Sorry, this got long. Am chatty. Cooped up with possible stress fracture from idiotically over tightening laces, Best we can figure. In a boot, can’t hike. Going insane. Anyone want to talk about “active insulation layers/materials”, PM me. That’s my current “catch up with state of the market” research. (Coreloft Coninuous, FullRange, Polartec Alpha) —by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Dunno if it keeps u up, but it can bother me. I have found the Buff pulled over my eyes (double layer is great for me) works like a charm and stays in place better than single-purpose eyemasks. In colder weather, my polar Buff doubles as my hat and eye mask! Thanks to Chickon for that trick! Basilbop sometimes uses gloves that can be attached to each other, but he sleeps like a loby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've mentioned before, I think... But the only creature we have ever seen scratching at our bear can was a pika! Once they are used to you, they are immensely curious... It ran right next Basilbop and stood on its back legs and scratched at the can for some time. It was 2 feet from Basilbop. Neither of us moved so as not to scare it, but no cameras nearby! Another cute visitor was at Mooby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My two (twenty?) cents... Learn current best practices for LNT for your environment. There are some differences depending on where you are. Current LNT.org guideline says camp 200' from water. (Double official NPS guideline) We try for this whenever possible-or further. We like our privacy and figure others do too. Grrrr. I almost had a conniption fit first time seeing Summit Lake out ofby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quoteags Wow! Admire your (collectively) dedication to make that happen. I am just beginning to appreciate how beautiful the east side is (Dusy, Humphreys, Evolution). Not YOSE, but beautiful in a different way. And no crowds... :-) Saw your smiley, and it's needed! We saw LOTS AND LOTS of peeps. Super busy. Anything close the PCT/JMT or "named" loops is nutty. East side trailhby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The guys were nice to me (cuz of my footy issue)... I carried one Bearikade Weekender and the BearVault Solo. Both loaded with mostly just the puffy light items (freeze dried veggies and puffy snacks), still 11-ish pounds to start... The guys took almost all the heavy dense food.. Basilbop had our custom Bearikade 16". Just under 20 pounds loaded. Chickon's Bearikade Weekender and Scoby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotemrcondron I'll kick some dirt over TP but I won't touch it. Might get what that person had that prevented them from properly handling it in the first place. Omg. Sooo many ideas on what to say is the ailment afflicting those who leave TP behind... I'm spluttering...by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for coming back to tell us how it went. Glad you had a good time! Congrats to the 9 year old! And you!by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
You had originally planned for a southern Yosemite loop hitting Red Peak, maybe Isberg, Post Peak Passes, no? We had been thinking of something similar but fire/smoke made us move it to very Northern Yosemite where Basilbop got other needed Trail Quest miles in. (Sep 2-6) We were lucky with weather again, and never seemed to get the worst of it, based on what we saw around us and the debris fiby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Used to go to Moose for my birthday when could. Haven't been in a number of years for various reasons, miss it.. Love all the places you hit! Thanks for the trip report and the pics! Brings back memories. One favorite set of memories... every time at Precipice lake... saw water ouzels at the outlet. Loved watching them go in and out of the water!by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Loved the trip/all the trips- however we think of them! Thanks to Chick-on and Basilbop for a fabulous time!by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Over the past month we have used the old model QD2 and the new QD3 in numerous thunderstorms. We usually try to exit the tent during breaks in the heavy rain. A few drops with both, but no big. Just have to make sure things are strategically placed in vestibule area when opening fly. In past if rain is constant and heavy, we use our umbrellas on exit/entry and that prevents and major issues.by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
No idea on custom fit. We cut our own from a roll. We haven't had a problem with no grommets and all. Haven't had need to do a fast pitch with just ground cloth and fly.by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hm... I thought their little bodies are so adapted to cold temps that even a small increase in average temps causes them difficulty... ? But where did I read that..? Was a while ago.. Anyway... basically a whole month plus in the Sierra from Northern Yos to southern Sequoia... lots of time over 10k'... including almost a week between 10-12k' straight... lots of marmots... zero pika sightingsby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Did you see the Big Spring? Was water flowing out? We have seen once, and it was flowing, but not gushing... would be neat to get timing right to see it gushing but.. yah, not a standout trail. Love the area... we got swarmed by ladybugs once near the low junction/creek crossing. Thanks for the trip report! We have been having fun and had an adventure.. but will post that later. Gottaby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Just FYI.. We use Tyvek for the ground cloth. Replacements are cheap if need to be done. Very durable for weight. We have used various materials for groundcloths... as light as polycro and as heavy as the "manufacturer" groundcloths if found for reasonable price. Polycro is great for waterproof (Winter on snow) but not nearly as durable. I really think I like the Tyvek most fby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Oh- the stove wasn't IN the tent!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You guys were lucky! Not like I've been out there that much, but have never seen... Thanks for sharing the pics!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hm. I couldn't see the pics with my phone.. and still can't on my Mac with Safari nor with Chrome. Not sure what's going on there... curious as to what they are! Be well!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Chick-on - missed you this weekend, but dang.. the quail pic makes up for it!!! Seriously - to ALL of you who posted - thank you so much! I've enjoyed the forum very much and hope that we can all share our love and desire to protect the wilderness with others who spend a little time here. Chick-on - you've been a great friend and fabulous backpacking companion! I am truly grateful and thankby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you thank you! I have yet to do any hikes in that area.. my injury has slowed me down.. but someday, hopefully not too long from now... I'll get to experience the areas you traveled through! Re:M's worry about the pass... I hate when that happens.. and yet I keep going back.. sigh... As for people who did not heed your advice.. grrrr. Seriously? After being stymied that long? Sheby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotehikerchick395 We've always got in near when it first opens...before the "official" opening. (June 8 in 2013.) It's hard to wait until August. I have been up there hiking six times since June 19 though...(and biking once.)by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi parklover! Just back from SEKI. Missing Yos a good bit, but am saddened to hear your report about Degnans. Not sure I'd like the changes either, and certainly not the bread choices! Sigh. Not sure when I will be in the Valley again, as I prefer to avoid summer crowds there.. Be well!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Basilbop, chickon and I have a problem. You do not want to know how many tents/shelters we have combined. I think per head, chickon may have us beat based on fact Basilbop and I have sold off a number of older units. Not sure you can have too many tents. Probably, but all our good friends seem to be in multi-tenters too!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ha! 5''12"? Yah. Chickon stretching truth a bit!by JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Basilbop and I LOVE it too! We actually bought it when it was first released earlier this year to replace our well-worn just over a year old previously new model QD3. The new model released this year is a definite improvement! The three of us are much more comfy! More headroom! Big plus for tall guys! Don't get suckered into super sale of older model if u plan on going out often! Worth it! Moby JustKeepWalking - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The Middle fork trip really hurt me. Sigh. Kinda been not getting much better since.. but yah.. I did kinda keep putting. Should seen PT right off but thought I could do on own.. not like I haven't had practice! But...by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thank you, KevinD! Uh, yah... finally made time to see doc again and get referral for PT. First session today. Good news. Not horrible. But scar tissue has built up and I need to break up and loosen up a lot of stuff. But we have an agreement, my PT will do the painful deep breaking up work.. I'll do the stretching, firm but not painful massage and rest! Hehehe... And... I am still going toby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the trip report! Hope others heed your good sense and don't do what isn't comfortable, be they water crossings, steep traverses, steep snow, sketchy snow bridges, you name it!by JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Want to add my two cents in for your trip report and great pictures! Really bummed about footy still being bad and keeping me from being up there, so even more wonderful to see! We did have fun car camping in Kings, but wow, yah, I was thinking about you and our other friends who were also roaming in the Yose high country. Word of warning folks, my other friends are quite experienced, but oneby JustKeepWalking - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra