Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

YES!! Like a sardine can. But, it was the ONLY site available. Someone had just cancelled as we drove up.

The LOUD parties went on till the middle of the night. We left early. Weather was getting bad anyway. We have been there before and can get back a better time than weekend in mid May.

I guess I am from a time when campgrounds were not a place for the kids to get away from their parents and let loose. We like the out of the way places now. The BIG national parks are different now. Loud, crazy, and busy. It seems to have changed a lot in the last 10 years.

Great Basin in Nevada was awesome though.

 

Shh

 

I got the real deal "ANKER" products from AnkerDirect.
Thanks for the heads up.

I got counterfeit Figure Nines from Amazon instead of Nite-Ize brand. But, my experience with Nite-Ize LED conversion kit in MagLites ... Not going to care.

 

Edited that post.

 

nice

 

On all my north face stuff it says "retreat with water repellent when necessary". What are yall using besides stinky camp dry?

 

Found it. North face says all garments are coated with Tectron DWR (durable waterproof repellent ), I will just order that

 

Gee thanks Clay

 

You're welcome bro, anytime

 

REI ...

 

Yeah I am on the tectron website. They don't make that stuff anymore. Now they make two different kinds, heavy duty silicone (tents, gear bags, tarps), and polymer spray ( sleeping bags, hats, pants, jackets)

 

No shit, another coastie. Never thought I would see the day

 

LOL Retired in 2011. BMC.

 

Anyone know a site where I can check the snow levels in the Sierras? I will begin my hike in one month from Onion Valley to Whitney Portal and want to see what to expect regarding snow.

 

Like this?
https://www.postholer.com/snow/Pacific-Crest-Trail/1

 

I like this one and used it last year. This bookmark is for yesterday's levels, but you can change the date and the layers on the upper left side and redraw the map. Zoom in/out, check a certain area, etc. I was quite useful. It's a pretty close estimate of snowpack, but it can be inaccurate during adverse weather when cloud cover can affect the satellite imagery and how it measures the snow. If you know that the previous day was a clear day, then it's most accurate.

On a side note, this was a very dry year so July conditions should be excellent for minimal snow. I've already seen pictures of some of the passes and the snowpack is already at July 2017 levels.

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html?ql=state&zoom=&zoom6.x=12&zoom6.y=12&loc=37.6503+N,+119.0586+W&var=ssm_depth&dy=2018&dm=6&dd=13&dh=0&snap=1&o5=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&o15=1&mode=pan&extents=us&min_x=-119.19166666667&min_y=37.099999999996&max_x=-118.25&max_y=37.649999999996&coord_x=-118.72083333333501&coord_y=37.374999999996&zbox_n=&zbox_s=&zbox_e=&zbox_w=&metric=0&bgvar=dem&shdvar=shading&palette=1&title=1&width=1200&height=700&nw=1200&nh=700&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0

Here's a snapshot of your area, as of yesterday. Minimal snow. I know Kearsarge Pass is basically already clear. Forester Pass is getting better by the day, and Whitney's worst snow is on the 99 switchbacks but minimal along the top ridge.

 

Thanks! this is perfect. I figured there would be minimal snow, but I rather be prepared and check before the trip. Excited for this trip. Looking at Flower Lake, bubbs creek, wright creek, guitar lake (will be stopping by ranger station at crabtree to see if the smaller lakes/pond pass guitar lake would be sourcable for water, if so then may continue until there) for our night stays.

 

I camped at Bubbs, Wright, and the tarn just above Guitar Lake which should have plenty of water. There's a good camp area on the back side of the tarn. Don't expect the ranger to be at the Crabtree canyon, but there will be lots of people in the area probably coming down from Whitney that can give you fresh beta about water. Even in dry years, that tarn usually holds water all summer. You'll have no issues with water on the entire rest of the trip except for the 10 miles from Guitar Lake to Trail Camp.

 

Great info. Thanks!!