Winterfest 2004

“I'm sooo jealous!! I wanna ski in my backyard!! Wait.. I could.. but it would have to be behind a boat... Was snowing in Portland at 5 this evening when I left..

Navi.. the drink of choice is Hot Damn for this trip! Well.. it does act a little like tequila.. Am I invisible yet? (gonna miss you on this one!)”

“Winterfest 2005!

See you there if not sooner Lady.”

“Sorry Navi, No Tequila for me. That stuff makes me do weird stuff.

On the other hand, I'm just in from getting refreshments. All totaled: 60 beers, 1/5 of Yukon Smack, and a bottle of vino. I should fine but, Steve, where's the closest store w/ booze just in case? :0

My sled is gonna weigh a fargin ton!”

“Sorry Navi, No Tequila for me. That stuff makes me do weird stuff.

And just why do you think I'm making that request?


Have lots O fun!”

“Looking forward to the trip reports and photos. You guys are going to have a great time.

You make it through that storm for the duration and in once piece, you'll have to reward yourselves somehow.

I know, the experience is its own reward.

Should be epic. Wouldn't share this one with mom. 8)”

“Go to bed and quit braggin!”

“LMAO at tekdude. It's 2:30 am here, the cab will arrive any second, and my MOM calls me after checking a weather report and begs me to stay in Reno for the week. LOL, after some reassurance, she's somewhat better.

See y'all there!

BB”

“have fun bb!”

“Viva con Dios, BB!!!”

“The good news...parts of Redding have 16+ inches....and it started snowing again.

The best news...it's supposed to be clear tomorrow and partly cloudy on Wed!!”

“This storm sucks! It just about completely missed the weather station at Manzanita Lake. Redding gets 16" of snow but ML gets 0.03" of precip. What's that all about? Those weather people were saying 5 feet of snow. Damn them!”

“Rockman, there are places where you can buy chains and then take them back if you don't use them. You may very well sneak in between storms, but who knows what will be happening when you leave?

From last night until midday today, we got just under 5 inches of rain. Lots of flooded roads. We're homebound unless we go away from town about 10 miles then double back.”

“Thanks to all you guys and gals who are going early and breaking trail for us. From the way the weather report looks, though, it may need to be done again before we get there!!!

We got our sled, $15 at Big Five. We're going to do it up with copper pipe so we can go downhill. We're working out how to make an A-frame using the silnylon tarp above our 3-season tent so we don't have to wake up and remove snow all night long. 'Course if there's an empty igloo, I'd move right in. Or build one, if there are any enthusiastic teachers still around.”

“Things are pretty bad up here. I5 is still closed from Redding to Oregon. The latest I got from the weather updates looks like it may clear a tad tomorrow, then we get hit for the next 10 days.

Rodney and I are leaving at 7:30am tomorrow, but I would like to know how many of you will still come up after Sat if the weather is still storming hard.”

“Things are changing fast...I need phone #'s to work this all out. Send me an email if you would. I have options, but need to talk to ya all.
Steve”

“As of now, I can still escape from work & leave Sac on 1/1. Anyone who wants a ride, send me an e or respond here.

I have a Toyota Landcruiser 4WD, shouldn't have any problems getting there, this vehicle does GREAT in the snow.”

“We're still working on it...I got a call into BB.”

“I put in a call to BB also. He out dropping coinage.”

“Id I 5 is closed, it does make things different, but I, for one, will do what it takes to make it up there.”

“I've managed to get in touch with most everyone, but for those I couldn't reach....


We are heading in tomorrow and will be coming out on the 4th or perhaps the 5th (if enough folks are there to help me haul out the tent)

The weather doesn't look that bad, just regular snow, nothing real nasty.

If you see little bits of pink flagging, follow it and it will lead you to us.

Take care everyone, stay safe.”

“I'm in the middle of my Modesto>Phoenix?Modesto?Phoenix madness and was wishing I could be a part of this trip! I'm with the navi-guesser...looking forward to Winterfest 2005!

You all be safe, have a great time and have a drink for me when you ring in the New Year!”

“I hour to go.......


The damn sled weights over 100#...gonna have to make 2 trips.”

“Have a great time, everyone! Take lots of pictures!!!!”

“Hey Moey, I sure wish you were going! I'll tell some "good" stories about ya.

...and with that, I'm outta here. See you all up at WINTERFEST 2003-4!”

“gone!

Later all.”

“dang. 2005?”

“We're still planning on going in Saturday and coming out hopefully as late as Monday. Anyone else? I know there were others.”

“Still no granddaughter.



2005!!”

“wanderer, if you're still going on the 1st can we hitch a ride with you? Trailbum emailed you also. My phone number for work today is 209 557-1054 (I'm off tomorrow)or my cel tonight after 5pm is 209 483-3676.

Since Steve might be there only until the 4th or 5th, we're going in a day earlier on the 1st. So, yes, trailbum and I are still in!”

“Glad there are still people coming later.”

“Let's hope the gang has the hatches battened down!

From Nat'l Weather Svc., about 20 minutes ago:
”

“Someone in Cleveland won the mega millions or some big lottery thing...walks away with 92 million. I wonder if it was Buddha Bear? Too bad he is gonna freeze his assssss off and won't be able to collect it!”

“Yep, sounds like quinzee, not tent weather. Two feet of new snow expected where they are.

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

...WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA-WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK- 415 AM PST WED DEC 31 2003
... WINTER STORM WARNING THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT FOR THE WEST SLOPE OF THE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA INCLUDING WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY AND THE LASSEN PARK AREA...

PERIODS OF SNOW... HEAVY AT TIMES... ARE EXPECTED THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. SNOW LEVELS ARE FORECAST TO RANGE FROM 3000 TO 4000 FEET THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY... BUT MAY LOWER TO AROUND 2500 FEET ON THURSDAY NIGHT. SOUTHWEST WINDS GUSTING TO 60 MPH AT TIMES OVER EXPOSED RIDGES AND THROUGH PASSES MAY RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE UP TO 2 FEET OF SNOW ABOVE 3000 FEET... WITH UP TO 4 FEET POSSIBLE ON THE HIGHER PEAKS. ADDITIONAL SNOW IS POSSIBLE FRIDAY....”

“Too cool! Nothing better than hanging out in an igloo when it's really dumping. Don't leave your gear outside, you'll lose it. Can't wait to get there!”

“Phaeddy just called, he was at REI spending $$!! We're doing a caravan up, what time do you guys (Trailbum & Hikerchic) think you will get to Sac.... we'll wait u for you?”

“I've been trying all morning to get thru to the park hdqtrs, no answer. I emailed my permit request, I was going to pick it up when I was there. I haven't heard back, I'm going anyway without a permit. I'm sure there will be some "no-shows", so I'll pretend I'm on someone else's permit.”

“Nancy just called from Lassen. Phones are down, she can't get thru to the rangers at Manzanita trailhead. She said another BIG storm predicted, Avalanche danger is VERY HIGH, she kinda' asked if I was sure I kew what was happening and did I REALLY want to go?

Be prepared, all you winterfesters!”

“Who's going to check you for a permit?”

“RE: avalanche danger, from mtnsteves description: "along Manzanita Creek trail. This area is safe from avalanche and offers access to some incredible x-c skiing and snowshoeing."

I suspect you may want to check with him before doing any side trips though!”

“I'm hoping to make it to Stockton by 8:00, hopefully putting us in Sacto before 9:00. My cell is 209-581-2208. Do we have your number? Pick a meeting place along I-5 maybe slightly north of Sac or with cell we can catch you on the road? Getting really hyped!

Craig AKA TrailBum”

“Channel 7”

“TrailBum:
I left a message for Kel (Phaeddy), suggested he & I head over to I5 in the A.M., find a Denny's or someplace for breakfast off a convenient exit, then call you & hikerchic & let you know where we are. We can have breakfast / coffee & wait for your rendevouz. My cell is (916) 501-1843, I have Kel's & HikerChic's, and now yours, in memory.”

“Over 2 feet of snow coming your way.”

“Yikes!”

“WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK-
INCLUDING...CHESTER...QUINCY


NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA

330 PM PST WED DEC 31 2003



...WINTER STORM WARNING TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
TONIGHT...WINDY... RAIN OR SNOW... SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 10 INCHES SNOW LEVEL 3000 TO 4000 FEET. LOWS 21 TO 33. SOUTH WINDS INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH.
NEW YEARS DAY...VERY WINDY... SNOW... ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 10 TO 20 INCHES. HIGHS 25 TO 37. SOUTH WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH.
THURSDAY NIGHT...SNOW SHOWERS... SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 6 INCHES LOWS 17 TO 29.
FRIDAY...BREEZY... SNOW SHOWERS... HIGHS 22 TO 34
FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY... CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS... LOWS 14 TO 26.
SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS... HIGHS IN THE 20S TO MID 30S.
SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... BREEZY... CHANCE OF SNOW HIGHS IN THE 20S TO UPPER 30S. LOWS IN THE UPPER TEENS TO LOWER 30S.
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... WINDY... CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW. HIGHS IN THE 30S TO LOWER 40S. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S TO MID 30S.
TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY... BREEZY... CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW. HIGHS IN THE 30S TO LOWER 40S. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S TO MID 30S.”

“Just got your message, Wanderer. Sounds like a plan. I'll grab some sleep now, and we'll speak first thing in the morning. G'night.”

“Still no granddaughter.”

“They may have to ski farther than expected. ;-)”

“Not getting any better:

...WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK- 700 AM PST THU JAN 01 2004
... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY INCLUDING LASSEN PARK...

PRECIPITATION WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES ACROSS WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY AND LASSEN PARK TODAY. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL TOTAL ONE TO TWO FEET AT 3000 FEET AND UP TO THREE TO FOUR FEET IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN BY THE END OF THE STORM. STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS GUSTING TO 60 MPH AT TIMES WILL RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AND WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS IN SOME AREAS....

”

“Phaddey & Wanderer - When are you going??? It looks a little adventurous at this point. Where will you be waiting for Hikerchic etc? Maybe I'll come have some brekky with you. There is a slim chance that I will go up to Lassen on Saturday and stay till Sunday, if someone has a place I could throw my sleeping bag. Any work from ladyhiker03?”