Snow Camping in Mammoth

This weekend I participated in what is called "Snow Camp." The last outing with WBC before I start my thru hike adventure.

We arrived in Mammoth on Friday night at about 1130pm. We slept on the gym floor of the Mammoth High School. Woke at 6:00am to get started. We were taken to the main ski lift area and put on our packs and snow shoes and headed off. Windy and cold with a 100% chance of snow (they were correct). We hiked for over an hour then settled on a spot that looked like it offered some shelter from the 30-50 mph winds. We built a snow kitchen (pictures in the morning) and a walled crapper (try that in 50mph winds and snow).

Then the snow started falling. A lot of snow. In several hours I would guess a foot fell. It is still snowing as I type. I'm laying in my tent on top of my bag. It's cold but not all that bad.

Everyone sought shelter in their tents from the wind and snow. So much for cooking outside and having a camp fire. I cooked in the vestibule of my tent. It was not as hard as I expected and I was remarkably warm.

It's 6:45pm and I am in for the night. Pictures and how I weathered the night tomorrow.

4/1/12  Sunday morning after a night of snow and wind

Morning breakfast in the snow kitchen. We made this before the snow began last night.

My tent after a night of snow. 12-15" of white fluffy snow.

My snow shoes. They were set on top of the snow last night. 

Morning peace as the sun rises.

My poles show 16" of fresh stuff.

My shoes are frozen solid. 

This is what I faced this morning when I opened my tent fly.

Morning beauty

Yes, I survived the night of temps in the teens, winds as high as 35 mph and over a foot of snow. 

Hiking out in beautiful weather and deep snow.

WBC Snow Camp

Friday I set out on my last pre-adventure trip before hitting the trail for five months. The last camp out with the Wilderness Basics Course (WBC) is this weekend. It's called "Snow Camp" because we will be hiking and camping in the snow near Mammoth. We head off Friday afternoon in buses and will snow shoe in. With the new snow of last weekend and projected new snow this week, it should be an adventure. I hope to get a good idea of how my sleeping bag and pad will work in cold weather. The projected low temps should be in the low 20's and lots of snow.

I have a handle on my re-supply boxes. I need 21 boxes total. I will need 9 boxes with 5 days of food; 3 boxes with 6 days food and 9 boxes with 7 days food. That works out to 126 days of food, snacks and supplies. Have you ever tried putting your dinner menu together for 126 days and provide yourself a variety of foods that at the same time provide enough nutrition to keep your interest? It is not easy!!! I will be eating a lot of mac and cheese; mashed potatoes; Top Ramen; Cup of Soup; and various meals from Mountain House (12 total - they cost too much). I made my own trail mix and beef jerky and have them packed and ready to go.

With less than three weeks before my start, I have lots to do. So, I need to close and get at it. Future post will most likely be coming from the trail. Until then, be safe and enjoy.

Not Enough Time Left

I'm starting to feel the pressure. It does not seem there are enough hours in a day as I parcel out food servings and fill my re-supply boxes. A very slow and time consuming task. I am planning somewhere between 22-25 re-supply boxes. Most will have 7 days of food and supplies. That's 21 snacks, 7 breakfasts and dinners, 14 servings of Gatorade, 8 ounces of my home made beef jerky, batteries for the SPOT and 2 trash bags. All in one box.

Trying to vary my meals and snacks is a challenge when everything that will be cooked will be dehydrated or freeze dried and only needs hot water to eat. Not a big selection to choose from unless I want to pay $6-7-8 a meal. I have made several of my own and dehydrated them. They taste ok but take a lot of time and energy to do. I'm out of time to make any more. So I will go with what I have.

A few pictures of my latest task. The garage is full of food and packing materials. One box contains 25 pounds of jerky and too many packets of mashed potatoes to count, as well as Mac & Cheese and tuna and tons of ramen soup with added dehydrated mixed veggies and chicken. I have added dehydrated veggies and beef to some of the mashed potatoes also.

Friday will be occupied with making my trail mix and making 75 servings. I'm going to do a cup and a half serving size. I hope that's enough. My lunches will be PB&J on whole wheat tortillas or the small round flat bread. Some days will include crackers and summer sausage and dehydrated fruit.

I expect to loose some weight but don't want to loose so much it becomes a danger. Shooting for 3500-4200 calories a day. Should burn at or around 5000 a day. I'm thinking my food will be my biggest challenge.

Just over three weeks from the start.

Maps of California, Oregon and Washington

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks

Food packing time

Boxes ready to be filled and mailed

Homemade beef jerky... 23+ pounds

The dehydrator... working overtime... note the Idaho potatoes?? A staple of mine on the trail...

The box above with the pink baggie is the first re-supply box packed... it has 7 days of food...

Another Box Checked

Taking care of last minute details as the 14th of April nears. This morning it was the doctor. I got a tetanus shot and physical. I discussed my trip and got several "just in case" prescriptions. Did my blood work and am set.

Next up is the dentist. I'm still weighing and packaging food. Breakfasts are all done and a majority of trail snacks. Making my dinner choices have been a challenge. How much? Variety. Pack ability. All considerations after I taste test for acceptability.

I got my maps and waypoints loaded into my GPS. IT'S HUGE!!! I'm taking it but Lordy it's big. I have my paper maps packaged and in re-supply boxes as a backup.

Under 30 days.... I'm getting antsy.

Start Date Fast Approaching

April 14 is just around the corner. I still have much to do. I have been going over gear and clothes, food options and deciding what to cut from my wants and only carry the needs. I have spent the day weighing every piece and making a list. I have a long way to go to get under my self imposed pack weight of 20 pounds less food and water. I will get there (I hope).

I decided to carry a GPS after all. I have spent the last month learning land navigation through the Wilderness Basics Course (WBC). I have a new confidence to stay found but wanted to be able to plot and document more precisely my hike. I purchased a Garmin, Montana 600, on the Internet and got it today. WOW. Now I need to figure out how to load my topo maps and use them. I will share more on that later.

I have been working on my food plan and re-supply boxes. What to ship and where. So many variables. I have been using "Yoki's PCT Handbook" planning guide. Jackie McDonnell has thru hiked the PCT and put together a planning guide and book to assist others who want to attempt a similar feat. I'm still trying to decide how many re-supply boxes I will have mailed to myself. Details, details, details.

I have two more trips on the calendar for my WBC with "graduation" set for April 4. Snow camp in the Sierra's at the end of the month will be the last before I start my adventure. Interesting WBC class last night taught by a weather person from national weather service and then information on altitude sickness and issues with hypo and hyperthermia. Lots of usefull information.

Time is running out for planning and prep. I will be hitting the trail soon.