Bay Area BPL Winter Camping Thread

Ken I looked at those and wanted to buy one from BPL but they have been out of stock for some time now, I found another place to buy it but wasn't sure if it would do what I wanted it to since I've never been snow hiking. Will this be ok for most of the hiking that we might do with BPLrs in the Sierras. I don't plan on getting to crazy but I would rather be over prepared than under untill I get more time under my belt snow camping. Thanks Jack P.S. I thought I seen some where on one of the forums that EJ was going to be on a hike untill around the middle of the month. I could be wrong but if doesn't answer on the Point Reyes forum that may be why just a heads up hope he answers. Jack

Snowclaws do most of the damage. I would take one of those vs. a normal type shovel. They're smaller and lighter. Granted in case of an avalanche or major shovel work, a normal shovel is better, but it all depends on what you do.

As for EJ, I hold pat on waiting for his reply. Thanks for the heads up Jack!

It's fascinating to watch the trip come together.

I've led in and out of Peter Grubb for thirty years, and I think you are getting most of the facts right. If you were wanting to stay inside the hut, there is a reservation system. However, if you intend to sleep in the woods nearby, then it is no big deal. Consider camping nearby, and only send somebody over to the hut if there is an emergency. I've been hutmaster at some of the huts, and somebody really cold would come over to warm hands by the stove for 30 minutes and then return to the camp. There is something like a stream nearby, and you might possibly be able to get water. If the snow is deep, forget that. If you collect your snow to melt away from the trees, it might be moderately free of pine needles and crap. So, some decent shovels and decent pots will be needed to go with decent stoves. As for the route, you have it. You start from the Sno-Park just east of Boreal, go under the freeway, and follow the unplowed jeep road all the way up over Castle Pass. That can be a butt-kicker if the snow is difficult. X-C skis would need climbing skins. Snowshoes are much easier. From there, just keep going straight for another half mile and descend into the valley of the hut. The terrain gets much more challenging a couple of miles farther north.
–B.G.–

I was up right before Xmas, it was really fun. stayed one night in the hut, then camped out the next. Got about a foot of snow, it was awesome. I'm stoked to go out there with all of you guys.
I got a four season tent thats heavy as a pig if someone needs it too.
Do we want to bring one white gas stove to melt all our snow too?

One time about 20 years ago, I was one of the X-C ski leaders heading a group up to Peter Grubb, and we had reserved the whole hut. Normally, we would expect to roll in there, start a little fire in the stove, and have a pleasant weekend. We were notified just about 5 days before departure that there was no firewood at the hut. Some bum had been living in there for two months until the sheriff chased him out, and he had burned up all the wood. So, we are taking a group in there. Now what? So, we purchased two boxes of oak firewood and one extra gallon of white gas. I had a 5-foot plastic sled, so I strapped everything onto it and towed it up the trail, which required climbing skins for traction. Going over Castle Pass was a pain. I had to use a rope to pull the loaded sled up the steep slope. Then, there is a traverse. We put the sled on a taut rope between two skiers and towed it that way. Finally, when we reached the hill above the hut, we just pointed it down and cut it loose. We warmed the hut with oak firewood and fuel for the weekend.
—B.G.–

Hello all, I'm new here and tried to find a place to introduce myself, figured I might as well do it here. I live in the South Bay and love backpacking. I've never camped in the snow, but would like to try.

Cheers!

Jedd, there are two things that you are missing here. One being that we have a lose knit group from the Bay Area that does trips. We're doing our annual Point Reyes trip that is on Jan. 23rd. We also have a snow camping trip coming up in Feb. near Tahoe. Both of these trips are in this section too.

I'm still in. Carpool Ken?

I'm psyched for this trip!

I'm trying to figure out what to do for a stove and I just ordered some down booties (w/shells).

One thing I need help with is footwear. I've experimented this year snowshoeing in my Sorel Caribous and regular old leather hiking boots w/gaiters.

I like the Caribous because the are warm and dry, but HEAVY!

The hiking boots and gaiters are nice and light, but more prone to getting damp.

I really don't want to et my feet wet. Also, there are a lot of posts around about plastic vapor barriers, but I don't really want to try that out, at least yet.

Any thoughts anybody?

> One thing I need help with is footwear. I've experimented this year

I have not showshoed in years, but I used to do a lot of it back East in fairly cold weather (commonly zero +-) wearing black mickey mouse boots (the predecessors to the white ones).

What has occurred to me as I have gotten more UL is to use my normal summer trail runners, with an overboot.

If that is not warm enough, it should not be too hard to put insulation over the trail runners and inside the overboot — perhaps in the manner of a blanket sock. Doing so might be good around camp, even if too warm when actually snowshoeing.

Does anyone snowshoe that way?

— Bob

Jedd: Welcome to BPL. Some of those coming are beginning winter backpackers. That said, you do need some specialized equipment. Some can be rented, but others you'd probably have to invest in. This thread has a discussion of some of it, but check the winter hiking section for more info. Others can probably point you to winter backpacking gear lists. Also, as Tony Wong has mentioned, the Sierra Club has a winter backpacking training class that you might want to sign up for next winter when it rolls around.
Also, as Ken mentioned, we have a trip next weekend to Pt. Reyes. Even though that is booked, just check the trip listings for upcoming Bay Area-based trips. Ken Helwig and others have been great about setting up trips and once we get back from Pt. Reyes I'm sure Ken will be working up another adventure.

Thanks, Jeremy! I hadn't meant to invite myself to the trip, just wanted to introduce myself and express my interest. I'll look in to the training class you mentioned but doubt it's in my budget right now. I'll stick to camping on solid ground, not snow, for now. :) And hopefully I'll be able to make it to a BPL trip soon.

Jedd, we have an opening if you would like to join us at Point Reyes this weekend. Pm me if you are interested

Is this a one night or two?

Who can I carpool with?

I would like to stay at least 2 nights, I'm in the north bay, my car can fit a total of 3 with winter gear, I'm flexible with leave times and dates, Friday and Monday are holidays so i'm free from thursday afternoon till tuesday night if anyone wants to push this out into a longer trip. My girl already knows I'm ditching her for valentine's day. Lets go have fun.

Yikes….is that Valentine's Day??!!

yup, stay strong, maybe i shouldn't have told you…
Prob better to find out now rather than right before you try to leave

Is this trip still happening or did Valentine's day take over?

Valentine's Day is an evil plot by the Hallmark Corporation to extend their tyranny over us with continuous holidays that require the purchase of a card!

Rebel and go hiking, I am!

(My wife doesn't read these posts….at least I'm pretty sure she doesn't!)

For the purposed of my continued survival, I have decided that it is better to spend time with the family/wife on Valentines weekend, so please count me out.

Will think of all of you fondly while sipping on a hot drink. :)

-Tony

Still on. Can we get a head count please?

I'm in…….

Looking my earlier post I noticed that I committed almost 6 months ago. I said yes in August when it was likely over 90 degrees outside! There is no backing out now so I'm still in.

I'm in. I just got a 10×10 pyramid tarp if someone wants to share. oh and lets figure out the driving stuff.