Winter Camping (in December)
russell...@gmail.com
We want to camp in the snow. That's right. The frozen water that
usually accumulates in the mountains and sometimes even on the ground.
So here's what the tentative concept is:
1) a day-hike (preferably in something fun like snow-shoes) for
everyone
2) those that are crazy will be hiking with packs and the intention to
stay out in the snow overnight
Our goal is to find a suitable snow-park (in the Olympics most likely
but not necessarily) where we can hike a ways in using snowshoes, set
up a place for a bit of food and then send the meeker folks on back
out while the rugged types with anti-freeze running through their
veins will stay and camp out. Ideally this location would have
sufficient snow-pack for snow-caves but building partial igloos and
setting up tents is also acceptable.
Some of us have aspirations of mountaineering and experience camping
in the snow is essential. Some of us have done it a few times and
having lived through the experience, know all the better how to
prepare. Some of us just want to go snow-shoeing and return to a warm
cup of hot cocoa and a chick-flick (I'm not naming names here guys,
you know who you are).
So, let's get the (snow-)ball rolling on this and start with a roll
call of who is interested. Organizers such as myself will start
calling ranger stations once we have an idea of group-size and
experience level. Gear is VERY important but even more important is
common sense. We're not asking anyone to go out and BUY equipment if
they're only planning on doing this kind of thing once in awhile.
Everything you'll need to have fun up there is available to rent from
*somewhere*.
Please reply to this if you're interested and let me know if you're
interested in the day-hike alone or both the day hike AND the camping
with the freezing of the manly bits. The rangers will be able to make
better suggestions if I can provide them a rough estimate of group
size and experience level.