Black Packing Light
  • Sections
  • Today’s Features
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Email Newsletter
  • Membership Info
  • Articles
    • Recent Features
    • Gear Reviews
    • State of the Market Reports
    • Gear Guides
    • Gear Lists
    • Skills & Techniques
    • MYOG
    • Science, Technology & Testing
    • Stories
    • Calendar
  • Education
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Masterclasses
    • Online Courses
    • Guided Treks
    • Education Portal
  • Forums
    • Forum Index
    • Recent Forum Posts
    • Gear Forums
    • Gear Swap (Buy/Sell)
  • Gear Recommendations
  • Gear Deals

Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

It's Official: Norcal GGG XII March 13-15, 2020

Home › Forums › Campfire › Hiking Partners / Group Trip Announcements › It's Official: Norcal GGG XII March 13-15, 2020

Viewing 25 posts - 26 through 50 (of 78 total)
← 1 2 3 4 →
Forums are supported by our merchant partners (disclosure)
REI (Coupons) • ZPacks • Hyperlite • Patagonia • Arc'teryx • RBTR • Drop • Backcountry • Feathered Friends • CampSaver • Gaia • Mountain Hardwear
Gear Deals • Gear Search
Login to post (Basic Membership required)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Feb 21, 2020 at 4:17 pm #3632503
    Steve S.
    BPL Member

    @wildegeek

    @gearmaker This might get me motivated to finish building the matching net-tent for my spinnaker Ray-Way tarp you saw last year. I might just bring my home-made “big three” this year.

    Feb 21, 2020 at 4:43 pm #3632506
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    @wildegeek Hey Steve, would love to see the matching net-tent and your home-made “big three.” Bring some friends!

    Feb 26, 2020 at 1:14 pm #3633303
    Doug Coe
    BPL Member

    @sierradoug

    Locale: Bay Area, CA, USA

    If you’re planning on coming, maybe leave a note here letting people know. I don’t see that many saying they’re coming so far, but maybe others are planning to but are just staying quiet. It’d be fun to have a biggish group.

    Just a thought. :)

    Feb 26, 2020 at 2:35 pm #3633319
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    @sierradoug +1

    Yes, anyone planning to attend please put up a post or PM me. Thanks.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 2:51 pm #3633323
    Steve S.
    BPL Member

    @wildegeek

    I circulated a description of this event to 140+ members of the Coe Park uniformed volunteer corps. A few expressed interest in participating to some degree.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 2:55 pm #3633324
    Kathryn L
    BPL Member

    @levinekathryn

    Thanks Steve S!  This event sounds awesome and I plan to be there.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 3:20 pm #3633327
    Richard Niemi
    BPL Member

    @rickniemi

    Locale: Santa Cruz Mountains

    I plan on being there. Can’t wait!

    Feb 26, 2020 at 3:52 pm #3633332
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    @rickniemi: Hey Rick, it will be nice to see you again. Will you be participating in the wood stove burn off? I have a new rig this year that I’ll be trying out.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 3:57 pm #3633333
    Richard Niemi
    BPL Member

    @rickniemi

    Locale: Santa Cruz Mountains

    It will be good seeing you too. I plan on entering the wood burn contest. It’s always fun.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 4:32 pm #3633336
    Rex Sanders
    BPL Member

    @rex

    Locale: Central California Coast

    I’m planning to be there.

    Manzanita site #5 looked about the same on February 4, with the exception of some plastic car bumper parts laying around. Unusual.

    Long-term weather forecast is still relatively warm and maybe dry. The fire weather station one ridge over from GGG seems to be permanently out of commission, so try this NWS point forecast a few days before the event:

    https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.52741432189941&lat=37.18162096480937

    Plan to bring enough water for your stay. The water tank at the intersection of Manzanita Point Road and Poverty Flat road is gone. In previous years you hiked past this to get to site #5. And the other water tank at Manzanita Point Road and Madrone Soda Springs Trail, about 150 yards past the #5 turnoff, was quite empty.

    I’m considering a short Coe backpack trip before or after GGG. PM me if you are interested.


    @gearmaker
    I’ll PM you soon about some other ideas for GGG.

    — Rex

    Feb 26, 2020 at 5:23 pm #3633341
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    Additional events (thank you Rex):

    1. Tent stake pull-off
    Pulling out different tent stakes with a luggage scale, so we can play with how well different stakes and angles hold in the ground.

    2. Backpack show and tell
    Bring your pack to the main camp fire and tell us what you like and don’t like.

    3. Three by three show and tell
    Bring your favorite three pieces of gear (not pack or shelter) to the main camp fire and tell us what you like and don’t like in less than 3 minutes.

    4. What’s in your pack? photos
    I’ll bring a big sheet of Tyvek. People can lay out their backpack and gear, snap a photo, and post to BPL with gear list.

    Feb 26, 2020 at 10:37 pm #3633382
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    Damn. My car was totaled. I’m fine, but hoping somebody from the north San Francisco Bay Area is going and can carpool. Happy to pay for gas, and I have one of the two parking spots at the ranger station. Anyone?

    Feb 27, 2020 at 9:10 am #3633412
    Doug Coe
    BPL Member

    @sierradoug

    Locale: Bay Area, CA, USA

    David—I live in Berkeley and could give you a ride from here. Where do you live?

    Feb 27, 2020 at 10:13 am #3633430
    Richard Niemi
    BPL Member

    @rickniemi

    Locale: Santa Cruz Mountains

    I’m glad you are safe David. Bummer about your car.

     

    Mar 2, 2020 at 7:45 pm #3634049
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    Here is the preliminary schedule I have prepared. Please let me have your feedback.

    SATURDAY

    10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    1. Lightest saw capable of cutting through a douglas fir 2×2
    2. Fastest saw under 8 oz. to cut through a douglas fir 2×2 in less than 15 seconds

    11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    1. Knot-tying contest: most knots in 3 minutes
    2. Knot tying discussion & photos

    11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    Lunch

    12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
    1. Wood stove burn off for speed using 12″ douglas fir 2×2 and up to 20 grams of any kind of fire starter
    2. Alcohol burn off for speed
    3. Alcohol burn off for efficiency
    4. Esbit burn off for speed
    5. Esbit burn off for efficiency
    6. Canister stove burn off for speed
    7. Canister stove burn off for efficiency

    12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
    1. Lightest complete alcohol, esbit, wood and canister cook kit
    (stove, pot, lid, windscreen, fuel container, source of ignition, and stuff sack/container)
    2. Lightest knife with at least a 1.5″ blade
    3. Lightest knife per inch of blade with a minimum blade length of 1.5″

    1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
    Shelter tour

    2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
    What’s in your pack? On a big sheet of Tyvek people lay out their backpack and gear. We snap photos and post to BPL with gear list

    3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
    Stake pull off – pulling different kinds of stakes set at different angles and measuring force required

    SATURDAY NIGHT

    1. Backpack show and tell: Bring your pack to the main camp fire and tell us what you like and don’t like.
    2. 3 x 3 show and tell: Bring your favorite three pieces of gear (not pack or shelter) to the main camp fire and tell us what you like and don’t like in less than 3 minutes.

    Mar 7, 2020 at 12:47 am #3634608
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    I’ve got airline tickets. I’ve got a substitute lined up for coaching (the math team is going to State finals), I can take the time off work. It would be good to do some hiking in shorts – we actually had a winter this winter for a change.

    I need to consider the exposure to others in the planes / airports (LAX – what could go wrong?). I see it as a pretty small risk, but the wife is always more risk averse, especially with respiratory diseases and an asthmatic daughter.  OTOH, the 14-y-o is pretty low risk herself and if COVID-19 spreads everywhere, I’ll get it eventually anyway.

    I’ll figure it out in the week ahead.

    No more caribou sausage in the freezer, but I’ve got some smoked-salmon dip made up.

    Mar 7, 2020 at 3:10 pm #3634704
    David Gardner
    BPL Member

    @gearmaker

    Locale: Northern California

    Here is the latest from the rangers:

    5 parking spots are included with the reservation I made – 2 can drive in (me and event co-sponsor), another 3 can park at the parking lot by the Visitor Center. First come, first serve. Be sure to get a little parking tag from the rangers. All others must pay $8/night for parking. Busy weekend expected and parking is limited so car pool if you can and get there early if you can.

    No drinking water is available at the site. We will be driving in with lots of water and firewood if the roads are open (barring “significant” rain) but just in case everyone should plan and be able to bring their own.

    “Dogs, weapons and firearms are not allowed. You can cook with a gas stove and also have a wood or charcoal campfire. You can bring firewood with you or purchase it at the Visitor Center. If you have any questions call 408-779-2728.”

    See you all soon!

    Mar 7, 2020 at 5:55 pm #3634741
    Rex Sanders
    BPL Member

    @rex

    Locale: Central California Coast

    Also:

    No drones without a special permit:

    https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/561/files/680-19-023%20-%20Diablo%20Range%20District%20UAS.PDF

    Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on most trails at Coe Park:

    https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/561/files/680-19-029%20-%20Diablo%20Range%20District%20Trail%20Use%20Policy.pdf

    “The use of Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on all trails.” Yea, if you don’t look too closely as they zoom uphill without pedaling.

    — Rex

    Mar 7, 2020 at 11:26 pm #3634786
    Kattt
    BPL Member

    @kattt

    @David Thomas

    I would suggest that you not go but I am sure you are doing the math and will make a thought out decision.

    Mar 8, 2020 at 4:44 pm #3634893
    Marc Eldridge
    BPL Member

    @meld

    Locale: The here and now.

    Something has come up and I won’t be able to make it this coming weekend.  Sorry to miss.

    Mar 8, 2020 at 10:49 pm #3634943
    Steve S.
    BPL Member

    @wildegeek

    I hiked out to site 5 at Manzanita Point today. The road is clear and the site is in good shape.

    Site 5, Manzanita Point

    There is no signage on the road, so you just have to turn right on the next road after site 3.

    Turn right to get to sites 4 and 5

    Mar 11, 2020 at 12:49 pm #3635295
    R
    Spectator

    @autox

    My ride fell through.  Is there an open seat in the Bay Area?

    I’m in San Francisco (Noe Valley) and could BART/Lyft to meet you, chip in for gas.

    If not, I guess I’ll rent something, in which case I could offer rides.

    Also, schedule looks great!  I like the addition of the stake testing.

    Mar 11, 2020 at 4:09 pm #3635306
    Steve S.
    BPL Member

    @wildegeek

    It looks like the NWS is forecasting enough rain overnight on Saturday that the park staff is not going to let us drive-in supplies like water or firewood. (They won’t want us to have to be towed out or have a car stuck there for days if it gets muddy.)

    Everyone attending should adjust their plans for this to be a self-sufficient, backpacking-only trip. The hard part about that is the lack of surface water near the camp site (except for one muddy pond).

    We (and the rangers) will be watching this forecast:
    [ https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.51795282959937&lat=37.17351710273023 ]

    Mar 11, 2020 at 5:26 pm #3635318
    Doug Coe
    BPL Member

    @sierradoug

    Locale: Bay Area, CA, USA

    Frankly, I’m not sure how much water we’ll each need for Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Any thoughts?

    Mar 11, 2020 at 5:30 pm #3635319
    Doug Coe
    BPL Member

    @sierradoug

    Locale: Bay Area, CA, USA

    @autox Rene—I’m in Berkeley. I’m picking up David (our fearless leader this weekend) at the Oakland Airport (no, he’s not flying).

    I could pick you up at BART in the East Bay if you can get there in the morning on Friday.

    PM me for details and timing.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 25 posts - 26 through 50 (of 78 total)
← 1 2 3 4 →
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Log In

Join our Community Today

A Membership is required to post in the forums.

View Membership Options

Forum Menu

Backpacking Light forums are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions. View the guidelines.
  • Main Forum Index | Recent Topics
  • Gear Swap | Gear Deals | Chaff | BPLTrac
  • Forum Support Docs | Posting Guidelines

Latest Online Course

trek planning masterclass title image Trek Planning Masterclass - now available on-demand.
View all online courses »

Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust?

Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight.


Gear Recommendations

  • Publisher’s Gear Guide
  • Staff Picks
  • Guide’s Gear Recommendations
  • Our Lightweight Gear Recommendations for REI Members
  • Today’s Gear Deals
  • Search for Gear on Sale

Subscribe Right Now

Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world.
Subscribe Now
  • Backpacking Gear Reviews
  • Backpacking Skills
  • Backpacking Trips
  • Backpacking & Outdoor News
  • Outdoor Recreation Science & Technology
  • Backpacking Courses, Webinars & Other Events

Follow Us

Get outdoor skills and gear info you can trust.

Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight.

Join Now: Support fair and objective product reviews.

Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available.

View Subscription Options

More @ Backpacking Light

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise with Us
  • Write for Us
  • Submit a Product for Review
  • Diversity Grants
  • Help / Support / Contact
  • Terms & Policies

Call Us

Membership Sales & Support: 406-640-HIKE (406-640-4453) | About

© Copyright 2001-2021 BEARTOOTH MEDIA GROUP, INC. | U.S. Library of Congress Serial Registration ISSN 1537-0364
BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Subscribe here.

  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • My Account
  • Forum Profile
  • Private Messages
  • Newsletters
  • My Course Enrollments
  • Unlimited Membership Portal
  • Help / Support / Contact