montanapalooza 2002

“Crazy Mike & Navigator competing?! Maybe they should share a tent! ;-)”

“I don't know.
Is he cute?
I know he's fun, but he's got to be real cute! 8^)”

“Navi- I'll have a fuel bottle filled and ready for you. I've got a couple and I'll either take one or the Pocket Rocket with a cannister.”

“chief, i could hit pinedale on the way back i guess..want to get to the cabin early as i can sunday for the barbecue... now that i know it is sunday instead of saturday and i did want to do that highway between cooke city and cody sunset time or late afternoon... I arrive in slc at midnite sunday morning....will have to wait on car keys at 7am...then hit the road...whaddya think...
i just have to buy my fuel cannister somewhere and i love that place in pinedale..”

“Thanks Aero, I'm set.”

“Om, it's going to be SOOOO COOOL seeing you again!!!




Shall we sleep together again this trip?”

“I just did a driving instructions search on Yahoo. It says 408 miles and ~11 hrs drive time from slc to Cooke City. They have the route mostly through Idaho. They don't even go into WY until Jellystone.

I'd try to get flight times changed, if it were me.”

“naviguesser, if you knew the disturbance in the force that you cause in my being when you keep bringing that up...........my kid reads here man! now quit....
ok....back to center.....
~~~~~~~~~”

“no way to change flight plans....i like road trips...so, i will make my way there eventually, i am at a reunion in tennessee til saturday...that is just the way it is......will see you even if it is at the trailhead monday morning....thanks for your efforts tho on routing....
the path is the goal~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

“I'll email you some directions to the cabin for Sunday night. It's pretty easy to find once you're on US Hwy 212. You'll probably hear us from the highway.”

“Om I apologize for disturbing your force!
I still thank you for coming to my rescue when the llamas stole my sleeping bag and sharing your tent, and tent only.”

“Aero,

The itinerary works for me. As you mentioned, if anyone wants to stay here they're welcome. We have a guest room and a couch upstairs as well as down. There's three showers and room to park. I can also get folks picked up from the airport anytime Saturday afternoon. I work in the morning. Just let me know.

Have you heard if the Beartooth Hwy is open? Malinda and myself might make that trip on Tuesday.”

“navi...was glad to help ya out ..it was the least i could do as ya got me over that first "pass from hell"
and you did offer to lighten my pack by carrying my tequila stash....(even if i never got to sip any of it ....evaporated right?)...only to try to put rocks in my pack later while i wasnt looking....:)
peace mon~~~

thanks aero....i will e you my cell # and if yall need anything sunday and dont want to go out for it...i kin stop get it! heh...

gojo..afterhike will be a solo meditative slither back into some crevice near water and stay put for three nites jus me and the moon fillin up

only one more month people!!
i am developing acute crazy mike syndrome~~~~~~~”

“Man I just hope this trip is going to very wild and action packed!

I am going to do my best to do so!

8)”

“Is this thing full? I've been lurking here, contemplating the drive, time off, schedule, etc. etc. I'd be coming from Phoenix, thru SLC, WY, etc. take a few days on the way. Any other folks down this way considering it?”

“Got your email Aero thank you for the info!

8)

Oh joy only 28 more days untill I leave for the trip of the year!!!!!

Yes that ROCKS!!!!!

8)”

“I'm open and at the mercy of the local MC's of this gathering, but Chiefs Bar and Grill does sound hard to beat. Some fat steaks and some greens,,,,, all flushed down with a nalgene full of Moose Drool at dusk under MT. skies. Hey but if its raining cats and dogs I wouldn't mind trying to keep crap dry at least one more day if possible.(Hows that for a whine) And see the town that evening and head out in the morning.

Hey ld you gotta bring your own axe! but come on up and bring the 'Bizzilla' with the ya.”

“Gosh I wish I could join you all!
Sounds like you will have a very fun time. Something to consider for those who are flying...
my buddy Beth says that after 9-11 the airlines are not allowing stoves or fuel bottles EVEN IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS!!! so better call to verify this so you don't have trouble at the airport. I mean it sounds goofy and overly restrictive but truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. Check it out and get back to me if I am wrong. Thanks and HAPPY TRAILS to you ALL. Maybe next year I will be able to join you and meet all you wonderful people.”

“I wish you could go its going to be a great time!!!

8)”

“And On the Day you Start your grand adventure I will be winding up three days camping out at the Oregon Country Fair. If you ever happen to be in Western Oregon you might check this one out.

http://www.oregoncountryfair.org/


I have a forced week off work for July 1-2-3 and holidays for July 4-5 and so My first backpack of the season will start June 29th and end on July 5-6-7 whenever I feel like walking out and driving home.”

“I would have done a hyperlink to the website but I don't know how to do that.”

“Come on ldhiker. The more the merrier.”

“Martyb,

I believe Aero is still planning a layover day at Fossil Lake. If so, I'd like to day hike into No Bones Lake and Sodalite Lake. Also just NNW of No Bones it appears as if there's a nob that sits at 10,400'
Can you confirm the coordinates of those spots for me? I get

No Bones:45.0973, 109.8179
Sodalite:45.0878, 109.8147
10,400+ or -:45.1012, 109.8201

Actually, one map shows 10,412 as the approx high point and another shows 10,278

No rush!”

“Will check sometime this weekend. I can even trace you a route and give you coords to follow for your GPS if you want - if you had TOPO! you could just upload directly to the GPS. Another thing to demo when I get up there.... BTW, I expect you will provide waypoints of the best campsites along the route....”

“Hey folks, Please add me to the list of folks needing a canister of fuel. I have a pocket rocket and one small canister should do it.

As for stoves on planes..I've checked my pocket rocket on at least 3 trips so far since 911 and have not had a problem. Course, I don't TELL everyone about it. Fuel, is definitely a no-go..in fact I handed a half full canister to the ticket attendant in Florida and she picked it up like it was a bomb and had security dispose of it. Sheesh..lady, ya need to get out more!

Course, the looks on the rest of the passengers faces were priceless..had a seat ALL to myself on that flight back..LOL

Getting hyped here in Texas..Montana or BUST!! I need a break from this 90 plus degree heat and sunny skies everyday!

Tex”

“On my topo it shows what they call an "Off-Trail Route." It heads west off the main trail about a 1/3 of a mile past Skull Lake. Then, 1/3 of a mile in it splits and goes to both No Bones and Sodalite. Does TOPO show it, and if not then a route in would be appreciated.

Your request for campsite waypoints is duly noted.

Off to work. Enjoy the weekend!”

“I am on for getting you from the airport to anywhere in Billings or as far as Laurel. If you want to camp, I think that's great, but Chief or Gojo will have to meet me in Laurel to take you to Red Lodge. I have to come back home for the little one. I guess when we are looking at total drive time Aero really has a point. If you camp, it is probably best to stay in Red Lodge. And I would also say that Billings is not going to be a crazy blowout. I was thinking dinner and a drink or two personally.”

“Food: Best food in Pinedale is at the "Road Kill" burger stand, (try the "world famous roadkill burger" if it is still there (been 3 years).

Good Showers: Come out at or Boulder.. stay at the mom/pop lodge take a shower, eat a home cooked family style meal, and sit in front of the fire place or on the porch, and stretch the truth. (I went here once, and made up a whole two week backpack story!)

Good People and Beer: Go to Daniel, and avoid the Pinedale microbrewery and the Teaga crowd if you have the guts to mix with local people. Went here once and didn't have to pay for a beer all nite long! Course it helps to dress a little on the trashy side, or have someone with you who will.”

“The Boulder Lake Lodge is a great place, they even sent me a Christmas card. My son and I stayed there last summer, and I finished my first Winds trip there a few years ago. Very nice people, good food, relaxing, quiet place. Don't expect a heavy party atmosphere, although the cooks enjoyed the beer we left the first time. I still use the sourdough recipe for pancakes I got there.

Its a nice place to finish a hike, and even worth seeking out if you are staying in the area.

No, I am not being paid for this endorsement.”

“Hi all - Thought I'd better check in. I won't have a lot of time, between now and Palooza, to keep up with details. My father's gone into hospital, so I'll be doing a lot of 'back and forth' between my city and his.

I'm still planning to arrive in Billings by mid afternoon, on the Saturday, so maybe you could reserve me a bit of that 'yard space', Aero. I'll look forward to joining you guys, for dinner on Saturday night.

I'd apreciate it if you could email me an address and phone # or two, so I'll have someone to contact, when I arrive.

Thanks guys - I'll look in, whenever I get a chance”

“Best for your father!”

“H'man
Your dad will be in our thoughts, as will you be!

I'll e-mail you my address and phone number. That way you'll have a contact in case Aero is busy.

Drop a line when time allows.”

“Newgirl, from the various posts and e-mails, it looks like the most convenient place for me on Sat. night will be Aero's Yard (or geezrs).
Looking forward to meeting you and all the other people.”

“I think its going to be great too meet all you cool people!

I am so exicted!!!!!

Only 26 more days!!!!!

8)”

“Thanks for the info, barebait! Will add that to my notes.

SnowDude ordered the WY Topo!

Another trip down this weekend. 20+ miles. I think we'll be ready for MT!”

“Snow Nymph,

Did you ever get a chance to look forthat stargazing chart?

Yesterday was the last day of my 11 day stretch at work. I feel like a million bucks . . . Ok, a buck and a quarter!!!!!!!!!”

“OK, here we go. Your coordinates were as follows:

No Bones:45.0973, 109.8179
Sodalite:45.0878, 109.8147
10,400+ or -:45.1012, 109.8201

Using TOPO!, I get 45.0979, 109.8211 for the center of No Bones, and 45.0973, 109.8200 for the edge (where you would probably walk to). For Sodalite, the center is 45.0849, 109.8169, while the edge is 45.0876, 109.8157. There were two possible "knobs" that I could see. One is to the NW of No Bones at 45.1010, 109.8294 and 10,411'. The other is due north, at 45.1013, 109.8210 and 10,259'. Oh, BTW, these are based on the NAD83 datum, not the NAD27 datum.

I posted a piece of the USGS map with the waypoints shown on it, as well as the "cross country" routes I traced - I don't have the ones you describe (your map may be newer or possibly a USFS map instead of USGS?). Actually, if you can scan your map and email it to me I could trace in that trail, then give you a profile and GPS waypoints, too. From the looks of the photos I've seen, though, you don't really need trail coordinates, just destination ones - the XC hiking looks like it would be pretty easy. Here's the map:

The Map”

“Here is a link to Pinedale area transportation companies. It looks like there are 2 companies that shuttle to and from trailheads (In Pinedale). Neither lists prices, but a phone call would probably yield answers. Hope this helps.

http://www.pinedaleonline.com/B-Transportation.HTM”

“Here is another link to Trailhead information. I thought it was pretty interesting. I'm going to try find the same thing for the other side. (i.e. Lander)

http://www.pinedaleonline.com/TrailInfo.HTM”

“Martyb,

I tried accessing "The Map" but Webshots won't let me in. It says I am not the owner. Is the problem on my end or something you can correct on the page?

Your hiking dates are A-OK. Glad we won't be missing you, which might not be the case once we actually have. ;-)”

“Martyb,

I plugged your coordinates into the map and we're within yards of each other for No Bones and Sodalite.
I'm using WSG 84 datum. Either way we should end up getting wet!

Your numbers for the 10,400+ point are good as well. My set must have been in error, or I recorded them wrong. Anyway, they are ON THE MONEY!

THANKS AGAIN!

Now you know where to send Search & Rescue. :-(”

“Geezer, I'll bring along my star gazing wheel thingy for you to test out.”

“Thanks Naviguesser! Martyb is promising clear nights so anxious to see how it works.

Did you receive our e-mail concerning staying at either Aero's, or here?”

“Yes, I did.
Floor, deck, lawn, your place or Aero's. Decision Sat.
Sounds great to me!”

“I guess mine wasn't a star gazing thingy. Its some other kind of thing that I won at our xmas party. I coulda sworn it was a wheel!”

“Are you making fun of my thingy?”

“Me make fun of your thingy? Nah!



heeheehee!”