 22.

I will also be doing a
"shake down" practice llama run in early June depending on how much snow we don't get this winter.

If there is anyone who wants to go on a free trip, let me know.
We may go to the hot springs then (lower elevation), or perhaps up and out to one of the nearby lakes (eight to 12 miles back).

The June trip is purely practice and is for getting us all in shape.

Cost for the "Official" lama trips will be $50, without a T-shirt, and probably $75 WITH a t-shirt.

This year the t-shirts get paid for first.
You gives us the money, we orders you a shirt.

As I mentioned earlier, anyone who paid to go on a trip with us last year and couldn't make it...

If you go this year you are covered. If you want a t-shirt, it will be extra.

Lost Tonto”

“How......”

“Tonto?Tonto Goldstein? I'm in for the hot springs. Car camping sounds great for my wife and I on the other. I'll lure her in with Phil's dutch oven cooking.”

“Tempting Me From Afar are you? Oh Mel!”

“......And How!”

“Oh, you betcha!

Moze....

I was sorry we didn't have any time to visit with you.

With the 7 day group having to hustle to keep on schedule, and me being Lost Tonto and all, some of the best laid plans of this mouse went awry.

I forgot to mention....

If anyone wants to participate in both trips the $75 covers both.

Since the car camp is basically out my front door and 45 minutes across the valley from us, it will be a real easy sh!t and get-to.

I will put together a map of the car camp route so if anyone wants to see where it will be, I can send it as an attachment.

Lost Tonto Goldstein”

“I put alot of thought into this matter and I think that "yehe who goes on a jurney with jamas, must search out and find yehe who has jamas".”

“"pajamas"?”

“Uh...small mistake..

Main llama hike is July 18 to July 27 (not 26).

Could those of you who are interested, and whose e-mail address I DO NOT HAVE..

E-mail me so I can put you on the info/ update list.

Flip....you at the same place?

Pantscandy & ladyhiker..

I need your addresses. See above for where to E-Mel.”