Sierra Rendezvous 2005

“Doesn't Wind Walker have a wide angle lens? We'll need it for this group shot.”

“madeintahoe - We actually don't have anyone entering at Shepherds Pass under the revised plan (see trip page). We are entering at Kearsarge Pass on various days, but some are eventually exiting Shepherds Pass.”

“Calhiker and I will be there July 16-17. SnowDude and I will be out for 9 days the week before, so I can't take another day off.

wbp, I just got the Canon Powershot S70 and it has a wide angle lens. Probably not as wide as WW's, but its pretty wide. I had to crop a lot of pictures from last weekend.”

“SN, can't you adjust the width so you just shoot what you want?”

“Yes, I used it for the first time last weekend (thinking it was just like my S50). Took it out of the box Thursday and left the book/instructions at home.”

“It's good you can adjust it.”

“OK, I need some help. Would someone who knows the area/routes and what the groups are doing please email me? I tried to figure it out on my own, but my head is swimming and I honestly am at a loss.
Thanks,
pixalu@yahoo.com”

“pixie,

Did you already look at the Trip Page? (At the top of this page you will see a link where it says "Goto Trip Page: Shepherds Pass to Whitney Portal". The trip page has a complete description of the trip.)”

“Phil,
Should I remove my name from the trip participant list? I am going earlier and will meet up with you all in Wrights Basin so maybe someone else can get in on the hike, like the pixienator! I hate to be taking up a spot.”

“Rockman - The permits are already obtained. You are doing your own as are several others. So there is technically no spot to give away.

If someone wants to go on this trip now, they just need to get a permit...if there are any left at for the route they want. The other option is to try for one the day before the hike.

The concern is that we have about 32 people going spread out on around 8 permits. There are not supposed to be more than 15 people in a group. Consequently we cannot bunch up on the trail or in camp.

Hope that made some sense!”

“Here's a report posted by someone who did the Sierra High Route April 16-22:

http://www.sierrabackcountry.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=209&sid=b4ebe2f078017fb1276a9e8a71aa9507

It sounds like an avalanche destroyed part of the Shepherd Pass Trail. Hopefully, he'll post some pictures.”

“This is what was posted about the avalanche:

"We strapped the skis on our back and hiked up out of Shepherd’s Creek, which is blown out in a couple spots, and up over the ridge to the north facing chute taking us into Symmes Creek. We got to the top of the chute a little after dusk, put on the headlamps, and skied down. About half way, we ran into a HUGE avy path. This thing must have happened in January during the big storms, probably a historic event. It looked like a nuclear bomb went off! Trees everywhere, the trail totally destroyed. This thing rolled into Symmes Creek and down the trail a quarter mile or so after coming off the avy path. If you’re going east to west, you best be one determined soul. I would not want to have to hike up that crazy slope. The hike in through Shepherd’s was bad enough, but now it’s pure torture. If going east to west, you might want to think about the Onion Valley/Forester Pass route.

Once out of the avy debris, things were smooth sailing back to the trailhead."”

“This doesn't sound good. Is anyone going up Shepherds before July that could give us a report? But then again, no one can really go over that pass before about July 1st anyway can they?”

“I actually don't want to go earlier, I was to come in from the end of the trail and meet everyone from there. I got a map today. So if I got a permit (calling in the morning tomorrow) it would be for a totally different day then pretty much everyone else in the group. As for bunching up in camp. I'm sure that can be worked out. Like hanging out together , but essentially camping elsewhere. When I talked to the ranger station, I said I was trying to see about meeting up with a big group and he said nothing about it being a problem and didn't even comment on it.

If I can't make it work, I'll just backpack somewhere else in the area and meet at the party. It's not a big deal, really.

And now Rat Packer is coming with me! Woo Hoo. We got bear cans today at REI.

Gotta go ice my knee. (Yup, I have another injury! Grrr.)”

“We'll be going up Shepherd Pass Trail on July 1st.”

“It's going to be interesting to hear what you have to report. You're doing a weekender and climbing Tyndall?”

“No, going in for 4 days. Initial plan was Williamson and one of the other peaks in that area, but with all the snow it might take us 4 days just to do Williamson.

Last year we did Tyndall - it's a nice climb up the north rib.”

“pixie - Whatever you do, please do not tell the rangers you are going to be with a big group. They will show up and give us citations. The maximum group size is 15. We will split up along the trail and in camp to make sure we are not perceived as a large group.

I am sending you an email.”

“Pixie - After I sent you an email, I got to thinking. I don't think it is safe for anyone to try and leave on Wednesday or Thursday and try to catch up with us. I say that because with the snow conditions the way they are this year there is no telling where we will be and what your trail conditions will be like to find us. Also, unless you are experienced at orienteering and going cross country in the Sierras, this could be knarly even if we can be located.

May I respectfully make some suggestions for you to consider:

1. If you can get permits for you and your friend, join the whole trip from the beginning or just tag along at the beginning...not the end.

2. Plan a 3-4 day Sierra trip for August or September and invite others to join the trip. The snow levels will be much lower by then and you would probably get some takers.

Again, safety is my concern here.”

“Hat's off! You are a diplomat and a scholar. It's going to be a pleasure to hike with you again.”

“this jaunt is getting closer by the minute...

"gonna see some folks i dig,
even kiss a sunset pig...
California comin home~~~~" joni mitchell song...:)”

“I may decide to take my own car. Is their anyone that would need a ride from the Sacramento area that could ride with me? I wouldn't want to make the long drive alone. BTY: I'm going in on Friday for the campground get-to-gether.:) ( My son just bought his own truck, so now we have our spare car back) Just a thought.”

“Mt. Whit trail is a bust for me. Snow pack issues, lack of permit (couldn't get any days I wanted) I have no aspirations to visit the peak anyhow. I just want to have fun and see the pretty nature.

So local folks (I asked Phil by email already) I am looking for fun bp-ing trails in the area for a 2-3 night trip. Rat Packer and I still want to a do a trip and at least meet for the party. Pity we can't join the group. : (

And don't worry, I didn't get the ranger concerned about the size of the group. I had mentioned you all were very organized on permits and were hiking in and out and different areas/times and such and he didn't seemed worried or ask any questions about it.

So I have a lovely un-needed map of the Whitney Trail to give away when I see you all. Up for grabs. ; )”

“Hey, I just talked to Rat Packer and it looks like we are going to do a road trip instead of flying. So I won't need bp trip ideas. We are going to check out various places on the way down from Seattle to Lone Pine and mostly car camp with hiking. Whatever strikes our fancy. We still want to go to the party tho.

Thanks for all the tips everybody!”

“Just read the last two weeks' posts. So navi, Vidette Meadows is supposed to have bears? That's what they said about Bearpaw Meadow but I didn't see any.

I think I'm more concerned with the high river crossings than the snow passes......well, unless they're really steep. I drove to work this enjoying all the new snowfall. I thought I wanted the winter gone but it sure was beautiful this morning driving to work! It's been snowing here for 7 months!

Of course I'm in the northern sierras so wouldn't there be less snow in southern at that time?”

“Wingding, that Sierrabackcountry stuff was interesting. Here we are worrying about snow in July, and other people are traveling through it in April.
As for snow, we got 2-1/2 inches of rain over Mother's Day. Snow level was 4500 feet. This really is an unusual year.”

“well ok then, delta will flap me into ONT for only 6 dollars more than LAX, just finished buying my wings for this trip....finally...jay~~~~

jvz....u know, all this talk about snow and melting snow in july etc....i probably will still race you to the swimming hole, ...but i may not jump in....unless, of course, i am under some sort of influence , natural or otherwise..
yippee and yahoo
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz~~~~”

“om - go your itinerary...cool.

Snow pack is not melting off yet....hmmmmm.”

“Ok, I tried out my new ULAP2 pack and new boots this weekend. I feel that I still need to adjust the pack a bit and it will be perfect but the boots have got to go back to REI. Only 4 blisters!! Of course I hiked a total of 20 miles for a one nighter. I'm nuts! The terrain was also fairly strenuous. I guess I'll just stick to my trail tennies.”

“The road to Onion Valley is supposed to be open now. I'm going to head up there on Friday and do some hiking - at the ranger station they said that the snow starts at the parking lot.”

“How about we practice some "pairs ice skating"at the swimmin hole. Getting ready for the TT Olympics. Its going to hit the 90's over the next week. Here comes summer and some snow melting sunshine. The rivers are rising fast here in the CA Central Valley. No big deal "yet".”

“SCARRY!!!! I'm building my ark. Heading to Desolation Wilderness next weekend. We'll see haow fast the snow is melting. The smaller lakes there are all still frozen.”

“.....hmm ...crampons or ice skates?....decisions decisions, hah....

its july guys!.....just doesnt seem right to be shivvering...ah.....come what may....trip is gonna rock....”

“Crampons, ice skates or sandals?
It is July after all.”

“The only guy I know that buys four season Tivas (crampon ready of course).”

“LOL!!”

“navi...u know how gullible i am....so...seriously, do you wear tivas hiking?...if so, do you wear socks with them to prevent blisters?....just askin..”

“Yes, I wear Tevas hiking.
No socks. No blisters. They've been more comfortable than boots.
I'll wear boots to change things for the day or if there is going to be a lot of boulder hopping.”

“They must fit you really well Navi. My feet would be shreds if I attempted it. I do like wearing sandals tho!”

“They're sort of like these: http://www.rei.com/product/47875557.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_FOOTWEAR_TOC
The inside of the straps are soft and fuzzy.
Adjust the velcro straps nice and comfy or tighter to keep most of the sand out.
They work great on the trail or in the water. The only proplem I've had is in mud. If the mud gets between your foot and the sandal it's slipperyer than %^$#, ah...oil.”

“It's awesome that you found something that works so well for you. : )”

“navi....well durn, i might get a pair and bring em along with my regular hiking tennies...just to try em out! i have some goretex sox too if it gets too too messy .

my feet have expressed an interest in having a sandal experience on the trail.., and u know how i love sloshing thru creeks rather than crossing on the "high wire" logs like the flying wallenda's.

.....hey.sandals worked for Moses up on the rocky mounts!”

“*singing* Let my people go.”

“I think you'll be happy with them, except on the days we'll be crossing snow. Traction might be an issue there. As long as you're not doing Whitney, that should only be 2 days at the most.”

“I hike in Tevas often without a pack and sometimes with a pack. I have a tweekie ankle so I like to have the support of boots but I love being able to splash through streams to cool off my feet (and cross the streams) without having to take off my boots.”

“Keep wearing the sandals and you'll build up the strength in your ankles.



ohhhh, I love a lady with strong ankles. Woof woof!”

“"except on the days we'll be crossing snow. Traction might be an issue there."---navi

well then...... enter the crampons and ice skates we are bringing ..stage left. :) ...”

“Naviguesser
“The only guy I know that buys four season Tivas (crampon ready of course).”
jvz


LOL”

“Here are some pictures I took in Onion Valley on Friday:

http://community.webshots.com/album/351685353lQoAcm

Onion Valley is just beautiful - lots of snow right now but at least the road is open to the trailheads.”

“Thanks wing.



Only 53 days to go.”