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Post by thedude on Jun 6, 2022 10:23:10 GMT -8
Good info, thank you both. I definitely plan to load up my backpack with my gear and do some local hikes over the coming months to prepare.
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kman
Trail Wise!
Posts: 17
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Post by kman on Jun 9, 2022 18:41:16 GMT -8
With regards to your gear and the trip, September weather conditions can be very different. It’s good to be prepared for temps anywhere’s from 80 to sub 30. That said, checking the forecast just before you go is important to make final gear decisions. From seeing your post, you have a lot of good ideas, but (not knowing your experience) I would suggest you look at the total amount (and more importantly weight) of all your gear and food. 5 days of food can weigh a bunch. Also if you are going with a partner, some gear can be divided up.
For example, one person carries the water equipment, while the other carries the stove and fuel.
For me, key gear is 3 season tent 32 degree sleeping bag Either water purifying pump, or the gravity bag works great Lightweight stove (msr or jet boil.) plus fuel Sleeping pad Clothes- here is where weight adds up, very rarely have I needed rain gear out there. A waterproof jacket/shell - yes, pants -almost never…also understanding how many extra pair of socks/shirts and understanding layering is key. I used to carry too much clothes Bear canister Flash light or headlamp
Gregory is a great pack and I use a baltoro(although I believe lesser volume and do three nighters) but it is not super light. So with all your gear and food, it’s key to understand what you will be comfortable carrying for how many days. For 2-3 nights, with water, food, alcohol(haha) I used to carry just under 50 pounds. I now strive for 42 pounds, and some of my friends are at 38. There is a big difference between 45 pounds and say 55 pounds, so my advice is to figure out the load you are comfortable carrying (include the food and water)
Yosemite is awesome.
Good luck
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Post by thedude on Jun 11, 2022 18:47:34 GMT -8
Good info, thanks for sharing! I believe at this point I am at just under 15 pounds with tent, footprint, backpack, bear canister, gravity filter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and iso pro and stove. Obviously water and food will add quite a bit of weight. I am wondering whether I will truly need a bladder or if I can get away with a couple light weight water bottles like the ultralighters use? On the one hand we will be at elevation so I believe we will need plenty of water, on the other we do not have long hikes planned for each day and we will be at a water source every night. If the creeks and rivers were ample then I think that would make it easy to use water bottles, but if they are dried up then I think having 3L in a bladder would be great.
I have used my sleeping bag in mid 30 degree weather, however I was also wearing a thick fleece jacket and hat. So I appreciate the reminder on how much the weather can vary up at high altitudes.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 11, 2022 18:59:33 GMT -8
In September, unless it’s raining, nothing is reliable but the bigger water sources. Sunrise Creek for example will dry up in August. Watch the Conservancy webcam that’s aimed at Yosemite Falls: just a stain in the dry fall.
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Post by thedude on Jun 11, 2022 19:21:20 GMT -8
Well then 3L bladder it is!
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Post by thedude on Jul 3, 2022 18:23:50 GMT -8
I am working on putting together my gear list, minus food or clothing. Is there anything I am missing that I should consider bringing? Thanks in advance!
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,632
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 3, 2022 21:00:03 GMT -8
thedude, you can skip the headnet in September. Great bug-free time to be in the Sierra. . Bring a trowel and means to pack out TP. I don’t see a headlamp on there. You’ll want it, especially as days are getting shorter by Sept.
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Post by thedude on Jul 4, 2022 5:59:18 GMT -8
Great info rebeccad thank you! I did pick up a decent quality headlamp during the Black Diamond sale. I will add it to the list. Quick question for anyone on the board: have you used a backcountry bidet? I am thinking about ditching the TP but want to know if this is a terrible idea. The bidets seem to be growing in popularity and I am open to going that route so long there aren't any big downsides I am not thinking through.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 4, 2022 6:13:17 GMT -8
Unless rain is locked in the forecast you might look at setting up that tent as a “fast fly” if it is an option. I know with my Copper Spurs I can rig the rain fly with the footprint for a lightweight shelter in seasons, such as September, when the mesh of the inner tent is unnecessary. ETA: it can be. “Fast fly setup available” www.bigagnes.com/fly-creek-hv-ul2-solution-dyeWith rain I think the bath tub floor of the inner has benefits.
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Post by thedude on Jul 4, 2022 7:26:31 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan that sounds good to me, I will look into the fast fly option. That may give us more room, which would be fantastic. What are your thoughts on Deet, should I bring some just in case or is that going to be totally unnecessary in September?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 4, 2022 7:34:10 GMT -8
Yeah I would, there’s always the possibility of some bugs around the right habitats, grass, water sides etc. I wouldn’t bring much but if circumstances put you at the wrong place it can be a sanity saver. As the month progresses and hard freezes occur they’re totally gone. But September starts off warm…
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Post by thedude on Jul 25, 2022 5:31:25 GMT -8
So with the Oak Fire looking like it is not going to be put out anytime soon, I am thinking about a plan b for my hike. I have all of the gear and have been training to get ready for the hike. If the wilderness hike in the Rafferty Creek/Vogelsang area isn't doable due to either fire or poor air quality, is there another hike in the general vicinity anyone would recommend? I am mostly interested in hiking at altitude in an area that has alpine lakes, but otherwise I am pretty open.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 25, 2022 15:52:57 GMT -8
I’m up there now (Yosemite Creek) blue sky w a touch of haze at times. Other than 140 being closed I don’t expect any issues. It’s largely a grassland fire at this point so it’s not generating the smoke a forest wildfire would. It’s not the clear crisp blue of last week but not a quality issue imho. That said something over the crest would get you further east away from this incident: Twenty Lakes Basin perhaps. That’s a national forest trailhead. An advantage is it’s not got an entry quota. Otherwise any east side Inyo trailhead gets you to lakes. North Lake up to Humphrey’s Basin is a nice one. Fwiw, Tthe fires probably fifty miles from Tuolumne Meadows, 30 SW of the Valley. Yosemite is the size of Rhode Island… Cal Fire’s incident page for the Oak Fire: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/7/22/oak-fire/pretty spectacular start: this was maybe two hours after it ignited:
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 1, 2022 17:19:38 GMT -8
By now the Oak fire is largely fire line contained except where granite non flammable terrain constrains it: by September it will be a nonissue.
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Post by thedude on Aug 31, 2022 4:43:09 GMT -8
I am checking in one last time before my trip. Thanks to cweston for intro'ing me to the forum and to everyone who helped me plan my hike. I was able to get a campsite at Yosemite Creek this weekend and will be hiking in the Rafferty Creek/Vogelsang area Mon-Thu. I will post a trip report when I get back.
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