3-4 openings for Rae Lakes loop 8/12-8/15

Well I got all my food ready and packed. 4 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinners, all I need to buy are some treats. I weighed it, with all the food plus canister 3 lbs 14oz. My shelter and sleep system will either be 4 lbs 4 oz or 3 lbs 6 oz haven't decided yet. I'm going to weigh the sleep systems tomorrow to be exact. The whole shelter/sleep system consist of shelter, sleeping bag, air mattress.

Wow, all that for just over 2lbs? I hope I do that well. I usually do cereal for breakfast, bag meals at dinner time but, lunch is still up in the air. I really like the nut/fruit mixes at Henry's market, but i need a bit more to make a substantial lunch.

wow Jack, you've got it dialed in. Very impressive.

Ken, I get off at 2:30. I can be at your house at 3 ready to go. I will have everything packed in my car early in the morning, so all I will need is to change after work and drive to your house.

Most of the breakfast consist of scrambled eggs, ham, peppers, hashbrowns. Lunch is 3 cheese lasagna, split for 2 days, top ramen and mashed potatoes 1 lunch, 1 dinner. 2 dinners are chicken and rice, also some peanut butter cliff bars, 2 hot chocolate for breakfest just in case of a cold morning. I still need to get some salt and pepper packets, and I was thinking of maybe some kind of light flat bread. I imagine by the time I'm done it will be a little over 4 lbs, I'll weigh it again when I get everything in, not bad I quess considering the canister weighs 1.6 lbs

Great Kat, basically it all depends on what time Casey leaves Oakland

Ken,
I'm starting on the Rea Lakes Loop on Friday and was planning on staying up at one of the campgrounds by Cedar Grove. Why are you guys staying down at Hume Lake? Closer to the bay? I've never been up there, I'm a rookie to this area.
~Sean

Sean, we could not get anything closer than what we got. I would have loved to pick a spot near Cedar Grove

Ken,
I'm hoping to get into one of the camp up at Cedar Grove. They are first come? If not we can sleep in the truck.

I weighed the shelters and there is only an 8oz difference between the tarp and the Moment, the Moment being the heavier. I don't know if it's worth taking the tarp, if we have bad weather the Moment is easy to set up and takes up less of a foot print, on the other hand the tarp sure packs down small. With the tarp, bivy, guy lines, and stakes it all fits in a stuff sack about the size of a 1.5 liter bottle. Decisions, decisions, help me out guys what do you think? I'm leaning towards the Moment

Sean,

The campsites can be reserved. I stayed at one of the three campsites near Cedar Grove this past Saturday night. YMMV but it was not difficult to find a site. Other than the prime sites where you can set your 40' RV closest to Kings River, there were plenty of free campsites.

The thunderstorms were going strong the past weekend. I wonder what, if anything, an El Nino year means for weather in the Sierras.

Hey Jack,
What type/size tarp? I'm taking an 8×10 flat tarp, but mostly because i like the simplicity and want to hone my tarping skills. it does mean i will have to pick my sites carefully, if you all decide to sleep up on a saddle, i may have to go down a bit and find better shelter. seems like 8oz is well worth it if you just want an easy/comfortable shelter.

Adan

This is the Sierra in summer, which would seem to me like the optimal situation for the tarp. If you're going to use the tent instead of the tarp for this type of trip, then I'd suggest selling the tarp, because you're never going to use it.

-Ben

@ Ben LOL

I'm about to do a short trip around Rock Creek with a new tarp setup. Looking forward to it.

@ Adan

I think we're all looking forward to this trip as much as you are. I hope there's photos :-)

I'm definitely excited. not just for the opportunity to finally see this beautiful place, but for meeting some bpl folks as well and learning whatever i can from them. Ive tried setting up group trips in the past and they all flopped, finally one appears to be a go. I'll try my best to take good pics with my cheapy-cam, i tend to get lost in the moment and forget all about the camera.

Adan, first night will be in Upper Paradise with alot of tree cover. We are still below treeline. Second night at Rae Lakes will be above treeline. Though there are plenty of spots that can be used for wind breaks and some tree cover there. Third night will be in either Videtter Meadows or Junction Meadow where we will have tree cover once again. No saddles

Oh and Adan, you are more than welcome to join us on any of our trips. We have an annual BPL Bay Area trip that is always fun. Usually between Jan-Feb. Jack attends these as well as Ken Thompson from way up in Northern CA. That weekend is great because there is a gear swap, and you get to see all the different backpacks, bivies, tarps, tents, stoves (lots of different stoves!), water purification, food and a little drink. I am planning on around 50 folks this year.

Where is the gear swap? Wine too??

We have the gear swap after the weekend. Wine, scotch, anything goes. It is a fun and festive weekend. We have held it at Point Reyes the past two years and unfortunately have out grown the area. Too many restrictions too. Ken Thompson and I have put these trips together and you can find the announcement right now in the this section. This year the weekend will most likely be in Ventana Wilderness at Pine Valley. This are did not suffer from the fires and it is a large, and open area that will fit many shelters. All we will need is decent weather because the road to the trailhead is a dirt road that is a little rough on smaller cars

Thanks Ken! I was just giving Jack some feedback about what I thought the trade-offs were for him when using a tarp…Which I'm sure he already knew.

Edit: missed all the posts about the BPL event, that sounds great. I'll definitely look forward to attending!

I'm leaving for RAE Lakes tomorrow and will post a trip report when I return

Have a great trip Roger!

@ Adan I have the Alpinlite 5×8 flat tarp, I've never tarped before so maybe this would be a good opportunity to test some new skills. I also have the Bearpaws bug bivy. I'm not to worried about wind so much, more worried about thunder showers, it would be nice to take the tarp though, it doesn't take up much room at all in the pack

Ken,
It doesnt sound like your bivy is waterproof. With a 5×8 tarp on your first trip, you may want to bring something for rain protection. I have an Integral Designs Endurance Bivy which you are welcome to use. My tarp is 8×10 so I'm not likely to need it.

Adan, from all the reviews that I have read regarding the Nemo Go Go it will be fine. Thanks for the offer but I will be ok