Sierra Rendezvous 2005

“I'm not going to carry it again!”

“Shhhh. If the newbie doesn't notice the 20 lb. change in their pack we're set for Phils peach cobbler. One of the others get the honor of carrying the 28oz can o peaches. I'll bring the bag of cake mix. Its the least I can do.”

“we will be camping above treeline most of the time?”

“Yes, That's why you get to carry the charcoal.”

“if I am going to do that I had better get my pack weight really low.”

“REALLYlow!”

“i am staying out of this thread starting NOW!!! i want them to completely forget about me! pretent that I do not exist.

I'll be back nagging a week or so before the trip.”

“Gem, that is typ. Come back and start asking questions because you won't want to read the 1000 past post...lol”

“Oh, Gem, don't worry, everyone else has survived. Heeheeeheeeeheeeeeee”

“Ewker knows the deal. Gem, biggest pain in the butt right before a trip. lol yupp, that's me! I'll check the thread, but I won't post.”

“yes, mostly above treeline

don't forget the bear can - no place to hang that food”

“I have a Garica bear canister. It is heavy by itself 2lb 12 oz :(

do you mostly use free standing tents above treeline?”

“I think I am gonna rent me a one of those wildidea canisters. they ship to my house, so that's not bad.”

“if someone wants to borrow a Garcia. I actually have two extra, but one's away at college. It might be persuaded to return for this trip.”

“wanna, Hodge will need one.”

“do you mostly use free standing tents above treeline?”
Ewker

People use both.
You're above tree line, not above dirt line.”

“Nav, I am trying to decide on my tarp tent or a tarp. How are the bugs that time of yr?”

“it never rains in southern california - you won't need a tent at all”

“Hold on there Gemini ...... we're not forgeting about you. Newbie women with pink hair get special "attention and consideration" on TT Sierra trips.

Hey nav,
Do you think that pink and green equals purple?”

“ok wingding ;)”

“Nav, I am trying to decide on my tarp tent or a tarp. How are the bugs that time of yr?”
Ewker

Rockman was using his tarp last year. There's usually rocks and willow bushes to tie to.
Bugs? I use DEET cut by 60% water in a spray bottle. I don't have any problems with Moss-Qui-Toes.

Hey nav,
Do you think that pink and green equals purple?”
solitary hiker
I don't know about purple, but I think I'm going to be sick.”

“no huge giant hairy spiders??”

“no spiders but this is roaming around up there.Don't worry Gem my cousin will leave you alone


last edited: 1/07/05 12:49:07 PM”

“Haven't seen any gaint hairy spiders up there but now that you mention it I'm sure we can bring some along just for you.”

“SH, we actually had a tarantula for a pet, so I can handle them.”

“Just little spiders.
Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see Sky Pilots.”

“Ewker - I've been using a non-freestanding tent when I go solo for the past few years with no problems.

There will be mosquitos and flies, but not constantly...depends on place and time of day. I bring a mosquito net to cover my head if necessary. I also bring mosquito repellent. Can't say I've seen too many spiders and definitely nothing big.

We will not have too many fires.”

“Oh, yes. As mentioned, everyone needs an approved bear canister. Garcias and Bearikades are OK for sure. Have to check for what else might be approved.”

“that's what I was trying to say "bearikades" i couldn't think of their name, but they do rent them and ship them to me.”

“The bugs will be bad in some areas during the month of July. A head net and 100% deet work pretty good for me.

The weather is unpredictable. Sun, rain, hail, snow - you could get them all in one day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. I don't know that you'd want to be crossing Forester Pass or on top of Whitney during a thunderstorm. You might want to plan to be off these areas by early afternoon.

It is so truly beautiful out there. If you have not been to the Sierra before, you're in for a wonderful experience - Alpine meadows and lakes, high peaks and passes, and vast views. I never get tired of it.”

“Yes, I will be needing a bear canister. Thanks for thinking of me, Navi.

Wannabp - If I remember right, you're hitting the trail on the Saturday though. I wonder if someone in the Sunday start group would be there in time for a canister hand-off before you set out.”

“I also have a spare Garcia if someone needs to borrow. I'll even sell it if someone wants to own one.
I will be using my Tarptent. I use rocks for staking out if there is no soil. It works almost better than soil. The bugs are usually bad in the treeline areas but not to bad in the open areas. I like that idea of diluting deet with water. Hummm”

“Bug juice will be very handy. DEET! If you bring flavored or scent bug juice, you will probably get bear kisses... YUCK! Bears lick their butts and eat everthing, so they have VERY BAD BAD breathe.
If you use centrinela (sure that is not spelled right) You will also draw the attention of the nearby bruins. (They say it makes them horny) I do not want a horny bear crashing thru my tent (They never use the doorway).
In early to mid July, with this level of snowfall up there this year... there will be bugs, everywhere!

Bear caniters are required on all the trails that are listed for this trip. I have had them check mine on more than one occasion”

“The bear canisters work. I'm pretty sure we've not had a bear in camp in any of the past paloozas. Terrible extra wt. but the only answer to the CA Circus Bears. Thats why they don't allow bikes in the back country. The bears steal them too. No fezes either.”

“I am so use to carrying a bear canister I am not sure what it feels like not too.”

“Oh, the excitement we're going to have in Veddette Meadows.

The bear stole my fez there.”

“OK, With Gimini Having pink hair and I having red hair you guys can have lots of fun. Just don't do anything that will lure bears. I am not liking the thought of bears sniffing me in the night all by my little self in my little tarptent. Gemini, Do you want to share my tent on initiation night? I'm scared.LOL”

“I was hiking in the Sierras in January a couple years ago. After getting back to my brother-in-law's home and going to sleep, I found a tick half-buried in my shoulder.”

“You must have been a low altitude.
And on the Westside?”

“WLD - Check your email!”

“Morning Phil,
You're up early.”

“I can give my bear cannister to Geologyguy or Wanderer when we do the High Sierra Trail before the Sierrapalooza or sooner, if I see them. Both are in the Sacramento area. Maybe Pepper could pick it up, or you could just arrange to swing by on the way out of town before the trip. BTW, I use a lot of the photo managing suggestions you made last year. Thanks :)”

“I am wondering how many batteries I will go through. I have one extra but that may not be enough.”

“Karen, Yeah, no problem about the bear cannister [I really just posted so I could be part of this 5,000+ thread] [i]”

“Solitary - I was up at 4 a.m. to take my wife to the airport. She is in FL for 11 days to visit her parents.”

“OK, I got my permit application filled out and ready to fax on Sunday.

Do you want the form?
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/applications/wildpermitapp2005.pdf”

“nav - I will try to get something out to everyone else who is waiting for permit info showing what to put on the permit application...hopefully today. That will give us a week to make sure we have a good plan.

I have to say that there appears to be great enthusiasm for this trip...and some pretty good cooperation! Should make for a great initiation ceremony!!”

“Phil, I'll even bring along a few tyvek suits for the iniation to keep the mess off of us.”

“wow. lots of stuff going on. Phil- what time are you guys hitting the trail Saturday morning? Are you sleeping at the TH Friday night? I am considering going in with Wing and making it just a 2 day weekend, but I know we will making a pretty early start.
Yeah, be great to meet you too, Ewker, and everybody else!!
Do you know which lake at Kearsarge ( I recommend the farthest back lake up on the ledges ) you are camping at? There are alot of spots, but the area is heavily used and I don't want to miss finding you guys, as I have only met a few of you. Maybe you have a lightweight "TT" flag or something :) Need some kind of marker or something.”

“trailtrekker - Bring a radio. They are great for coordinating on the trail!”