Bay Area GGG Host

Although I have never been to one of these, Coe was a brilliant choice and people who have may be spoiled. It will be nearly impossible to find something else like it anywhere in the bay area. Big Basin is a close as you will get because it is a long drive, especially from San Francisco. Why not do it in the spring in a desert area instead – somewhere in the Mojave. Not convenient, but make it close enough to Las Vegas (or some other transport hub) and easier access maybe even than Big Basin.

Guess you would, however, be in danger of having a PCT kickoff clone if you are not careful.

1) No. At least not for me.

2) Depends on how large a group the host wants to deal with.

My question is.

What do people think of car camping campgrounds for an event like this?

I'm not in a good position to take the lead on this project from 700+ miles away but let me know if I can help out some other way.

Plenty of room out there certainly. A real long haul from the Bay Area. From NorCal, like me, too far.

GGG at Alabama Hills in October perhaps?

Anyone familiar with Whiskeytown National Rec Area? (Off the 5, just west of Redding) It has two group sizes for up to 100, but the sites are closed Nov-Apr.

Well if the location was Humboldt Bay we could rent the entire grove campground at Pamplin Grove off Hwy 36. Even comes with a cookhouse, pit bbq, facilities, and the Van Duzen River. Even has a little trail that starts from there. But no way would I expect anyone to make the drive there.

Whiskeytown, kinda far to I think.

How is an hour and a half (Big Basin) a long drive from San Francisco?

So Aaron, are you going to step up and host a GGG at Big Basin? I've never been.

"How is an hour and a half (Big Basin) a long drive from San Francisco?"

It isn't, just relative to a lot of other places that can be a nightmare (like Muir Woods and so on) in terms of crowding that are closer to SF. The slightly longer times, and roads perceived by some as trickier, are probably the only thing that keeps BB from being a nightmare too in the Spring and Fall. It already is in the summer, at least in the campgrounds anywhere near the HQ, and on StS trail. The extra distance keeps BB a little bit saner at certain times of the year, especially during weekdays. A close as you might get to Coe's flavor in the bay area, but still no comparison. Was my only point.

Basically I think if Coe is getting boring your suggestion of BB is an good one – probably the best alternative in the bay area. Not different in accessibility than Henry Coe in any important way.

Actually I think find an organizer FIRST, and then just do what ever he/she most wants, within reason, while bowing down and thanking that person again and again.

"Well if the location was Humboldt Bay we could rent the entire grove campground at Pamplin Grove off Hwy 36. Even comes with a cookhouse, pit bbq, facilities, and the Van Duzen River. Even has a little trail that starts from there. But no way would I expect anyone to make the drive there."

Why not? Haven't you been driving for hours to host the GGG for all these years? If you've got a great place near you, why not host it there? I'd come.

Ken – I go running in Briones on occasion, but have not been to the campsite in question. I'll see if I can plan a family hike there within the next few weeks to checkout the group campsites.

The biggest group site has a max of 75 people – is that enough?

Here is a map of group sites, run by East Bay Regional Parks:
http://www.ebparks.org/Assets/_Nav_Categories/Activities/Camping/Camping+Brochure.pdf

"What do people think of car camping campgrounds for an event like this?"

Ken I think it's a great idea that we should seriously consider.

Here's why – I know some people do plan longer hikes around the GGG, but I think most people are coming first to meet the friends they've been hanging out with on the forums, second to check out and compare lightweight gear in one place and learn best practices and third to meet some cottage makers (who would find it much easier to attend). Given the nature of the event, car camping would maximize the time we can spend with each other and could open up a lot of other locations for us.

That said if we insist on a campsite, I'm a thumbs up for Big Basin. It will offer nice hikes and a lot of pretty scenery. I don't know anything about Briones and Cache Creek other than hearing about them from others.

I have a friend who is a park ranger who just transferred to manage all the preserves in Marin County, many of which are barely used by anyone. I have no idea if there are sites which would support us, but could ask.

I really enjoyed Point Reyes, wish it were possible to still use it.

Whether for a Trinity Alps trip or just to say hello. Was really bummed to miss the Trinity trip not once but twice.

Come on up. You've missed more than two :(

I think car camping in an area near some decent day-hiking trails sounds fine if there's an area where everyone can meet up during the day for gear demonstrations. Largest obstacle I see here is that many campsites limit the number of shelters pitched to 2 or 3 per site.

I liked Henry Coe.

Hey All, I suppose I should apologize for getting us off-track with all of this chatter about "where"… because it does not matter a hill of beans "where" if nobody is going to step-forward and take over the organizational duties of the GGG. Ken has clearly indicated he has done it long enough and it is time for somebody else to take it over. I cannot as I will be involved in the biggest hike of my life Nov,Dec,Jan. So, yeah, all of this "where" discussion needs to just get tabled until somebody out there steps forward and offers to take over, it would seem.

John,

Regarding Dan from Zelph….after the trip report was done, I found out about all the gear that Dan had donated and solicited people for photos.

Couldn't get any.

However, I did get photos included.

Dan was really generous and shipped out samples of his stoves for me and I took photos of them and included links with the photos to take people to his website.

It was the best that I could do, once I found out what had happened.

I was also in contact with Dan with traded emails to make sure I had the right information included in the photo essay and trip report.

That said, the GGG was a success and no one to blame for what happened.

Had I been at the GGG from the very early morning/beginning, maybe things could have been avoided, but I arrived in the afternoon with my family.

Tony

David, Point Reyes was out grown quite some time ago as Ken can attest to

@Tony,

Please know, I was not trying to blame anybody… especially you or Ken. It was just something I could use as an example to make a point. Unintended if it sounded like I was attacking or blaming you, sorry mate.

I found out about all the gear that Dan had donated and solicited people for photos

Yeah I remember that, dug through my own photos hoping I had a good one. I had one of the tent, while standing outside, but it did not show the stoves, so couldn't have helped.

Dan was really generous and shipped out samples of his stoves for me and I took photos of them and included links with the photos to take people to his website.

Oh that is so awesome!! I must have missed that on the post-trip report. Very sweet of both you guys!

@John,

No offense taken at all….I know you and talked to you.

Would never think that you would be blame anyone.

We are on the same page….we both wanted to do right by Dan.

@everyone else,

As for the idea of having the GGG at another location, I am all for it.

Moving it North is not a bad idea.

In my opinion, it is not about how many people attend…though it is cool to see how many people come out to the GGGs- some pride at seeing it grow.

However, moving it around might allow people to attend who would not drive down to the Bay Area.

"Build it and they will come!"

Tony

Tony you've done an amazing job documenting the GGG's with photos and trip reports. You shouldn't feel you missed a thing, and John was just making a general statement about making sure we do right by our sponsors.

John of course we need an organizer/co-organizer, but I don't think there's anything wrong with thinking through types of locations and potential locations now. Lots of good ideas surfacing.

I'd suggest that in addition to an organizer/co-organizer, we have some people for sub-roles, such as welcoming new members, sponsor outreach, demo/class organizer, photo/trip report editor, etc. It would make things much easier for the organizer/s. If I know I can be there I would be glad to help with one of these.

Aaron will not be the host. Thanks for the PM.

I think quality has been lost with the increase in attendees.

I think quality has been lost with the increase in attendees.

Hey Ken,

What do you mean by this? What kind of quality has been lost by there being more people there?

It seems to me that more people means more folks I get the chance to meet, talk with, catch up with, and have fun with. More people means more cottage owners are tempted to attend which means checking out more gear that I normally would not. And given how huge of a camp area HenryCo is, its not like we have been packed in there so tight that its just not fun.

Are you saying the quality of enjoyment for you as the organizer has been lost with more people there?

Not saying I all of a sudden want there to be 500 people at a GGG, but last years 80 or so people felt really good to me. Perhaps it is just a result I was not there when there was only a dozen people or so and it was just a "good'ol buddy" style of get-together.

John, I'm not the first or only one to express this feeling. I had quite a few people who had attended previous ones express that the group was too big and the "family intimacy" had been lost Remember, BPL forum participants are generally introverts. Plenty of solo hikers too. The GGG had been their one annual trip with others of their kind. This year there were a bunch of people most of us didn't know. You know, non BPL forum participants. It was to be expected as there was chatter about the GGG on the PCT-L site and elsewhere. I wanted to see if I could get a hundred geeks in one place. Done, next goal. Increase quality of the event.

A victim of it's own success as David stated earlier. I'd rather skip trying to get manufacturers coming. Someone usually has the latest, greatest thing with them. Of course they would be more than welcome to come, just as themselves if they wish.

Maybe smaller, more frequent get togethers are the way to go. The October trip a few years back was excellent. I wouldn't mind doing more group trips though the year either.

I miss showing up with a cooler in the car and my pack ready to go.

No decisions have been made as to what I am going to do or not for The 7th annual in 2015. As always I am open to suggestions.

OK?

"I had quite a few people who had attended previous ones express that the group was too big and the "family intimacy" had been lost"

I'm one of those folks. Not right or wrong, just feel differently than some about the ever increasing size. I don't see myself attending another GGG for that reason (which I'm sure some folks see as a positive!). I much prefer the smaller ambiance, when we can all get around the same campfire and laugh and joke and tell stories, instead of the multiple groups of the last one.

I, for one, would love to see the GGG go back to being a gathering instead of an event. FWIW.