ATTENTION!!! California Hiking Thread!

“I didn't want everyone to get lost in the entertainment of the other stuff going on...

We in the WEST! (West RULES) are actually planning BP trips, and we need to know who's interested in attending.

We have a trip planned for 11/17-18-19 in Desolation Wilderness, and, we are also planning a "Frozen Fanny" winter BP trip in February.

Sign up now, you lucky people. We need a headcount. See the details of the 11/17 trip in the HIKING CLUB thread.”

“I'm in. Got a new tent for these winter trips to boot.

Desolation Wilderness Trip Details:

Nov 16-18, first night car camp, Saurday we leave Fallen Leaf TH, camp Sat. night at Clyde. That's approx 10 miles, first 3.5 are mostly uphill from about 6400' to about 9500'. After that downhill (except for climb over Mosquito Pass) to Clyde, which sits at 8,000'. Sunday, we depart Clyde & hike out to Lily. Sunday's hike will be a little under 8 miles, the majority downhill.

For everyone's info, current nighttime temps are now supposedly around 35, will probably be lower by then so count on a 20 degree bag that REALLY is a 20 degree bag (or better!) and/or bring those long undies! YEEEHAWWW

Did I leave anything out wanderer? *G*”

“Sounds intriguing”

“Rockbuck, you got it!!

As I see it...Fri night is an (optional) campout at higher elevation allowing us to acclimate, so we're ready to kick butt Sat. A.M. (which we'll need, with a 3,000 ft elevation gain in first 3.5 miles!)

I'll be arriving at Sugar Pines Pt. St. Park on Friday between 6:00-7:00. There are great pizza / beer joints around Tahoe, so that's the "tentative" plan for Fri. nite "as of now".

Sat A.M. we shuttle cars between Fallen Leaf & Lily TH's, shouldn't be too big a deal. get on the trail ASAP Sat A.M. We should return to TH on Sunday by about 3:00 P.M. (a guess).”

“Rockbuck, I also want to know what tent you have...I'm shopping”

“Where in CA is Desolation Wilderness?”

“Never mind. I checked the other thread.”

“I'm in for February, but what about December too?”

“No December trips planned as of now that I know of, only the November and Feb trips.

Anyone want to plan a Dec trip also? Seems it would be tough to coordinate considering the holidays...”

“January?”

“The Feb trip was originally intended to be a winter /snowshow sorta high-adventure trip. The dates seemed to work for everyone, but I personally don't care if it's January. Are you volunteering to plan this one wingding??? YAAAHOOO! Count me in! Let's do Jan AND Feb!”

“Can't make the Nov. trip...bummer.

Where is the "Frozen Fanny" trip going to be?”

“All we've got so far is the date range of Feb 15-16-17. Tentative area Desolation Wilderness in Northern CA, but I'm guessing everyone is flexible. This all started as a "hiking club" thread by Tahoe, and grew from there. We now have a November trip planned as a "warm,-up" for our more serious February winter trip. Feb. trip is a winter camping / backpacking trek somewhere. At least that's the way I understand it. But, the very worst case is we'll go out & have some GOOOD TIMES!!. Please consider joining us!”

“I like the Friday night idea, but can play that by ear too.

My map is lame, it doesn't idenify campsite names. Is Sugar Pine on the point at Emerald Bay? Note to self-buy new map!

I've got a decent shuttle vehicle.

I bought an ID MK1XL. Ordered today and hoping to have it this week so I can camp out in the yard or something this weekend. *G* Check them out here and let me know soon if you want more details. http://www.integraldesigns.com/

Wingding, are you thinking of a January camping trip? I think at one time you mentioned a XC trip at Royal Gorge...or was that just how the discussion evolved? I'm in for the February trip, although the details haven't been worked out yet.”

“I will arrive late Friday night. Already asked for 1/2 day Fri off.

Rockbuck, check
www.topozone.com”

“Put me down for the frozen fanny trip.”

“I won't be able to make the Feb trip, my 10 day overlaps it.
The frozen Fanny trip may work depending on dates.

Don't forget the Tipi will be pitched at Lassen for a week during New Years, any one that wants to join our group is welcome...Lassen offers some great x-c skiing, snow camping and snowshoeing.”

“what are the dates for the Tipi?”

“We haven?t firmed that up yet, but around Dec 28/29 till Jan 2/3, depending on who shows up.”

“I'm interested in the New Year's Tipi gathering.”

“OK, it's official, heres a copie of the email I just sent to those in my address book....

NEW YEARS 2001/2002
Hello All

Well, it's getting close to that time of year and I wanted to let everyone know that the Tipi will be at Silver Snag this New Years once again.

As usual everyone is welcome...we should be up there from around Dec 28th/29th till Jan 2nd or 3rd...dates will be finalized in the next month or so.

Feel free to join us for a day, a night or as long as were up there, all I ask is that you get in touch with me and let me know if your going to attend, when, and how many are coming.... I will get back in touch with those who respond with dates, directions and more information.

You will need x-c skis or snowshoes, winter camping gear, tent and food. The Tipi will provide a warm place to get together, talk and party. Those of you that are new to the "Tipi", drop me a line and I will explain in more detail.

I just realized that the 30th will be a full moon!!!! That means night skiing and snowshoeing!!!!!! and darned near a full moon for New Years!

Get in touch have any questions.............
Hope to see you there.

Steve

”

“Cool! These trips sound un! I will check on my schedule and get back wid yas!”

“Looks like allot of fun Steve, I'll be e-mailing you soon.

I was wondering if you were still around roseymonster, sup?

I hope you can make at least one of these things Phil!

wsexson, too bad about the November trip but look forward to meeting you in February.

wanderer, did you check out those ID tents? What's the deadline for permits?”

“Hey Rockbuck, I haven't yet looked at the ID tents, but they sure seem appealing from the website. I hope to check your's out in a couple weeks.

Permits should be no prob this time of year. I want to wait a few days before I pick them up to see who else signs up...we haven't heard from a # of locals yet, like Tahoe, Pepper Dog, hikerchic (isn't she Stockton area?), maybe Obi Wan, Roseymonster is supposed to check back in, etc. I'll prolly shoot for a sign-up deadline somewhere around Nov. 1st, we can still get permits then. I'll double-check w my contacts at the ranger station tomorrow just to make sure, but we shouldn't have any permit problems.”

“So mtnsteve, whats the deal with the tipi? A three day drunken party, or what?

Questions about the tipi: What does it weigh? What kind of stove do you have in it, how many does it sleep. What do you do for a floor?

Questions about the event: how many people show up and what do you do?

You would love Idaho, because we have a lot of hot springs in the mountains, and that makes winter camping super!”

“I use the tipi in my business, ADVENTURES made easy, but a few times a year, some friends and I pitch it for the occasional party, pay backs, client free days and just to get friends together. We usually do this in Lassen Volcanic National Park, we have gone to Mount Shasta when there wasn?t enough snow at Lassen (could happen this year). Camp at Lassen is about 2 miles from the car, on Shasta it's about 1 mile.

Its not exactly a drunken party, although I do admit I have seen a few folks stumble a little on their way out the tent door now and again..... soft snow will do that to you, ya know.

The Tipi weights about 27 lbs, with the stove and tent stakes, considering it will sleep up to 8, that works out to a little over 3 lbs per person...if only I could split it up 8 ways (I can break it down to 4 stuff sacks). It has a wood burning stove that will burn just about anything...the stove packs down to about 12"x26"x3" and the stove pipe is 24"x5". We have had it about 70+ degrees inside when it was around 20 outside...once we had the entire stove and stove pipe cherry red (never let a fire fighter attend the stove!) The inside temp does vary with how hot you keep the stove, when the stove goes out it, gets quite cold, the snow never gets warm enough to melt. You can get at least three pots and frying pans on the stove at once to cook.

Not having a floor is actually one of the best features, you just walk in with your boots on..we use tarps to have dry places for our sleeping bags and other stuff and we sit on our pads. We dig a trench about 18" deep, going in both doors that goes around the stove so everyone can walk in and sit around the stove. Its like having the best features of a snow cave and a tent.
Tipi Photos


The most folks we have had attend was 32 over a 4 day period. Last year we had 16 spend all New Years Eve and New Years with us, dont remember how many just dropped by for the day. Since we are up there for a few days, some will drop by for the day, locals will pop in just for a few hours at night, then head home, some stay for a few days.

The group is quite mixed....Sheriffs, cops and CHP, snowboarders and x-c skiers, backpackers on their first snowcamp, climbers, SAR members, park rangers, past clients, doctors, nurses, moms and dads and the occasional youngster...you name it.

As to what everyone does...some of the best x-c and backcountry skiing is up there, for beginners to experts....tele skiers will find Loomis, Lassen and some other slopes quite challenging. The Hoodos are incredible for snowshoeing and skiin..... climbing Lassen (up the Ca Snowfield) is possible in just a few hours and snowshoers can explore Manzanita Creek, hike Loomis and the Hoodo's. I'm sure many of us will be taking advantage of the full moon to ski and snowshoe at night (very surreal) One of the most popular past times seems to be eating and cooking. You wouldn't believe some of the food we've had!

The only thing that would make it perfect is to have one of your hot springs (we are toying with having a sweat, using a spare megamid) Idaho sounds great.....If a guy were to come out there, where would you recommend to go to x-c ski, snowcamp and lounge in a hot spring?”

“The tipi party sounds great! If I were nearby, you bet I'd be up there. If you ever come out here, let me know what kind of trip you want, and I'll find a good hot spring for you. I teach a winter camping and survival class, and we go to a hot springs which is a 2 mile hike on snowshoes or skiis. Most of the mountain roads are snowed in, so finding a hot springs within a few miles of a plowed road is a little tough.

We go out without tents, just to practice making snow shelters. There are a few pictures from a winter class at the hot springs, as well as some other photos, if you click on my photo on Phil's photo page.”

“*GGG*

KCRA Weather report{} Winter storm watch for Monday night through Tuesday. Some rain will develop across the sierra nevada and southern Cascades tonight, especially north of interstate 80, and become more widespread on Monday. Initially snow levels will be rather high, ranging from 7000 to 8500 feet. Precipitation will become heavier Monday night and continue into tuesday. Early Tuesday morning snow levels will lower to between 6000 and 7000 feet. Significant snow accumulation is possible above 7000 feet in the sierra nevada and above 6500 feet in the southern Cascades. Stay tuned to noaa weather radio and other local media for further details or updates. A winter storm watch is issued when severe winter weather is possible, but not imminent. At the time, there is a potential for significant snow accumulations. Future driving conditions may become hazardous, so it is important to monitor the latest forecasts and carry chains if venturing over the mountain passes. Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations.”

“Yep...get your snowshoes and x-country skis boys this could be the first fo two frozen fanny trips!
:)”

“Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna try to get out this weekend too!”

“It's raining down here in the flat lands, supposed to snow at 7000 feet today but it is supposed to clear up this afternoon and be partly cloudy the rest of the week but no rain/snow forcast. Now we'll see what really happens.”

“http://www.boi.noaa.gov/firewx.htm

Click on the map for your area of interest

RDD Northern Sierra/Cascades

SAC central Sierra

FAT southern Sierra

NEV Eastside Sierra”

“The Lassen Park road is currently closed due to snow...it's closed at The Devastated Area and at the Sulphur Works...that would put snow level currently around 7000'....


Keep it coming ...........”

“Hey Wanderer!

How is a November trip *not* a "frozen fanny?" Just curious.

Anyway, sorry I can't join you for the Nov excursion...I'm still in MN. Maybe I'll be back by Feb but I have no way of knowing at this point. Anyway, it'd be nice to go on a trip with you that we know in advance we need snow shoes... :)”

“Lassen Update..... Snow sticking at 7500', about 6" to 8" of snow at Summit Trail parking lot (8500') Weather just now beginning to break up.

Ok, now check out.........
Shasta Cam




Yahooooooo”

“Oh yea...........

We be skiing soon






This picture is live, so if it comes up black.....ITS NIGHT TIME”

“You can almost see the Lemurians in that picture.”

“who turned out the lights?”

“Oooooooooo

check the Shasta cam


We be skiing soon, oh yea”

“Shasta's looking good. I've climbed it a couple of times. A buddy and I were thinking of doing a backcountry snowboarding decent on the old ski bowl side. Has anyone done this? I have never done any backcountry so would want someone who knows how to read the snow to go.”

“SnowDude & I want to do it backcountry snowboarding too.

Shasta cam looks good! Mammoth opens next Thursday. They have a cam too, but I don't know how to post it. Mammoth site has a video on some snowboarders who can't wait. I'm ready!!”

“Get pumpped up to play in the snow just don'tsay the 'F' word or Mel will kill ya.”

“When the mountain is ready I'll let you know....The run down the old ski bowl is popular (really cool to go off Green Butte), as well as from Red Banks back to Bunny Flat (that's a run and a half) If your interested, I'd be glad to show you a few runs (if I'm working I can hook you up with other BC fanatics) including the one from Bunny Flat to Wagon Camp, no walking, it's all downhill, then you stick out your thumb and ride back to Bunny Flat...Its major popular with the snow boarders.....and a few back country skiers as well.”

“So is anyone going out this weekend? I'm looking for somewhere in the Sierras to play this weekend. Got the backpack and snowshoes, I'm ready!!!!”

“Yeah Steve. That sounds tres kewl!

Uhh, nothing planned this weekend but I plan on heading out next weekend. Unfortunately I don;t think I'll be able to make the TT trip the following weekend. There's not much snow up there now, is there SN? Might be leaving those snowshoes in the trunk?”

“Maybe not enuf snow, but I'll be ready for it if its there. Here's a view from the top of Mammoth Mtn:
”

“Maybe not enuf snow, but I'll be ready for it if its there. Here's a view from the top of Mammoth Mtn:
View from Mammoth Mountain”

“Now thats cool!”

“That is cool! Here's a couple more cam sites from Tahoe area resorts.

http://www.onthesnow.com/cams/CN/index.html”