montanapalooza 2002

“So sounds like Geezr's going from 33 lbs at the start to 40 lbs toward the end. I guess that rock pillow is about 7 lbs??”

“I forgot to take into account the pizza and Alaskan Amber.”

“I am outta here , see ya sun!”

“Special weather statement
National Weather Service Billings mt
245 PM MDT Wed Jul 10 2002

...Record breaking heat expected through Saturday.. An extremely hot airmass will move into southern Montana and Northern Wyoming Thursday afternoon. High temperatures over 100 degrees are expected in Many areas of southern Montana Thursday afternoon. This airmass will spread East on Friday bringing 100 degree plus heat to most locations in southern Montana and northern Wyoming. High temperatures are forecast to be near all time record highs in Billings (106 deg)... Livingston (105 deg)... And Sheridan (107 deg) by Friday afternoon.

People should limit outdoor activities for the next several days and stay out of the Sun as much as possible. When outdoors.. Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids.”

“Martyb, I beieve the latter portion of that advisory is in error. It should read, Drink plenty of water or "alcoholic" fluids."”

“No. I'm very sorry, but due to this weather emergency, I'm afraid all beer for the pre-hike bash will have to be sent to California. We just can't risk it.”

“I can't believe your weather is hotter than Texas this time of year - that is nuts!

OK, about this DEET stuff, I looked at it in REI but didn't get any. I have some jungle juice which I think is 20% DEET is that enough or should I buy something stronger when I get there?

Advice, please?

Tex”

“Tex, Deet is just an ingredient in most repellents. The higher the precentage the better it's supposed to work. I just bought some at Watmart today that is 95% ( Repel 100 )while Deep Woods Off is 28.5%. Deep Woods Off has always worked fine for me and I just bought the Repel because it was all they had in a smaller size. Most stores should have one brand or another . . .Shopco, Walmart, Kmart, gas stations, etc.”

“Newgirl, are you still planning on hiking out on Wednesday?”

“from WebMd re: Deet

Abou-Donia and Ken Holscher, PhD, an associate professor of entomology at Iowa State University, urge extreme caution in using DEET.


Use products containing DEET in low concentrations only (30% or less for adults, 10% or less for children)
Never apply DEET products to infants under 2 years old
Even for older children, be very careful and apply sparingly, if at all. ("I shudder when I see people having their kid stand there with his arms out while they spray and spray him," Holscher says. "You don't want to breathe this stuff, either.")
Apply it by hand, not spray. Put on your own hands, not the child's, and wash afterward.
Don't apply to eyes or lips
Never apply to wounds
Don't use DEET or even spray your yard if you are taking medications. (There are few studies on interactions, Abou-Donia says, and those interactions can be serious).


If you use the stuff stronger than 30%, consider just putting on your clothes. In AK, I used to put 100% around my hat brim, collar and lighting on my shirt and it did pretty good except in the worst situations. In those, I'd put 30% on exposed skin and/or where a head net.”

“lightly not lighting.”

“Ok, I'll put one last run to wally world on my agenda this week..LOL

3 days left!!

Tex”

“I'd suggest Sawyer's Timed Release formula... it's 30% DEET, non-greasy, and worked very well for m in the mid- to late-July hikes in the Sierra's...

I can't go. Just too many things hitting all at once. I sure wish I could be there with you all, though. I'll look forward to the trip reports, and the pics.”

“I just made a to do list for the next 3 days . . . why did you people not tell me that I should have had my arse in gear about a yr. ago to prepare?! I have been so busy (I am so serious, I live in the chaos of schedules) the last month, I had barely stopped to think about all I need to do to prepare (not talking physically, just generally gathering stuff up, getting Newergirl together, etc.). I will freakin' lose it by tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure of it. Oh my gawd! I'm sweating just typing this . . .

Jgeils, I talked it over w/ Aero and I may be hiking out on Tues. afternoon. He advised me that it may be a better plan then waiting until Wed.

Aero, Geezr . . . what do you guys think about the fire sit. in Yellowstone? Have you been watching the news?

Jerbear, what's the air like in Red Lodge? Give me a call. I'll be home most of the morning and afternoon tomorrow.

And one last note . . . holy crap . . . I have loads to do!”

“I don't use DEET anymore. The bug suit looks silly sometimes, but at least I'm not soaking in pesticides. I use OFF! unscented with the bug suit. I have to apply it more often, but it works for me. The last season I used DEET ('92?) I could taste it in my system. It melted my toenail polish, and melted my friends watch. Probably using it a few times a year is ok, but not every weekend.”

“You don't really want to get the highly concentrated Deet on you clothing either. It may eat nylon and other synthetics. Deep Woods Off is about as strong as I'll go”

“100%DEET all the way!!! only on exposed areas. I'm not a big fan of headnets especially when on the move. I never get use to the visibilty problem. Blurry sight and depth perception are the main issues for me. I'll treat my head(cap, face and neck) slightly with DEET of course if it gets to be troublesome.

I once knew a guy that wore a wide brimmed hat with corks dangling from the edges on strings. He said it work at keeping the bugs away. Every heard of that?”

“true hodgeman, I only put the 100%stuff on cotton. If you want to see more on this subject search "bugs" and "deet". One even deteriorates to "cabana boys"”

“I don't know about the bugs in Montana, but in the upper penninsula of Michigan a couple weeks ago, 100% deet wasn't enough, and we ended up coming out of the woods two days early.”

“Maybe we could duct tape a bunch of those citronella candles to crazy Mike and let him run around camp.”

“”

“Well, I may be out. If I could make it I would have to fly back on Thursday. I'll know more when I get back from work.”

“Last night me and the wife went golfing. We come back into the parking lot and I tell her

"Look for a vehicle with Ohio plates"

She says "Theres one".

I yell "YO BEAR!!!!" and this guy actually turned around. Yup, jerbear is here in Cody. He will be staying at my place until the trip, unless we decide to head up Saturday, which WAS pretty likely.

Aero, jerbear says he has NO room for anything else in his vehicle and he is leaving it at East Rosebud. He may decide to spend a few more days up there. (Don't blame him, I would too if I had all the time in the world!)

Does anyone besides me have a vehicle that will hold more than two people? It could be tough getting everyone back to Cooke City otherwise.”

“aero, you might also try tying burning mosquito coils to CM's beard--it would have the usual repellant impact, plus it would be really scarry--kinda like Blackbeard with burning fuses.”

“I'm concerned about getting people from the trailhead when we come out. Geezr and I will be able to get a few back, maybe 9-10 between us. I can hold 6 and he might have room for 4 (incl. drivers). I think Hodgeman will leave one and could hold 3. Maybe one more (snownymph?) vehicle to leave at E. Rosebud and we're set.

But shuttling from East Rosebud to Cooke City on Sunday we'd have Newgirl (5), Chief (3), SB (3), jerbear (2). That might make it since OM will meet us at Cooke City later.”

“ok....i do not want to pack a fleece pullover.....
do you think i will be adequately warmed by thermal layers , fleece vest and a waterproof/breathable shell ....say yes....
i am thinking out loud here...and getting the last stuff in the pack.........trying to keep from jumping out of my skin......i am ready to roll!
i can pick up my car right off the plane, so i will be getting on the road from slc at 3am......i am not great at night driving....may end up in wyodaho somewhere...hee..., but if i keep on track, i should be in cooke city early afternoon...
save me some~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

“OM- I'd take the fleece pullover and lose the vest. You might want the arm coverage. You won't need both. Do you have directions to the cabin OK? I assume LDhiker can't make it.”

“Jerbear wants to leave his vehicle at East Rosebud. He has no room to haul others because it is filled to the brim with stuff (trust me, it is filled).

What is newgirl driving that she can get 5 people in it? If I bring one friend, and jerbear rides with me to Cooke City, I have room for 3 additional people, more if they want to ride in the back of the truck.

I assume om and snownymph/dude will be leaving their vehicles on the Cooke City side. Does snownymph have room for additional passengers? I can certainly take most of the gear in the bed of my pickup.

Has anybody heard from gojo? Would he hve room for passengers?

Man, this thing is fast approaching and I'm going to have to leave town again on Monday. Not enough time.”

“Aero, I "can" get six in if need me. I have a Dodge extended cab. Six is cramp, but with gear in the back it will be tolerable.

Everyone will need something to keep their gear dry should it be raining when we come out.”

“I was counting newgirl's car as holding 5 total including her. It looks like maybe 13 meeting at Red Lodge and OM meeting us a Cooke City. I think we can do it....

Also we'll go in with 14 and come out with 13 , HMMMMMMM (Ok, newgirl's leaving early)”

“Aero, check your e-mail.

Newgirl, how's the little one feeling?”

“just put a roll of those giant lawn and leaf bags in the truck, w/ twist ties, and you're set.”

“I'm still on the fence, put there by work pressure that I am really starting to dislike! Don't count me out yet. If (when) I come, I can haul 4-5 total (Ford Explorer). I may have start late, leave my vehicle at the put-in, and catch up with you.

Yes, I hate hikers who do this to group things, but I do kind of like employment if given the choice.”

“If you did get there late you'd probably catch us on the seconds day (Tues) up at Fizzle Lake on the divide. Good Luck!”

“I can hold 5, very cramped in my vehicle, counting myself, but I'm not sure we can put all the gear in my trunk. It's not that big and there will be no room inside the vehicle for any gear w/ all those people. Also, remember, my vehicle will not be there coming out. Geezr, Newergirl is better today. She seems to have a bit of a tummy ache, but we made it through the night w/out any vomit attacks!”

“I'm Packed! And having trouble concentrating on work!”

“Okay to leave my Jeep at the finish. There's just one passenger seat, but I can put a couple of people, or a few packs, in the back anyways.


Oh, And yes, I have started packing. T minus 19 hours and counting....”

“OK, I took Gearjunkie's advice and bought the largest garbage bags I could find. I'll throw them in the truck to protect gear should it be raining when we come out.

2'9" x 3'4" If need be we can use two per pack. There's 15.

Newgirl, glad she's feeling better!”

“Ldhiker, good luck! If we hear about a disgruntled employee from Arizona, who took his boss hostage and demanded air transport to 'palooza we'll know who it is.

See you Tuesday!”

“Okay... I got everything in the pack... It's a good thing, that I don't own a scale, or I'd be tempted to weight it!”

“weigh it”

“I can get 5 in my 4Runner, if we can throw the packs in the back of someones truck. I'll park whereever is best. Just let me know. Looks like we're leaving tomorrow morning instead of tonight. I'll be sealing food during my lunch hour today.

I thought the BBQ was Saturday night, but the E said Sunday night, which gives us a little time.”

“Newgirl, jerbear says he will call you this afternoon or this evening.

Looks like we will probably hang here in Cody and do a dayhike on Saturday then head out early on Sunday and meet up in Red Lodge.

Maybe hike to the top, or should I say bottom of Heart Mountain. Heart Mountain is actually upside down. Oldest rocks are on the top of the mountain.”

“How's this sound?

Drop rigs at East Rosebud (exit point)
(includes drivers)
Aero (5)
geezr (4)
snownymph (4)
Hodgeman (2)
that's 15! so we should be covered coming out

Rigs to Cooke City:
Chief (5)
newgirl (4)
SB (3)
jerbear (2)
14 of us will meet in Red Lodge incl. chief so we're covered there too.
OM and LDhiker will already be at Cooke.

Let's see... 14 start the hike, one leaves early, one (LD) joins later...Phil can you do this? I think we net 14 going the whole route.

Famous last words: "This should work!"”

“Oh crap! Jerbear wants to leave his rig at E. rosebud , hhhhmmmm I'tll still work! %>)”

“Well, I can help a little with the shuttle situation since I will not be able to make it. I am about to call and cancel my ticket. Hopefully I can talk one of you Montanans into showing me around some other time. I usually don't have trouble getting away, but I can't help it this time. I guess that's what I get for planning vacations so close. Really was looking forward to meeting you guys. If someone can get away for a few days in the next few months just send me an e-mail:wjgiles@swbell.net
I could fly up for as few as a 2 or 3 nights on the trail.”

“Jgeils, we were only kidding when we said the mosquitos were meaner than the bears . . . sorry you can't make it.

Aero, who's going with us to East Rosebud to get us back after dropping off the vehicles?”

“You people haven't left YET??



(you do know that you can always lash Crazy Mike to the hood if you need an extra seat)”

“He'd really enjoy it. You'd be doing him a favor.


Like Tilt said, get lost! (You know, like "break a leg")”

“What are the chances of getting this thread up to 3000 before you guys hit the trail?
Get posting people!!”