Winterfest 2005

“Sandyann -- if we leave home at the same time, we should arrive within 1/2 hour of each other, depending on how fast we drive, coffee breaks, pee breaks, and the accuracy of Yahoo maps. Ladyhiker, if you leave an hour before us, you, too, will arrive at the same time. Jerry and I drive like we hike -- maybe we should leave the night before.”

“Too Funny...My husbands name is Jerry. Does that mean you hike fast or slow?”

“Well, it doesn't seem slow to me, but we're almost always last -- to start hiking in the morning and arrive at camp in the evening. I'm not in any hurry most of the time because I like the hike better than sitting around at camp. On day hikes, we'll 'power walk' and set little goals to pass people ahead of us, but it's different in the high mountains.”

“Just left Sheila (hikerchic) in Truckee a few hours ago, almost didn't make it over Donner Summit! Man was it dumping up there and well down the west side. Hope some of that is falling on Lassen.”

“Trust me...it is.

Snow level is supposed to rise to 6000' later tonight.

They closed I5 yesterday, just North of Redding. It's open now.

Guess who's going skiing in a couple days????”

“Ummmmm.... You?!”

“Love the inuendo LMAO TrailBum.”

“Looks like I'll be coming up on Thursday the 30th from Modesto, would like to convoy/carpool with someone else if possible. Would like to leave early enough to actually get to camp before dark. Anyone interested?”

“We're coming from Sonoma County on the 30th, Sandyann's coming from the east bay on the 30th. We could connect somewhere along hwy 5. We're all wanting to arrive in time to get set up before dark.

What innuendo, JVZ? This is my morning not to get it...........

TrailBum, did you see the Donner Summit day hike thread? Pretty far for you, but if you're visiting Hikerchic, it's only a few miles.............. She was maybe interested. Beats Christmas shopping at the malls.”

“We should probably designate an FRS radio channel to facilitate communications between various parties. Since my units were cheap, I can only use the lower channels. Suggest channel 3 as the primary and 11 as alternate. If you don't have one (or two), I suggest getting them, could be very useful in an emergency and very convenient when convoying. Here's a link to some VERY economical ones at Wal-Mart.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3064369&cat=178120&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A178120%3A4511

(Would someone please teach me how to format a *!!#!*# link?)”

“That's an Italian suppository, right? (Karen, he was referring to the title of my earlier post about the heavy snowfall)”

“This time I get it.

Are you talking about two-way radios?”

“Yes, FRS radios are the latest incarnation of the venerable walkie-talkie. With a 2-3 mile range (sometimes) they can be very useful. They are small and light with low battery consumption (while in stand-by).”

“We've got a set and will bring them. Remind us of the channels closer to the date, okay?”

“You Winterfesters be careful. You know what happens when you drink too much. Yep. Your piss is clear. No yellow snow. Which means no warning on where to get your snow for melting on the stove. Urine this together. Good luck to all of you.”

“When I've been drinking it looks more like green Gatorade.”

“Wannabp - I'll plan on meeting up and walking in with you. What time are you planning on being there?”

“Went up to Lassen yesterday, the good news is...

(1) They have fixed the bridge behind Loomis Ranger Station.. that will shorten the ski in to camp.

(2) Our "problem" Ranger from last year is no longer working in Lassen Park, he's now working in Afghanistan and to add to the irony, I am now a Backcountry Ranger for Lassen (volunteer)

The bad news is...

(1) There is almost no snow! Most of the snow they had, has been washed off by rains due to a 7000' snow level the last few days.

We still have almost three weeks to go, so do your snow dances. All we need is one good dump to be back on top of it, there is a good base at 6000', just not much snow.

We do have a back up plan. If there isn't enough snow for New Years, we're thinking about moving Winterfest to Mount Shasta. There is a spot I have used in the past that is only 20 min from Bunny flat. The drive is about 15/20 min longer then the trip to Lassen, but the hike into camp is an hour less.

One way or another Winterfest 2005 will happen.
last edited: 12/12/04 12:02:38 PM”

“Still sounds like good news to me! One way or another... I'M THERE!”

“I don't care where as long as it still happens.....I already have the sled half packed.”

“It's happening ;-)

I just cleaned the stove and counted the tent stakes...I'm actually not missing any. I do have to replace the one that broke. The tent was repaired when we did the CARDA training, so most of my work is done.

I gotta call my ex boss tonight and see if she'll let me borrow the sled.

I'm getting pumped......”

“Lassen or Shasta, makes no difference to me. Well, actually Shasta is closer to me! Hey, but I'm going on to Reno after Winterfest so it still doesn't make a diff to me. big smile

I still need to make a couple runs to the liquir store, but most everything else is set. I might also try to move up to backcountry skis rather than the x-contry skis I currently have. I guess I'll know if I've been naught or nice this past year if I get them.

nihilist”

“I am trying to see if Santa will give me that GPS a little early so I can learn how to use it before I go up there. Hmmmm....I wonder, should I bring beer or Hot Damn; perhaps I should bring both? See what I mean about being Naughty?”

“Shasta is fine with us. I'm always wanting to see the Shasta ski area.
I cannot believe you all are so prompt in getting ready to go. I thought everybody waited until the last moment like us.
We're going to Tahoe this Sunday through Tuesday. Looks like there won't be any new snow unless everyone on this thread starts those snow dances RIGHT NOW! Please, I really want/need to feel snow falling on me.”

“I am all sweaty now from doing the snow dance....come on SNOW! Last year I was begging the snow to stop. I wonder if I asked for too much.”

“Thanks, Sandyann. While you were dancing and sweating, I was sitting around cool as a cucumber doing an attitude adjustment. LOL. At least, it won't be raining on us in Tahoe this weekend. The sun will be shining on the crisp, icy snow to start my day. I'll be on snowshoes, not cross country skis trying to get some traction on the morning ice and sitting on my butt in puddles in the afternoon melt.
And as sustained as this weather system has been, I can't imagine that it won't change before Winterfest. LOL again. Will we repeat last year's blizzard?”

“Keep on dancing Sandyann!!! They are calling for 70 deg tomorrow. The ten day forecast is for sunny weather.

It's beginning to look like we may be going to Shasta. I will get more information on permits and directions in the next couple days. One way or another, I will be spending New Years in the mountains!

I can't believe we won't get snow by New Years... I have never seen Shasta without snow in December.

Wannabp...watch what you say about blizzards. Enjoy your spring conditions in Tahoe... I may run up to Shasta for some skiing in shorts and t shirt.

We may have to resort to the old traditions...burning skis and snowshoes while chanting and dancing naked around the fire.

Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do......
last edited: 12/15/04 10:48:50 PM”

“Steve...I don't care where as long as I get to go out in the mountains and play with all of you, I will be happy!”

“I will do what ever I can to keep ya happy....



Keep on dancing!!!
last edited: 12/16/04 9:32:23 AM”

“Sign me up for the happy team, too.”

“So, Steve! Is this year's trip gonna have the gripping suspense-like reading material that your last year's TR had?
last edited: 12/16/04 9:39:53 AM”

“Did someone say naked dancing? I'm there.....to watch!

Actually, I'm not sure if I'm there. Now, this is farther away from me. As of now, I get off work that day at 11am so if I have to drive farther by myself not sure I want to. I'll have to read up on all the past notes & get back with you guys on this one. I really really want to go though!”

“It would be definitely farther for me....but I don't know that distance has ever stopped me before. Just as long as the white out conditions hold off until I am actually in my tent!”

“Depending on how you look at it, you will spend less time getting to camp on Shasta then Lassen. The driving time is about 20 min to a half hour more....but the trip into camp is over an hour less. Lassen is about 50 miles from Redding (down Hwy 44) and Shasta is about 55/60 miles (I5), plus another couple miles up Everet Memorial to Bunny flat.

One nice thing about Shasta is you can leave camp, run to your truck, get more supply's and be back in camp in under an hour. You can also run down to the bathrooms in 10 min if you are on skis. In the past, when we have stayed on Shasta for a few days, it wasn't uncommon for us to run into town for a meal at a restaurant, then head back to camp that evening.

Here is a photo of the spot I usually camp at. Just to the left is a sheltered area I use if the weather looks bad, less then 100 yards from this site.

We could still end up in Lassen, but I like to plan for any problems that may arise....and a lack snow could be one. We will make the final descision in a week or so.

Treebeard....I sure hope we don't do another mini epic. I know it made great reading, but the stress is more then I prefer. I hope the worst thing this New Years will bring is a sunburn or two ;-)”

“My only problem...besides typing after a few cosmo's...is that i am going to Disneyland for Christmas. Yes, i am 'Going to Disneyland'. I will be home early enough to change plans, but I won't have time to change permits. What is a girl to do?”

“Easy, you will be on my permit. In fact, I just may apply for a permit for, oh, lets say 8 folks?

I will look into how many we can have on one permit, we may need only two or three total.”

“No crap for the Disney thing? Let me know, maybe I should just go ahead and apply for Shasta that way I have both just in case? dangggg Absolute, makes typing so difficult.”

“Hey, I have had some pretty good times at Disneyland....so did my wife, riding that cable tram thingy ;-) It's not just for kids ya know.....

I never mentioned it during the last couple New Years events, but I always apply for the maximum number of folks on my permit, just in case someone forgets. The Rangers knew I did it too.



The permit thing, not the Disneyland thing....”

“I didn't even think about permits. Let us know what we need to do.”

“Hey Steve! That must have been VERRRRY stressful last year. I wish you all a great trip and I look forward to reading about it. BTW, that was a really fine thing you did back then...”

“OK, maybe we should set a date to decide the location so that everyone can know for sure. As I mentioned, I'm coming no matter what else happens. Well OK, maybe a real natural disaster or family sickness/death would stop me, but other than that I'm coming. Anyway, maybe some would need or like a date by which they could know for sure where the location will be. We could easily get a 3ft dump or more before Winterfest 2005, but it might be best to have a drop dead decision date.

This is just a suggestion. I am hoping to meet as many new people as possible, so I hope most everyone can come no matter what. I also hope there is enough snow to float my sled. I have plenty of adult beverages to help warm me for the cold nights. So, what say ye about my suggestion? Should I just keep my mouth shut or is it a good idea?

nihilist”

“I'm checking with the Rangers at Lassen tomorrow see what they have for a long range forecast and talking with Rodney tonight. We should be able to make a final decision soon.....perhaps by tomorrow night.”

“... do you have to wear a green uniform while doing your Backcountry Ranger duties? heh heh Did they issue you a campaign hat and a whistle? If we get outa line are you obligated to issue us a ticket?

Hey, I hope I didn't come off trying to tell you what to do. Oh, and either way, I hope sandyann is continueing to do the snow dance. Is that anything like the pee dance when the bladder reaches max capacity? heh heh

nihilist”

“To be honest, I have been so busy I was thinking that Christmas was still a couple weeks away...Duh. My wife reminded me last night how many days I had left. Rodney has been working 7 days a week on Shasta Dam and he and I haven't talked in awhile. Winterfest is only two weeks away!!!

Perhaps we can get Sandy to show us the dance??? If we end up on Mt Shasta, we can build a fire. Just might have to bring up some old skis and snowshoes and do it right :-)

As for the Ranger thing....When they first began talking to me about it she said...."and for doing this you get....well, absolutely nothing".

Thats hard to pass up. Actually, now I get a hat, radio and jacket and she said I could use the snowmobile.

The snowmobile thing won me over.

Gotta find out about the whistle.”

“and I do have a pair of handcuffs, if anyone needs restraining ;-)



hehehe”

“The local weather forecast said clear and sunny until the end of the year, something about a high stuck over us. Seems like Shasta is the thing. Steve, we have a ton of firewood and upgraded our wood stove to central heat. Shall we bring some?”

“Hey now, if I am dancing up there then everyone else must do so also. I will have plenty of adult beverages...as long as I can bring the sled...so I am always motivated to dance after a few of those.

If no snow means no sled, then I will have less motivation (less adult beverages)cuz then I will actually have to carry it all on my back. Just so long as I know where i am going by the 27th or 28th, I am good.”