Bay Area BPL Winter Camping Thread

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Ok folks let's get a headcount here. How about the date of Feb. 13-14th. Destination will be Near Peter Grubb Hut. We will not be staying in the hut but there are plenty of area around the hut to set up tents. Alot of folks do this. You park at Boreal Ski Resort, hike under Hwy 80 and start your hike. It is about 3 miles and it is a beautiful hike. I am picking this area due to the fact that there are no permits, cannisters (yes Yosemite requires a cannister). All you will need to get is a snow park permit which is not too hard to get. Just google CA snow park passes and the site gives you the locations of places that sell them. In fact, I think Boreal sells them too which makes this even easier.

Headcount:
1. Ken +wife

Jacks in!

Tentatively in. So far that weekend is looking pretty good. Will be coming right out of Wilderness First Aid weekend before (please, no "real world" tests!).

Ken, is it a nicer walk from Clair Tappaan Lodge? We're only visiting for the first time in late January, so not sure, but I thought it was a 4-5 mi hike from the Lodge to the cabin.

I am in….

I am looking forward to this

I don't know where the Clare Tappin hut is. The hike starts ar the Boreal Ski Resort and you hike under Hwy 80 and head north. Route finding gets just a tad tricky once you top the pass and head into the valley, but really it is not too hard. I did this hike about 7 years ago and I thought it was around 3 miles or so. It maybe a tad more but not a whole bunch.

I'd like to come too. I have no winter experience. Is that ok?

Ken,

Count me in.

Do you know what topo map we should have for the area?

-Tony

Looks like it's the "norden" map……

Nia,

Based on prior BPL trips, you would be welcome to come, but I would highly recommend that you read up on winter camping skills and read the prior post above…there was some good information about what gear to have.

I mayself have limited experience having only gone one two winter trips, but it was with the Sierra club's winter camping class.

Feel free to ask lots of question I and other would be happy to give you what advice/information to guide you.

If this is worth anything, here is a trip report/photo essay that I did in Feb of 2008 with the Sierra Club.

It shows you what they had us do.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=14449

Ken….Jeremy mentioned to me that his dad and him would like to go on the trip. Sure he will post up shortly.

David…thanks for letting me know what map I should get for this trip.

-Tony

Thanks Tony. Nice trip report.

I have signed up for the Sierra Club course. I'm a little confused by their application/approval process, but hopefully I'll pass muster. :) From meeting up with sierra club hikers in the summer, they look pretty heavy. I'd like to see what BPLers have come up for winter solutions.

I have been reading this thread and other information and I'll put together a gear list for suggestions in the next couple of weeks.

I passed by Peter Grubb hut this summer and it's a pretty cool area. Looking forward to the trip.

Hi Nia,

+1 on Tony's comments. I did almost the same program with the Palo Alto Sierra Club that Tony did with the San Francisco chapter. Well worth it. And I highly recommend this read, which we got in the program, illustrated by our own BPL staffer Mike Clelland:

Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book, Revised and Even Better!: Traveling & Camping Skills for a Winter Environment (Falcon Guides) (Paperback)

E.J., is the book free with the class? If so I'll wait to see if that works out. I always love Mike's illustrations. The natural TP drawings are classic.

It was free with the Palo Alto class but check if it is with the San Francisco class. The SF chapter has a much more organized snow camping program which takes multiple trips and alumni trips.

As Tony mentioned, I'm in for 2. Taking my Dad, so we'll be taking our sweet time getting into camp. Looking forward to it. I haven't snow camped since 2006. Should be fun.

I'll be there, just out it in my calender. Fun fun fun.

Any Ideas on winter pants. I don't own any, something not to pricy.

I double up on my thermals, or bring pair a of fleece pants. I want some puffy down pants but i'm broke. I just wear my regular nylon hiking pants with gators, adding some precip rainpants when it gets cold and i'm not moving.

Exactly Morgan. No need for special pants unless you are sitting down in the snow etc. With gators and a pair of rainpants it will do the trick. No need for down pants or anything like that because you will be moving and generating heat from exertion. At camp though it is a little different. I usually have thermals or smartwool longjohns and layer up. Fires are pretty hard to do so it is more down to layering up and having a down jacket. If it gets too cold,then it is time for bed.

Hey Ken looks like my son may be joining me also, so count me in for 2. Thanks Jack

Hey Ken should we bring a snow shovel on this trip. Thanks Jack

Jack,

If you have one, I would recommend taking one.

Good for digging out a shelter, making a snow wall for a wind break, digging out a friend trapped in the snow, etc.

I plan on bringing mine.

Heck, you might even be able to sit on the head of the shovel and sled down a hill.

-Tony

What type do you have Tony? I've been looking at several trying to stay in the 20oz range and aluminum. Jack

Noooooo

Buy a snowclaw