The Camping Thread (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

The scorpion thing is why I will probably end up bringing the whole tent and not just the fly and footprint. I wouldn't mind, but my daughter might get a little worried.

They are pretty rare - and up that far north not all that common - but like I was taught - be prepared. How old is your daughter - I remember doing the hike to Havasu with my daughter at age 7 like it was yesterday - shes' 28 now. Great time and she loved it - get an early start and stop often for snacks in the shade but let her know that getting off the wall early is important. We turned it into a game and it was no problem. Havasu is nice for kids because of the waterfalls to swim in and they have some nice shade trees - and of course the Indian kids. My other suggestion for a Havasu hike is getting your haircut if it is long - unless you want to get asked for weed every time you see an Indian. The park is nice as well but it was a bit too much of a "Park Service" thing for me.

My daughter is 16. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Koya]

The scorpion thing is why I will probably end up bringing the whole tent and not just the fly and footprint. I wouldn't mind, but my daughter might get a little worried.

They are pretty rare - and up that far north not all that common - but like I was taught - be prepared. How old is your daughter - I remember doing the hike to Havasu with my daughter at age 7 like it was yesterday - shes' 28 now. Great time and she loved it - get an early start and stop often for snacks in the shade but let her know that getting off the wall early is important. We turned it into a game and it was no problem. Havasu is nice for kids because of the waterfalls to swim in and they have some nice shade trees - and of course the Indian kids. My other suggestion for a Havasu hike is getting your haircut if it is long - unless you want to get asked for weed every time you see an Indian. The park is nice as well but it was a bit too much of a "Park Service" thing for me.

My daughter is 16. Thanks for the advice.

Don't camp with

jus' sayin'

 

[flapgreen]

Steve!

 

[glock]

Will be camping at the Bright Angel Campground in the Grand Canyon in mid-June. Anyone know about what the night temps will be? I will Google it also.

Trying to decide what to bring for sleeping (tent, bag, blankets).

It will be pretty hot - day times at least 100+ and around the 80's at night - basically I match forecasted desert temps from around South of Flag to north Phoenix Arizona to the bottom of the Canyon. "But it's a dry heat." Also mid June is officially the start of Monsoon season - so be prepared for big rain - bring and wear things that dry quickly. They usually tell you where to head during a flash flood.

Inside the Canyon it gets very windy in the early mornings as the sun rises and at night when it goes down as the temperatures change above the canyon and the air gets "replaced" by warmer or cooler air. It's usually a nice breeze though(it is strong enough to wake me up) and I've slept with just a light blanket/bag liner and no tent several times - and just a tarp for the ground and as emergency A-frame(bring some light rope). I'd sleep with my shoes on as well or check them carefully when putting them back on.

I have a UV flashlight to do a little scorpion hunting at night.

What do you do when you find them?

MIDNIGHT SNACK!

Chocolate glazed...

 

[Polish Hammer]

Any tips on products for waterproofing tent seams?

 

[pricklypete]

Any tips on products for waterproofing tent seams?

Actually just picked up a can of this.

http://www.amazon.com/Atsko-Silicone-Water-Guard-10-5-oz/dp/B0001FYL2M

I got it at Walmart for like $6. Used it before, never any issues.

 

[The General]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

 

[krista4]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

 

[glock]

Our troop wrapped up our 10 day Philmont treks yesterday and am sitting here at ABQ awaiting our 1150 red eye to JFK. Still just processing it all.

We covered over 80 miles at altitudes ranging from 6500' to 12,441'- the summit of Baldy Mountain. Temps ranged from the low 90's down to the upper 40's. The first couple of days took its toll on us sea level guys as we adjusted. We didn't encounter Baldy until day 7, so we had become somewhat acclimated by then. We followed some trails, bushwhacked and made our way across several ridges and meadows by compass, and took on a burrow to carry some gear on our next to last day.

Due to an unusually wet early summer the place was lush compared to what past crews had encountered. There was a major flash flood in June that flooded out one staffed camp( where food is picked up and special programs are done like black powder rifle, shotgun, lever rifle and six shooter shooting, spar pole climbing and horseback riding) There was a fatality as well as one tent got swept away in the middle of the night...

We saw elk, mule deer, white tail deer, prairie dogs, horn toads, and a variety of lizards and small snakes. No bear sightings on our part, but a crew did see one bear in particular that turned out to be on the "wanted" list for aggressive behavior.

Oh- and I almost stepped on my first rattle snake.

Exiting one of the Red Roof Inns (open air outhouses located at campsites on Philmont grounds) I was walking down the trail- busily packing my paper bag in its ziplock bag- when I picked up the snake in my peripheral vision two steps ahead. I promptly took a big sidestep uphill to my left... tripped and fell on my ###! Mr Rattler- a good six foot in length!- took off in the other direction!

Summiting Baldy was amazing. We lucked out and had bullet blue skies that day and got up there well before noon. The winds had to be gusting in the 60mph range as standing was sometimes a challenge. Reminded me of summiting Mount Washington...

A great experience. I'm beat. Bag drop for our flight was just called. I'm headed home to the Mrs, my pup, kitten and fish, hot showers and a bed. AND food that I can actually CHEW!!

 

[The General]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

 

[krista4]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

 

[The General]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

Got shut out last year for permits on Rainier but was able to get in to The Enchantments which was also great. So many great places in the PNW.

 

[krista4]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

Got shut out last year for permits on Rainier but was able to get in to The Enchantments which was also great. So many great places in the PNW.

Oooo, which Enchantments zone were you in? We got lucky on our first try this year, but in the Snow Zone. Going in early September and can't wait!!

 

[The General]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

Got shut out last year for permits on Rainier but was able to get in to The Enchantments which was also great. So many great places in the PNW.

Oooo, which Enchantments zone were you in? We got lucky on our first try this year, but in the Snow Zone. Going in early September and can't wait!!

We had a permit to do the trail. They gave us a window of something like 4-5 days to do it. We hiked up to Lake Colchuck camped there then up Aasgard Pass (insanely hard but would go that way again and recommend to people doing the trail) spent 3 days up there slowly moving down. Then hiked out so we didn't spend much time in the Snow Zone area. If you can make it up to the lakes in core area do it, it's amazing up there and each lake kind of has its own unique look. I hope the sunny dry weather continues into September for you!

 

[krista4]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

Got shut out last year for permits on Rainier but was able to get in to The Enchantments which was also great. So many great places in the PNW.

Oooo, which Enchantments zone were you in? We got lucky on our first try this year, but in the Snow Zone. Going in early September and can't wait!!

We had a permit to do the trail. They gave us a window of something like 4-5 days to do it. We hiked up to Lake Colchuck camped there then up Aasgard Pass (insanely hard but would go that way again and recommend to people doing the trail) spent 3 days up there slowly moving down. Then hiked out so we didn't spend much time in the Snow Zone area. If you can make it up to the lakes in core area do it, it's amazing up there and each lake kind of has its own unique look. I hope the sunny dry weather continues into September for you!

I meant in which zone was your camping permit. I assume it must have been the Colchuck Zone, since that's where you camped. You get up to seven nights in whichever zone you get the permit for; we haven't decided on our number of nights yet but won't be able to do as many as you did. If you get a core permit, you can camp in any zone, but otherwise you are "stuck" with the zone where you get the permit, with Colchuck and Snow being the most popular after Core. You don't need a permit just to do the trail, only to camp.

Since our permit is for Snow Zone, we'll have to camp there so will come in from that side, but definitely will spend time in the core zone! We will likely do a separate, non-camping trip to the Stuart/Colchuck area another time, or maybe even a through-hike of the whole thing in one day, which is grueling but possible. Thank you for the well wishes! I've the feeling it will be great. Oh, and any tips are welcome!

 

[The General]

Just finished just under 50 mile hike around Mt. Rainier, 6 days/5 nights. Great weather, pretty hard in numerous areas, and amazing views pretty much every day. Saw bear, goats, deer, a snake, marmots, pika, among other animals.

Running water, comfortable seating, and food without pine needles/dirt in it are very underrated.

Did you do part of the Wonderland?

Yes. The north section from Sunrise over to Mowich Lake then back around on the Nothern Loop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Cool that you got a permit.

Got shut out last year for permits on Rainier but was able to get in to The Enchantments which was also great. So many great places in the PNW.

Oooo, which Enchantments zone were you in? We got lucky on our first try this year, but in the Snow Zone. Going in early September and can't wait!!

We had a permit to do the trail. They gave us a window of something like 4-5 days to do it. We hiked up to Lake Colchuck camped there then up Aasgard Pass (insanely hard but would go that way again and recommend to people doing the trail) spent 3 days up there slowly moving down. Then hiked out so we didn't spend much time in the Snow Zone area. If you can make it up to the lakes in core area do it, it's amazing up there and each lake kind of has its own unique look. I hope the sunny dry weather continues into September for you!

I meant in which zone was your camping permit. I assume it must have been the Colchuck Zone, since that's where you camped. You get up to seven nights in whichever zone you get the permit for. If you get a core permit, you can camp in any zone, but otherwise you are "stuck" with the zone where you get the permit, with Colchuck and Snow being the most popular after Core. You don't need a permit just to do the trail, only to camp.

Since our permit is for Snow Zone, we'll have to camp there so will come in from that side, but definitely will spend time in the core zone! We will likely do a separate, non-camping trip to the Stuart/Colchuck area another time, or maybe even a through-hike of the whole thing in one day, which is grueling but possible. Thank you for the well wishes! I've the feeling it will be great.

We camped at Colchuck, then 3 nights in the Core Zone Area and were planning on camping at Snow Lake but got there earlish and just kept on walking out. One of the guys in my group got the permit so I just went along, hopefully we weren't breaking any rules! The big decision was which way to go I remember because going up the Aasgard pass had some ridiculous elevation gain, but then it was all down hill the rest of the way.

At any rate I'm sure you will enjoy.

 

[krista4]

Oh, so you were VERY lucky and were on a Core permit! You definitely did it the right direction, from everything I've read. To do that one year and part of the Wonderland the next is outstanding. Now you need something for next year!