GGG 2024

[David Gardner]

The Original! Mark your calendars Gear Geeks, the Gathering is nigh: the weekend of Friday – Sunday, March 1-3, 2024. Looking forward to an awesome event with friends old and new!

Most likely at the traditional Manzanita Group Site #5 at Henry Coe State Park. Although, I’ve been looking around the greater SF Bay Area for other, similar locations where there is a short-ish hike in to a group camp, and I’m open to suggestions.

This will be my final GGG as organizer/sponsor. I’m moving to Michigan in the spring to live with my daughter and her family on a large property. I hope someone will step up and that the GGG tradition will continue.

[Bob Shuff]

On my calendar!

[Bud]

I should be able to make it!

Black Mountain Backpack Camp could be interesting. I camped there for the first time earlier this year. It’s a short hike in with good day hiking around it. We could book multiple sites (or all the sites). https://www.openspace.org/where-to-go/permits/camping.

[David Gardner]

Great start!

The Black Mountain Backpack Camp looks interesting. Holds up to 24 people, which is probably sufficient, although if we can get an adjacent additional site that would be good. No fires permitted. Pit toilet. Not sure I’ll use it if I get it, but I applied for a permit there to maintain our options.

Bud, do you know if there is potable water there, or would we have to pack it in?

[Mark Verber]

Besides the Monte Bello trainhead, there a nice 5mile, ~1600ft walk from trailheads in the valley. I often walk just short of the camp and then return.  Next time I am up I will look at the water situation. My memory was they had non-potable, but we have filters / chemicals or steri-pens so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Every time I have walked past those sites (mostly mid-morning) they have been unoccupied except for the occasional family of foxes :)

[d k]

Monte Bello sounds like a nice change, and a little closer in to home (good for me, as I’m working Friday night and Sunday afternoon).  Might be able to stay Saturday and Saturday night.  If Coe, I’ll probably come in for the day Saturday.

[David Thomas]

I might be able to make it March 1-3.  I just practiced poaching sockeye salmon while backpacking in California on Saturday at Point Reyes.  Three cans of Sterno under a disposable baking tin (like under a turkey) poaching it over white wine with tarragon and thyme did the deed.   Smoked Salmon spread on crackers also went over well.

[David Thomas]

And now I have flights booked into and out of SJC Friday late morning to Sunday early evening.  Work can always explode and torpedo such a trip, but hopefully I’ll make it.  I’ve reserved a rental car, but maybe could carpool to Henry Coe and back – that could be nailed down a few days or hours in advance.

[David Gardner]

It would be great to see you there David Thomas! When I first read that you were poaching salmon I thought “What? That’s illegal!” Then I realized you meant cooking. Duh. Sounds delicious.

I would really like to have a place that will allow wood fires. Any other suggestions, anyone? Although Monte Bello would cut about an hour from my drive each way…

[Catherine D]

I had an amazing time at my first GGG this past summer and am very much looking forward to this one. Weekend is in my calendar.

[Richard Niemi]

Awesome! I added the dates to my calendar. Cheers!

[Jerry Adams]

yeah, David poaching salmon?  I’m surprised someone would post illegality on internet

oh… not that type of poaching… : )

[David Gardner]

Hey Jerry, can you make it to GGG 2024?

[Jerry Adams]

possibly

I made it a few years ago

It’s a long way from Portland

[Matthew / BPL]

Ack one week before Spring Break. Maybe I can drive or fly in. My track record is not strong but I’ll try to make it happen.

[Manfred]

David T,

you got me for a moment at ‘poaching’ salmon …

[Manfred]

David G.

Thank you for taking the initiative! I put it on my calendar. Since Black Mountain doesn’t allow campfires, I’d prefer Henry Coe. Somehow the most interesting conversations seems to happen around a campfire. Otherwise people retreat into their warm sleeping bags.

[Manfred]

David T.

I should be able to pick you up from SJC and carpool. Just let me know which airline and flight number.

[David Thomas]

Jerry: “It’s a long way from Portland”.  Ummm.  The last 674 miles of my trip.  After the first 1542 miles.

Manfred: Thanks.  Friday March 1st, Alaska 3363 I’m scheduled into SJC at 10:37 am.  Which is a work day – don’t know that affects things.  I’ll have red-eyed through LAX and could whip out a sleeping pad and snooze in the airport if that helps the timing.

[Manfred]

David T.

10:37 on Friday works fine. I’ll put it into my calendar.

Happy New Year!

[David Gardner]

I’m going with Henry Coe SP so that we can have campfires. And I have a new UL Fire Maple titanium wood stove that I need to test in the Wood Burn-Off! Just made the reservation for Manzanita Point site #5.

Who can bring some kind of 4×4 to ferry in wood and water? I’m hoping for good weather but planning for wet conditions and muddy roads, just in case.

[Doug Coe]

Thanks for heading this up, David. I’ll be there. (Who is this guy, they’re wondering? I don’t frequent the forum much but I’ve been to two or three GGGs in the past.)

[peter v]

2nd try ..

years ago past the road was all wet and snotty and they would not condone it’s use. so we maybe gott’a plan for such again. what we did was go back and schlep in the firewood. just another reason to own a mchale …

[Ken Thompson]

Always nice to see everyone. Doug, it has been a while!
I’ll bring the Pilot to haul some stuff if possible David.
Gotta go if Peter is there.

[David Gardner]

Hey everybody, it will be great to see you all again. This is shaping up nicely. Bring a friend or two!

Oh yeah, I remember the year we hauled in ropes and huge tarps, huddled under them in blasting rain and wind, while a hardy crew hiked in and back out and back in to haul firewood to the site. Was there a McHale amongst those packs? Those were the days!?

Might be an epic wet year again, with a Super El Nino projected. I will come well-prepared with tarps and ropes, etc. again. Feel free to bring yours too.

Ken, I really appreciate you bringing the Pilot again – though I know that secretly it’s just an excuse for not hiking in :-)

Niemi, you dethroned me as Wood Burn-Off champion last year after an 8-year run. Got a new rig this year. Game on!

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