Thanks for the detailed response. I'm using a Cuben Duomid now, so good to know pitching is not much more difficult. I LOVE that cuben doesn't stretch when wet, unlike silnylon. Had a little tape failure on my last trip that allowed some leaking during the thunderstorms, but Ron sent me some cuben and seamgrip to patch it up. Haven't gotten around to doing it yet though. I like your guylineby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Another excellent TR (I started backwards, found part 2 first), thanks!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great Stuff! Makes me want to be up there right now too. P.S. Spectacular pics all around!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you so much for this superb TR, what a lovely time you folks had! I plan to do the SHR one year, and I hope to see it in pristine condition when I do. Your pictures are sooo good, and the accompanying write up is engaging and enjoyable as well. Many thanks to you and JKW for sharing this with us. Ditto on AndrewF's question about the cuben Trailstar. Been thinking about picking up a sby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nice, enjoy! I've got 3 pairs of full length (tick season pants tucking), and 2 pair quarter length...they all look more or less like the day I bought them...by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the links!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
True, I have often thought of that. Still want to give it a try one day for the weight. Maybe when combined with aloksaks and the like, actual bear-using-as-tantalizing-chew-toy would be just an unlucky occurence. To be honest, I am still pretty happy with my BV500, especially considering the cost. Side note: I didn't know they had shot Yellow-yellow. Sad, but good to know the behavior hby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteLVRAY Inyo NF does allow the use of the Ursack (the updated version). Hopefully, some day, the same will be true for Yosemite and Seki. Personally, I use my Ursack any place I can. That'd be nice for sure.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great pics, thanks for sharing them with us!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for sharing! Always love sunrise on lakesby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ah, I see now. I'm envious of either Lugging my BV500 around...by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Indeed. One day...by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nice!by HikingMano - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
QuoteCatalonian Burro This picture was taken on my drive home on 120 near White Wolf on Tuesday, the 27th around 9pm. Most of the horizon was impressively orange. I did not have a good camera or tripod so this modest photo is the best I could do to convey both the amazement and how far my heart sank, as I realized I was looking towards HH. Is the 120 open again?by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteCatalonian Burro It is amazing what the power of 5 snoring backpackers can do to a a single smoky canyon. The smoke just fell out of the sky! Haha, No kidding!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Same here. Was going to do the GCT again with a buddy. We decided, given other work factors as well, to just postpone. Bummer.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks eeek.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for sharing your trip Some great captures, in your album! Another striking example of wind-dependent smoke conditions as well.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Good news!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I can vouch for Darn Toughs, they're awesome! I used the full cushion boot cut for a long time, and they're still going strong years and many hikes later. I use Injinji's now (maybe start using Darn Toughs again if I do more winter trips), but you can't beat Darn Tough for quality, tough conventional socks.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow... That's a bunch of smoke alright...by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yup, works well . I prefer using a dirty bladder and clean bottles, but have used it right on a bottle before as well.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Indeed, wildfire suppression policy is a complex issue. I don't know enough about the area the Rim Fire burned through, but it is possible it could provide long-term ecological benefit. The problem (albeit simplified) with constant fire suppression is that you get a build-up of combustable material, stuff that would otherwise be burned and recycled in "cooler" fires while allowing the bby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the info, looking forward to the TRs!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotemrcondron It may be later than a couple of weeks. After the fire is contained and controlled all the hot spots have to get put out, smoldering snags felled, and other stuff too. I'd have a good back-up plan. Will doby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek[...] Fire Update Last night a spot fire crossed Old Yosemite Road, prompting an expansion of the Mandatory Evacuation in Mariposa County. Crews burned south from Hetch Hetchy toward Harden Lake on the eastern flank. Crews continued structure defense in the Highway 108 and 120 corridors, and around Cherry Lake. Today’s operations will included actions to control the spot fire southby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My birding buddy confirmed the Nutcracker for me this morning, thanks for the additional confirmation! I'm still learning my birds (and everything else), long way to go. I could not for the life of me remember it when we were out. Thanks for the info on the butterfly. I usually try to look up species ID when I can, to help learn them for the future, but didn't have much time to do anything oby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for sharing your TR! Looks like you had a great solo trip, congrats! That experience Helen had with the mountain lion is pretty crazy! On my last trip, the ranger told us there have been a few mountain lion sightings in the area recently. I'd be pretty freaked out too if a mountain lion didn't just check me out and leave, but stuck around near the tent all night.by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Ah, one last thing, I'd like to shoot a special thanks out to Chick-on for his continuing awesomeness!by HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Last day! We got up around dawn, got some breakfast and hot cocoa going for the GF. Sun coming out, still lots of cloud cover. The GF and I broke camp early and hit the trail to climb out of the basin before the sun hit the switchbacks. WL8947T in the morning. Simply stunning... and quiet in the early morning since most of the folks camped at that lake were still sleeping. Way toby HikingMano - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion