GGG/SOCAL 2015

Could be up for this, will see how the schedule shakes out.

The “ranger” told me that the only camping spots we can use are in the A,B&C loops. I was hoping to get permission to use one of the areas that has been closed off but no….The problem is going to be getting enough campsites side by side to accommodate the group. At least ideally the sites would be adjacent. Since it’s a first come first serve campground, and a popular one, it would be great if an number of people could make it up there on Fri morning in order to secure at least 4 or so sites together in order to give the group a central gathering area. People showing up later on Fri or coming on Sat should would have to find sites where ever they can.
It’s really hard to do estimates of how many will attend at this stage. Last year we had 50 people show up with a few of those just coming for the day.

No excuses-sign up and have a great weekend. See the sign up link on the first post.

Link to last years GGG discussion:

GGG/SOCAL2014

I'm hoping to be there. Looking forward to seeing the gang!!!

Time for a bump on this event. Please go the sign-up link in the first post.

Good news! John Fong of Flat Cat Gear will be attending again this year to teach some of us how to prepare civilized backpacking food.

My weekly reminder. This event is rapidly approaching so please sign up if you plan to attend. There are some logistical issues I need to work out once I get a rough estimate of the attendance number.

Some random toughts.

If you're hiking the PCT and will hit mile 374 Apr 10-11-12 take a little break and drop by. The Crystal Lake Camp is just 2.5 miles off the PCT. The store there has limited supplies but enough to get you to the Acton KOA for another resupply.

If you're a peak bagger, you could day hike to Mt. Baden Powell at 9300' and bag Mt. Hawkins 8850, Throop Peak 9138 and Mt. Burham 8997 along the way. About a 18' mile round trip.

Want to hike in? Come in from the north side at Islip Saddle, hike the PCT to Windy Gap and then down to Crystal Lake, 10 miles round trip.

Want to really slum? You could have all your meals at the Cafe. The Frito Pie and the Breakfast Burrito are highly recommended.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kIE60-M62pNWXM1ROXncx4PlTJbjBWsX3hkX7WthGT0/viewform?usp=send_form

I'm very likely to show up for at least a day. Trying to get a more definitive count and time period with my significant other (it's her birthday that weekend, so that's tough to negotiate)

I'll be there and bring my collection of zebralights for folks to check out; H600, H600F, H602, SC600 MkII L2, SC600w MkII L2, H52, H502r, SC52w, and H32F

Steve

Yikes–the time if flying. Just 12 days or so until the GGG/SOCAL. Come on folks, sign up or at least post letter of intent.:-) Come and meet some of your fellow BPL members. Check out gear. Learn some new tricks.
I'll post the weather prediction next week. I'm thinking it will be great campfire weather which will be a refreshing break from the heat wave we've been having.

Family stuff can always change but So far I'm clear for takeoff. I signed up. Hopefully we get a good size group for this one. See you there!!

Thanks Adan. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Thanks for doing this Don

Thanks for organizing this years SoCal GGG. I am going to try and make it for at least Saturday/Sunday this year. Looking forward to seeing everybody from our neck of the woods.

I signed up with a friend who did the PCT with me though he isn't much a gear head. The problem is that Saturday I have a morning class that gets out at noon so I won't get up there until after 1pm.

Thanks to those who thanked me for organizing this. I can't say it's a thankless job now!

See you when you get there Miner.

As a reminder there will be a gear swap this year. Clean out your closets and bring up what you're willing to part with. I'll be selling some FlexAir pillows and possibly a few of my less than a gram Coghlan fuel tab stoves. I might even feel generous and give some of them away. You won't know if you don't attend.

Looking forward to this…one more weekend! Thanks Don for organizing this for the second year in a row!

I'll be there. Looking forward to it.

The weather report for Fri-Sat-Sun at Crystal Lake:

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 64.

There is a 60% chance of snow Tues so we may be treated to a nice view of snow dusted mountains above the camp. The temps in camp will warrant a nice campfire.

I'll post info later about locating the group. If your still on the fence about showing up, get off it and come up!

I'll be coming up with my son on Friday evening and leaving Saturday morning.
Thanks for putting this on!

My 13 year old son can't wait to camp at Crystal Lake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdIrgkcnIrw

He now wants me to bring our diving gear so we can look for Jason.

Does one need to reserve site directly with camp ground or did you make any arrangements already? Are reservations even needed?

The campsites are on a no reservation, first come, first serve system. I will get at least two sites when I arrive on Fri. If more room is needed or you want to get your own site there should be no problem. Attached is a photo of the fee structure. Campsite fees will be shared by everyone in each site. If you arrive early enough and find room in my site you’ll get a big discount since I get 1/2 price for being an old guy.
Here is a link for further information (I think I posted this in my first post announcing the event). The info about the adventure pass is confusing. Just assume you need one.

Crystal Lake Info
We will probably be setting up in the “A” Loop marked on this rather imprecise map. I’ll have some direction signs put up.

I'll be leading an overnight bike trip up there on Saturday morning with a few others, we'll be riding from the San Fernando Valley to the 39, so we probably won't arrive until mid-afternoon.

Glad you'll be comming Mark. When ever you arrive, well–you arrive.

I should be in camp by 10:30 on Fri. I'll leave a note on the Self Service Pay Station showing where we/me are. I'll also tell the people in the Cafe/Store our location in case someone is totally lost.

Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Feel free to show up on the spur of the moment. This is a loosely sturctured event, drop-ins are welcome!

The swap meet/gear sale will be held "around" 10am on Sunday unless a group conscious dictates otherwise. Clean out your closets and refill them with different stuff.

I'll be out of touch once I get into the mountains tommorow. If anyone has last minute questions text me by about 9am and I'll get back to you. 626 485-4696.

Been going crazy with first losing a job and now being in a job that is just such a bad fit. Spending pretty much all free time studying to try to GET OUT of this job (and maybe have a little more financial stability for my family and me).

BUT I will be there on Saturday (only). I will arrive some time in the morning, and I'll probably be leaving around 3:00 or 3:30 P.M. due to a commitment Saturday evening in Orange County.

If anyone wants to see any particular stove that I might have, ask. I might just have it.

If anyone wants PowerMax fuel, let me know, and I'll bring some. I'm asking $10.00 for a 300 g canister. A lot, I know, but that's what I paid at an Army-Navy store, and those are the last ones I've been able to find. And if you think about it compared to the usual $6 for a 100 g Jetboil canister, that's only $3.33 for 100 g which is quite a bargain. :( I'll bring canisters for sale IF SOMEONE WANTS SOME. Let me know.

I'm out of Camping Gaz fuel which was popular at the Nor Cal GGG in January. Both of the stores that were carrying it are now sold out, and Coleman says that they will not offer any more in the US for sale.

HJ

Jim,

Sorry to hear about things on the work side of life. Hopefully you'll find a great job soon.