The eastern Sierras continued to get record snow falls all throughout June. Lake Tahoe's last snow fall was 29/30 June!
PCTers who posted trail reports left behind grueling reports of their miles and miles of postholing across ice and snow-covered passes. One even reported of falling into a swollen creek, which brought back nightmares for me. None of the reports sounded like fun, and none certainly were enticing enough to want to jump on the JMT for another round.
There was no let-up in the snow, ice and freezing rains. It even broke Mary in the end.
Mary and I have kept in contact nearly daily these last two weeks and we have agreed to cancel our reservations for July 5th. Other things have come up as well that have delayed our start for meeting up, but we still plan on getting together in Lone Pine by the 9th for several day hikes. She has several good ones planned, all leading to alpine passes in the Inyo National Forest, which means my dog Sadie can join me! This will be a delight. I really don't want to deal with pesky National Park Rangers anyway (the only mean ones are in Yosemite).
I am still planning on leaving Arizona on the 5th for some travel time, taking the same route as last year to get there, stopping in Palm Springs and San Bernadino. This time, due to severe floodings in the upper eastern Sierras now, I'm taking my Ford Escape instead of the roomier van. It will be crowded having Sadie with me, but at least I won't get pulled over for driving a suspicious-looking smuggling van.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Record snow fall in the Sierras
I'm watching this. Last year the Sierras had snow in late May and resorts were delayed in opening for two weeks. If there's as much snow in July when I get there I won't mind, but anything more will make the backpacking trip an arctic expedition.
Heavy snows spoil weekend holiday plans in West
By STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press
Fri May 27, 5:26 pm ET
DENVER – Ski resorts are bustling with activity. A key highway into Yellowstone is closed because parts of the road have seen more than 25 feet of snow. And campgrounds are feverishly removing snow from campsites to clear the way for visitors.
Welcome to Memorial Day weekend in much of the West.
The traditional kickoff of the summer season will have a decidedly wintry feel in the Rocky Mountains, as well as California's Sierra Nevada, because of a lingering record snowfall.
Epic snowpack in parts of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and California is forcing many tourists to abandon the annual rites of launching their summer holidays with a camping trip. Others plan to take advantage of prolonged skiing and snowshoeing this strange spring.
Yellowstone National Park has just one campground open. "We're telling people to be prepared for snow," said park spokesman Al Nash
In other parts of Wyoming, officials have extended winter closures of wildlife management areas to campers. The reason: To protect wildlife from humans because animals are still searching for food at lower elevations.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center is fully staffed to warn outdoors enthusiasts.
"May snow depths are deeper than anything we have seen in the last 45 years," said avalanche center spokesman Bob Comey.
In California, a historic Sierra Nevada snowpack is making Yosemite National Park's springtime cascading waterfalls especially beautiful — and dangerous, with several accidental drownings already of people who failed to keep away from thundering waterfalls and swollen creeks and rivers.
But snow has kept rangers from installing a cable railing that helps hikers maintain their footing at Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. Anyone holding one of the allocated permits to climb will be out of luck this weekend.
"That was the caveat when people signed up — you may be out of luck depending on the snowmelt," park spokesman Scott Gediman said.
Park officials instituted the permit system last year to limit traffic to 400 people a day. Best guess is that the Half Dome route could be open by June 5, Gediman said.
Farther north, some popular campgrounds in Tahoe National Forest aren't expected to open for several weeks.
"We're still selling backpacks, because people are still geared up for the season," said Jeff Dostie, a clerk at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, Calif. "But they're buying for the future, they're not buying for today."
While the snow is bad for some campers, it's great for skiers in Colorado and elsewhere. Aspen is reopening 136 acres of trails for skiing this weekend, and Arapahoe Basin has extended its closing dates beyond June 5.
"We're getting amazing ski traffic for this time of year because of this snowpack," Dostie said of the conditions in the Lake Tahoe region along the California-Nevada border.
Heavy snows spoil weekend holiday plans in West
By STEVEN K. PAULSON, Associated Press Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press
Fri May 27, 5:26 pm ET
DENVER – Ski resorts are bustling with activity. A key highway into Yellowstone is closed because parts of the road have seen more than 25 feet of snow. And campgrounds are feverishly removing snow from campsites to clear the way for visitors.
Welcome to Memorial Day weekend in much of the West.
The traditional kickoff of the summer season will have a decidedly wintry feel in the Rocky Mountains, as well as California's Sierra Nevada, because of a lingering record snowfall.
Epic snowpack in parts of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and California is forcing many tourists to abandon the annual rites of launching their summer holidays with a camping trip. Others plan to take advantage of prolonged skiing and snowshoeing this strange spring.
Yellowstone National Park has just one campground open. "We're telling people to be prepared for snow," said park spokesman Al Nash
In other parts of Wyoming, officials have extended winter closures of wildlife management areas to campers. The reason: To protect wildlife from humans because animals are still searching for food at lower elevations.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center is fully staffed to warn outdoors enthusiasts.
"May snow depths are deeper than anything we have seen in the last 45 years," said avalanche center spokesman Bob Comey.
In California, a historic Sierra Nevada snowpack is making Yosemite National Park's springtime cascading waterfalls especially beautiful — and dangerous, with several accidental drownings already of people who failed to keep away from thundering waterfalls and swollen creeks and rivers.
But snow has kept rangers from installing a cable railing that helps hikers maintain their footing at Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. Anyone holding one of the allocated permits to climb will be out of luck this weekend.
"That was the caveat when people signed up — you may be out of luck depending on the snowmelt," park spokesman Scott Gediman said.
Park officials instituted the permit system last year to limit traffic to 400 people a day. Best guess is that the Half Dome route could be open by June 5, Gediman said.
Farther north, some popular campgrounds in Tahoe National Forest aren't expected to open for several weeks.
"We're still selling backpacks, because people are still geared up for the season," said Jeff Dostie, a clerk at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, Calif. "But they're buying for the future, they're not buying for today."
While the snow is bad for some campers, it's great for skiers in Colorado and elsewhere. Aspen is reopening 136 acres of trails for skiing this weekend, and Arapahoe Basin has extended its closing dates beyond June 5.
"We're getting amazing ski traffic for this time of year because of this snowpack," Dostie said of the conditions in the Lake Tahoe region along the California-Nevada border.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Winter storm in the Sierras
Reading this has me a bit concerned now. We are already at record snow depths in the high Sierras, and continued more snow will make this July's backpacking trip more of a snow adventure, something I doubt I will really enjoy.
Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon
Winter Storm Warning
Statement as of 10:44 AM PDT on May 16, 2011
... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 11 PM this evening
to 11 am PDT Wednesday above 6000 feet...
A Winter Storm Warning above 6000 feet remains in effect from
11 PM this evening to 11 am PDT Wednesday for the higher
elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada.
* Another round of potentially dangerous winter weather will
arrive in the Sierra this evening and it will persist into
Wednesday.
* Snow accumulations: up to two feet or more of snow is
possible above 8000 feet... 10 to 18 inches above 6000 feet.
* Timing: snow will begin this evening... then continue heavy at
times well into Wednesday.
Bishop, CA Weather Advisories, Watches & Warnings
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
in effect until Tuesday, May 17, 10:00 AM
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PDT TUESDAY...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PDT TUESDAY.
* TIMING: SNOW WILL INCREASE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND BECOME LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES OVERNIGHT BEFORE TURNING TO SHOWERS TUESDAY MORNING.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 7500 FEET...ESPECIALLY WEST OF HIGHWAY 395...WITH 1 TO 4 INCHES ELSEWHERE.
* IMPACTS: SNOW COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING WITH VISIBILITIES LESS THAN 1 MILE AT TIMES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
SNOW WILL MAKE ROADS...BRIDGES...AND SIDEWALKS SLICK AND HAZARDOUS. DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION.
http://www.accuweather.com/us/ca/bishop/93514/watches-warnings.asp
I can only hope now that we here in southeastern Arizona get some of this cool, wet relief becaues we are burning up down here, literally!
Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon
Winter Storm Warning
Statement as of 10:44 AM PDT on May 16, 2011
... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 11 PM this evening
to 11 am PDT Wednesday above 6000 feet...
A Winter Storm Warning above 6000 feet remains in effect from
11 PM this evening to 11 am PDT Wednesday for the higher
elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada.
* Another round of potentially dangerous winter weather will
arrive in the Sierra this evening and it will persist into
Wednesday.
* Snow accumulations: up to two feet or more of snow is
possible above 8000 feet... 10 to 18 inches above 6000 feet.
* Timing: snow will begin this evening... then continue heavy at
times well into Wednesday.
Bishop, CA Weather Advisories, Watches & Warnings
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
in effect until Tuesday, May 17, 10:00 AM
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PDT TUESDAY...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PDT TUESDAY.
* TIMING: SNOW WILL INCREASE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND BECOME LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES OVERNIGHT BEFORE TURNING TO SHOWERS TUESDAY MORNING.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 7500 FEET...ESPECIALLY WEST OF HIGHWAY 395...WITH 1 TO 4 INCHES ELSEWHERE.
* IMPACTS: SNOW COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING WITH VISIBILITIES LESS THAN 1 MILE AT TIMES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
SNOW WILL MAKE ROADS...BRIDGES...AND SIDEWALKS SLICK AND HAZARDOUS. DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION.
http://www.accuweather.com/us/ca/bishop/93514/watches-warnings.asp
I can only hope now that we here in southeastern Arizona get some of this cool, wet relief becaues we are burning up down here, literally!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The 60-day countdown has begun
Tomorrow is my last semester final. I will read personal-interest stories for the next two months and catch up on my kind of reading. I will also get my gear ready and start some serious training, with others or solo, right here in the Huachucas. I have a ten-mile hike plannned this Saturday up Gardner Canyon in the eastern Santa Ritas.
Mary emailed me today with the stuff she wants me to bring along: ice pick, crampons...and then I realized this added gear won't be easy to schlepp up those passes. There was also something about me carrying the heavier gear. Heavier gear? I'm curious what this all means. I'm willing to help up and carry my load, but I can ill afford a heavier pack from last time.
But the big news, the sad news is finding out yesterday that her favorite cousin is terminally ill with cancer. She grew up with him in Iowa and she's not taking the news too well. She may have to cancel this trek if she needs to be by his side in his final moments, something I do not begrudge her at all.
I will still go to California even if our trek this year is cancelled. And if I do go, I may just take Sadie along and hike in Big Sur, visit some friends there and revisit old hangouts. What will be a mission stopper there is the even higher price of gasoline there.
So, for now we are going, training is beginning and in the final week she and I will discuss who carries what for the trip.
Mary emailed me today with the stuff she wants me to bring along: ice pick, crampons...and then I realized this added gear won't be easy to schlepp up those passes. There was also something about me carrying the heavier gear. Heavier gear? I'm curious what this all means. I'm willing to help up and carry my load, but I can ill afford a heavier pack from last time.
But the big news, the sad news is finding out yesterday that her favorite cousin is terminally ill with cancer. She grew up with him in Iowa and she's not taking the news too well. She may have to cancel this trek if she needs to be by his side in his final moments, something I do not begrudge her at all.
I will still go to California even if our trek this year is cancelled. And if I do go, I may just take Sadie along and hike in Big Sur, visit some friends there and revisit old hangouts. What will be a mission stopper there is the even higher price of gasoline there.
So, for now we are going, training is beginning and in the final week she and I will discuss who carries what for the trip.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Record-high water content in the Sierras
California Gov. Jerry Brown last month repealed a statewide drought declaration made in 2008 by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after state officials reported the water content in the Sierra snowpack at 165 percent of normal for this time of year.
More than 61 feet of snow has fallen in the Sierra high country so far this season, second only to 1950-51, when 65 feet fell, according to records kept by the California Department of Transportation. (One of the lowest levels was in 2007).
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20110411/NEWS/110419991/1001&parentprofile=1056
More than 61 feet of snow has fallen in the Sierra high country so far this season, second only to 1950-51, when 65 feet fell, according to records kept by the California Department of Transportation. (One of the lowest levels was in 2007).
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20110411/NEWS/110419991/1001&parentprofile=1056
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Snow training and earthquakes
I ended dropping out of a three-day snow training course at Lake Tahoe over spring break but Mary went. It turned out that the heavy work load I had in the beginning of the semester had tapered off by early March. I could have gone afterall, but the California Sierras got a big four-day storm that would have made my drive back to southern Arizona treacherous with flooding in the PHX area.
Mary loved the training although that last day the group she was with had to hunker in their tents to stay warm; there were white outs and below zero temps.
Another thing I am noticing is the increase in seismic activity in the Hawthorne, NV area. Although most temblors are registering around 3 on the Richter scale, there have been a few 4s and today even a 4.4 temblor. Even the UNR Seismology Laboratory is making note of the quakes; that area started quaking gently in January but now the tension seems to be building up gradually. When I asked on the yahoo! JMT forum if quakes were ever an issue on the JMT (I'm thinking large boulder slides, passes crumbling or avalances) hikers on the forum seemed to just blow me off as an alarmist non Californian and I let the subject drop. Apparently the hikers on that forum prefer to talk about what wheat brand makes the best tortilla...
http://www.seismo.unr.edu/
Mag Date y/m/d Local Time h:m:s Latitude deg Longitude deg Depth km Location
3.1 2011/04/14 05:05:56 38.381N 118.748W 13.5 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/14 04:58:08 38.380N 118.746W 13.9 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.1 2011/04/13 15:59:19 38.382N 118.737W 16.6 19 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
4.2 2011/04/13 15:16:08 38.386N 118.742W 15.4 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.6 2011/04/13 15:15:20 38.379N 118.752W 12.0 20 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
4.4 2011/04/13 15:10:08 38.371N 118.748W 13.1 20 km (13 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.3 2011/04/12 18:57:03 38.294N 116.426W 4.0 13 km ( 8 mi) NNW of Warm Springs, NV
3.3 2011/04/10 18:05:00 38.375N 118.739W 6.0 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/10 17:31:09 38.384N 118.745W 12.4 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
4.2 2011/04/10 17:22:21 38.379N 118.735W 13.8 19 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
4.0 2011/04/10 17:21:16 38.374N 118.739W 15.3 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.5 2011/04/10 17:20:17 38.363N 118.741W 9.4 20 km (12 mi) WNW of Qualeys Camp, NV
3.3 2011/04/10 17:13:11 38.337N 118.746W 10.2 19 km (12 mi) W of Qualeys Camp, NV
3.5 2011/04/10 16:06:00 38.374N 118.741W 9.7 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/10 16:02:16 38.373N 118.738W 10.1 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
Mary loved the training although that last day the group she was with had to hunker in their tents to stay warm; there were white outs and below zero temps.
Another thing I am noticing is the increase in seismic activity in the Hawthorne, NV area. Although most temblors are registering around 3 on the Richter scale, there have been a few 4s and today even a 4.4 temblor. Even the UNR Seismology Laboratory is making note of the quakes; that area started quaking gently in January but now the tension seems to be building up gradually. When I asked on the yahoo! JMT forum if quakes were ever an issue on the JMT (I'm thinking large boulder slides, passes crumbling or avalances) hikers on the forum seemed to just blow me off as an alarmist non Californian and I let the subject drop. Apparently the hikers on that forum prefer to talk about what wheat brand makes the best tortilla...
http://www.seismo.unr.edu/
Mag Date y/m/d Local Time h:m:s Latitude deg Longitude deg Depth km Location
3.1 2011/04/14 05:05:56 38.381N 118.748W 13.5 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/14 04:58:08 38.380N 118.746W 13.9 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.1 2011/04/13 15:59:19 38.382N 118.737W 16.6 19 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
4.2 2011/04/13 15:16:08 38.386N 118.742W 15.4 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
3.6 2011/04/13 15:15:20 38.379N 118.752W 12.0 20 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
4.4 2011/04/13 15:10:08 38.371N 118.748W 13.1 20 km (13 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.3 2011/04/12 18:57:03 38.294N 116.426W 4.0 13 km ( 8 mi) NNW of Warm Springs, NV
3.3 2011/04/10 18:05:00 38.375N 118.739W 6.0 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/10 17:31:09 38.384N 118.745W 12.4 19 km (12 mi) SW of Hawthorne, NV
4.2 2011/04/10 17:22:21 38.379N 118.735W 13.8 19 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
4.0 2011/04/10 17:21:16 38.374N 118.739W 15.3 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.5 2011/04/10 17:20:17 38.363N 118.741W 9.4 20 km (12 mi) WNW of Qualeys Camp, NV
3.3 2011/04/10 17:13:11 38.337N 118.746W 10.2 19 km (12 mi) W of Qualeys Camp, NV
3.5 2011/04/10 16:06:00 38.374N 118.741W 9.7 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
3.0 2011/04/10 16:02:16 38.373N 118.738W 10.1 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Hawthorne, NV
Sunday, February 6, 2011
It's official!
Mary and I will do the southern section of the JMT from 5-15 July, 2011. We will enter at Taboose Pass and exit down Mount Whitney. The good news? We will hit Mt Whitney the night of a full moon!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A repeat for 2011?
I talked to Mary last night. She is still very interested in doing the southern part of the JMT again, a stretch of around 70 miles. I told her I was still interested as well as I enjoy her company. She wants to do the last part in July and leaving the dates up to me. I'm going for the first half of July so that I don't miss any pre-school meetings. There's a 21-24 July high school reunion in Seattle I'm also considering attending but I'll know more in a few months.
The Sierras have been getting a lot of snow this year and it may be a repeat from last year. I'm prepared this time. I am taking all the same equipment except this time I'm taking two hiking poles, lighter shoes and a lighter pack. I'll try to mimic Darlene's minimalist packing. I won't be shelling out any money on new gear, which was a big expense last spring.
The van needs new brakes and I haven't driven it since coming back from my Chicagoland Christmas trip three weeks ago. It's been sitting in the driveway ever since and I've been driving my Ford Escape to get me around, even though that car needs the moonroof resealed as it's very drafty in the cab when I drive over 55mph. It's always something! The Dodge Caravan has gotten yet another recall, too, this time it's the radiator cap. I still have to take that thing in for two previous recalls I got in the last year.
I did opt out of a snow survival course that is being offered at Lake Tahoe by a trained mountaineer. That course was to go over the 17-19 March weekend, the same weekend I have a state exam in English.
So, I'm ready for another adventure. It's not quite so thrilling the second time around as I already know what to expect. Part of the adventure last year was not knowing what was behind the pass, the curve, or over the hill.
My little Canon S90 should be back from its $157 repair job in another week or so (the repair facility in Illinois is not fast at all; it took them three weeks to even acknowledge they had received the camera). The shop said it had deep internal water damage that couldn't be repaired so I am getting a reburbished one. That, too is going with me but this time I'm making sure it goes inside a waterproof pouch. The service I got from Canon has disappointed me and I made sure the company knew that in the survey Canon requested three times I fill out. I don't normally like to fill out surveys that are very negative, but this time Canon literally asked for it. If it weren't for the familiarity of Canon products, I would have just gone with another brand, such as the Panasonic Lumix which seems to also get great reviews in low-light conditions and doesn't cost nearly as much as the S90; the DMC-ZS7 model goes for around $242, which is $100 than the current price for the S90.
The Sierras have been getting a lot of snow this year and it may be a repeat from last year. I'm prepared this time. I am taking all the same equipment except this time I'm taking two hiking poles, lighter shoes and a lighter pack. I'll try to mimic Darlene's minimalist packing. I won't be shelling out any money on new gear, which was a big expense last spring.
The van needs new brakes and I haven't driven it since coming back from my Chicagoland Christmas trip three weeks ago. It's been sitting in the driveway ever since and I've been driving my Ford Escape to get me around, even though that car needs the moonroof resealed as it's very drafty in the cab when I drive over 55mph. It's always something! The Dodge Caravan has gotten yet another recall, too, this time it's the radiator cap. I still have to take that thing in for two previous recalls I got in the last year.
I did opt out of a snow survival course that is being offered at Lake Tahoe by a trained mountaineer. That course was to go over the 17-19 March weekend, the same weekend I have a state exam in English.
So, I'm ready for another adventure. It's not quite so thrilling the second time around as I already know what to expect. Part of the adventure last year was not knowing what was behind the pass, the curve, or over the hill.
My little Canon S90 should be back from its $157 repair job in another week or so (the repair facility in Illinois is not fast at all; it took them three weeks to even acknowledge they had received the camera). The shop said it had deep internal water damage that couldn't be repaired so I am getting a reburbished one. That, too is going with me but this time I'm making sure it goes inside a waterproof pouch. The service I got from Canon has disappointed me and I made sure the company knew that in the survey Canon requested three times I fill out. I don't normally like to fill out surveys that are very negative, but this time Canon literally asked for it. If it weren't for the familiarity of Canon products, I would have just gone with another brand, such as the Panasonic Lumix which seems to also get great reviews in low-light conditions and doesn't cost nearly as much as the S90; the DMC-ZS7 model goes for around $242, which is $100 than the current price for the S90.
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