montanapalooza 2002

“Are we excited Newgirl?”

“coolwhip! Mmmmmmmmm!Pack weight35-45lbs, always!”

“geezr, is that 32 lbs. with or without the coolwhip?

Now I want you to think about this....
coolwhip....drool....coolwhip....drool....coolwhip....drool....
Do you really NEED both?”

“PLEASE, I beg you . . . Don't make me choose!”

“o dear....wont the coolwhip attract bares?
i think i will be coming home different after this trip for some reason.....
jai!”

“Just heard that Cooke City received 8-10 inches of snow a couple days ago.

Any truth to that rumor, Aero?

You guys are gonna be plenty moist up there, I believe.”

“OM,
Coolwhip . . . yes it probably will attract BARES, but not sure about BEARS. ;-)”

“That beer looks good I am looking very forward to this trip!

8)”

“yup , you caught that geezr,LOL!
bet that coolwhip attracts as many BARES as those alpine lakes!!
lordy lordy...bare fossils in fossil lake....scary....:)

gearly related .....that GPV G4 pack is going to make me feel like flying!..i have stuffed it full of more stuff that i am taking and it is really pretty light (i have yet to get neurotic about weighing my gear, but it sure feels lighter than anything i have ever carried backpacking in 20 years.(except my son when he was 6 mos. old!)...
.only thing is... i better not throw it down on rocks and sit on it....i will have to be quite dainty with it...i can do that....such little to ask for the freedom from a few extra pounds.

this gathering is drawing nearer by the minute....
me 2 crazy mike!!!”

“When we finished canoing in Quetico, and dropped the canoe on the trailer, and heading back for a shower( not that we needed one), the driver told us about a recent group who had carried in "cases" of beer. Bear(s)headed for the cooler while the group was out of camp, bit into the beer cans and sucked up nearly a case of beer. (If the story is true, it was Budwiser.) Glad I didn't meet THAT bear the morning after.”

“How's this for our Winds itinerary? Do you think its doable in 12 days?

Start at Big Sandy
Over Big Sandy Pass
North on Lizard Head Trail
West on Bears Ear Trail
East on Onion Mdw Trail
North on 20 Lakes Trail
Over Kagemah Pass back to the West side
West on Middle Fork Trail
North on Fremont Trail, Highline Trail, Shannon Pass Trail, Highline Trail to Green River CG”

“my friend's friend is a ranger/sar guy for the Grand Tetons area and said that JHole got 8 inches dumped on it and it looks like winter there.”

“I didn't measure the miles, but WOW!!! That will be quite an adventure. When we hook up I can show you a couple campsite options near Valentine and Dutch Oven Lakes. Many sites are closed near there.

One thing you've probably noticed is you do NOT have to stick to that plan either. There are many options to still end up where you need to be. Did you arrange for a shuttle, or are you planning on hitching a ride back to Big Sandy? If I was going to be here I would be glad to help, but I'm not. I'll be driving to Minneeesooota.”

“Just checked the Mammoth and Old Faithful webcams - no snow there, weather looks really nice.

Wanna see some real summertime snow? Check out this shot from a friend's recent trip to AK:

Brrrrrrrrrr”

“Snow Nymph,

Like Chief, I didn't total up mileage and not sure how many days you'll be out, but I don't anticipate any problems for you, with the exception of getting back to Big Sandy.

You might want to watch what time of day you hit Shannon Pass. There's a pretty good stretch through there where you're at 11,000' (well above treeline) and afternoon thunderstorms are quite normal.

Looks like fantastic vistas of Sky Pilot and Stroud Peaks though.

Can't wait to see your photos!”

“I happen to have my Winds map here at work and was in awe as I went through each place she said they would be going as I looked the map over.

That is going to be one cool trip.”

“Chief,

I don't think they could have done a better job of selecting a route. They're going to experience it all . . . 11,000'+ peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows, high-country lakes, etc. Makes me wish I was going along. Do you think if we begged they'd let us tag along? I'll do the dishes if you do the cooking. ;-)”

“If I had the time, I would definitely take you up on that offer. I'm a much better cook than dishwasher.”

“Don't have a shuttle plan yet. We want to leave my truck at Green River CG. So we'll probably hike to the main road and hitch a ride. Thought about dropping SD & packs off at the main road, park the truck at Green River CG, getting a old bike to get me back to the road that we can leave and pick up later (if no one takes it), then hitch a ride to Big Sandy. We didn't have a problem after the JMT, but maybe we just got lucky.

We have 12 days to do the Winds trip. Need 2 days to get back, drop SD off at home, then I'll join WLD & his co-workers to dayhike Mt Whitney.

Would be great if you guys could point out the best campsites along the way! We have no idea, and are going by books.

Most of our backpacks are above 10K, and we'll have time to acclimatize on Montanapalooza, so it should be great!

You guys can hike in with us or meet us at the end of the trip! If you come in at the end, bring fatty food!

That first meal after coming out is really important. Any suggestions on where to go? Trout would be good, we eat mostly fish & chicken.(exiting Green River).

Shower is pretty important too, if anyone knows of a place.”

“snow nymph......afterhike in .Pinedale, Wy.......i am stopping there on the way to montanapalooza.......good food, hot showers, great outdoor/gear shop....and of course...a cowboy bar...........their motto ...all the civilization you need....or somethin like that..
i may be able to work something out with you on the shuttle....i need a three niter after palooza...and winds was on the top 3 list...email me”

“Yo bears! Good morning! YES, I am outta here!
Chief-thanks for the email and #!
Aero-would like your number,
Snow-I will second pinedale! All you need in life!ALL is good! I will be checkin in at libraries along the way! See ya all in MT!”

“Is it July yet?

8)”

“But, there are a bunch of really good restaurants in Rock Springs.

Ted's, The White Mountain Mine Company, The Log Inn, and Cruel Jacks has a fish fry on Firdays. (Probably not the fish you're looking for though)

If you want to drive to the other side of the Winds to Hudson, they have THE best steaks in Wyoming, with the exception of Cassies Supper Club in Cody, of course.”

“is the cabin barbeque saturday nite or sunday...i am too lazy to look back...i thought it was sunday”

“Sunday. Aeros gonna cook up some Oysters...Rocky Mountain Oysters that is.

And if enough desire, I will bring a keg of Moose Drool. Just need a little advance notice to get it ordered in.”

“Om -
You're going through Pinedale enroute to MT'looza?
...I was thinking you're flying into Cody.


Ahhh, Pinedale. Kewl town, for sure. They happen to have the dog-friendliest motel in the world, too.

Post hike? I'll have a few days to burn, too. I was considering the Black Hills, tho.
Winds? Something to think about.


Did I read an earlier post about the MT/WY locals cooking up some kinda "surprise"? If y'all are, it had better be good, cuz MY SURPRISE is gonna be a tough act to follow!
(Man! I can hardly contain myself!!! GAWD! I HATE TRYING TO KEEP A SECRET!!! [But I will, so don't even go there]).

HeheHEEEEEEE!”

“Yes, Chief, will need the Moose Drool.”

“I thought om was flying into Cody on Sunday on the evening flight.

Is anybody coming through Cody? Or are you all going to meet in Billings then Red Lodge?

I'm just wondering if I want to bring my camper up to Cooke City area or not. If nobody is coming through Cody, I'll probably just do the tent/truck thing up there.

Means the keg gets tapped on Friday or Saturday. Hope there's some left for Sunday!!!!!”

“You DIDN'T have that sex change did you???????

;-)”

“yes, originally flying into cody, but...got impatient waiting for a flight for less than 600 buckeroos....so, i am flying into slc and renting a car for ten days for way less than that...and i git to hit pinedale on the way.. and do a 3 niter somewhere on the way back to slc...so..i excercised my freedom of choice and changed my mind.....
.should see you all late sunday.....chief, i do have a route question as to the most direct going THRU cody from Pinedale...email me with your thoughts...thanks.
(this fella i bought a truck from at work owns some land outside of pinedale...what a coincidence!...i HAVE to go browse it...)
NG...i finally got the cobra in the mail to you on tuesday.”

“Oky Doky Om! Thanks. What sorta' surprise does Gojo have the works? My curiousity will drive me batty.”

“I mean catty. LOL! I did a two mile walk w/ Newergirl and the "piggyback." That's what she calls the Kelty. It went pretty good. I need to work up to a much longer hike though. It is such a nice day in MT today. We tanned and played in the Turtle (kiddie sandbox, which is being used as a kiddiepool) after the hike. Good times. Did I mentioned how cute my daughter is and how long five days away from her is? I hope the hiking distracts me.”

“I can tell from lots of the posts that this is going to be one he!! of a time I am so ready for it!

8)”

“We know Mike. We know.





HeHeHe! I'm just giving you hell, I'm freaking out too.”

“I am going to live up to my trail name for this one!

8)”

“If you are going to be in Pinedale, probably the best way to Cooke City is to Jackson then through Jellystone (250 mi). It is shorter in mileage, and maybe time too.

Otherwise, if you want to skip the Park, You will have to back track south to Farson then northeast to Lander, Riverton, Shsoshone, Thermopolis, then northwest to Cody and on to Cooke City (375 mi).

When do you get to slc? Too bad you can't get here before Sunday. Can you skip Pinedale on the way to MT? If so, there is a better route to Cody. Go to Rock Springs then head north.

Of course it's still a womans perogitive, isn't it?”

“After due consideration I'd like to join Chief, Gojo and Briar? camping on Saturday night. That does include the social in town, right?

Aero, I think awhile back you offered to loan out a fuel bottle (and some white gas). I'd like to take you up on that. It'll make my airline packing easier.

Chief, Moosedrool would be JUST FINE.”

“I'm still planning on coming in on Saturday afternoon Aero -

Will it be okay if I join the folks (Chief, Gojo, Navi, Briar) camping on Saturday night? I'm not much of a drinker, but I love a party!

Found out today that my ex will beo n dayshift that whole week, so I can purchase my plane tickets now for sure. Aero - I'll let you know my arrival/departure times in the next few days - Thanks!

Tex”

“I was kind of getting the impression that no one wanted to camp out before the Red Lodge meet, but it looks like there will be some takers.

If I can get some confirmation as to who and when, I will plan on going up Friday after work, or Saturday morning. If people are going to come through Cody, I'll wait here to meet them and they can follow me up.”

“Chief, will it be possible for you or Gojo to meet me in Laurel on the 13th (Sat.) in the late afternoon to take Navi and Briar up to the camp spot? I will get them from the aiport in Billings, if you can get them the from Laurel the rest of the way to Red Lodge.”

“we will have to wait and see who wants to commit to what. I was thinking Briar wanted to stay in Billings and go to dinner with you guys.

Maybe you could get them to Red Lodge instead?”

“I wouldn't recommend coming all the way back to Billings Saturday night (7/13) after setting up camp in Red Lodge. By the time you go back and forth you're looking at 4 1/2 hr of driving. It'll take you a good 1 1/2 hrs. to get from Billings to the campgrounds. Plus there's some good if not better bars/restaurants in Red Lodge. We probably won't be having that big of a blow out in Billings- we have to get up early to head to Red Lodge on Sun.”

“I'm setting up camp at Fox Creek, if theres any takers.

I'll be eating at Chief's Bar & Grill.”

“That Fox Creek campground is a nice one Chief. I'd like to take a night there too, but I really can't get away from Billings until Sun. a.m. I thought we'd still try to hook everybody up in Red Lodge on Sunday morning. Maybe if everyone met at the Red Lodge Cafe at 9:00, get something to eat and then do the shuttle thing. If you're clear over at Fox Creek you could probably come over a little later if we have breakfast at the cafe. Is that gonna work? Save some of that Moose Drool too!”

“If I stay at Fox Creek, I can get to Red Lodge for some biscuits & gravy, for sure.

If needed, I might be able to talk a friend into help shuttle. Otherwise he'll be riding shotgun with me.

I think he'd be perfect for newgirl.

(If she likes 50 yr old, long haired, one-eye-browed guys).”

“Ever since I started thinking about this trip I've been in the flexable mode, and still am. If camping on Sat. night will make shuttling people on Sun. easier then I'm camping. If there is scheduling problems and a social hour on Sat. then I can get a room. No problem. What's best for you guys? I'm sure either way will be FUUN.”

“We have floor space in the house or lot's of yard space for a tent, if that works for you as well.”

“Floor space, yard space, camp space, room space it's all the same to me. Which is easiest? I'm there! Just let me know.

Aero, did you see my above post regarding the loan of a fuel bottle? May I impose and borrow one for the trip?”

“I'm getting so excited I think Crazy Mike is going to have some competition!”

“Navi, if you want to give me your stove after llamarama, we can take it for you. You just won't get it back til after Aug 5th. You work about a mile from our place, so we can meet somewhere after.

Anyone else, if you need fuel, we can stop at REI and bring it with us. Just let me know what you need.

Aero, We're flexible and will be sleeping in the truck. So camping would be the first option, your driveway would be second (less driving in the morning).

I'm going to go thru the 1500 replies on this thread today to get info (directions, meeting places and times,itinerary, etc) on this trip. I should have done it earlier.

My pack weight for this weekend (overnighter) is 25 lbs, so Montanapalooza should be 29 or 30 lbs!”