Tahoe-Yosemite Trail

“Yep... that's how I see it. At least transportation will be easier.

I am planning on staying in the Sierras, or heading up to the Redwoods after our trip to meet up with a friend. I think the plan was to exit Monday, right?”

“Right, exit Monday.”

“I've been hiking every weekend lately. Doing some strenuous stuff as well as some very long miles. So, I hope I can keep up with you all now. I'm still winded going up steep grades but doing much better. I could probably add a couple of extra miles a day now if needed.”

“is that fire going to cause us problems”

“Oldog,
That fire is well North of where we start. They'll have it out in a day or so hopefully.”

“Thanks, songbyrd”

“So, I ordered and recieved Aqura Mira from backpackinglite.com . I was suprised that they sent it to me. (cali and all)
So I'm going to try using it instead of a filter on our trip. Should I acclimate to the stuff first? It's not something your body needs to get used to is it?
Is there a prefered way to filter floaties from the water. I have an issue with floaties. Maybe a small netting or cloth coffee filter? Not sure what you all do.”

“all the time, when I have a clear water source.
Yea as far as floaties a multi purpose Bandanna would work good also”

“Yeah, I though about just using my bandana. I always have one handy.”

“Hey T - I've used AM for two years now and have never had a floaties problem in the sierra (unlike with snow melt - I hate the little floaties in the water you get from melting snow. Ick!) But I do carry a couple of coffee filters and a rubber band just in case I want to scoop a bottle from murkier water.

I love AM - unlike all of the tablets and other chemical treatments on the market, I can't taste anything in the water after I have treated it.”

“Thanks for the rubberband tip. I've always got a few of those in my pack. I might throw in a coffee filter just in case, or just try my bandana. I'll test the bandana filtering at home first. ;)”

“The reason I don't use my bandanna for it is because my bandanna is usually pretty dirty (sweat, dust, ugh)! It's nice to have a clean coffee filter as an option - and it's lighter weight than carrying a bandanna just for that purpose.”

“AAWWHH, makes sense.”

“Can't wait.

”

“anyone excited about this trip, It doesn't seam so, anyway I'll be there on the 20th who will I see?, Paige ,you bringing Henry this trip, Rob ,I've been calling you for the last freaking month with no response, do you want be to bring the Bear Vault,also I need some stove fuel, med size any mount will work Oh song the mileages that you put together ,are they close (71 miles total)
Just wondering

thanks
the dogster
see you all on the 20th”

“YES! I'm excited.
Oldog, I think Paige pitched Henry out. LOL! I even put that thing to the test on Memorial Weekend and it sucks big time. I'll keep my HS Cloudburst.
I'll get your fuel for you. No worries. I'm assuming you need canister fuel?
You will need a bear canister.
I'll double check the mileage. I think I got around 72 and Paige is saying around 80 so we're in the same ballpark.
My goal is to get my pack weight down but I bet all the food is going to keep me up there. Plus, I plan to bring my GPS (and extra batteries) with several way-points downloaded along the route. As usual, I'll be carrying around 35 lbs. Darn-it!
Feel free to call if you want to talk about the trip.”

“Oldog,
Nice talking to you yesterday. I'm checking on that milage. My Yosemite High Country map doesn't have the first 20 + miles on it so I'll check my Topo Program again. But it's 53.3 from Grizzley Peak to TM parking. Just need the milage from Kennedy Meadows to Grizzley Peak now.”

“Started organizing my food last night. I hate this part. I wish I could hire a outdoor chef to take care of all my meals on the trail.
Nine meals is hard for me to plan. Anyone else have this problem?
I'm thinking we will have lunch along the way on Saturday and when we come out on Monday so I'm not packing lunches for those days. Is that ok with you all?

Sam, I got your fuel. Also, I'll bring the extra Solo Bear Vault.”

“Hello?????”

“morning, I think I can get all my stuff in my new pack, got all my dinners, breakfasts,and Ike & Mikes and other goodys for lunch .Holly #&%!$ I'll be in California in ten days”

“Oldog,
Can you post your flight Itinerary for us?

Rob, Can you resend the jpeg maps again? I lost it when I had to reboot my computer. Doh!”

“Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around. Yes I am stoked for the trip! Still recovering from my last 8 day trip though.

Mosquitos galore! Be prepared.

I also never pre filter my water when using Micropur. One guy I hike with uses a cut off 2 liter bottle that has a piech of mesh strainer in the spout, seemed really cool and light.

Bear vault Solo? That's not big enough, are you bringing two canisters Old Dog? Are they required all along the trail?

Yep, I am not bringing my Contrail, still hate the thing. I'll be bringing my BA Seedhouse, pure sleeping heaven.

Food wise, I've learned a new baking tip that's got me pretty stoked, I can now bake on my solo kit with my tiny pot and titanium mug. Also lots of variety in diners, packlite foods, top ramen, and Enertia plus Trader Joes Tuna Curry and some rice pasta with awesome sauce packets. Lots of different bars and candy. Mixing it up is what keeps me interested.

I'll trace the route, Rob never sent me over the Topo files, just snapshots of the route (go figure ;)) and get the mileages to you guys. I am also assuming Rob didn't pick up the permit. But he did say the permits wouldn't be a problem.

Looking forward to seeing you Olddog! and of course you T. Plus finally meeting Rob would be most excellent.”

“I'll pack my head net,bringing 1 Bearvault

here's my flight info ;Frontier Airlines
flight F9 0227
Terminal B
Arrival 7:25 PM

see you all wk from this Saturday

Happy Birthday Songbyrd”

“OK, done tracing the route on Topo, it's about 65-70 miles. The 80 miles T was referring to was a different route from 395 when we were going back and forth on routes. We will probably go stir crazy and hike out early if we take 10 days to hike 65-70 miles. So any thoughts on side jaunts? Or perhaps we'll just do a short first and last day to account for travel or car camp Sat night to acclimate?”

“Car camp the first day is good.
I talked to Karen Key. As you probably know, she broke her leg so Yosemite would not be a vacation for her till the cast is removed. So I told her to not worry about the shuttle. We only have 4 any way so we don't really need it.
I'm not sure if the canister will be required in the first part but I'm sure they're required in the Yosemite part. Right?
I think the solo is an extra can. Possibly Sam and Rob sharing canisters? I really don't think 1 would be enough room for 2 people. So I offered to bring my solo in case needed.

My Doc is worried about me going with stitches. (having surgery on Sunday) So I promised I will be packing as light as possible.
Any ideas of the temps at night? Debaiting on the warm clothing selection.”

“Sorry guys... lots going on these days with me. I'm excited about the trip, but just haven't had the time I've had in the past to organize. It's backpacking dammit.. we don't need no stinking organization (just kidding!)

Sam, I'll be there to pick you up Friday. I still haven't gotten my backpacking gear from my ex's house. She cancelled on me this past weekend. I'm going tomorrow night whether she likes it or not - damn, I hate doing all this at the last minute.

Seems as though we'll be parking my car in Yosemite and driving back. We can hike out early - perhaps Sunday. I wont be offended if we're done early - I'm headed up to the Redwoods for another week.

We'll pick up the permit Saturday morning, hopefully. I'm trying to call the Inyo Nat'l Ranger Station to find out what time they open on the weekend.

Rob”

“I called about the campground for Saturday night. No reservations required. (Did I already say this?) $17.00 per night.
It's first come first serve.
Rob, I'll call you again to plan leaving time and all.
Hope all is ok with you.”

“I have to much food”

“Good, I'll leave mine at home. :p”

“see ya Saturday”

“Yoohoo, I packed today. Only need to add 1 tortilla, water and Crown Royal. :) I'm stoked. I spoke with Rob and paige today. All is great. See ya Sat am.
Oh, you may have to carry a piece of my gear...... LOL”

“Ohh... anyone have a specific song or artist they would like downloaded to MP3? I could do that and share my headphones... let me know. I get the music for dirt cheap...and have plenty of room on my MP3 player.”

“LA women or any Zepplin all good backpacking music”

“How about the Backstreet Boys... LOL.. just kidding”

“Got Zepplin on there already.
Backstreet boys...ummm. NO!
How about Sticks for you?”

“Styx is always good. Zepplin is great too!”

“No wonder I couldn't find it. I can't spell it. Doh!”

“lets hit the trail”

“My pack is 31 lbs without water or Crown Royal yet. Darn-it!
What can I leave behind?”

“What a Greaaaaat trip. Thanks to all of you you I had a wonderful time. It's so hard to get back in the swing of things when I return. Can't wait to go again.
Oldog, Glad you made it home saftly and it was great hiking with you. Hope to have many more trips with you.
Rob,
Hope your having a wonderful Coastal trip and thanks agin for putting this together. And yeah, Something about drinking wine AFTER hiking a 70 mile trek makes me kind of silly. Sorry!
Paige,
Thanks for being like a sis. I love ya. Always excited about the next adventure with you, on the trail or off. LOL!
So, Here's my pics...

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560100746SHXwmK?track_pagetag=/page/photo/outdoors/hikingbackpacking&track_action=/Owner/ViewActions/FullAlbum”

“Awesome pics, songbyrd! Looks like everyone had a great time!! :)”

“Thanks MsDoolittle. Yes, an awesome time for sure.”

“great pics, I'll be back next year , mark your calendar.

also thank Dale for the ribs and I can't wait to use that new sauce”

“Looking forward to it Oldog.
Did you post your pics yet?”

“Just wanted to check-in and let everyone know I made it home from the Redwoods. Thanks again for a great trip. I couldn't have asked for a better group to spend the week with. I'll be posting my photos over the next 48 hours or so.

Great pics songbyrd - the memories are everlasting!

Rob”

“So how was the Redwoods? Relaxing perhaps.
We look forward to seeing your pics.

FYI- We're getting a group together for Labor Day weekend. Not sure where yet but Saturday- Monday dates. (maybe even leave after work on Friday???)”

“Hey guys, I too way over enjoyed myself ;)

It was a true adventure and I really appreciate you all being so cool and relaxed about dummy me forgetting my keys ;)

Here's my pics

http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/gallery/3241009/1/179354238”

“paige - I looked at the first 160 pics...more later.

songbyrd - what kind of a pack are you using now? Do you like it?”

“Thanks Phil, I know I take a ton of pictures and I only posted 1/2 of them! ;) Thanks for looking.

When you look at the rest you'll see what T's pack did to her.

I have the same pack (Osprey) different model and haven't had the same problem with mine but it is hard to use a canister with due to it's curved shape (my model has a venting system that's awfully airy) I like it as long as I don't have to carry a canister in it and don't carry more than 30 pounds in it, the shoulder straps are a bit whimpy.”

“hey paige!”