Sierra Rendezvous 2005

“nav - I thought the Shepherd Pass Trail was pretty. I haven't been in at Kearsarge, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

I sounds to me like we will have a decent contingent going in at both trailheads.”

“I saw Kearsarge Valley from Charoltte Lk. and said "I want to see that up close!" And from the Webshots search of Kearsarge and Shepard, Kearsarge still looks better.

"sounds to me like we will have a decent contingent going in at both trailheads.”
Phil

I agree Phil, it's the Sierra, what can be bad?


packing up gear every morning is more labor intensive than making up your bed.....but that's just me.
om

No, it's not just you om. But, as you know, it's worth it to see what's on the other side of that ridge.


i am still looking at going over shepards pass, a pretty tough first day...but to me , all first days in the west are tough...if i died, you could just hurl my bones into the pothole.....wonder if one could hire a cowboy to take you as far as anvil camp? heh....”
om

If you went the Kearsarge route I'd throw your bone into the pothole, Shepard route, you're on your own. Does anyone else walk as slowly as you and I? And who would carry your pack across the stream crossings?
Yes, you could hire a cowboy, well, a horsepacker. But wouldn't that be cheating? 8^)
last edited: 11/28/04 2:05:54 AM”

“LOL nav! Om the one thing I can remember about Sheperds is that there are no stream crossings, therefore no logs to tightrope across.

Now we may well have to bring crampons and ice axes but that is another story!”

“...it's the Sierra, what can be bad?

the-naviguesser
12:04:31 AM
11/28/04

Well said!!”

“well...hmm, lessee navi...was it cheating when the llamas carried our stuff at llamarama??
i wouldnt really be cheating...just starting my hiking on sunday like some of the rest...heh

oh ya navi, i was wondering who would carry my pack across the logs if i went the shepards pass way, now solitary hiker just blew that concern out of the water....
year before last in colorado when i was by my lonesome, i just scooted across the logs on my tush, was a little rough on the shorts and bottom of the pack and i hoped nobody was watching.....but..oh well

speaking of water...what of the
water sources along the shepards pass way? do you have to carry lots of water..i would rather take a beating than have to carry lots of water uphill.”

“was it cheating when the llamas carried our stuff at llamarama??

Must have been cheating. You remember the way I was PUNISHED.
8^D”

“LOL...did i snore that loud??

yep, we all got our come-uppance for cheatin that time....”

“Cowboys for hire?! Where?! I want me a cowboy. "Save a horse. Ride a cowboy." heeeeeehee!”

“There's water for the first mile on the Shepherd Pass Trail. After the first mile, you go until about a mile before Mahogany Flat before your next water source. It's not that many miles, but it can be a very hot section of the trail.

The Shepherd Pass Trail is beautiful, but steep and the temperatures can be rather hot.”

“and as hot as the Shepherd Pass trail can be, it might be snowing at Shepherd Pass.”

“Pepper, have you looked at the Loon Lake thread? I suppose after Paris you may be short on vacation time, you lucky gal, but I just posted a day trip in that thread. Take a look.”

“Hi! I just sent an email to everyone using the Trip Page Email. Time to organize who will be apply for permits since we are about one month away from the application date.

If you are signed up and did not receive the email, perhaps your TrailTalk email address is not current. If you didn't get one, email me at rosenkrantz@csupomona.edu and I will send a copy.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone!”

“you got mail Phil.”

“Yeah-

My email on TT was way far outta date. So. Sent ya a message.

\o/”

“Phil, you should have received my email last night.


nav, are you still in group 1”

“And you've got more mail.”

“I sent ya an e-mail. I can't makt this trip after all. We already made plans to go to Florida. I'd rather go to the Sierra's!”

“Got mail from the three above and several more! Thanks.”

“Sheesh! Make that 5 above...(delayed click!)”

“Ewker, I AM Group 1!
8^D”

“Nav, that is what I signed up for also. Only because trekkngirl said you were the best...she didn't say the best at what and I wasn't going to ask...lol”

“I'll check my e-mail when I get home tonight.”

“I'm a legend in my own mind!
And T-girls too I guess.”

“Trust me Ewker..

Ha!!! Yes, you are Sir Naviguesser..Did you get my email?”

“i'll check it later too...too lazy right now to answer.”

“Hey, Trekkngirl, don't you think you should join the JMT hike?”

“Well..YAH!!!! Already checked it out..can't take that much time off.. :(

When I retire..we'll do it.”

“I think I'm going to have to face reality in that I'm probably not going to be ready for a week-long trip in 7 months. My Lyme Disease still has a hold on me, but I am improving. I'm walking a bit better, but still a long way to go before I even consider a long trip.

I could possibly help with transportation. Let me know if I can help.”

“T-girl, sure you can, just do it. At least, that's the attitude I took. It was my birthday present to myself. Who knows what shape I'll be in when I retire? If you fly into and out of somewhere near us, Jerry and I can drive you to and from so you save money and time.
last edited: 12/17/04 10:15:43 AM”

“Mike, it's still a long time in the future. Think positive, go through your gear with a digital ounce scale and see how you can drastically cut weight.”

“wannabp,
Thanks, but weight is going to help my situation...although I do need to cut my pack weight down.

Typically, Lyme Disease takes a long time to get rid of...months or even years. I've been on antibiodics for two months now and noticed only a slight improvement. I've got a long way top go before I can even think about even an overnight trip.”

“Mike, I didn't realize how much you were affected. I hope it gets better soon. I remember how much the mountains mean to you. If there's anything I can do to help, e-mail me, okay?”

“Pepper, did you get my e-mail?”

“I just sent out an email using the last email addresses I could find for our trip goers. These email addresses were invalid:

dancinghiker47@yahoo.com
garden4u@sosinet.net
annieb@webmail.cal.net
EClajus@GCCC.com
ten_bears_1@hotmail.com

So, contact me and I will send you the message again! Sometimes our university email doesn't like certain providers.

Thanks,”

“Thanks for the ExCel spreadsheet Phil. It's very helpful. Right now I only see two people, jvz and me, signed up for Group 2, the Saturday hike up to Shepherd Pass via Anvil Camp. Anyone else out there in TT land that hasn't checked in but is planning on doing the easy, cakewalk, shortcut hike to Wrights Basin?
last edited: 12/21/04 11:21:18 AM”

“NOT I!!!”

“I will be looking for a possible airport pick-up for this trip. I am in group 1a or 1. I can fly into Sacr. or Reno either of Thursday night or Friday. If anyone can accomidate, please drop me an email. llsfbc@bellsouth.net I'll be more than happy to pay for gas.”

“Creekjumper, we're in Group 1 or 1a. So is Songbyrd who lives in Sacto. But you're better off flying into SoCal and driving to the TH with folks from there 'cause it's a shorter drive. Any offers?”

“Let me see.
T-girl, Eweker, Stove are you guys all coming together?”

“Nav, t-girl and I will probably be on the same flight. Not sure what SS will be doing since he is coming out of Miss.”

“Sol - my friend and I are possibilities for trip 2a (if that is Saturday in at Shepherd's Pass). I mostly want a lay-over day for dayhiking.

Navi - no, I didn't get your email. Whatcha been up to, bud? Any new grandchildren yet?

Long distance travelers note: It looks like I will be leaving the Sacramento area noonish on Friday so if anyone wants to fly into Sacto I will be able to provide airport pickup on Thursday night or Friday morning. Hodge, etc, what time is the Northern Express going to be rolling into town? I seem to recall that you are on the list for begining the hike.”

“Pepper, is the e-mail address listed here the correct one? It's different from the one I have.

Thanks Ewker. That's 3 in the Explorer for now.”

“Most of the SouthEast bunch are far from me so I will have different flights from most.
I'll be flying out of Gulfport, MS or New Orleans, LA.
I can and will arrange my flights to accommodate anyone willing to provide rides and, of course, pay for gas.”

“But you're better off flying into SoCal and driving to the TH with folks from there 'cause it's a shorter drive. Any offers?”
wannabp
12:04:30 AM

What city???? SoCal is pretty big! ;-)”

“Navi - you have always emailed me at my work address. That hasn't changed. My home email (which I also check at work) is annieb@davis.com.”

“pepperdog,
The group number for the Saturday start up to Shepherds is 2....plain 2. The 2a group leaves for Shepherds on Sunday. But I don't remember seeing anyone on Phil's ExCel spreadsheet signed up for the 2a Group. Looks like most people have chickened out on doing Shepherds. (Or maybe they're just smarter than me!)
>
I think I'll fly into SAC on Thursday night. I'm not sure a flight from the East Coast could get to California by noon Friday.
last edited: 12/22/04 10:21:46 AM”

“For those flying in, I think the driving time from Sacramento or the LA area is not that much different. Plus, there are people who live in both areas who can provide transportation (and some accommodations).

I can also help those flying into Los Angeles. I was sort of planning on driving to Onion Valley on Saturday morning. But I could drive there on Friday if I wanted...not a problem.

For those planning plane flights to LA:

John Wayne Airport (SNA) (a.k.a. Santa Ana, or Orange County Airport) is 20 minutes away from Nav or I. Great airport, but not necessarily serviced by all carriers.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) - Very nice and closest to the trailhead. About 30 minutes from me and 1 hour from Nav, but it is on the way to the trailhead. Those flying in late on a Thursday, for example, could grab a hotel room and get picked up on the way to Lone Pine Friday morning.

Los Angeles International Airport - About 30 minutes from Nav and 45 minutes from me IF there is no traffic. Not necessarily the best choice logistically, but often the best choice for good prices.

Probably the best thing to do is find the best price and let us sort things out.

Nav can take 4 people easily, but already has T-girl and Ewker at least. I can take 3 people in my Grand Prix. If I put some of my gear in someone elses car or get a roof rack, I can take 4. My son is currently planning on going (about 98% sure). If he does go, we could also take his Intrepid, which holds 3 total + gear.

There are other possible drivers from this area also. I will let them chime in for themselves.

Some people have not indicated their hike choices yet, so there could be more on hikes 2 and 2a. Also, some have indicated 2a as second choice possibilities. We really need to get everyone's input before we panic on any group sizes. Then we need to get the permits!! Permits ask for second and third choice entry dates!

This is going to rock!”

“I wrote back to Phil about 2. I'm still interested but for me the mental block is shuttling. I want to provide help since my truck seems to shuttle people and gear pretty well. But I can just get us two to Shepherd T H and beg a ride for us back to there after Whitney Portal. Time will tell. Between Peppergod and me you should be ok to come in to Sac. on Thursday nite. Theres my 2c.”

“Nav, just to let you know I would be flying into LAX”

“jvz,
I know what you're saying. If not enough people want to go over Shepherds maybe the thing to do would be to switch to the Saturday start at Kearsarge. But we may want to wait. AnnieB and friend could be in Group 2 (see my earlier post the her). We haven't heard from Obi and several others may chime in the next several weeks.
>
I'm very flexible. I'd love to go in Saturday but will do any day as long as someone will give me a lift. I'll help pay for gas. Can't wait to see the Sierra again!”