montanapalooza 2002

“The first secret is out: newgirl can't spell..”

“I'm becoming more confused.

<8^]>”

“Hey you Montana-types:
Do you think I could get by with a 40 degree bag in the Beartooths in August? I've got one of those Western Mountaineering Mitylites which weighs a hell of a lot less than the 20 degree bag I used on my last trip, but we had pretty nice weather.
Your thoughts?”

“gj- I took a 30-35 degree bag (Marmot Never Winter) up there last year in late July and I was pretty warm. It might get down in the 20's at night, but if you've got some long johns on and sleep in a tent I think a 40 degree bag would work. I'd go for it!”

“aero,
Thanks, I may do that. What I'd *really* like to bring is the WM Megalite (full zip, 30 deg., weighs 1lb. 9oz.), but that would require me to purchase yet another sleeping bag, which would probably cost me my marriage.”

“I think I am going to bring a 40 deg bag also!!!!!

8)”

“What is my other secret Aero? Now I am confused.”

“Hey, I'm coming on this trip, but I don't drink beer. Anyone mind if I snap pictures of the rest of ya acting a wee bit "foolish"?

Maybe some before, during and after picts would be cool? whattaya say Om?

Tex”

“Hey Tex - What can we bring to get you acting as foolish as the rest of us??”

“Just wait!!!!!I am going to take so many pictures on this trip!!!!

Well over 100 pic's!!!!

8)”

“TX, I think it is so hilarious when you take progress pics. when partying. I think it's a great idea.

SnowNymph, I saw a pic. of the pack you are allowing me to borrow in an REI catalog this weekend. It looks like it should work out great. Thanks so much.”

“Hey TX, do you just choose not to drink in general or do you not like beer? Do you ever drink red beers? They are dang good and I could whip you up a few of those.”

“before , during and after Moose drool?....
well, tex ...can't say that i would want that captured on film!.....heh.....i best not do alcohol at those altitudes........:)
giddy from naicher will have to do~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

“Thanks Newgirl and Aero for the offers. I'm looking to book the flight in the next few days. I'm leaning towards a late afternoon arrival into Billings on the Saturday before the event. Say around 3 or 4 p.m.. Departure will most likely be the 19th after we are finish on the thursday the 18th.

Does this sound right: hike 15, 16 ,17, and out 18th or are we out the 19th? Is this right? I'm still alittle confused about the whole ordeal! Do I need to bring my own Axe or can I borrow one from somebody. And whats the body count? Is there gonna be enough time? and what about tying up all those loose ends? is somebody bringing the Immodium AD?”

“Immodium AD????

WTF??????


8)”

“Jerbear and TX are you still going on this one? I thought July may be too busy for me, but I may still try it if some of my fellow creeps will be there.LOL”

“I'll bring some Immodium to the airport if I pick you up Briar. It sounds like you will need it right away! LOL!”

“Briar, are you thinking you will get a rm. that night in Billings or are you thinking of maybe crashing at Aero's place?”

“I am def lookin at the trip and will most likly be there, less I in prison or somthin! LOL I dont drink alchol........... But I CAN git crazzzzzzzzzzzzzy! Oh yea. And yo bear
Newgirl, hows about pickin me up in OHIO LOL!
Briar, we be cool?
Jgiles...come on up!!!!”

“Boy Jerbear, I'd just love to trek all the way to Ohio, but . . . it just isn't in my schedule. However, if you fly in to Billings I can try to help out from there. HeheHe!”

“Naw, I will be drivin and spendin some time, northwest.What other gear are you needin?”

“HMMMM...Im hoping to join in on this one.”

“I was hoping that may not be the case but if it happens I may plan to arrive earlier to take in more of beautiful Billings. I thought there was a gathering that evening up in the Mt.'s. or is that cabin thing on Sunday? What day/time of arrival would coinside with either your schedule or Areo's?

Could someone give a abbrev. internary?”

“evergreen, I hope you can git there.
Briar-30-60 daze of bliss!”

“Anytime the 13th is fine for me Briar. It is a Sat. and I will be off work and of course no class.”

“Me too Bear..I got a present for you next time I see you.”

“Kewl,,, I look for some flights and get back.

Come on 'B' make it happen!”

“Jerbear, I need to figure out a tent situation. I don't have one and I'm not sure I am strong enough to carry all that stuff and a tent anyway. Got a suggestion there?”

“Newgirl,
If you're not claustrophobic, I have a OR Bivy you can use that weighs 2 lbs. It fits over the sleeping bag, but the 2 hoops and netting keep it off your face and give a little room. I used it for a few years because of the weight.

Its good to see more names showing up for this trip. Since I can't travel too far from California, it'll be nice to meet as many as possible at Montanapalooza!”

“At this time, I do not have an extra solo tent. I do have a 2 man at 4+lbs.;)Yo bear!
Snownymph- Why cant you travel far from Ca? Nice pic on the bug thread! LOL Is that you and the dude?
Evergreen-you are too nice.”

“The start date is set for hitting the trail the morning of July 15 (Mon). We'll meet in Red Lodge the 14th and shuttle, etc. and head over to Cooke City.

As far as coming off the trail, it's starting to look like a 5 day trip coming out Friday the 19th. A 4 day trip is pretty easy too, but it sounded like people wanted to take an extra day up on top.

So, for you fliers, if we go 5 days you'd want to book your return flight for Saturday the 20th”

“I can only do weekend trips. AZ is as far as I can drive for a weekend. Last year I took a month off, but I gave them 2 years notice. This year I'm taking 3 weeks off for Montanapalooza, and I'll come back with 1.5 hrs vacation left. And that's if I don't take any time off between now and then. I'm not comfortable with flying, and I like having my truck to get around. So many trips and so little time....”

“Thanks Areo, thats what I was looking for. I look to plan a flight on the 20th late morning or earlier afternoon since we'er hiking out on Friday the 19th. I'm gonna try to book flights for the both Saturdays.

My CPU died last night or during the day. The power went out and there might have been a power surge that did something to the hard drive because nothing is working as of now. I'm hoping to get it back sometime in the next few days so I can stay in touch.

Is tarpin' a possiblity at any of the sites where we might be camping?”

“All I know is that this is going to be one great trip!!!!!

8)”

“Snow, you are so generous. That sounds ideal for me. I'm starting to get pretty nervous you guys. What if I'm not strong enought to do this? I am a way, way new newbie and I don't want to drag you guys down. Everyone say a prayer!”

“you will be fine newgirl, remember, the trip is for the experience, not to exhibit experience.”

“I wouldn't take one on this trip. We spent 24 hours straight in the rain last time I was there. I think you would have gotten soaked from the ground up. It was the only time the mosquitos weren't out. Except after we got past Fossil Lake. Then the bugs weren't bad at all.”

“I'm with chief. The wind, rain and mosquitos would make it less fun in a tarp. Also, if we camp up above timberline there isn't much to tie to. On the other hand, it might be wind, rain and mosquito-free. But 4-5 days out we'll probably see a little of everything!

We should camp up on top (10,000') near FOSSIL LAKE- cool place!

Oh, BTW, here's a short intinerary (still prelim!)
Sat. 7/13-fly or drive to Billings (or Red Lodge)
Sun. 7/14-meet in Red Lodge, shuttle vehicles, stay at cabin in Cooke City
Mon. 7/15- a.m. start out from trailhead at Cooke City
Fri. 7/19-exit at E. Rosebud, pick up vehicles back at Cooke City, spend night there (or head to Billings)
Sat. 7/20- a.m. return to Billings (2-3 hrs)”

“Aero, maybe you should let everyone know what time and where we are meeting in Red Lodge (for the people driving straight there). Also, what time is the film festival, I'm planning on being there?”

“newgirl- The film festival is at 7:00pm in Petro Theatre. Should be good. Come early, it's getting good reviews. Also, I'll be selling popcorn! Chief, you should come on up for it. We could have a Northern Rockies Chapter of TT meeting.

I think we'll meet about 9:00 am in Red Lodge on the 14th. If people are driving and get there (red lodge) Sat. there's plenty to do. or, you could come through Billings and head up the next morning.

Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance before you come (at least the Montana part). it's a good overview of the trip.”

“Alrighty, I'll be there. I'll come by the popcorn stand and say hi. I saw an ad for it on the tube late last night. Looks cool. Is the money going to the team?”

“Sure would like a map!”

“Jerbear, look through the thread. I think they have some links.”

“Alpine/Cooke City Quadrangle
15 minute map
Tearproof - Waterproof paper

Rocky Mountain Surveys
P.O. Box 21558
Billings, MT 59104-1558
(406) 656-0366

Map was dated 1995”

“NO I want one sent to me and I will reimburse!”

“I was lookin I will order one.”

“Picky, picky! LOL!”

“I think I already asked this much earlier in the planning of this trip, but I'm too lazy to search out the answers. What do you guys recommend for getting ready for this physically? What is the best and least time consuming (I have work, school, and volunteering and I would prefer something that I can do w/ Newergirl) workout that will get me basically prepared w/ about 2 and 1/2 months to go? Also, Aero, I have only been on short car camping trips at lower elevations in the Beartooths or did quick drives over the highway . . . is altitude sickness a concern? If so, how does one deal w/ that?”

“newgirl if you can keep up with newergirl you are in good enough shape to walk with Om and me. Don't worry we walk real slow and smell ALL the flowers.
If you're worried about altitude sickness, go to the drug store and get some Tagamet. It helped my wife and daughter.”

“The year I walked/jogged around my neighborhood was the year I felt the best backpacking. I would walk then jog then walk then jog. I would go around the subdivision then criss-cross each street back to my house. It was ~2 miles and it would take about 30-45 minutes. 3-4 times a week.

Try puishing newergirl in a stroller for whatever timie you can spare. But do it as fast as you can, without dumping her in the street.”