Winterfest 2004

“Here is some information on Lassen along with some pictures. I hope all my HTML works.....

Depending on when it is best for everyone, I may try and have the Tipi up from the 31st till the 7th or 8th, if I can get my boss to hold off on the 10 day that month, I may be able to stay till the 10th.

I have a few maps of the Lassen area here . The first page has 7.5 maps of the Silver Snag, Loomis and Hoodo area, the last page has over view maps of Lassen Park.
The North side offers better weather protection incase of a storm. It also offers quick access to Manzanita Lake , Hoodo and Hoodo Ridge, Crescent Cliffs, Loomis Peak and Lassen Peak. Silver Snag is where we usually set up the Tipi and it's only about 2 miles from where you park.

The South side does offer some great spots like Lake Helen and Bumpass Hell, but a base camp is usually about 5 to 6 miles in...there is also considerable avalanche activity at times on that side.”

“I will only be able to attend for four days- wont be able to get off anymore days then that from work. Will I need a sled thingy? Or can I get away with carrying everything? I will need to rent snowshoes.
Also, Mountansteve, you have seen my tent- do you think my tent would be ok in winter for two people?”

“Free - do you have company?? You have been holding out on us!”

“Steve, haven't been to Lassen since I went with you and Amy in 2000. I'd like to go again if you at least let me know ahead of time that it YOU out there at 3 AM knocking the you off my tent! =)
~Maureen

btw - did you ever get those pix i sent of our trip?”

“...that should have read..."that's it's YOU out there at 3 AM knocking the snow off my tent"
~Maureen”

“I would vote for Lassen. I could make it up on the weekend following New Year Day, around the 2nd or 3rd of Jan.”

“Its's looking like Lassen is going to be the place, works for me. So far it seems that most folks that have responded are free just after New Years.

Free...I think your tent will work fine, as long as we don't get pounded. There will be some back up shelter there (the Kiva and Megamid), the Tipi can sleep 8 if we have to. If it looks like we need it, we can supply some other 4 season tents. You shouldn't need a sled, I don't think you will be packing that much stuff. You can borrow a pair of snowshoes from me if ya want. Bring your GPS, I have 3 caches near there that will stay out this winter.

Mo...LOL, I forgot about that...I promise I will not bang and shake your tent at 3:00am, but hey, I cant promise anything about the fox and mountain lion. I hope you can make it, it would be great to see you again. I'm talking to Amy and the rest of the girls about making this trip. I don't think I got the pictures, at least I haven't been able to find them..don't suppose you have a Webshots page? Keep rattling Rockmans cage about this trip, that big old Gregory he has needs to get out in the snow.”

“Right after New Years is better for me too! It would be great to see you and Amy again as well. Sorry I don't have webshots, but I will try to send those pictures again - I'm off to Mt Whitney this Friday, so it may be next week before you get them.

I haven't heard from Rockman in awhile, and I have a Gregory too! (Lassen pack)- I'm looking to go lighter but something that will still carry my moutaineering gear. Any suggestions?”

“Mtnsteve - Any recommendations for a 4-season tent? I've decided to go ahead and get one cuz I plan on more snow camping and I'm coming to Winterfest 2004 (even if I was the only vote for Shasta)! And... should we all be prepared for the 3am snow-shake up call? If so, you'll have beverages (hot and cold)/breakfast/fire all prepared? (this is going to be so fun!) Also, does the "sweat" you mentioned have anything to do with Tarbubble's latest post or will this be by a stream? ;-) Packing the fleece everything......”

“My ears were a itching. Mo, still have that 0 degree bag for me? Ladyhiker, you rock. So do you Steve!”

“Hey you all from the sac area, If I make it I will need a ride (I really want to make it!:)) So If anyone has extra space in their car, or even a roof rack I can strap on to, let me know :) Free24Spirit@aol.com”

“Hey, it's dangerous to read these posts. I would love to do this trip (and am trying to talk Landscaper into the ideaa), vote for Lassen, and have done one winter trip. We couldn't stay all the days, but the dates look good. Are part-timers welcome?”

“Right now I'm open those days & REALLY want to make this trip.

Tahoe, if you can make it over to Sac via 50 or 80, I can drive. Not sure yet of my departure / return dates, lets try to work it out.

Free, I'll keep you posted on my dates, you know you always have a ride with me.

Pepper, you goin up for this? I have room for you in my vehicle if you wanna come with us!”

“Wanderer thanks:)

I just got a notice at work on dates that can not be taken off by request. Jan 1 is one of them but after that I'm free to go.”

“I was checking out Wind Walkers virginia Lake snow hike pics last night. I have one question.

Is it snowing yet?”

“somewhere....”

“I hope to be in a snow storm :) I have only been in one once and it was very light :)”

“Hey! I just noticed this post! I wanna go! After reading all the posts it looks like you're going possibly Jan 2-?

How long are you talking Steve?

Mo might go? It would be nice to see you again!”

“Free...I'll take ya up on that.

hikerchic5...I'm still working that out with my buddy Rodney, but it looks like at least 5/7 days.

We may go up on New Years eve so we can usher in the New Year with style.....ok, most folks get sloshed, so the "style" part may be a slight exaggeration.”

“hey mtnsteve, Maybe I'll join ya on New Year's eve! That would be cool to ring in the new year backpacking! I remember one year camping in the snow with sake! That was fun! That was with wingding and trailbum! She didn't have any that's why she felt great the next day and we didn't. =:o”

“Can't ring in the New Year, but could maybe come up later during the trip. And Landscaper and I are in the process of buying snow shoes -- MSRs.”

“It would be great to have you all up...the most we ever had for this kind of gathering was 32 people, that was a few years ago.

I seem to remember SnowNymph being surprised at the large number of bottles of assorted beverages....Hot Damn, about a gallon of Rum and a Magnum of Champagne, just to list a few.
Thats why Rodney and I haul sleds in ;)”

“I'll be the designated driver.”

“We could use one.....designated referee too....we usually have a doctor present.

The year SnowNymph and SnowDude were there, Rodney used his ice climbing gear to climb an old, rotten snag, when he got on top he couldn't get back down, so naturally everyone did what they could to help....I remember hearing someone saying, what if he falls, the reply was, no biggie, it probably wont kill him, besides, Jill's a doctor.




He made it.”

“wow! 32. That's a huge group! How many are you expecting for this trip? Do you have a "so far" or "maybe" list going?

I'll probably be hauling in a sled too.

wannabp-I have MSR's and they work great! I bought my about two years ago at SNAC in Arnold. They were used to rent out but they are still in good condition.”

“Better I should be the designated nurse. I doubt I would succeed as a referee.”

“Bring on the snow.”

“I am having second thoughts on this trip- if i get the time off i will prolly be spending it with someone from the east instead. But maybe I can still come up for a day or two.”

“crazy......”

“or is it Crazy Mike???????????”

“LMAO. How did you know??”

“I picked up my snow shoes at REI today. And I put Landscaper's snow shoes on hold for the 15% off REI sale next week. Now if the dates just work out with my job.......”

“Maybe this isn't the best place for this post, I usually snowshoe, but am thinking this is the year maybe I start seriously X-country skiing. Lassen is as good a place as any to begin, but I know jack about skis. Anybody have any for sale, or have enough basic knowledge to make recommendations on what I should consider when buying?

Thanks. And I'm still driving up for anyone who wants a ride from Sac!”

“This is a perfect area to get into x-c skiing....I also happen to have about 11 pair of skis and may consider parting with a pair, everything from Fischer E99's with BC bindings to Karhu Catamounts with 3pins....drop me an email and I'll see what I can do...I also have an in with a local ski shop and may be able to get you a killer deal.”

“I am sorry that i am going to miss this, Maybe next year eh?”

“What major cities is this near? I'm supposed to be hanging with Uncle Gremlin that week in the Whites, but I have a free airticket and those days off. Thanks.

BB”

“Sacramento would be the closest airport that you could fly into. I'm sure we can find a ride for you to get you to Lassen and back.”

“MtnSteve, I'll be in touch, thanks! I've always rented in the past so just took whatever they gave me.

BB, I'm driving up from Sacramento, you can hitch a ride with me. Still looking at dates so I'm kinda flexible.”

“Damn...i was so close to meeting the honorable and famous Buddah Bear. Oh well, maybe another time :)”

“I'll be driving up from Stockton so I can also give you a ride buddha if the other cars are full.”

“Is it snowing at Lassen? Along with the fires, we now have snow in the mountains way down south where I live. Actually, a lot of the burn areas are lower than the snow level of 5,000 feet.”

“Are we gonna bag any peaks? Ahhhhh, so many darn decisions!

Help me out folks..... I want to get out West badly, especially during the winter, but I'm currently signed up to do the Whites that week with Pennsy, Uncle4 Gremlin, SirPete, TT, Manuka and Cap'n Bobo. I have the vacation automatically due to school closings. I also posess a free RT plane ticket to anywhere in the US.


Decisions, decisions!”

“Well DUH! You need to come to this event and bail on the other one!”

“It's snowing in Lassen...they actually closed the road through the park, for now at least.

I'm gonna have to run up Loomis...just to get snowed on.

Budda....I'll bring the 100 proof Hot Damn. You can do the Whites ant time........”

“You can do them ant time OR any time.”

“I think Lassen is scheduled for a major eruption that weekend, but hey, cool photo opp. I'll do my best to be there. Should I wear my blue Moonstone® jacket and black Marmot® pants, or my green Marmot® jacket with my dark gray Mountain Hardwear® pants? I HATE THESE DECISIONS! If I wasn't so really really really ridiculously good looking, none of this would even matter. If I'm running late, it's because I'm still deciding, okay? Don't give up on me. Toodles.”

“Hmmmm.... I remember the stories (and photos!) from past versions of this trip. Maybe I can swing it! Don't worry, though - most boulders would be covered with snow, so I probably wouldn't kill anyone. Of course, there are snow avalanches I could start....”

“I know a couple snow bridges you could test......”

“OOO, snow bridges! Haven't killed anyone with a snow bridge. Yet....”

“Buck are you sure your name isn't Derek?”