Obi's Risque Camping Companions Thread

“As I sit here wondering why I didn't go somewhere in the hills this weekend, I find myself frustrated at friends with other plans who don't especially care to be outdoors, as I do.

I wonder if it might be feasible to put together a "group" camp somewhere, a place where anyone who desired could simply drive to a mutually agreed upon spot (not the same one twice), set up camps, do day hikes, BBQ's, shoot the breeze... seriously, such a venture would allow a few of us to meet, meet again and maybe somebody'd even get married or something, and we could have a REAL HUGE party (at Mel's?).

I'm speaking, of course, to everyone interested, though of course, logistics prevent most from even considering it, at least outsdide of California. But for those in the area, it might be nice.”

“Do what I do, go by yourself. Solo is the way to go when friends don't cooperate.”

“Agree, CC... but though I could DO solo, I don't necessarily WANT to... I enjoy the hell out of all such venue's, but it's equally fulfilling to have a friend or two (or more) along to share the experience.”

“I get your point Obi, I'm just saying that the lack of anyone to go with would not keep me from going.”

“That seems like a cool idea. I found out from the TT Fam. Reunion Thread that nobody is in my neck of the woods really. Chief in WY.”

“It's not a bad idea, though I'd probably be more frustration than I'm worth. All of my family and friends are trooping out here weekend after weekend (I'm the pioneer from the east coast)--which is cutting down on my free time.”

“Obi, I completely understand what you're going through. None of my close personal friends are into backpacking or hiking. Sure, a couple of them enjoy camping, hunting, and fishing but walking further than a few hundred feet from the car is out of the question. What I did was join a few hiking clubs on Yahoo clubs and Yahoo groups (I've seen your name in a couple of them). Sure, it's mainly dayhikes and some of people are not necessarily my type to hang with but I've met a few I enjoy hiking with. This includes off trail friendships also. For instance, some of us regulars are having a margarita party tomorrow. The more experienced of us are taking some of the never-been-backpacking people up to Ebbetts Pass in early July. Hell, I even hooked up with some dude, his wife, brother, and cousin to hike the JMT in late July with out even meeting them. All I know is that he likes to brew his own beer and that's good enough for me. So just keep pluggin' away on those dayhikes and sooner or later you'll meet up with somebody cool - like me! Heh! Of course, you can post your hikes on bbs and tell others what the plan is and then go. If people show up, great. If not, just go on with out them. To end this post let me say, I'm usually up for a camp and outing as you mentioned above, if my schedule allows. Also, why don't you join us on the hike when Lipstick Hiker and Looking Glass come down. That is if you two don't hate each other! :0”

“I have the same problem... None of my friends that live close to me like to backpack.. They wonder about me carrying my "house" on my back! Plus, I'm able to up and go easily since it's just me and the cats at home.. I even write emails to perfect strangers and invite myself along on their trips (CC???)I like the idea of the group camp.. Where in CA are you?? I'm on the Southern Oregon coast...”

“Pantscandy, we have hiked with Obi and enjoyed his company. Obi has an open invitation to decide if he wants to join the hike anytime before we get there.

Obi, the invitation remains open. We'd love to have you with us.”

“Obi, what ever happened to Snails Pace from Chico? I know he was having an operation. I know there are some people from tt in the Sacramento area, not far from you.”

“I'm not sure who you're asking but I live in the SF East Bay Area (Walnut Creek). I believe Obi lives in Napa (north bay area). Do you live in Coos Bay or further south?”

“where are the nekkid people? Not so risque at all!”

“You rang lizs!? Are you telling me Obi that y'all Cali ppl don't do trips like us ECT'ers???!!!! Have ya not been on one'a Mel's big shindigs yet? I'll be wantin' some compny late this fall, as I'll be relocatin' to Travis Air Force Base near San Fran. Let ya know when I get ovair.”

“Come over here.
If I'm not already spoken for, you can go camping with me!”

“.....Hey....

If you still feel like this next summer, when you're bored, and it's June, I'll drag you out as a llama exerciser on some shake down llama hikes.

You don't carry nothin.
You just lead a llama, camp and fish.”

“I think I've mentioned this before. There is a So-Cal group that does just what you are suggesting--they post group hikes every weekend and usually several people show up. I know Snow Nymph belongs. Ask her how they organized it.”

“Hey Obi! It sounds like you have the same problem that I have and that is the reason for me being on this site and other hiking sites. I'm always up for a day hike if I don't have anything planned. One of my problems is that I'm spontaneous & most of my friends aren't or don't like to do long hikes.

I do have a problem when it comes to backpacking, however. Unlike all of you, I don't have all my gear yet. There are several things I need to purchase still. So I can't just get up & go solo. And now, the trip I planned at the end of July for Yosemite might not/is not going to happen with a certain person because of ...well, it's kinda of a long story, well, not a long story but you guys wouldn't be interested in hearing it I'm sure. He had most of the gear!

So anyway! I was thinking that maybe, just maybe that weekend some of us can plan a trip & get together. Is anyone game for the end of July? July 28-30. Or July 21 & 22nd I have free as of this date & might be able to take off on the 23rd if I have enough advanced notice.

Well, hell, I just checked my calendar & I am open for all the weekends in July except the 14th & 15th (rafting), and free for all weekends in August. (what a loser eh?) Let's plan something!!!! Work with me here people!”

“Hikerchic...

You may be a little out of luck with a lot of the California people for the end of July....

A whole BUNCH of them are coming over here and doing on the 2001 Llama Rama.

But you might be able to grab some of them for August....”

“Hikerchic... Whereabouts do you live? I'm in Sactwn. I am not a die hard for every weekend, mainly because I am balancing it with other things, but a good weekender once a month sounds great.

Obi... I had to work all day Friday and Sat, or else I might have taken you up on it... Maybe we can hook up later as well.

Happy Hiking!”

“Obi, I'm in Sacto and I think its a great idea. The only time I positviely can't go is the first week in August.

Maybe narrowing down the location would be first start? I'm a Sierra type and do allot of dayhike and overnighters into DW. There are allot of posssibilities for a car camp with great dayhikes out of Wrights Lake area. Or, maybe a trip to the Lost Coast area? I did a trip there many years ago and would like to go back. These are just suggestions to hopefully help get things going, I'm open.”

“Gawd, what a response! Let's see if I can addres relevant posts...

C.C., I understand... I suppose that as hiking and BP are relative youngsters in my hobby pack, I'm just not familiar enough with places I'm certain I would enjoy, especially with similarly inclined friends and companions. You're absolutely right, in that the lack thereof shouldn't dissuade me from venturing out there, but mu unfamiliarity with logistics for a particular venue tend to make me hold off. THAT's a mistake I intend to correct.

Pants, yea, I agree with ya. I DO belong to a few "clubs" (Yahoo), but I spend less time there, and more here, so, I feel I have a better rapport, and more friends here. I'm also certain that my horizons will broaden far more as I continue to explore - and I use that word broadly.

Ladyhiker, you aren't that far north of us here in the Bay Area... c'mon down.

Lipstick, thanks for the repeat invite. Like I said, I'd love to join ya, but I got family coming in for good part of July, and free time is at a premium. I might be able to do something about that, though, so, do ya mind if I keep the option open?

Mel - Anytime, m'dear. In fact, I'd enjoy helpin' you out with them llama's for an occasional weekend - or whatever - next June. Don't see my interest in this activity doing anything but growing exponentially.

Hikerchic, you're on my "A" list, for sure. July, as I said, might be tough, but I don't have to babysit family... I just don't want to abandon them. I might bring my niece along... I'm headed out on the Llama-hike, too, but I believe I'm headed back this way as of the weekend of the 9th or 10th of August. If "we" don't hook up before that, then after is pretty likely.

Anyone else interested in doing a group thing? Base-camp with day hikes, or weekend BP's are fine with me... I'm easy, but I'm not cheap! LOL”

“Obi, sure, the invitation is always open.”

“Pants & OBI - I am in the Coos Bay area, but I'm close to the airport... Wouldn't take much to grab my gear (I'm the throw and go type) and meet up with some of you in CA... I really like the Lost Coast hike idea.. I just did a bike ride down in the Ferndale area.. Tour of the Unknown Coast.. Is that the same area???”

“Dunno about that lost coast stuff... Ferndale? I know a Ferndale (Motown suburb!)... but that's it... I could learn, though... I'm a REAL quik study!”

“Naked Ape, I still have an email from last March from ya, re: your move out here. Dint know you was goin' ta Travis. That's about 30 minutes from me... a military man, huh? Take me to the PX?”

“Oops... I missed a couple... Freedom - Yes'm. I'm gonna give this some thought. Personally, I'd like to keep it simple. Sort of like, meet at this spot such and such a date - or not.

(Ain't I a stinkah?”

“Oh, My Little Canoli..

You have gotten yourself a for sure.

Better plan on coming over here the end of June '02.

We'll talk about it when I see you next month.

Tonto”

“Finally, a risque person showed up. Hi Mel!!! :-)”

“Nuh-uh Obi, I ain't no military man, I'm a housewife to a military WOMAN! When I get ovair I'll buy ya a beer, and heck yeah I'll take ya to the PX (whatever the heyall that is).

Auntie Mel I shore do look forward to meetin you too.”

“hey, that's right! Naked ape, there's going to be another tt'r from Cali!

Obi, "you have mail"!

Freedom, I live in Stockton. It looks like the majority of us that could get together are basically from two areas--Sacramento & the bay area. Except for ladyhiker who is just too cool! She'll just hop on a plane & meet us somewhere?! I love that!

I was thinking Yosemite but rockbuck's suggestion of DW sounds good too since I've never been there.

Mel, I think you're right about a lot of them on the llama rama at the end of July. It looks like August would be good for most of us. Does anyone have any suggestions on a date or place? The weekend or during the week? I could do either with enough notice.”

“Just kill yourself!”

“I GOT MAIL!”

“Hi Obi, my foot is finally healed and I just returned from a 10-day excursion (trip report to follow). I will be meeting up with some of my hiking and non-hiking friends over the 4th in the Trinities for some car camping and general drinking/dayhiking. You are more than welcome to join in.

Email me if you are interested in details or a map...”

“Rockbuck, I live in Reno and share most everyones dillema. I work M-F and most of my buddies work on weekends and wouldn't hike more than a few feet to the fridge anyway. Anyone can feel free to contact me. I just moved here from Oregon, and could use some help getting to know the area.”

“Tahoe, welcome to the area! I hope you like NV. Judging by your handle I'm guessing your near the lake, I'm envious! Allot of my trips are just overnighters into Desolation - Friday in, Saturday out - at home taking caring of business Sat night and Sunday. It's not much but it sure helps clear out the cobwebs from the weekday grind.

On the other hand, a group car camp of TTrs with day hikes would be a great way for everybody to meet up on a casual basis. Obi, are you still working on this?”

“Car camping around DW sounds great...if'n there's a weekend free left in my summer calendar, I'm up for it...”

“Alright bongo! I'm thinking of a trip like you just did - group car camp at Wrights Lake and day hikes wherever, lots of choices. I'm open to other ideas though.”

“my thoughts exactly...though how tough is it to get spots at Wright's during reservation season? We waltzed in on a saturday morning and there were a bunch of spots open...something tells me that changes during July and August...”

“Yup, still working on it, rockbuck. In fact, I had a conversation with hikerchic tonight about that very thing, and she'll be posting here shortly to bring everyone up to speed. I'll add my .02 when she does...”

“Car camping and dayhiking in the DW sound great. Count me in if I have whichever weekend free.
Is it just me or does it seem like free time is rapidly consumed by other people's plans that make no sense.”

“I find the most important hiking or backpacking gear is an email list of folks who will go do it! I have set up a few, and it is a chore. One tip-find some retired folks. My best hiking buddy is 68, I call to say can you go, he says, "Sure, where?"

Seriously, it does take a lot of effort and planning to pull these off. (Thank you MaryPhyl!) It would be great to have a sinlge bulletin board with hikes in the different areas posted, but then there is the fear of some real obnoxious idiot showing up. Anyone have any experience in that regard? Come to think of it, I've set up a few, and while I worry about it, its never happened.

Spontaneiety (SP?) is not common these days, so it takes advance notice for most folks; some one has to be planning and organizing these things months in advance.”

“Hey Obi, thanks for the email...breaks my heart to miss llamarama this year...oh well...

Count me in on almost anything, I'm trying to lessen my time w the scouts, we'll see how it goes. If I'm available I'm with ya!”

“Good deal, Wanderer. There's lots of opportunity over the years, so we'll have ya out there once more, at least.

Nice to see lots of resplies to the ORIGINAL thread, too...LOL. I'm ready whenever y'all are (do I sound Southern?)”

“So tell--what MAIL did you get???”

“Maryphyl, it wasn't anything risque if that's what you mean. :) I just replied to his email about setting something up is all. You silly!

Ok, after talking with Obi, he wanted me to start a new thread on this since we came up with a date. I'll post it right after this. Gosh, I'm so glad to see so many people want to go. I hope this date is good for everyone else!”

“Let this be the final post to this thread, and follow up, if you're interested, on Hikerchic's "Obi has a date" thread...

We're on our way!”

“LMAO ---> Obi said "y'all"!”