Meetup – Yosemite Snowshoe/Ski to Dewey Pt. – Jan. 11-13

Looks more and more likely that we will get snow. 30% chance on Saturday and 50% on Sunday. Plus Jack is coming so that ups the chance some more…
I have enough hear to staybwarm in a hammock, but I am wondering about hanging under trees if snow starts falling off in big chunks, off the branches. Not to speak of branches themselves. Any input?

Snow falling off of the branches onto the tarp. It is for this reason I am going to the ground.

I was afraid of that Marc. You don't think that an extra steep pitch and a continuos ridgeline would do the job? I ask hopefully.

It really depends on how cold it will be. If it is warmer the snow will be wet and heavy. If it is colder the snow will be lighter and will break up as gut falls. The continuous ridge sounds like a good idea. I am curious about how hammocks faire in these conditions so will be watching to see how you do.

Are they windsweptwith branches growing mainly in one direction? Any smaller trees?

Have a great trip guys I wish I could go!

Jeffery Pine and Red Fir.

–B.G.–

Thanks Bob. I am wondering if there are any smaller pines and firs, with less likelihood of big snow laden branches.

Here are a couple of pictures of the area from 2 years ago.

If there is a big snow, then the branches are laden with it. Only if there is a big wind will the snow blow off.

For all of the times that I have been in that area, we have managed to find a small clearing within the dense forest. That way, our tents are close enough to the westward trees for some wind protection, yet they are far enough away that they don't get a snow dump.

Keep your eyes open. There may be some Great Gray Owls closeby to the southeast.

–B.G.–

In case anyone was wondering, I just called to confirm the bear canister requirement in the winter and they said that canisters are not required at Dewey Point. Per the Superintendent's Compendium on the website:

"An exception to the above requirements is granted for winter use in designated areas within Yosemite Wilderness. Overnight visitors using skis or snowshoes in the following areas are not required to store food in bear resistant food canisters: 1) above 7200 feet in elevation or 2) above 6800 feet and within a ½ mile of a marked ski trail. Overnight visitors are required to hang their food to protect it from wildlife. The winter use exception is in effect from December 15th of each year until March 30th the following year unless otherwise designated by the Superintendent."

Anyone bringing Altai Hok's to this… ? I'm curious to see them in action. :)
No place here in the Bay Area to rent them yet, the nearest being Truckee …

-mox

As a winter camping newbie, I could use a little shelter advice for this trip. My options are an MLD Duomid, Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 or REI Arete ASL 2. I’d love to bring the Duomid, but I recently got it off gear swap and it literally just arrived yesterday, so I haven’t been able to practice setting it up at all, let alone on snow. Then again, it seems like there will be plenty of experienced people there this weekend that could help me make sure it is set up properly.

If I go the tent route, the Copper Spur would be preferable since it’s 1+ pounds lighter. Do you think this will be fine based on the forecast mentioned above? Or does it make more sense to just go with the Arete, which has solid fabric all the way up and seems like it would handle any potential snow better?

Well, you're going up on Saturday just like I am. I'm taking a mid (GoLite SL3.) I have never set it up in the snow.

That said, having set it up previously, they're pretty stupid-simple. Stake out 1-2 points, raise the center post, hold tension while you stake out the rest … then just tighten/adjust as needed .. just gotta let the stakes set before tensioning.

Of the two tents you posted either one should work. It's going to be stupid-cold but not much snowfall to worry about for loading, so you may want to forego the mesh/mid and go double-wall.

I believe that there is enough snow for a snow-cave/quinzee, which will be warmer than anything else. (I've never built one, so we'll see … will have the SL3 set up long before I try. :)

Weather forecasts generally show between 5-6F at night, with one site giving -2F at 4am. A snowcave/quinzee is supposed to keep you right around 32F … a huge difference. We'll see if we get up there in time to play around and have time for it to set. :)

-mox

Hi All,

I am heading to the valley tomorrow morning. I plan on taking the shuttle up to Badger Pass on Friday so I will be at the trailhead around 9:30 or 12:00 depending on how my morning goes. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

@Chris

A floorless pyramid (with groundsheet) makes a great shelter in the snow. Even if you don't practice pitching it at home, pyramids are so easy to pitch I doubt you'd have to fiddle with it for long. I'll be pitching a mid, not sure who else but like you said, there should be plenty of folks around who can steer you in the right direction. Edit to add: the main thing (you may not have considered with the pyramid being new to you) you don't want to have trekking pole failure, take a reliable set of poles if you depend on them to pitch shelter.

A tip: Use snow stakes, they just make getting set up a little easier/quicker. If you don't have or can't get some, the longest Easton stakes you can find will be next best. If you don't have any long ones, the 6" ones can be slightly buried for better hold… but getting them out the next day may be an exercise in frustration, even with a shovel

Post pics when you get there, if you have signal, so those of us coming up a bit later know what we're getting into … :P

-mox

Hi!
I'm new here, but have been using info from the forums for a while.

Anyway, is there more room on this trip? Have plenty of backpacking experience but none in snow and this sounds like a great time to start.

The latest forecast is calling for the last snow showers to be on Thursday, with a clear and cold weekend. Temps look like as low as 3 F.

Jack glad you can make it. You have been added to the unofficial list.

@ Kat – Brrr. That is a cold forecast. This may turn out to be the coldest weather I have experienced.

Jack and Mike, you guys are welcome to carpool with Chris and I if you'd like. We are leaving early Saturday morning. Chris is taking BART from SF to Dublin and I'm picking him up there at 6:50 AM.

Andrew

What are the best foods to bring, other than they be high caloric, given that we could stay below freezing the entire time?
I think shovels will be a good tool to bring, even just for staying busy and warm. Are most people bringing some kind of shovel?

I'm bringing a snow-shovel.

If you don't already have your Cal Campfire Permit for 2013 you can get it online at:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/passes-permits/?cid=fsbdev3_059516

Rick

"If you don't already have your Cal Campfire Permit for 2013 you can get it online"

A California campfire permit is irrelevant in Yosemite National Park.

–B.G.–

California Campfire Permits are only for national forests.