Sierrapaloosa 2003

“I'll see what I can do. I'll have three others with me so it'll probably go to a vote.”

“Dang, PD....I am disappointed. Hope you find some treatment that brings relief. Come at least for my dayhike of Mt. Whitney on the 9th, OK?

HikinMike -- you WILL be at Sierrapalooza. Yes, indeed, you will be there. :) My son and I will carry some of your gear for ya, if necessary.”

“I'm sure I'll be there. It really doesn't bother me to BP, just when I sit (at home) on the computer, try to get up from laying down etc.”

“Hey, my back hurts too! :)”

“I'm down to 1 back-crackin' visit a week! Woo Hoo!

Everybody else heal. Good luck PD!”

“Pepper - Bummer! Hope you can go in spite of the problem.”

“Pepper, denial is a good thing! Keep it up!



Must hike - Must hike - Must hike Subliminal message.”

“Pepper - sorry to hear about your back.

Ldhiker - I'm starting out on the 2nd, so if you want to start a day early like I am and do a layover or short day while the rest of the group catches up on day 3, you're welcome to join me.”

“Pepper, maybe you could stay in denial a little longer? Maybe there'd be less to carry, bet you could share a stove and a water filter and thus lighten your load, maybe even a tent. Do what you need to do, but ask for help if that's the right thing. I'd help if I were a 7-dayer.

Hikin M, same goes for you and you are on the 5-day. If weight is the problem, just say the word. You can certainly share our stove and water filter and sounds like Fritz and son will carry the rest--almost. Young people are strong. When we went up Whitney, the kids carried our bear cannister full of food and we took them out to eat after the trip. What a deal!

Go, Tango, sounds like you don't have to bring your chiro with you. That'll sure lighten the load.

Almost time. Off I go to speed walk the hills and get in shape.”

“Navi, I'd bend the ear of ldhiker and wingding0, sounds like they'll be at the TH early.”

“Yeah, but early for the 5 day trip.”

“Yeah, but can't they rent a campsite for several nights?”

“Wingding is going in on the 2nd, the rest of the 5-dayer are going in on the 3rd, I'm coming up on the 4th. I think it'd be best if the campsite was only vacant for one night.”

“Navi's Panorama of Big Arroyo

I loaded some of the MK photos I took last weekend on...
Webshots”

“If I can help with campsites, let me know. I can try to get one on the 2nd for those arriving in the evening on the second, but I'd have to be able to let those coming know where it is.”

“Sawtooth Peak and Ridge

Monarch Lakes”

“Pepper - I'll second wannabp's comments - I'd be happy to share gear, including a tent.”

“You're probably right about it only being vacant one night. We can try to snag one on the 3rd before we hit the trail and leave a note wherever notes seem to be left there or phone you on the cell if ours works and you have one.”

“I think cell phone recepition would be nil in Mineral King, you'd need to use a land line.”

“wannabp you have mail.

Thanks.”

“SnowFamily, I know you have at least two... :)

Any chance you have one you aren't using for this trip?”

“"Monarch Lakes" is where the 7-dayers will camp the 1st night, next to the lower lake. This shot was taken on our way up to Sawtooth Pass.
"Sawtooth Peak" is the view from the pass.
"Big Arroyo" was taken from Kaweha Gap, the easiest pas I've ever gone over. We came from the right. to the left is looking into Nine Lakes Basin.

More to follow with Windwalkers help.”

“Can you make a link to a map showing the route for the seven day trip? I do not see big five lakes and some of the other land marks. We starting out at Mineal King Ranger station I am assuming.”

“Thanks for the kind thoughts. I don't think that simply lightening my load will let me handle 7 days of hiking. My feet have been pretty darn tender for the last couple of months. I think I will have to stick to hiking into a base camp type situation and sitting around and day hiking for a few days before hiking out. My doctor started me on some new drugs yesterday so I am cautiously optimistic about things looking up...”

“wow, Navi. nice pictures. gosh, i wish i was gonna be able to make it. that view down Big Arroyo literally made me ache to be there.”

“And precipice Lake is even better!”

“Bigpoppa, check out Windwalkers maps - http://community.webshots.com/album/58207862BHPxVb”

“I cursed myself yesterday. I had to go back to the chiropractor today because of pain. Going back tomorrow and Monday! Hope you guys on the 5 day won't mind me hobbling along. j/k (sort of)”

“Tango, bring lots of tequlia!
What you don't need I'll take off your hands in Lost Cyn.”

“I was thinking maybe we will run across a 'grove' of a more leafy substance, then I won't feel a thing!”

“Or I can just bring the worm-ultra light ya know!”

“I'll meet you in "LOST" canyon! 8^P”

“I've been slacking on the backpacking stuff. This will be our last weekend in Mammoth . . . 8-(

I only read back a few days, so:

Fritz, we have 3 canisters. I posted at the beginning and Tango/LDhiker got them. I'll check with another source to see if I can borrow one.

Tango, take care of that back! I'll send you our phone numbers in case there's a change of plans.

Pepper, what are the symptoms? I'm having problems with my shoulder and its not getting better. I can't even scratch my back with that arm without pain. Hope you can at least dayhike in with the group.

We'll be coming up late Wednesday, so not sure where we'll camp. What's a good meeting time on Thursday? 8am or 9am?

WingDing: "but I'd have to be able to let those coming know where it is."
- How about a big "TT" on the windshield? Mail your truck key to one of us, and we can move it on the 4th to trailhead parking.

Windwalker, thanks for doing the maps! I started drawing the route a few nights ago, got lost when I missed the trail to Little Five Lakes, and fell asleep while backtracking.

Haven't done any training for this yet. First backpack will be June 21-22, then June 28-29 to meet Tango. That's it.”

“I thought you married Scott so he could scratch your back :p”

“Pepper,

I am sorry to hear about your feet. Thanks so much for still letting us crash at your place. I will bring you a little care package from Cincinnati.

Nav,
Thanks for the info on the map. I will print it out and start routing it on my GPS. I am assuming that a lot of people are going to have maps, so I am just bring my GPS.

If someone needs a bear canister, I found a place in Texas that will mail it to you for free and 3 dollars a day. It sounds like a good deal to me. You only pay for the time you are in the backcountry, but you can have them send it to you early. Here is a link. http://backcountry-equipment.com/ Check it out.”

“I have an extra Garcia canister, but I'm going in on the 2nd.”

“Snowie -Rheumatoid Arthritis happens when your immune system starts attacking your joints, apparently thinking they are bad. In December I started with stiff and swollen fingers, pretty soon my hands were hot an swollen most of the day. In the last couple of months it has started up on my right foot - can't wiggle my toes, the ball of the foot feels like every bone is broken, very hard to walk on. My left ankle is also very painful. Oh yeah, and my knees hurt, too. Do I sound pitiful enough??? I started on drugs (that are hard on your kidneys and liver) 2 months ago and my doctor upped the dose this week so the joints aren't hot anymore but they are swollen and stiff. Aren't you sorry you asked?

I have a bear cannister that someone can borrow - that way a part of me can go on the trip. I will conceal a micro-recording device in it so I will know that you guys talk about me a little, and don't say anything too bad.”

“wingding / pepperDog...

I will be arriving at Visalia on the night of the 2nd, hitting the trail the morning of the 3rd. If I could figure out the logistics I would love to borrow your canisters.

Wingding, are you going through Visalia? Maybe you could leave it at the hotel?

pepperDog...do you know if any of the 5-dayers are passing near where you live on their way to the trailhead?

And if nothing else works...speaking to you both...maybe you could just mail it to me (or to a 5-dayer who lives closer to you, to save on shipping.)

What a big help this would be; I think my son and I really need two canisters, and I've been out of work for 3 months so I am really hoping to get away without buying and/or renting.

Thanks so much!”

“Snow Nymph, if you have a "source" for borrowing a canister or two, and it is simple for you to obtain them, please let me know. That might be simpler logistics than getting one from wingding or pepperDog.

Bigpoppa, thanks for that rental source. That looks like a good deal.

Wow...I am so thankful to all of you for being willing to help out. You guys all rock! :)”

“Thanks for the concern. My back shouldn't be a problem while walking, I've been doing plenty around the house (5 miles/night). It's the sitting that gets me (at the computer at work and home).

I know I could share some gear, but I'm kind of used to carrying what I need and not worrying about "group" gear. This "ailment" is forcing me to do something I should have done a long time ago and that is to cut weight!”

“Snow -- maybe you guys would be the best to snag a campsite for the 7-dayers. I offered and am happy to, but we are driving from Visalia the morning of the 3rd. We'll hit the road by 6A so we get the whole day to hike in.
Pepper -- sounds like it's past the denial stage, but we can meet.
Fritz -- we have an extra Garcia bear cannister we'll bring. Our son has it at college, but we go down there this weekend. One cannister should be enough. You can carry the first day's food out of the cannister. Are you at the same hotel where we'll be?”

“Haven't made reservations yet. What hotel are you at? I know you told me...a cheap place in Visalia. Sounds good to me. :)

Thanks so much for the canister. What size is it? Big enough for 8 person-days of food?”

“Fritz: I think they also rent them at the park. Have you looked into that?”

“I think one canister per person is almost a given for hikes this long.

Sorry I don't have an extra one to loan.”

“Pepper, So sorry to hear of your pain! My shoulder gets hot, and something as simple as pointing to the top of the mountain or putting on a jacket can cause pain. Guess its time to get it checked. I can imagine what the pack will feel like if I'm not careful putting it on. And then there's the right shoulder . . . continuous twitching for 2 days now. Su(ks getting old, huh?

Fritz, I've got a call into the Wilderness Club at work to see if I can get the Bearikade Expedition, should be big enough for both of you. I can carry 10 days of food in it, weighs 2 lb 2 oz.”

“Re: campsite. I don't get off til 6pm Wed 3rd. We'll drive up and arrive late. Not sure where we're camping. I can grab a site if available.”

“pepper, I'm so sorry to hear about your arthritis. I hope it gets better. I'll add you to my prayers.

I'm sorry if this has been brought up in a previous post. Is the plan to drive to Mineral King Friday the 4th, camp there to acclimate and then start our trip on the 5th?

Also, with a couple people not being able to go, I was wondering what the count was for each of the two trips.

And did I read that someone is doing a map of both trips or just the 5 day trip? That would be great!

tango, you just might come across a grove of that green stuff. Did you see the news last week that said they found pot plants there? Hope we don't run into the people guarding the stuff. They have guns!They told hikers to beware.

ww & Navi--beautiful pics! Thanks! Can't wait!”

“Actually, it looks like you might be able to use bear boxes along the trail for this trip instead of carrying a canister if you plan the trip to camp at the locations with boxes.

Here's a list of the bear box locations:

http://www.nps.gov/seki/snrm/wildlife/wildlife_data/lockers.rtf”

“Hey Snowy... Wednesday is the 2nd. We have to start walking on the 3rd don't we?”

“I just got back from buying a new, tight as heck, capilene shirt. I mentioned to the clerk about our trip to Mineral King and he went on about Marmots eating cars and chicken wire and all kinds of crazy stuff. On the way home, I seem to recall this topic on other hiking lists. So, is it true the marmots might be chowing down on my vehicle? WW, any info?”