Saturday Feb 2

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Who is up for snowshoeing up San J from the tram this Saturday (weather and snow conditions permitting of course).

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[halhiker]

I am planning to go on Thursday but if I can get permission from the little woman I might just go again on Sat.

Hal

[Cy Kaicener]

There is now two feet of snow at Long Valley which means that the last storm dropped more than a foot of snow. Enjoy. I will be happy to hike up to the snow. - This snow and ice chicken doesn't like to freeze his butt off.

[Cy Kaicener]

My friend Quang Than is doing c2c this Saturday leaving the museum at 7.00 or 7.30 am. with some friends. I am leaving at 6.30 am and going half way. Quang made it up to the tram two weeks ago. Is there anyone else who wants to do a partial c2c?

[KathyW]

I can only hike on Sunday this weekend, so I'll be a day behind you guys.

[Ellen]

Howdy Kathy

Darn it, I thought I'd finally be able to hike with you Sunday's are normally better, but this weekend I can only go Saturday.

Howdy Hal

Please post a report after your hike tomorrow. I'm wondering whether crampons will be better than snowshoes.

Howdy Cy

You get cold becuase you have the body fat of bamboo I don't have that problem

I'm too chicken to try Skyline to the tram due to all the new snow

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Cy Kaicener]

Doreen, Marmot and a friend, and i went almost half way up to the tram today.
There were patches of snow there. Quang and his friend were heading up to the tram again and another two guys with overnight packs came up later also heading for the tram. With a storm coming in tonight they are going to need warm sleeping bags. Quang will send me a trip report. Banning Pass was clouding over as i came down. I hope you all had a good day in the snow.

[qonbige]

We started at 8 am from the museum and reached the tram station after 10 hours and 15 minutes. There was more snow than 2 weeks ago and no tracks in the snow so it was harder work for us. We reached the flat rock in good time but slowed down above it due to heavy snow, expecially no tracks from Scott Scott near the top to help us this time. Again we used only snow shoes. Got to the tram station at 6:15 pm. Heard the helicopters so we figured some rescue was going on. Quang

[Cy Kaicener]

Quang - I think RMRU could have used someone like you. The two guys with full packs behind you only left at 9 am which is a recipe for disaster in these situations when the snow starts to refreeze in the dark. They must have dug a snow cave for insulation. My real concern now is for Ellen near the peak where the winds were ferrocious.

[simonov]

A group from the OCHBC did the summit from the tram Saturday and by all accounts they had a terrific time: http://hiking.meetup.com/217/calendar/6888746/

I wanted to go myself, but had business in Vegas this last weekend.

I was getting concerned, however, last month when I saw the people RSVPing for the hike; there was a very wide range of skill levels among the group. But apparently Ed Pusatera the leader did an excellent job of safely leading a disparate group of folks on a challenging hike, while ensuring they all had a good time. I'm sure it was an adventure of a lifetime for one or two of them.