6th Annual G.G.G. 1/24-26 2014

This is a little valentine Ms. EJ and I put together for all the wonderful friends we’ve made, the many helpful things we’ve learned and the amazingly creative gear makers we’ve met.

http://vimeo.com/36630858

For those sitting on the fence about coming to the GGG, don’t be shy – you’ll have a great time and learn a lot.

Backpackers Gone Wild: BPL 3rd Annual SF Bay Area Gathering of Gear Geeks (GGG) 2011

Some memorable moments:

-The Gear Stove Boil-Off – WARNING this gets HOT!
-What happens in Coe stays in Coe and things that go bump in the night
-How Tony makes it through a cold lonely night
-Richard Nisley guest interview
-Styrofoam snow and picnicking BPL style
-What lightweight backpackers really sound like
-Debbie’s first place win for shared item
-The next Backpackers Gone Wild casting event

[NOTE – the 2011 trip was in January not February]

NO VACANCY
I can't believe how this event has grown. Filled the third spot today. Will go through the list again to make sure I haven't miss counted anyone. I will not be taking anymore registrations at this time. I will post here if I get a cancellation.

I made up a series of signs to help people take the right path and find the proper group spots. You'll start to see them on East Dunne. They look like this.

As you see I am not a professional sign painter. The ones on the trail near camp will be lit at night.

Another shot of the only point along the way from 101 that could be a problem.

Stay right.

Woo Hoo!
I hit the road and head on down in 10 days. Now that means I will be on the road and unavailable to answer questions. Inevitably there are always a few folks who need to know something last minute. The forum family here has been great with stepping forward and helping out as much as they can. I just wanted to thank all of you for being helpful. Those of you who are coming for the first time I ask that you take a look at all the info given. If you still have questions or concerns please post here, PM me,whatever by next Sunday so that I can get you an answer.

How about adding a link in the first post to the NOAA weather for where we'll be camping?

Well there are links to all that kind of stuff on the gggwest site. But since it's you who asked…

Official NWS forecast for the park:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.1869214&lon=-121.5471379

Stats for the nearby automated weather station:

http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/roman/meso_base.cgi?stn=TT119

or this easier version:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=37.168%2C-121.528&sp=MTT119

Description of how that weather station got there:
http://www.coeparkfund.org/content/weather.html

We might be able to see that weather station from the GGG camp sites.

— Rex

Thanks Rex

Link in the first post just like you asked Doug.

Hi Ken, I just went to the website and registered and then came here and read it's all full. No worries, I'm glad it looks like it's going to be a well-attended event. I'm going to try to day-hike in on Saturday to at least check out some of the gear and meet some of you folks. :)

Doug

You're not getting out of it that easily. I've been waiting for you. Message sent.

Hahaha, roger. Paid and thanks!

:)

no vacancy my butt. what is to stop somebody from driving up there and camping at some other site, but still visiting the Big Thing ?
noth'n .. that's what.

it don't matter where ya'll sleep, so long you're not too blitzed to find it.

cheers,
v.

"no vacancy my butt. what is to stop somebody from driving up there and camping at some other site, but still visiting the Big Thing ?
noth'n .. that's what."

We gonna see you there Peter?

And will you be blitzed?

"And will you be blitzed?"

If he shows, I'll ensure he gets a start. I'm bringing a bottle of 16-year-old Aberlour, and Peter is one of my favorite people! I'll definitely reserve some for him.

Hello friends! I heading out to Mississippi Lake early Friday morning(1/24)and will spend the night out at the lake and should be back to the G.G.G. around NOON on Saturday. It is a 24 mile round trip so lets burns some calories and get in shape for the hiking season! I most likely will spend the night at Park Headquarters Thursday night to get early start on Friday. If any interest just PM Me.

10 days and counting…

Ken,

What time are you planning to drive into the Campsite on Saturday?

I can bring a few duraflame logs again as fire starter logs for the fires.

Depending on when you are heading in, I can see about getting the family up out of bed to hit the road earlier vs. later.

Tony

Tony, Marc and I and the rest of the caravan will head in on Friday to get things set up and get good spots for ourselves :) Bring some logs with you as we can help you work through that pile of those. We will have some cyclists with us. Perhaps one will volunteer to shuttle a load of logs in. We'll figure something out. Maybe the SMD van can haul them in if they head in on Saturday. I will let you know.

If I can help anyone out:

I'll be flying down from Portland on Friday, arriving at noon. I'm renting a car, driving to Morgan Hill for any last minute things (and In-and-Out Burger, because, well, burgers) and heading up to the park. The only issue is that I'm going to leave on Sunday morning early enough to head up to Palo Alto to see an old friend, so I won't be able to drive anyone back with me.

Ken, out of curiosity, what campsite is the group at? The Manzanita one or the Poverty Flat one?

Ken, out of curiosity, what campsite is the group at? The Manzanita one or the Poverty Flat one?

Manzanita Point ones Steven. You'll see the signs and hoards of people avoiding Doug.

"You'll see the signs and hoards of people avoiding Doug."

I'll be the one with a mini campsite all to myself – though not necessarily by choice…..

If anyone wants to carpool I will be driving from the Modesto area to Coe on Friday. I can do a pick up along the way (Livermore, Fremont, San Jose, Etc.). I am flexible about the timing.

Send me a PM if interested.

Hey everybody, I will be biking from santa cruz/Watsonville to coe on thursday morning. Going over mt. madonna rd. to redwood retreat rd. to watsonville rd. and eventually going into the park at the hunting hallow/coyote creek entrance in the late afternoon/evening. I will camp somewhere in the backcountry that night(near a lake). If anyone wants to meet up and ride part of the way or all of the way I would be into that. I have a touring bike with panniers so I am a bit slow on the dirt roads( no suspension) but i can move at a decent clip on the road if any roadies want to race.haha. So I'll see y'all there on friday sometime. Maybe I'll see you at mississippi Jay. Also I have a 600 gallon water tank that would fit in Marc's truck or you could use my truck if you need more water but someone would have to drive it since i'll be biking. Also, because of the steep hill i would only put about350- 400 gallons in it. Just a though.