Announcing GGG/SOCAL2016

Thanks Don. I hope to make it.

Are kids going to be there?

Hopefully there will be some kids attending.  There have been in the past. Maybe I’ll reconsider the signup list to get some idea about the attendance…maybe.  I still need to call about reserving the camping area and they (LA Country fire department) might want a people number this year.

If kids are allowed I would most likely attend with at least one of them Sat/sun assuming good weather.

If this isn’t the right trip for kids I would be a little more up in the air but still probably attend. Still Sat/sun because I work late on Fridays.

Ok, keep us posted. Thanks.

I think it’s appropriate for kids.  Also dogs, significant/insignificant others, the old, feeble minded and most BPL members. Everyone is welcome.

Water has become an issue at Henninger. All the faucets have been turned off except for one that they say not to use.  I use it regularly without treatment as do others.  I will have some water hauled up to the camp for those that are concerned. Depending on how many show up it may or may not be enough.  I suggest bringing a treatment/filter system just in case.

Don,

I’m in. I plan to bring my six  year old daughter. Been too  long since I   have taken her out overnight.

HJ
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“the old, feeble minded”

Thanks for the invite!

Jim,

we’ll see you there. I’ll bring my kids. My 6 yo girl will love having another kid to play with.

I decided to bite the bullet and get somewhat more organized.  Please click the link to sign up.  It will help me determine how much water to arrange for.   Sign Up!

In spite of this bit of organization all will be welcome, signed up or not.

We’ll have what is called Fuji Camp to ourselves.  It’s the upper most camp area where we did the event in 2014.

Done.

Thanks, Don

HJ

Don- I may come up for a bit on Friday night to chat and put faces to names. I have Wilderness First Aid training for my Son’s scout troop Sat & Sunday.

My daughter and I will try to spend Saturday evening up there…thanks again for putting this all together Don.

It will be good to see you Angus.  I don’t have any particular request for a movie but then again I’m very old school and I doubt the movies of my youth are available as a download, if I could even remember them!

In case others missed it Angus is bringing a projector and special requests for showings are being taken. Post them here or contact Angus direct.

That sounds like a plan. Was thinking of showing the PCT documentary “Do More With Less”. I have other movies I could bring as well…just let me know.

Don,

what is the food storage situation? I know there are black bears in the area. The couple of overnighters I’ve done in Angeles Forest I’ve just kept my food in my shelter.

Best, Don

Don,

I am planning on attending the GGG/SOCAL 2016 on Saturday, April 2^nd (about 9 to 2).   My plan is to hike up and talk about as well as demonstrate some of our gear.  There are a couple of topics that I can discuss including:

Dry Baking – Isobutene, Esbit, Alcohol & Tea lights

Multi-Fuel Stoves – Iso, DA, gels, hand sanitizers, Sterno, etc.

I will probably do a few dry baking demos

If anyone would like to see particular hardware or demonstration, let me know.

Jon Fong

FLAT CAT GEAR

jon@flatcatgear.com

Don-there is a resident bear up there that likes to knock over the trash cans for a nightly snack. I got this info from a boy scout leader a few weeks ago.  As far as I know the bears up there have never bothered with any food inside shelters or the wooden storage cabinets that are provided in camp.  I usually put my food in the cabinet or hang it.

If you’re unfamiliar with Jon Fong and his Flat Cat Gear products you should consider having a look at his cooking magic next weekend.  This will be the 3rd year Jon will do a demo for us at the GGG/SOCAL.   He certainly converted me to baking and made me a sometimes lazy backpacker. I often have my morning coffee and a fresh baked muffin while still lounging in my warm sleeping bag.

I’m keeping an eye on the weather prediction for the event.  Looks like possible showers mid week but hopefully clearing by Fri.

I know there are a lot of BPL members in the SoCal area. Time to come out of the woodwork and attend this event!!

The weather gods are being kind.  The current NOAA weather report for Henninger Flats

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71

I’m looking forward to this weekend.  My daughter gets out of school at 11;30 AM on Friday, so I’ll probably be at the trail head some time between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM, which would put me up top maybe 2:30 to 3:00 PM.  Something like that.

I’m bringing a Stratospire I TarpTent which I plan to sell if anyone is interested.  I have to leave early afternoon on Saturday, so catch me Friday PM or Saturday AM if you’re interested.  Absolutely nothing wrong with the tent, but I was hoping that it would be roomy enough for both me and my 6 y.o. daughter.  It is roomy enough, but just barely, even with my very petite daughter (who grows by the day).

Hit me up if anyone is interested.  Free and environmentally friendly shipping (on my back) if picked up at the GGG.  :)

HJ

Angus,

Do more with less sounds like a winner to me.  Even my daughter would probably watch it just for the novelty of seeing a movie outdoors (and because we don’t let her watch much).

HJ

I was just reading on a local forum that the water is OFF at Henninger Flats.

Don, can you confirm that you’ve made some provision for water to be available?

I do know where the intake for the water system is, but last time I was through, there wasn’t much flow.

Of course there’s water in abundance in Eaton Canyon, but that’s several miles round trip from Henninger — unless you want to move down to the Idlehour Camp, but that’s not terribly roomy, and there’s a lot of poison oak.

HJ

I delivered 20 gallons of water the County Fire Dept.  They will haul it up to camp when they do a shift change before the weekend.

There is a faucet behind the lower campground pit toilet that has always been running with a strong flow.  As I posted earlier some drink from it directly, some don’t.  If you use it I recommend a filter/treatment to alleviate your personal concerns.

Super! Thanks, Don.

The 20 gallons should be good for drinking. For cooking, we can just get it out of the faucet since the heat of cooking should kill any micro-organisms, that is if people are even worried about it. I’ve been drinking water untreated there since the 60’s and have never had a problem. Of course that’s not to say there won’t ever be a problem.

HJ

I’m just about ready to head out to the trailhead (only 15 minutes from my house :) ).  The clear sky and nice pleasant temps in Pasadena at the moment.  Any last minute questions can probably be answered if you text me.  There is spotty cell reception on the trail and at camp.

If anyone makes a last minute decision to come up and you’re thinking of an after sunset start be aware that the main trailhead gate is closed after sunset.  There is another trailhead access that is always open about a mile south of the Pinecrest entry.  It’s on Altadena Dr. and is easily seen on the east side of the road.

Also, the Pinecrest trailhead parking is restricted.  Pay close attention to the parking signs.

I’ll see you all in camp!