Loon Lake Winter Fiasco

“John Foggerty tried to get out by 7:00 and look what happened to him.”

“Oh lord, stuck in Lodi again”

“Thanks Navi, I started to think that went over everyone's head. LOL”

“Child of the 60s”

“It's still over my head.......”

“Ok now, If I ride with you two, will I have to act all grown up and everything? Don't know if I can do that.;') lol Or I could reverse the roll and keep you two in order. What music will you be listening to?
Oh, I was wondering... you are coming in from Lodi? I thought you were in Sac? What route will you take? I don't want to make you detour. I can meet you along the freeway somewhere if it would make it easier. email me: songbyrd601@comcast.net”

“Creadence Clearwater's song Lodi.”

“songbyrd - I hope you are ready for Laurence Welk!”

“Oh my G--. I better bring ear plugs. Better yet, I could share my music.Like No Doubt, Train, Nickelback, Los Lonely Boys, Jets, Switchfoot, hoobastank. But Creadence Clearwater works too. I like the older rock as well, just don't own any in CD format. Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeplin, Foghat, Beatles ect..all good”

“I like the older rock

That's not OLDER! That's CLASSIC!
Dang kids!!!

What no Jimmy eat world? Yellow Card? Simple Plan?”

“Yeah, Them too. I had to stop the list somewhere.:( I actually like all kinds of music, except foul language or screaming stuff. I guess you know that your getting old when....”

“Who's getting old?
You better start showing some respect!

Kids! I tell ya.”

“Keep that up and we're all gonna start calling you Pops. And we haven't even met yet. Yeah, Pops it is.”

“I'm 39 years young, always will be. I feel sorry for you people who just simply accept ageing! GET WITH IT, where's your PMA??”

“Pops? That was my grandfather! Geez!
You're so young, you haven't even been SNOW camping before. Me, I've already been THREE times! Count em, 3!
How's that for an introduction, Kid?

Wanderer, I'm going on 26!
What's PMA?”

“I'll come up 99 to go east on 50. Music: Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Disturbed,Pearl Jam, Metalica, Linkin Park. Take your pick. We won't need to talk much..can't hear over the music anyway.”

“"can't hear over the music anyway"
jvz
you really listen to that screaming heavy metal? I used to. I will difinately bring ear plugs. lol
Looks like you will pass right by my turn off. (on the hwy) I could meet you at the Mc Donalds (or Starbucks if one in that lot) at the Hazel exit. It will save you about 30 minutes if you don't pick me up at my house. Could you email me? I don't have your email.
Oh, and I'm 24 (not) and Wanderer, just what is PMA?”

“Ok Pops, I guess I am the Kid as far as being brand new to snow camping.”

“You have mail.
Peppergod: Lawrence Welk indeeed. Harumph.
I do have some Lorenna McKennit though which is as mellow as I go but I listen to her alot. We can't talk over her either tho cause I wanna listen.8)”

“PMA = Positive Mental Attitude!”

“PMA? That sucks!

J, you're right, you need to listen to Lorenna.

Song, we're gonna get along justa fine. 8*)
Make sure you bring lots of hand warmers. REI has some that are rechargable. They get really hot! They're great. Get at least 2. The disposable ones are ok. You need a few of those too.
Check out the Mt. Hardware Down Booties (w/ rubber soles). Great for hanging around camp.

Are you going to help me build the kitchen?
How bout the Lounge Chairs?”

“I'll help build but I don't own a snow shovel. You provide tools, I'll work. It'll keep me warm. We build lounge chairs in the sand on the beach so I have ideas on that.

I have lots of disposable hand warmers. Maybe I will pick up a couple of rechargable ones as well.
Oh, I found these foot warmer insert at Sportsmart. They are shaped like an insole. They are under $4.00. I think I will try a pair out.
Santa skipped me on the REI gift cert this year, so I don't know if I can get those nice Mountain Hardwear warm booties yet. I see that they have another brand though. I don't think they have a rubber sole on them. I will check. Be better than none.
And Wanderer, We have what we ladies call PDA. (Positive Diva Attitude)! LOL”

“Wish I had a 4-season tent and a sherpa :( Guess I'll have to make do.

Navi, it occurs to me that the beaver pond will be frozen over. Also it requires a somewhat steep traverse - not the best idea with all this fresh snow.”

“Oops, where's my PMA/PDA?”

“Yes, I am sure I can get us back to the beaver pond. Trust me, heheheheh.”
wannabp


And to think I trusted you.
Dang kids!”

“Hello Everyone

Hikerchic...I will not be able to go...it would have been so nice to ride together and finally meet you!

It is once again SNOWING here in Tahoe...and is a bit windy. Could get another 3 feet at our house. You are going to have so much snow there to play in. Hikerchic what is it doing in Truckee?

I do have to drive to Placerville one day for a break and lamp check on my car...and I can do it any day...so I might depending on the weather either on my drive down or back to Tahoe..just drive up and see if I can find any of you and just say hello..and that would be it. Do any of you know about what time you would be arriving on the 12th Wednesday?
And is that road always plowed to the chalet?

One day I will meet you all...I have meant Pepperdog & Tisha :)
Navi do you have a pair of those down booties with the rubber soles? I would love to get a pair..I have down booties..but no rubber soles on the bottom so they get to wet and soak through eventually”

“here is what the weather report says..it goes to next Thursday

Friday: Snowy and windy. Snow will become heavy at times this afternoon. High 33F. SSW winds at 20 to 30 mph, increasing to 25 to 40 mph. Snow accumulating 10 to 15 inches. Stronger winds in mountain passes and near ridge tops.
Friday night: Snow will be heavy at times along with very strong winds. Low 26F. SSW winds at 35 to 50 mph, diminishing to 25 to 35 mph. 8 to 12 inches of snow expected. Stronger winds in mountain passes and near ridge tops.
Saturday: Periods of snow and gusty winds. High around 30F. Winds SSW at 25 to 35 mph. 10 to 15 inches of snow expected. Stronger winds in mountain passes and near ridge tops.
Saturday night: Periods of snow and gusty winds. Low 21F. Winds SSW at 25 to 35 mph. Snow accumulating 8 to 12 inches.
Sunday (24 hours): Snow. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the upper teens.
Monday (24 hours): Snow. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the mid single digits.
Tuesday (24 hours): Snow showers possible. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the mid single digits.
Wednesday (24 hours): Chance of a few snow showers. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper single digits.
Thursday (24 hours): More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the low teens.”

“Yes, I've got a pair.
They kept my feet warm while hanging around camp. The rubber soles kept everything dry even when I would post hole.

This trip is going to ROCK!”

“Hey guys. Have you noticed we've lost the brains of the outfit. Our seasoned vets,wanderer and trailbum are both out. The brawn(wannabp...she pulled me out of a deep posthole) is still with us tho so we're ok. I figure we'll make it to the first camp table and hide out under there. We can build a fort and tell everyone what they want to hear. All those in favor say AYE.”

“I want to go farther! Say, the 2nd camp table.






You build your fort & I'll build mine. WAR!!!”

“jvz starts construction of his snow boulder catapult. heheheheheehehhhhheee.”

“Can you say "Howitzer"?”

“Yeah, JVZ, I noticed that - the brains part, not the brawn. The tables are a good idea, but who wants to dig that far down? Is this meant to be a test of what we've learned? And who is in charge of determining slope?

Navi, I can get you there, but it'll have to be next spring or fall.”

“Dig that far down (funny). I guess we'd have to. I wonder if wanderer would let us call it a quinzy or quisnos? whatever! I can see TrailBum waving us good by like the drill sgt. sending his troops out for survival training. Oh no I'm not bitter that the two probably conspired this whole trip. I'll just go on out and die. Thats ok. Anybody last name of Donner in the group. There is that chic chic girl comming from Truckee.Hmmmm”

“I expect to be arriving at the chalet early/mid afternoon (around 2:00). Would be nice to have a little company, not sure if anybody else will be there. Anybody? Bueller? As far as money, all donations gratefully accepted.”

“I can't get there earlier than Fri.

If we camp at the campground, Could you hang with us?
No work, just sitting around directing us, and drinking.
Yeah, I like that idea. You're staying for the camping part too!!!”

“I am still planning (hoping) to head up that way on Saturday. Anyone want to join me? I guess I will just wander around until I see youse guys. If you don't make it out of the campground that should be easy. If you go for a day hike leave me a note to point me in the right direction.”

“We'll leave word with the Rangers.
Looking forward to seeing you again.


Hey! I just thought about it. I'm bringing a tent. Wanna sleep with me? BaayBeeee....”

“Do you think there will be enough snow for us?”

“There is a group of at least 3 from Nothern California hiking group ( on Yahoo) that will be joinng us on Sat. If you want, I can give them your email and you could hook up and shoe in with them. email me @ songbyrd601@comcast.net

Also, Have we thought about an alternate date for this trip if the weather gods are sleeping?”

“So far the long range forcast looks good for Friday and Saturday. No alternate dates for this as far as I know but there are other trips in the works ala wanderer.
What I'm thinking is if the crews have the road cleared around the campground entrance we can park our cars in the cutout(memory from our Nov. hike) Then just shoe in east from there. Maybe the campgrounds won't be defineable but the bredth of clearing for the road should be. In Nov we walked in about a good hours worth to near east end of the lake. We can camp shorter and dayhike longer. Whatever people are feeling like. Your group should be able to follow our prints unless the woods are full of snow shoers.
Hope to see you up there too Pepperdog.”

“Leave word with the rangers? There were no rangers in sight in Nov. What time do the Sat folks plan to arrive? If they're planning to come early, we could just wait for them.

Trailbum, unless the weather or roads prevent it, we'll be there Thurs night and contribute to the costs for that night.

Good news about the weather forecast. Do you guys realize tha nothing we saw in Nov will be visible now unless it's taller than 10 feet? Weird.”

“Songbyrd - you've got mail

Navi.....”

“Hi there, I have been on the maybe list for this trip for a while, looks like I am coming with 4 more. I was concerned with finding you guys, but now that there will be another group,we can find our own spot if we can't find you guys. I've been there in the summer, where are you guys going to be in relation to the cabin on the lake on the east side? I have a feeling we won't be able to miss you guys.
What about permits etc?”

“wannabp, I thought we were hiking in on Friday? No? The other group is coming in on Sat. Now you got me all confused. (don't take much) :'p also, JVZ, we are heading back on Sunday, right?”

“Yea. Friday in Sunday out(unless I'm too cold then I take my car and go home) JK 8).

Paige: Last time I and wannabp went we were just about a mile from the cabin and on the south side of the lake. I think we'll shoot for the same but if plans change look for a GMC p/u (cobalt-gray)and I'll leave an itinerary on the windsheild. We may not go that far in to camp with people expected on the next day but then again I feel we'll do what seem good at the time if you know what I mean. So far nobody has said how far is too far. The weather report is very favorable but lets see that the road and parking is too. A lot of variables but I sure hope to meet more TT folk as I'm sure the others are. SPECIAL GUEST Naviguessar is traveling all the way from the LA basin because there is no snow in Southern CA. JK again.”

“Looking forward to meeting you all, have been lurking for a bit, time to (snowshoe)step up.
So it does sound like sleds may be doable on this route.
And permits? Do we need to get any?”

“no permits needed in the Loon Lake area .”

“oh yeah, are we talking about the same cabin? not the Chalet but the cabin on the north/east shore.”

“LOL @ j.

I can make anywhere from the 2nd camp ground table to.....Well 10 miles would be too far.”