3rd Annual Bay Area BPL Hike

Well, with the amount of attendees, if anyone has large tarps that they would like to bring so that we could set up a common area that would be great. Other than that, this what I got from the weather report today

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.21501884556323&lon=-121.55960083007812&site=mtr&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

We have had a little rain each year so far. No big deal for us tough hikers!

Hey, on a trip like this, perfect time to test out your gear and see how your system works.

It is short distance and we are having the largest gathering of Ultralight Backpackers in the history of the Bay Area.

And the best part of this all is that you get to do it while having a party with a bunch of uber UL gear geeks!!!

Fear not the rain for it can only cleanse your soul of impure thoughts of cuben fabric. :)

-Tony

Why is it that every photo has me with a flask??????

"Why is it that every photo has me with a flask??????"

The first step is admitting you have a problem. Why in every photo are you drinking out of my flask?

The two links to the NOAA weather site show highs in the 30s and possible snow. The link provided to the Weather Channel site shows highs in the 50s and possible rain. Which one is closer to where we'll be/what we'll encounter? That's a lot of degree difference, and I want to ensure I'm bringing out the right stuff!

Thanks.

Douglas, I doubt we will have snow, however I would bring warm clothing. I am bringing my WM Ultralight for sleeping and a Montbell down jacket to hang out in. We will have a fire at night and I believe we will be ok. I provided a link to Sierra Weather for the area that we will be at. As we get closer, I will post what our local weather channels are reporting. The beauty of the West Coast is that it is easy to predict when storms are heading in etc. We did get a dusting of snow 1,500 feet and up (looks pretty cool because the mountains above my house and along Summit Rd. are lined with snow) but to be honest, I really don't think we will have anything serious rolling in.

Ken, first lesson learned…..never leave your flask un-attended! It becomes mine! Ask Cary about his wine that I commandeered from him a few years ago…it wasn't pretty…………………….(sigh)

I have a 10×12 tarp (not all that big), but I'm not sure that I want to carry it in. I'm doing some miles before the meetup….

Jack, Bring what you need for yourself. I think we have a handle on shelter. Thanks.

Someone voiced concern about the possibility of snow at 1800ft. Here's the view from my garage this morning (elevation just short of 1000ft):

Have a look at the webcam on Mt. Hamilton which 10 miles away from Henry Coe. Right now at 1:40 pm there is still snow.

"IF THIS HOLDS TRUE THEN SNOW LEVELS COULD VERY WELL DROP TO SEA
LEVEL FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY. SINCE THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY
UNUSUAL THIS TIME OF YEAR (OR ANY TIME DURING THE WINTER) AND IT IS
SEVERAL DAYS OFF HAVEN`T PUT IT INTO THE GRIDS. HOWEVER…IF FUTURE
MODEL RUNS CONTINUE THIS TREND WILL BE UPDATING THE FORECAST TO DROP
SNOW LEVELS DOWN TO SEA LEVEL. KEEP TUNED!"

http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1

Folks, here is what I am gathering so far. There will be a chance of showers or snow showers Friday night. For those traveling and are coming up Friday it is up to you as to what you will want to do. As for Sat. here is the forcast. I know a few of you are flying in from far away. If you feel this might be something unintersting for you, we completely understand. Heck, flying a few thousand miles to hang out in inclimate weather might not be someone's idea of fun. This is pretty extreme weather for this part of The Bay Area during this time of the year. I am a lifelong resident and I have not seen the extremes that we have had over the last month in a half in all my lifetime. From beach weather to snow. Wow.

Here is what I am getting right now from the weather report. Not to dispell Jack's report but I just want to show what I am finding.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE EVENING OVER THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS. LOWS IN THE 30S TO LOWER 40S. NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. .TUESDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE 40S TO MID 50S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. .TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE 30S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. .WEDNESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE 40S TO MID 50S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE 30S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. .THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S TO LOWER 50S. .THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT…SNOW SHOWERS AND SHOWERS LIKELY. LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. LOWS IN THE 30S. HIGHS IN THE 30S TO MID 40S. .SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS AND SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE 30S TO MID 40S. .SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE 30S. .SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S TO LOWER 50S. LOWS IN THE 30S. .MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE 40S TO LOWER 50S

It'll be an adventure, isn't that what it is all about? It's not dangerous….we'll be fine and have a good story. I can bring extra warm down items ( quilts, jackets…) and have them in my car if anyone needs them.

Traveling thousands of miles to hang out in crappy weather is not my idea of fun.

BUT, traveling thousands of miles to hang out with the cool, fun and entertaining West Coast BPL crowd, regardless of weather, is definitely my idea of a good time! Can't wait!

Uhhhh, but no earthquakes please.

Douglas, I might be able to find you a bottle of Yamazaki scotch. I will know more tomorrow. I think I know of a few retail places that might sell it. I will let you know tomorrow. One of the perks of my job is that I can travel around and do things like that during my day!

Also, don't let the weather deter ya! We have had this same thing the past couple of meets too. We are tough!

Whatever the weather we are a go for this weekend. Don't bail because of the weather. We have had a good time regardless. We're all outdoorsy anyway aren't we?

You know how the forecasts are…

Bring more firewood.

I'm sitting on a plane at 32,000' flying out to Ca for a great weekend of UL gathering. I thought it was only warm and sunny in Ca, I only brought shorts and a T-shirt. Anybody else flying 2000 miles for the event? (Actually, I have to work this week too!)

Greg, something tells me that you will be ok! This will be fun kids! If not then we have the whole show at my house in the Santa Cruz Mtns!!! (kidding..my wife does not know I said that!)

"Anybody else flying 2000 miles for the event?"

A touch more, actually! ;-)

Ken H., looks like we might get a snow hike in early. HA! HA!

Jack, ummm I doubt it. It should make for a fun Friday my friend!

Last year early March – Henry Coe
Things might just be a little different.

greetings;

just a brief note to remind all that this COE place is a state park and may (probably) have (however poorly conceived) rules about drinking on the premises. i know most of the other parks do. to that end. we might make it a point to keep massive consumption of adult beverages a bit low key until the lights go out.
in one of peter's rare defenses of gov't policy : a lot of people leave busted bottles hither and yon, and the glass lasts forever, and is a bother to clean up … just like on our beaches.
being as it's california though, somebody could probably just slip the ranger a torp and call it a day. but lord help you if you pull a cork.
being as the ken's schduled snow friday night, i am changing from cheap wine to buttered rum toddies to go with my signature dish, honey-mustard-charred-spam.

i have several milk crates (yes, stolen) full of wood (which is legit) for fri night. do we need "more".

v.