Llama hikes - updated- 2-11

“Freedom,

My email address is bacpac@thebackpacker.com.

Love to hear from you.”

“TrailArtist;

I didn't get your email concerning the t-shirts either.

mconner@aosmith.com”

“Trailartist... neither did I. Beware, my email is changing in a month, but you can get to me at mjc@InterX.net.

Mel, any progress on the routing issues? Is that talus going to bungee us? (Go back almost the way we came)”

“Trailartist....
email for tshirt info is tonimac@ufl.edu
thanks a bunch”

“Oh, well. Email me also...If I got it, it got trashed when my email program messed up and trashed my messages.
prrosenkrant@csupomona.edu

THANKS!”

“Trailartist..please put me on your email distribution list... lanejd@pacbell.net

I want 2 large, but can order more if it helps us get a price break...”

“Ok folks... I will have an e-mail go out as soon as I have all the addresses down.

Mine is markskirschner@home.com same as SARBoy's.

Freedom... Mark is away from the computer a lot now because of the new commute and limited time at home and ofcourse we are hardly ever here on the weekends...sorry we have not got back toyou on that e-mail...we did get it... I will try to get around to answering the questions.

I still need the following peoples addresses:
10bears
Explorer
Sharon
Diana
Turk (if he wants info outside of his grandpa's messages)
Pepperdog
I-am-om
JVZ
Kent

Pamster

Wanderer are you a supporter or going on the trip?

I just went off the most recent list that Mel sent off.
I have addresses for the following:
Mel
Obi wan
Old Timer
Phil
Navi
Mozark
Wanderer

Did I forget anyone?”

“look back a couple of posts...
mine is tonimac@ufl.edu
thanks”

“Trailartist- sent off an email to you.”

“Trailartist - E-mail has been sent.”

“I'm baaaaack!

My Daddy had to have some surgery done, so I needed to get down to LA to take care of him till he was back on his feet (as much on his feet as a you can get when you're 81 and wearing out).


Nightvision....
I have a trip September 5-12. Would this fit in your schedule?
It is a fishing trip (if you want to fish) and has some pretty spectacular scenery.

I will be mailing out checks to our group leaders tomorrow or the next day 2-21/22.
These will cover the per-head-price of our wilderness permits.

Here are the latest stats and who is in what group:

OM....
I've got my groups mixed up a little.
Are you in the 10 day, or seven day group?

10 Day Trippers

Mels' Group 1:

Mel
Obi Wan
10 Bears
Oldtimer
Turk
David Sr.
David Jr. (I don't know his name yet).

Explorer, Group 2

Explorer
Pepperdog
SARboy
MrsSARboy (Trailartist)

Seven Day Trippers

Phils' Group 3

Phil
Freedom
Mozark
Miss Mozark

Naviguessers' Group 4

Navi-G
OM (yes?)
Kent
JVZ

If there is anyone else who thinks they might want to get in on this trip, we can get you a wilderness permit the day before we go.

I have two fall trips.
One is the first week in September (details somewhere on this, or one of the earlier llama hike threads), and one the second week in September.”

“T-shirts...

Updated list and preferences:

Hike participants

Obi Wan 1 lg
Navi-G 1 XL
Freedom 2 XL
OM 1 lg
Pepperd 1 sm/med.
David 2 lg
SAR 1 lg
TrailArt. 1 sm.
JVZ 1 XL
Kent”

“I am at your service, and awaiting the mail.”

“....
I hate it when that happens...
Kent 2 Lg

Who else hiking wants one?

Moze?

Non-hikers....

Trinity Trek ?
Pamster 1 XL
Wanderer 2 Lg.

We have 12 short sleeved, and 4 long sleeved.

Please e-mail me AND Trailartist if you want a t-shirt.
We need to get the information on your size, how many, and sleeve preference.

Currently, we need size, sleeves, number of, and mailing information for:

Trinity Treker”

“Mel...Hope your Daddy is doing as well as possible. Wanderer & David = same guy, David Jr.'s name is Bryan, when you see posts from Wanderer II, that's Bryan. Two large, short-sleeve Tee's preferred. Trailartist, I'm lanejd@pacbell.net.”

“Wanderer & Bryan...
Gottcha'.
Navi-G..
We are on target.
Countdown...

Big Ex...

What's the scoop on printing the t-shirts?
I shall e-mail you with this same question.”

“Mel & Maurie,
My mail is screwed up, So could I get a small and a large with short sleeves. Thanks”

“Oldtimer, how can I get in touch with you? I've got some questions I need to ask you?”

“I've been getting lots of e-mails...I will send themall ont to you too Mel...so we can get it all together when the time comes and send the needed info to whomever is on the printing end of things...have we figured out who that is?”

“Is it too late to sign up for T's? If it is not I would like 2 large short sleeve. I haven't a clue what they look like or what they cost, but what the hey...I'm in!”

“I'm with 10 Bears.

sobrdidj@san.rr.com”

“EX...
What's the story with printing the Ts?

10 Bears...
Got your order.”

“mel....have been having out of modem experiences lately and not much time to read here...
.
regarding what group i am in....hmmm
last time i read, there were two groups, the ten day and the seven day......but I see that we have actually four now......
so....this is the group I would like to join.......

I want to be out for ten days, be with the group going by the hot springs, fishing lakes, moseying and taking the little side trips and probably stickin by the llamas that are carrying the tequila and keeping the bears at seeing distance but out of my tent space......:)
oh, and the group that I will be able to hitch a ride from and back to Sacramento probably will have to figure into the equation. so....tell me tonto.......should I go sit on the group W bench? :)”

“The 7 day group is trying to figure out transportation in and out. We need a shuttle between Whitney Portal and Cottonwood. I sent an email to the 7 day group. If you didn't get it, please email me at: prrosenkrant@csupomona.edu”

“So OM, you don't want to be in my group? What did I do to hurt you? 8^)
Those groups are for the permits only. I'm sure Mel will let you do what you want to.”

“naviguesser... of course.I would be honored to be in your group... I am coming from far, far away so, i wanted to be in a ten day group and take in all that area has to offer..........are you a ten day ?
i need to read back and see what your group itinerary is....
i am flexible ....
I was under the impression that we would all be together for the first few days and hoping to spend time with ALL of you ....”

“Well it's official. I'm now going on Llama Rama 2001. (Mel as I promised last night, I put the check in the mail today.) I'll be on the 10 day trip and I've tentatively planned to fly in and out of Ontario.

Now comes the begging part. Which one of you fine Llama Rama Ding Dongs would be willing to give me a lift in their car to and from Ontario? I will share car gas expenses.

Phil I know your car is full with Mozark and Co. But how about it 10 Bears? Nav? For a Bud?........ anyone?
wimper.....wimper.”

“Sol...
I am currently trying to beg a ride myself. I can meet with the caravan just about anywhere in southern california near the rail system. I am willing to share the gas as well as buy lunch for the driver on the trip to and from Mels.

What say you Nav????”

“Oh, BOY!

We is having fun NOW!

OM..
Yeah, the groups are only divided up this way for the sake of ordering the permits.
I imagine all 20 of us (20!) will mosey along with one another.
We don't want to look like the Boy Scout Jamboree out on a road trip.

We won't be camping in one huge herd.
Rather, we shall tastefully camp as loosely spaced clusters of wilderness lovers, dotting the immense grandiosity of Sierran landscape.

Like that?

I suppose I can now close this trip to any additional participants.
If we have cancellations later on, I can add a person at that time.

This is the way the "groups" shape up as of today (I've changed things around a little, but it doesn't matter except to the people who parcel out the permits):

Group 1

Mel
Obi Wan
10 Bears
Oldtimer
TurkMan
Solitary Hiker

Group 2

Explorer
SARboy
Trailartist
Pepperdog
Om
Wanderer
Wanderer Jr.

Group 3

Phil
Freedom
Mozark
Mozark Jr.

Group 3

Naviguesser
Kent
JVZ

Now, here's how the trip is taking form because of the people heading out over Whitney, and rest who plan to do the cross country route over Crabtree Pass:

There are seven people in the seven day trip group. They will leave us on our fourth day out.

That leaves 13 of us to finish the rest of the trip.

I REALLY, REALLY doubt that I can make it over Crabtree Pass with the llamas. I'll go take a look at it, or have one of our 10 day people scout it out, just in case.
I'll CERTAINLY try!

Some of our group of 13 will do the XC route over Crabtree Pass.
Should I be unable to make the pass, the remaining folks who WISH to, will accompany me, and the llamas back along the route we came in on.
We will hike back to hook up with the XC people near Miter Basin. It should take us about two and a half days.

If the llamas and I have to go back out the way we came in, the llamas will NOT be carrying anything belonging to the people who do the XC route. The llamas will carry only that gear and food belonging to the people who travel back with me.
I think I will have five llamas for this trip, so I will need a person to help lead a llama or two until we meet back up with the rest of the group.
The only time all 20 of us will be hiking and camping together will be over the first four days.
By the fifth day, we will break up into two new groups (so it appears).”

“Om has left my group!?! I feel sooo used! My heart is crushed! 8^)

The way Phil has started the car pooling, Solitary you will be with him on the way up to Mel's (you 10 dayer, you).
Mozark & Mo Jr. will be with me up and back (Nice 7 day people that they are).
10 Bears there would be room for you up to Mel's (you're 1 of THEM 10 dayer people). Phil said Mozark is flying into Ontario, so where does the rail system come close to there?
Solitery and 10 what are your e-mail addresss and how will you get back?

Any offers from you central Calif. people on trailhead shuttle service?

Hope to hear from you soon, except for Om, I'm not talking to you anymore.”

“It sounds like we 10 day Sacto area people (and people flying into Sacto) will work out some kind of carpooling scene. Who-all wants to be included in that discussion?”

“Oh, Snakeyfeet...
You're too sensitive.

We have 4 groups, not 3.
I'm repeating myself.

Om..
Pay no attention to Navi-boy...
He's just a garden variety GPS person.

He'll get over you.

Hmmmmm.

That's sounds a little suspect.”

“Hello Pepperdog, I'm a 10-day Sacto person. Right now there's only me (wanderer) and my son (wanderer II) in our vehicle. I can pick up either 2 or 3 other people + their gear, depending upon which vehicle I take. I can easily pick up people from the Sacto airport, or arrange to meet up with y'all somewhere here in the Sacto area. We have some time to work on this, but should probably start at least a "tentative" list of who / what when, etc.”

“Solitary Hiker can go with up with me. Mozark + daughter and 10 Bears can go with Nav.

Mozark - Are you going to sightsee in LA before or after the hike?

For 10 Bears I believe there is a Santa Ana Amtrak station. If not, Fullerton is close to my house (about 10 minutes). I could pick him up and get him to Nav if necessary.

Now, getting 10 Bears and Solitary back from the trailhead to Ontario and the Amtrak station is a question. That is where Explorer may be able to help...depending on what kind of wheels he has and whether he is driving. If Explorer can get them back to LA, I can help get them to their stations.

Regarding shuttles for the 7 day group: If Freedom drives and if Kent & jvz drive, then we have 4 vehicles. We should be able to make that work...two vehicles at each trailhead.

GETTING EXCITING.

My only regret is that the two groups will break up after 4 days. I must admit however, that 7 days is plenty for me.”

“I'm not too sensitive!!! I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!!!”

“mel....i love your description of how we will camp......loosely spaced dusters......dotting the immense grandiosity of the Sierra landscape..........too much.....i can almost see those outlaws and cowboys you promised!

Navi-boy... i had no idea that my wandering ways would effect you so........but, we will have four days to allow our collective lust er,.....i mean DUST to settle in the immense Sierra landscape.......and take it from me...you will probably be trying to lose me after day one........say,.that gps gizmo doesnt make beeping noises does it?......

I am now fiscally ready to lock in my flight dates into Sacramento. I would be happy to pay for all gas, oil and meals to anyone that can offer me transportation.
I guess some email exchange would be helpful soon. with ...would it be best for me to arrive sat. the 28th or sunday the 29th., should i plan on a return on sat, 11th or sun 12th.....
my email is tonimac@ufl.edu
thanks to all......”

“Nav & Phil...

If the above is OK, I would like to ride with yooz guys. I could be at either the Santa Ana or Fullerton stations, which ever is most convenient for the group. I could even go to the Ontario airport and meet Sol if thats better. I will of course help defer the cost of gas as well as buy lunch for the driver. Let me know what would be best and I will make it happen. A thousand thank yous in advance for your generosity. I hope I'm reading the posts right!

Please e-mail me at:
engineering@ccind.com
ten_bears_1@hotmail.com (if this posts the way I think it will you won?t be able to see the_between the first, second and third words.)
Note to e-mailers: I am currently experiencing trouble with my NetZero (home) account. Please e-mail to the above addys.

Hmmm...it is a long walk back to So Cal. Perhaps Explorer can help?????(he said in his most pleading voice).

However it all works out I am looking forward to crossing paths with TT friends old and new.

GETTING SERIOUSLY PUMPED! =8^)>”

“10 Bears....
I've just e-mailed a message to the group.
If you don't get it, let me know and I'll send it to the above you've posted.”

“Uh...

I think Didjfan wants a t-shirt too, although he will be going (we hope) on the fall llama hike.
That takes the t-shirt total up to 22.”

“Nav, 10 Bears,
My e-mail address is radams5451@aol.com. I would be glad to ride with anyone passing by Ontario.

Phil I would be more than happy to ride with you but I don't want to cause any problems for Mozart and daughter.

As far as getting home..... If I can find a way to Mel's I can get to either Ontario or Reno by bus for the trip out.”

“mel and trailartist:

I sent you guys an e-mail about the t-shirts last night. I struck out on my first attempt, but I have one more avenue to explore. I'll let you know in a couple days.

Phil:

May I suggest to you and the 7-day group that you don't want to leave a car at the Cottonwood trailhead? Trust me, when you emerge at Whitney Portal, the last thing you'll want to do is start shuttling back to Cottonwood to retrieve cars. Ordinarily, you'd have no choice... but in this case, you can get someone from the ten-day group to shuttle you back to Cottonwood the day *before* the trip, so all your cars can be waiting at Whitney Portal. I'd be happy to volunteer for this service.

10-dayers:

I'm too short for time to read back over the thread, but for those who asked, I will be driving myself from LA (and back) and I can take one or two passengers. Check mel's last group e-mail for my home e-mail address and drop me a note, or e-mail me at explorer@thebackpacker.com and I'll write you back with the home e-mail that I actually use.

The only wrinkle for those who want to ride with me: I very much doubt I'll be able to drive up to mel's 2 days before our permit date. Instead, I expect to drive up the day before and meet the group at Cottonwood trailhead or in Lone Pine for last lunch/last supper (whatever the plan turns out to be). I do love the buffalo burgers (and big screen tv) at the Whitney restaurant in Lone Pine. I know mel has a mexican place in Bishop that she traditionally likes to eat at, but as much sense as that makes for the majority of folks coming from the north, you'll have a hard time convincing me to drive all the way up to Bishop and then backtrack to Lone Pine. (On the other hand, it is entirely feasible to drive to Cottonwood trailhead, grab campsites, and then backtrack to Lone Pine to eat).

Everybody have a great weekend -- I'm outta here.”

“Explorer - Great advice on the shuttles. It would be nice to have all the cars there when we exit. It sounds like you could take 10 Bears and Solitary Hiker back to the LA area after the hike. We have it covered getting them to Mel's...it is after that we are stuck. This could be OK.

We'll have to discuss your other proposal as a group. Timing is an issue. We are talking about doing La Casitas for lunch...maybe we can do Lone Pine for dinner???”

“Phil,
Is it official that Mozart and daughter are riding with Nav? I want to ride with you but as a latecomer I don't want to put a wrench into their plans.

Wanderer,
If you have room in your car I could ride back with you to the SAC airport and catch a flight back home from there.”

“Or I could ride back towards L.A. with Explorer. Will you be going back via Hwy.395 to I-15 to I-10 and past the Ontario airport Explorer?”

“Lunch at La Casita is de riguer......
However Buffalo Burgers
at the Mt. Whitney restaurant could do nicely for trail-takeout.
We could meet you there on the way to Cottonwood to do the car shuttle thing, so you wouldn't have to drive all the way up to the trailhead, then back again.
Meantime, the rest of us could get on with the packing and travel stratagies.”

“Om. LUST?!? Ok, I'll talk to you now! 8^) Lose you after 1 day? Have some faith my dear. It'll take at least 2 days. 8^))) I don't know what GPS Mel was talking about. I'm not a garden variety anything. Besides if I had a GPS it wouldn't beep, it would vibrate. 8^)))) (can I make a bigger smiley?)

I have been in communcation with Mozark. He and she are in my car, up and back. It's official.
I need to coordinate with 10 Bears for his trip up.”

“Mel?
I didn?t get the e-mail. Please re-send to the above addy. You mentioned in a previous post that Greyhound was discontinuing service in the Mammoth area. I cruised their web site and all seems normal for bus service. Is there an inside scoop their not talking about?

Nav...

I'm here...just trying to digest all the new posts. If there were an opportunity to ride up with you it would be greatly appreciated. Where will our rendezvous take place? It sounds like I could coordinate with Phil from the rail at Fullerton or Santa Ana.

Phil?
Sounds like a possible connection from the rail to Nav?s location. Is that do-able for you?

Current fantasy: It sounds like 10 Bears will ride the rail to LA area, shuttle with Phil to Nav?s location, and bus it back to the rail at trips end. Please let me know if I have misread any posts and have strayed off trail. I really appreciate everyone?s generosity in caravaning around.”

“Nav...

Is this an "official" addition to your ride roster? Many thanks.”

“10 I think you and can coordinate without a shuttle from the rail to me (like me at the rail). We'll talk more later, my granddaughter just came over, and you are now in 2nd place!!!8^)”

“10 Bears - You should be able to get a ride back to the LA area with Explorer. The post above indicates that Nav may be able to pick you up at the rail station. If I have it correct, he lives near the Santa Ana station.

But, yes, I should be able help Nav or Explorer get you to/from trains if necessary. However, it looks like things are shaping up quite nicely. I should be fairly flexible this summer.

Solitary - It looks like I will be picking you up at Ontario. If you want to get a ride to Sacremento on the way out, that should be easy with all the Sacremento people going.

Amazing. February and we are working out these kind of details. Are we stoked, or what!?”