NEWLY LINKED -- New
page of excellent Sawtooth research by Paul Brickett, affirming and correcting
Jeannie's confusion over geography in her adopted state.
 |
Its here. (Updated 6/24/05).
Information on Bear Valley and Sawtooth area. Click on image.
|
General INQUIRY
from Idaho/jeannie 5/16/05 Calling all friends of Simians...
Hello Gretchen and Curt,
How was winter in MN? Is the snow gone, garden underway? How're
the "kids"? Did you get down to GA a couple of times?
What travels are ahead for this summer? Will you come west??
Thus far Paul Brickett has expressed interest in Idaho in August.
Haven't heard from anyone else. Thought I/we oughta check in with
y'all.
Love to hear from you, learn how you are.
Went up to Leadville while I was in Colorado recently to make sure Elbert's
still there. (Is Elbert in this photo?--[see above]) Leadville's
sure neat. By the way, Chamber of Commerce says there's a big Boom
Days event the first weekend in August.
Happy spring!
Blessings,
Jeannie
PS. John, et al
I'm pretty sure I'll be in CA thru Aug 11th (retreat ends that day), likely
stay a day or 2 to look up mom's sister, probably not be back in les bois
til 13th. Will be in touch. 15-20ish looking good, but if earlier
is best for you, can compress.... Everyone please keep us posted
for best times. "Dialog pleeezzeeee and check this site!!!"
Spread the word. Thanks, Jeannie
RESPONSES [posted
as received, upper most recent]
Date: Aug
12, 2005
From: Curt W
Subj: Re: : rendez
firming up- but not without you...!!!
Dear Simians,
<Just returned from Europe,
and work is piled so sky high that I can't imagine getting organized for
the Idaho trip in time, as much as I would love to see all of you again.>
The feelings are certainly
mutual on this end!!!
<Kurt and Gretchen - I
have been getting in a little viola playing this past year so it would
have been super to have been able to do some chamber music again. Have
to find a way to get some free time sometime, or else retire soon.>
Peter, couldn't you simply
throw your viola in the car and zip down to join us, even if only for a
day or two at the end of our encampment (Friday night August 19 - Saturday
or Sunday)?? If you could 'just say yes', Gretchen and I would throw in
our violins & the Dvorak Terzetto (remember?). I know that Jeannie
would be thrilled to hear a little chamber music concert 'under the stars'!
<Best bananas to all (making
sure they have the proper curvature to satisfy the European Union), Peter>
So in true Simian Tradition
(now becoming a GASSERS Phenomenon), couldn't you just 'peel off' the academic
routine for a few days and grace us with your editorial* presence...???
FL in MN
* in the "All the news
that's unfit to print" tradition...!?!?!?
Date: Aug
11, 2005
From: Peter Z
Dear Simians,
Just returned
from Europe, and work is piled so sky high that I can't imagine getting
organized for the Idaho trip in time, as much as I would love to see all
of you again. As far as Jeannie, it looks like I will be visiting Boise
State Univ around the end of Sept and if so will let you know and try to
arrange things so I drive and pass through Moscow. I also won't want to
miss out on Plummer, Idaho (a little south of Moscow), home of the world's
largest cinnamon buns!
Kurt and
Gretchen - I have been getting in a little viola playing this past year
so it would have been super to have been able to do some chamber music
again. Have to find a way to get some free time sometime, or else retire
soon.
Best bananas
to all (making sure they have the proper curvature to satisfy the European
Union),
Peter
Date: Aug
9, 2005
From: Paul B/ re CW/FL
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Brickett <pbrickett@earthlink.net>
To: krunchkaptain@netscape.net;
heartctr@internetoutlet.net; jchinthe@infionline.net; georgefredericks@hotmail.com
Cc: zvengrow@ucalgary.ca;
msw1@humboldt.edu
Sent: Mon, 08 Aug 2005 22:47:47
-0700
Subject: Simian outing, objectives
Dear Simians,
So far,
no employment requirements have intruded on my plans for the Idaho outing,
although the Pahute Peak trip I was going to do with Desert Survivors was
canceled. Currently my plan is to drive into Boise late Sunday, and be
part of the advance party (with Jeannie), establishing base camp at Fir
Creek, I assume for Monday the 15th. I definitely have to be in Seattle
by sometime of the night of Sunday, the 21st, so I would need to leave
at least by early Sunday morning.
For a
warm-up hike I suggest Blue Bunch Mountain, which is just north of Fir
Creek campground, about 2000' higher. Therefore, a possible itinerary would
be:
Tuesday: short dayhike
to Bear Valley Hot Spring (at 44.445N, 115.239W,downstream from campground);
back to meet late arrivals.
Wednesday: dayhike
to Blue Bunch Mt.
Thursday: pack into
Sawtooths.
Friday: frolic in
Sawtooths, return to Fir Creek campground.
Saturday: back to
Boise.
This schedule
fits John's request for a last night's camp at Fir Creek, and returning
to Boise on Saturday. I would be willing to spend two nights in Sawtooths,
and camp Saturday at Fir Creek, but the above schedule leaves an extra
day at the end for unanticipated events (e.g. rescue, hospitalization).
I procured
copies of Hiking Idaho by Jackie Maughan, and Idaho: A Climbing Guide,
by Tom Lopez. I haven't gotten any topo maps or bear-proof containers.
For location
of Fir Creek Campground, note URL and check topo image posted at http://www.simianoutingsociety.org/rendezvous2005-2006/BearValleyInfo/images/44.25.42N_115.17.0003W.250.gif
-Paul
Paul et al,
Good to
hear from you, Paul, so we can begin "to decide what we're really doing",..."since
my recollection of Simians trying to get 'organized' to do anything collectively
isn't pretty" to quote from John's emails of August 2 & 8!! To accomodate
John's last concerns of fitting in the packin/climb option & still
have relaxation/unwind time at Fir Creek on Saturday, may I suggest:
Monday: Advance party
arrival at Fir Creek Basecamp; short dayhike to Bear Valley Hot Spring.
Tuesday: Warmup/dayhike
to Blue Bunch Mt., and/or get organized for 3-day packin/climb option.
Wednesday: Drive to
Iron Creek CG and packin (~5 miles) to Sawtooth Lake highcamp.
Thursday: Climb 10190'
Mount Regan and/or 9861' Alpine Peak.
Friday: Packout to
Iron Creek CG and drive back to Fir Creek camp.
Saturday: Relax/unwind/cavort
at Fir Creek for final group-camp that night.
Sunday: Drive to Boise
& flyout for Paul & John; others remain at Fir Creek til...???
These are
suggestions based on the 3-day packin/climb option. Obviously, if we only
do the 1-day hike-in/climb (probably of Alpine Peak only) we could spread
things out as follows:
Tuesday: Warmup/dayhike
to Blue Bunch Mt.
Wednesday: Get organized
for 1-day hike-in/climb; drive to Iron Creek CG and advance-camp.
Thursday: Hike-in
& climb 9861' Alpine Peak (or 10190' Mount Regan?), then return to
Iron Creek CG and camp.
Friday: Drive back
to Fir Creek CG and relax/unwind/cavort at Fir Creek for final group-camp
that night.
Saturday: Drive to
Boise for Sunday flyout by Paul & John; others remain at Fir Creek
until...???
Of course, there
is always the true GASSERS option:
Monday-Saturday: Relax/unwind/cavort
at Fir Creek CG...[specializing in the R rather than the E of GASSERS!]
George: If you are still planning to arrive on Wednesday, this one may
be your only option...!
Finally,
I'm attaching images #18 & 19 from the 1965 SOS Sawtooth Wilderness
Expedition. Image #2712A is a view S from the summit of 10716' Mount Cramer
looking towards 10659' Snowyside Peak. Image #2721A is a final view of
the very jagged granitic ridge N of Mt. Cramer and 'yours truly' after
our descent of the N? couloir of Mt. Cramer. Great fun!!!
FL in MN
Date: Aug
4, 2005
From: Mark W
Jeannie,
HI
So when and where is this
thing? I've been gone most of the spring and summmer. I am heading back
east (Black Hills)and might be able to stop by.
Lots of stuff hapening then
not always the kind I like.
You take care,
Date: Aug
2, 2005
From: George F
Hey John,
Thanks for the phone number.
Yes, I
remember that trip in the old Mercedes. The sun was about to come up in
Kansas. I first thought that my perception that the headlights were dimming
was because it was getting less dark. Then they went out altogether, and
the dash lights also dimmed. We coasted into a gas station/truck stop
and discovered that the generator
bracket had broken and the V-belt was no longer doing its thing. (So much
for the legend of German engineering)
Somehow
the night attendant allowed us into the truck stop’s shop. We fabricated
a replacement generator bracket using their acetylene torch and a brake
backing plate that I thought might have been one of the parts of a truck
that was in partial disassembly. I can imagine the cursing of the mechanic
who found the remains of our work a few hours later.
Yes, I
do still drive an old rattletrap. That is consistent with my vow of simulated
poverty. My sister and all my friends say the same thing that you do. Why,
when it is unnecessary do I drive an old rattletrap?! I have actually been
thinking of buying a new Ford Escape with the hybrid drive train. But I
am too stingy to just do it, especially when the stock market is going
up. Then if the market were going down, I would not do it because I would
feel that I was becoming poor. So, I might rent one for the trip and pretend
that I had bought it.
My nephew,
Kris, and I have been exhorting my sister, Rose Ann, to buy the new top
of the line Lexus with the hybrid drive train. He wants to be able to drive
it when he is here. I would like to borrow it to go to client meetings.
Then, they would understand when I raised my hourly rate.
Regards,
George
Date: Aug
2, 2005
From: John C
Hey George,
Notwithstanding the fact
that you've always been one of the most compatible and flexible Simians
I've ever traveled with, I would have
thought you'd outgrown (and
your current conspicuous Capitalist Financial status) would have moved
you out of the league of those
impoverished souls who have
to tolerate cars malfunctioning (I'm reminded of a certain Simian Kamikaze
trip where the blue Mercedes
conked out in the middle
of kansas and needed "stop-gap" repairs at a filling station to get us
back to Illinois.).
All that said, my cell phone
for this trip will be 703 618 0669. I tend to be parsimonious in
my use of the cell phone, and so don't be surprised if you get the voice
mail feature. I will, however, turn it on once I get to Boise, and
leave it on until I reach the base camp (I infer that the central camping
site we're initially aiming for is Fir Creek. I've no idea where
it is (except that it's closer to Stanley, ID than to Wash DC), but if,
with the help of others (was it Lorrie? whom I'd never met, except for
Jeannie's photos to the contrary!), I can find the Banana Peel on the Flat
Tops, I'll somehow stumble into the Fir Creek camp site.
Date: Aug
2, 2005
From: George F
Hi Jeannie,
I finally
found an Idaho map with the Fir Creek campground marked. Even I should
be able to find it. It would be even better if I had the Lat-Lon.
John,
I agree with you about not sharing a car for the same reasons. Furthermore,
I am leaning towards driving. I enjoy long lonely road trips. I am looking
forward to the two day drive to Idaho. If I drive, I also preserve
the option for an interesting return drive. I also have the same customer
problems. But they know that if they jerk me around too much, I will simply
retire.
My most
likely plan for now is to begin the road trip by taking Rose Ann to the
airport at 6:00 AM on the 16th and to pull into the campground in the evening
of the 17th.
My cell
phone is (719)651-6034. If anyone else will have a cell phone please send
me the number so I can call in and report where my engine blew up.
Regards,
George
Date: Aug
2, 2005
From: John C
Curt,
Be assured that I'm not seeking
any difficult climbing. I'm at the stage of Peak Bagging and
Walk-Ups, so don't worry about me wanting to get us in too deep.
My work situation is waffling,
and I still don't have a firm lock on scheduling. In theory, we're
supposed to hear something tomorrow from a Customer decision meeting today.
That may clarify things, or, as frequently happens, today's meeting may
either not happen, or happen with no decisions. In those cases, I'm
back to awaiting the pleasure of the Customer for negotiations timing.
Curt, based on your preferences
and suggestions, I'll see about reservations for the 16th to the 23d.
As for cars, regardless of travel dates, I'll probably want to get my own,
since my recollection of Simians trying to get "organized" to do anything
collectively isn't pretty. I'm at a point in life where I'd rather
pay for my own car, than fuss and stew about trying to round up the other
participants so I'm not inconvenienced (and since we'll be carrying ice
axes, I don't want anyone ending up like Trotsky!).
Date: Aug
2, 2005
From: Curt W
John, Jeannie, et al,
...
John: It sounds like you're
really 'itching' to get your fingers and toes on that great Sawtooth granite!
So am I, though not quite as much as I was in 1965 on the E face of p.
10272 (i.e. I'm not about to do any class 5 or 6 rock!). Are those your
sentiments too, John? Ditto for you, Paul? Could we hear from you
soon? How about you 'silent' ones, Peter & Mark?
John (and George), might I make a suggestion about your possible flight
plans? Perhaps the 2 of you could coordinate your flight plans to Boise
for early on Tuesday 16 August so you could share the same rental car and
then get to Fir Creek CG by that same evening? I have invited a former
student of mine to join us in ID (as an honorary Simian), and I have suggested
that he also fly early on 16 August. [These suggestions are mostly based
on George's passing comment in his only email that Tuesday 16 August would
be the best day for him to fly; if that is no longer the case, then I would
probably change my above suggestion to fly on Monday 15 August if that
would fit better with Paul's scheduled arrival. My preference is still
to arrive on Tuesday 16 August].
Jeannie: When exactly are you leaving for L.A.? Do you think you will be
able to keep in email communication while you're there? Oh, do you know
how much snow remains in the highcountry?
I know it's been a hot, dry
summer in much of the West (including Boise?), but what about in the Sawtooth
Wilderness? Perhaps we won't need our ice axes for snow or ice, but rather
only for the mundane GASSERS latrine operations!? On that sour note I will
take leave... Aarrgghh!! FL in MN
Date: August
1, 2005
From: John C
Thanks Curt,
Those are fantastic photos
(I guess after we have your photos, we can save the airfare and just make
up a tale and wow our friends at home with your images -:)!).
Thanks also for the gear comments.
I hear you about probably not needing crampons, but if it ends up we're
doing the climbing option, I'll still plan to bring mine. The two
most inconvenient climbing situations I've encountered (Mt. Cook
area, NZ and Mt Toubkal, Morocco) involved cases where the weather was
fairly warm and I took a ski pole or ice ax and left the crampons home,
only to find the snow was all crusty and slick. I was slipping all
over the place, frequently pivoting around the ax plant, and couldn't easily
get my footing without taking the effort at each step to pound a hole in
the crust (and then sink about a foot into the soft snow below).
It taught me to have the crampons handy "just in case." Depending
on Paul's "druthers," I'll figure out how much "kit" I need.
FYI, as it stands now, I'm
sorta leaning towards flying out on Monday, 15 Aug and flying back on Monday,
22 Aug (airfares seem cheaper on Monday's than weekends, which is the opposite
of what I'd been led to believe, since more business travelers go during
week days.) I'll keep all advised as research on best flight options
continues. John
Date: July
31, 2005
From: John C
All,
... My plans at this
point are to fly to Boise on Monday, 15 Aug, and, after a stop at REI or
WalMart to pick up things like stove fuel (that aren't permitted on the
airplane), drive straight out to wherever we're camping to spend the night.
I'll probably drive back to Boise on Sunday, 21 Aug, to spend the night
and get my stuff organized for the flight out on Monday, 22 Aug.
If your generous offer of a place to flop is also open for the evening
of Sunday, 21 Aug, then I'll take you up on the offer.
Curt, in one of your
earlier notes you mentioned bringing "Ice axes, rope, etc." Since
I've never climbed in this area, would you please reply and mention those
items of climbing gear that we're most likely to require (I have an ax,
trekking poles, crampons, some misc. ice screws and snaplinks, and no longer
have a workable rope (used mine for some tree trimming, and it's no longer
suitable for climbing).) I certainly want to bring along anything
we'll need, but since weight is an issue on the airlines, I don't want
to haul along stuff that this climb doesn't require.)
By the way, (as my wife Lynn
says) "I'm getting excited" about another Simian/GASSERS reunion.
It's still nip and tuck as to whether my work is going to allow me to participate,
but since "getting ready" is half the fun of a Simian trip, I already have
my stuff laid out in the basement and I'm spending time "pondering" about
what stuff to bring or leave out.
Date: July
26, 2005
From: John C
All,
I prefer the backpack/camp/climb
option, but I'll caution everyone that I'm a SLOW hiker/climber.
If folks are either OK with me taking my own pace and catching up at various
points, or having the group go SLOW, then things will be fine. If
we have any who want the Speedy Gonzales approach to hiking/climbing, then
we either need to split the group, or do something less ambitious as a
group. I just have to be realistic about making the transition from
flatlands businessman to backwoods mountain man in the span of a
day or so (as a Simian, I led the charge on those kamakazi weekend trips
to Colorado. as a GASSER, I"m trying to be realistic.) Whatever
the group decides will be fine with me. I'd just like to know in
advance so I don't lug all the wrong stuff (or twice too much stuff) on
the airplane.
Curt,
those are great pics.
Thanks, John
Date: July
25, 2005
From: Tom Judson
Hi Jeanne,
The Sawtooths in August sounds
great, but I am teaching the first half of the month and will be in Provence
for the rest of the time. I am pretty busy these days. In addition
to teaching a course in the summer school, I decided to take an intensive
Japanese course as a refresher. Japanese meets four hours a day and
five days a week. And there is quite a bit of homework to do every
evening. I am devoting what little free time that I have to riding
my bicycle and working on my French. It's a good thing that this
is only seven and a half weeks long.
As soon as I return from France,
I will have to begin preparing for the new semester. Well, maybe
next year.
Tom
Date: July
22, 2005
From: John C
All,
Based on the Kaptain's latest
note, I'm going to start targeting 15 Aug as a "fly to Boise" date, and
22 Aug as the "fly out of Boise" date. Never having been there,
I assume a day spent driving is about right in each direction from/to Boise,
so that would have me at the reunion roughly late day 16 thru early 21
Aug. If the driving times are less (or the flight arrangements somewhat
different) I might arrive at the campsite on the 15th. In any case,
I'd plan to drive back to Boise on 21 Aug, so I'd be convenient to the
airport and already packed for travel on departure day.
As for activity, I'm game
for either the pack-in climb, or the day hike. I'd kinda like to
settle in advance on which it is, so I know how to pack (completely backpacking
lite, or car camping, with a day-hike/summit pack). In any event,
I'd like us to do something beyond just "sitting around" for several days
(although it may take that long for Curt and George to clarify for me how
"asymptotically" looks when graphed to our travel itineraries
-:)!).
Curt, that's a great photo,
and certainly entices me to hope this whole thing falls together, and I
can be part of it. (work scheduling remains a question mark (still
waiting for "the Customer" to pronounce themselves on contract negotiation
scheduling), and probably will cause me to get "asymptotically" close to
the departure date before I can be sure I'm traveling and not working.)
John
Date: July
21, 2005
From: Curt Wagner
Dear Jeannie et al,
Thanks
for your input on the permits. Let's hope we won't need any, since all
true Simians historically never really needed them (we existed before they
did)!
As far
as the TIMING of the GASSERS Reunion, it looks like we are finally getting
asymptotically close to a value of: AUG.16 +/- 1. I zero in on Tuesday
Aug.16 because that is the IDEAL flight day for George (to Boise). Some
have said that they might be at Basecamp (Fir Creek CG) as early as Aug.15,
others as late as Aug.17, hence the +/- 1 day. The Endpoint is likewise
obviously variable, but
will probably be through
Aug.20,21,or 22 (Sat. - Mon.), depending on all the usual Simian variables
(weather, wilderness ambitions, camping supplies, stories to tell, return
flights, etc...).
Speaking
of 'wilderness ambitions', if my earlier suggestion of backpacking in order
to climb Mt. Regan is too ambitious, we could scale it back to a 1-day
hike in to the Sawtooth/Alpine Lakes divide (5 mi.) and a stroll up 9861'
Alpine Peak.
I am game
for either option. JOHN, PAUL, PETER, & MARK: are ANY of you also game???
I am attaching
a few images from our 1965 SOS Expedition to climb 10716' Mt. Cramer via
Redfish Lake SW of Stanley. Hope they whet your appetite...!!! FL
in MN [See Wagner photo archive page]
Date: July
19, 2005
From: Paul Brickett
Dear Simians,
It now turns out that my
preferred dates to be in Idaho are what I had posted on my Bear Valley
information page, http://www.simianoutingsociety.org/rendezvous2005-2006/BearValleyInfo/final.html
last month - August 15-20.
After returning from middle america Sunday night and talking to Jeannie
yesterday, I received an unexpected call this morning about a job which
will require my presence in Seattle on Monday August 22. Also, as
my spouse and dog will not be able to make it to Idaho, and not hearing
from Mark W. (or any other west-coast Simian who might want to carpool
from Cauliforneea),
but lacking F.F. miles, I
am planning to drive out to northwestern Nevada Aug.12-14 to do some service
work and Pahute Peak (8,594'), before advancing on to Idaho. To get
to Seattle for Aug. 22 I would have to depart the Simian outing Saturday
evening, Aug. 20, or early Sunday. I'm flexible on whatever
objectives might be decided
for this time, but I doubt my ability for technical climbing.
-Paul
Date: July
19, 2005
From: John C
All,
The mid week option (16 -
23 Aug) is fine with me, if that's what suits everyone else best.
Please don't make me an important factor in the decision, since my work
could pop up between now and then and cause me to cancel (the big contract
negotiations I have to be in DC for, have continued to slide, and the best
guess now is "sometime after 3 Aug." The actual meetings will only
last a day or so, and so it could easily be over with before mid Aug.
On the other hand, as contractors, we're at the mercy of "the Customer"
to be available on their schedule, and they could also easily dither until
mid Aug, and then decide to meet "tomorrow." If we get to circa
mid Aug with no definite date announced for contract negotiations, I could
end up stuck here "waiting."). [John]
Date: July
18, 2005
From: Peter Z
Dear Jeannie et al.,
I've been
following all the emails and will do my very best to make it. I leave tomorrow
for Deutschland, also Slovakia and Austria, back on August 7. So the schedule
may work for me and will do my best to keep you posted.
Ciao, Peter
P.S. If you want to see a
couple of photos of a meeting I was at last winter in the Czech Rep - also
some cross country skiing and a little magic show I put on - try
www.math.muni.cz/~srni
Date: July
18, 2005
From: John C
All,
It appears that Kurt's note
sorta sets a schedule that we could all try to match in some portion.
It seems we still need to settle on whether we commence Sun (14 Aug) or
Weds (17 Aug). I'll vote for Sunday (14 Aug), just to get people
committing to "something," but with the idea that if the most votes are
for starting mid-week, I'll plan to match mid to mid week (assuming, after
we dither for several more weeks, I can still get a plane ticket!).
Let's here the voting.
John
Date: July
17, 2005
From: Curt W
Hi Jeannie,John, Jeannie,
et al Simiani et GASSERSini!!
Because
it's only about 4 weeks and counting till the big 2005 GASSERS Reunion
in the spectacular Idaho Sawtooth Wilderness Area, I thought I would dig
out my maps and slides from our Simian mini-expedition there in August
of 1965... Phil Nelson and I backpacked in (8 miles) and climbed 10716'
Mt.Cramer (3rd and/or 4th class) and a 10272' peak/pinnacle (direct-aid
up the east face) SW of Stanley by beginning with a 5-mile ride over Redfish
Lake (Aug.15-18,1965).
It was
fabulous climbing on good granite in spectacular rugged terrain. So I'm
looking forward to a 40th anniversary climb with wilderness-loving Simians!
If it would help convince the unconvinced about the appropriateness of
the Sawtooth area for a GASSERS Reunion, I can send some slide images to
be posted on the SOS website... I don't know why we never thought of using
this area before!
So, here
are my suggestions... Let's rendezvous at Fir Creek CG in Bear Valley as
per Jeannie's recommendation, around Sunday evening August 14 (Early Plan
A) or Wednesday August 17 (Midweek Plan B). After due time rendezvousing/relaxing,
those of us who want to do a climb (like Paul's Mt. Regan suggestion) would
head off to basecamp at Iron Creek CG NW of Stanley ($11/night/site with
up to 10 people and 2 cars/site--cf www.plic.org). Because it's a 10 mile
roundtrip just to Sawtooth Lake, it would probably make good sense for
GASSERS to plan to do a backpack to the lake and then climb 10190' Mt.
Regan the next day, returning to highcamp a second night (or all the way
out to basecamp the same day, a trivial SOS feat but not so trivial for
'age-challenged' GASSERS)! Then back to Fir Creek to relax...
JOHN/PAUL
et al 'serious' (or foolish!) GASSERS: bring your rugged Mountain Boots,
backpacking gear (including food), ice axe, leather gloves, rope?, etc...
JEANNIE:
Could you check with Wilderness Area Rangers/Officials about whether we
can primitive-camp at Sawtooth Lake, and under what restrictions? If a
permit is required, what cost (regular & Golden Age Passport holders)&
when/where to get?
Also,
should I send the JPG images to you to post? How many (@ ~250-300 kb each)??
MARK:
Please let us know ASAP whether you're able to come, as our choice of Plan
A or B obviously depends on you! It would be great to see you, and as an
inducement (threat?) I'll bring along slides from our Rio Grande River-running
Trip!
GEORGE/STUTZ:
Calling all Simian physicists to come!! Our son Benjamin wants to come
along especially if he can bounce some of his physics 'ideas' off you guys!!
PETER:
I know I truly speak for ALL Simians/GASSERS: JUST SAY YES!! (PLEEEEZ!!)
ALL OTHERS:
Y'ALL COME-- You won't regret coming out for this one, NO-SIRREE!!
This will truly be a GRAND OLE GASSERS RENDEZVOUS!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
FL in MN
Date: July
16, 2005
From: George
Hi Jeannie,
My original
plan was to do a long road trip from here that would bring me to the Simian
conclave along the way. Then I found out that Rose Ann was going to be
here August 13 to 16. I don't want to be gone on the road then. So I started
to look for airlines that could take me to Idaho on the 16th or 17th.
In the
original road trip plan, I would just throw everything I might need into
the old delapidated Ford Explorer and head out. But now I need to know
more about what to bring on an airplane. Are we going to do back country
camping to bag a mountain or just set around a car camp and drink tea?
Another
possibilty would be to do my road trip starting on the 16th and hope to
get there soon enough at least to say hello to the Simians.
Last week
I was in Breakenridge and did a very nice day hike with the Mantsch family.
We walked up from Boreas pass to a saddle with a very nice view. I felt
good. The body is working again. So I might be interested in bagging a
small moutain.
Paul Mantsch
and I started the planning for my South American trip in January. He said
the drive over th Andes from Santiago, Chile is reported to be stupendous
and I should definitely do it. He had the further suggestion that I should
stay at least another week and drive down to Tierra del Fuego, cross back
into Chile and drive along the Pacific back to Santiago.
Keep me
posted on the planning.
Date: July
15, 2005
From: Cynthia
Hi Jeannie,
Been on a trip so
am just answering now. Aug 14-18 is a conflict for me. Cannot
make those dates. Thanks for all your coordination for these great
rendezvous. Please keep in touch about any change in dates.
Thanks.
Cynthia
Date: July
14, 2005
From: John
Hi, Jeannie,
almost anything between Sat
13 Aug and Sat 27 Aug would probably work for me. As I said, I'm
also OK with mid week to mid week, so long as it covers a Sat for the fare
advantage. I'm afraid, however, I'm seeing things develop with my
work that may interfere with any trip at all, unless I get things nailed
down pretty soon. Of course that could all change quickly.
We're still waiting on the Gov Customer to ratify/negotiate an ongoing
contract I manage, and whenever they spring it on us that "they're ready"
to meet, I have to be there. I'm hoping we've got that done by mid
Aug, and then any time after that would work. If it still hasn't
happened by mid Aug, I'll probably have to abandon trip plans so I'm available
here on very short notice for the Customer's meetings, whenever they decide
to hold them. This could all indicate I need to start thinking more
in terms of grabbing a very last minute fare off one of the last minute
websites, and trying to get out to meet the group whenever the group can
finally decide on dates. I hate to be waffling, but it's hard to
see that the rest are going to commit in time for me to make orderly work
arrangement alternatives.
John
Date: July
14, 2005
From: George
Hi Jeannie,
It would also be better for
me if the date were slide back to the 16h. Rose Ann will be leaving here
on the morning of the 16th. We could even share a cab to the airport if
I were flying to Boise on August 16th. The original schedule would require
me lose out on Rose Ann’s company and cooking. Of
course, a few days later
is also OK.
Let me know as soon as possible
about the schedule? If it is definitely the 16th, I will make my reservations
for the flight and a rental SUV.
Otherwise, I will procrastinate.
George
Date: July
13, 2005
From: Terry Courtright
Subj: Idahohoho
Just wanted to confirm that
we will not be able to attend the Simian/Gasser get-together in the Sawtooths
this year. Went thru there a couple years ago and it is as beautiful
as it was in the 60's. Hope you all have fun! Terry Courtright
Date: July
13, 2005
From: John Conley
Subj: IdahohohoJeannie/Paul/Anyone,
Is there any sort of semi-dependable
tally of who is planning to attend? It's getting close to the point
where I have to make a "go/no-go" decision, both in terms of airline reservations,
as well as
work scheduling. If
this isn't really going to amount to a Simian/Gassers Reunion, I'll take
some heat at home for using the family's travel miles and the vacation
days "just to take myself
camping in Idaho."
Also, three other questions,
of somewhat less urgency:
- Is it becoming clear whether
this is a "lug all you want, camp next to the car" trip or a "backpack
climbing" trip. I'd like to get started thinking about "stuff" (for
us "gear heads," the time spent in mental planning is almost as much fun
as the actual trip (my wife calls it "zipping and unzipping," meaning the
endless arranging and re-arranging of stuff in the packs, etc.)).
- Is this a situation that
will require bear-proof storage of food items? If so, any suggestions
on how that's best achieved, or which of the various "bear safes" really
work and where to get one?
- Can someone comment on the
weather/tempurature that's normal for this location in Aug? i.e.,
what kind of clothing will be needed?
Look forward to hearing from
folks. John
Date: July
3, 2005
From: Chuck Cooper
LCooper@parkland.edu
Subj: Fwd: Idaho
Jeannie...happy to hear of
your planned outing but Jan and I are off to Denmark, Norway and Sweden
on July 23rd and won't be back until Mid-August...Thanks for keeping us
posted Chuck
Date: June
27, 2005
From: George F
Subj: Etc
... I thought a little about
a road trip in August that would include Bear Valley. Maybe I will try
to rent a hybrid Ford Escape. Maybe the first night I will try to get to
Glenwood and get a haircut at the place I got my last one. It sounds like
a good first day goal. Maybe I could even try the sweat
caves again.
...I enjoyed reading the posting
from Windecker. I have wondered how he was doing. It appears he is doing
exactly what I expected. Let me know the first time you learn that
he has retired to Maine. Visiting there, would be a good destination
for a road trip. I could take a dogleg south and visit my hillbilly relatives
for one last time...
George
Date: June
23, 2005
From: Dick W
Subj: Idahohoho or
BuBuBust...!!!
The communication from Dick
Windecker this year is:
I have now been working for
the Army at Ft. Monmouth for the past three years as a Systems Engineering
contractor. (I retired from Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies in July
2001.) The contractor pay is fairly reasonable, but I can't say as
much for the management or the project. At least this year, I get
three weeks of vacation instead of two. We plan to spend it again
at the family cottage on the lake in Maine, the last week in July and the
first two weeks in August. There, we can look in frequently on my Dad,
who lives about 45 minutes away. He will be 95 in September.
We need to try to find ways to get him to eat more, and eat more nutritiously.
Also, we plan to spend some time extracting from his memory and recording
more about the history of his side of the family. Our younger daughter,
Laura, graduated from Bowdoin College two years ago and now also lives
in Maine, working for a marine science laboratory in Boothbay Harbor.
So we will visit with her as well.
I plan to work a few more
years and then retire for good. You may have noticed that Ft. Monmouth
recently got on the BRAC (Base Re-allignment and Closing) list. If
it is indeed closed, it will be a multi-year process, and likely to drag
out much longer than I plan to work. After I retire, I hope to be
able to join the Simian emeriti on some of the reunions. In the meantime,
between doing enough work, getting enough sleep, getting enough exercise,
and doing the minimum upkeep on the house, there is very little time for
much else. I do get out windsurfing about ten days during the season
(June-October) and I also get in a few days of skiing in season as well.
We also get in a hike at Mohonk ("the 'gunks") now and then, but its been
quite a while since I did any real climbing.
Patti is well. Karin,
our older daughter, also. She is still living with us, and working
at a local supermarket three days a week doing bagging and "returns".
(She has Down's Syndrome.) One of the first things we will need to
do when I retire is find a living arrangement for her where others can
do more of the day-to-day supervision and transportation.
Our best to all the Simians.
Maybe after I retire for good we will host an east coast reunion in Maine
some summer.
Dick
Date: June
23, 2005
From: Curt
Subj: Idahohoho or
BuBuBust...!!!
Welcome back, Jeannie!
It was good to get your briefing from Boise, but it was missing one critical
item: the TIMING!
Did you & Paul come to
any agreement? We're still plugging for Mon. Aug. 15 - Sun. Aug. 21...
This would allow plenty of time for both Exploration & Relaxation for
all GASSERS (by the way, this acronym represents: the Golden Age
& Senior Simian Exploration & Relaxation Society; could you correct
this on the SOS website?! NOTE: the US Govt. officially defines GA = 62
years of age on the GA Passport, but different States and Institutions
variously define Senior as at least 50 or 55).
It looks like our (26 year old) son (of Simian!), Benjamin, will be accompanying
us on this Simian macro-Rendezvous II; he is quite anxious to meet and
talk shop with all those Simian physicists that grace our ranks and will
be in attendance - George, Stutz,...!!?? He spends most of his time reading
and thinking about unsolved applied physics problems, like hot/cold fusion,
dark matter/energy, etc!
A chip off the old block,
I guess (he just lacks the BA/MS/PhD, but does that limit creativity? No,
but guess who gets stuck trying to carry out any of the necessary quantum
calculations...a relativist!!).
The weather has turned hot & humid here in MN and the weeds are growing
faster than most of our garden crops (except sweet corn), so we're all
eagerly anticipating being in the high & dry mountains of the Sawtooth
Wilderness Area come mid-August! Keep looking up (or down, cavers)!!
FL in MN
P.S. Has there been any communication
with Dick Windecker this year? What about Terry & Gary in CO??
[Ed.
see Windecker response above. Terry/Garry.... nada.]
Date: June
10, 2005
From: John Conley
Subj: Idaho ho
Thanks Paul,
The hike you describe sounds
very interesting. I did pull up the link you provided and Mt. Regan
also looks enticing. I'm guessing there must be some routes up Regan
that wouldn't require extensive class 5 climbing to reach the summit.
If that's so, I'd be up for climbing it. Regarding either the lake
or Mt. Regan, I wouldn't feel it needed to be done as a day trip.
If others might be interested, I'd have no objection to backpacking some
way up the trail into the area and camping there, in order to finish the
climb/hike the following day and then camp again and walk out the next
morning. The only "plan-ahead" consideration would involve knowing
in advance what sort of gear to bring on the trip. If the plan is
to camp in a car-accessible spot, then I'll bring my big cooler and my
heavier (more comfortable) sleep pad, pack my stuff in a duffle bag and
leave my backpack at home, and so forth. If we're going to
hike in to a campsite, then I'll need to come with my pack and my backpacking
stove, pad, etc. It would also be useful to know if an ice
axe, crampons or ski/hiking pole would be worth bringing. (I don't
have any problem with climbs that are sufficiently off-vertical to allow
most of the work to be done by the legs, or that involve ice climbing where
one can place "holds" at convenient spots by just whacking in the crampons
and/or pick. My restriction involves avoiding sustained situations
of needing to use my right arm above shoulder height and for pulling my
weight up on near-vertical circumstances.).
I'll look forward to hearing
the outcome of Jeannie's visit. John
Date: June
9, 2005
From: John Conley
Subj: Idaho ho
Hi John,
Thanks for the update.
Jeannie is going to be visiting here next Thursday, so hopefully we can
firm-up plans. I finally figured out where Bear Valley is, and have
acquired a book on hiking trails. One of the most popular hiking
destinations is described below, which could be a day hike after driving
to
trailhead from Bear Valley.
I'll be extracting other options after talking to Jeannie.
-Paul
From: http://www.ruhooked.com/artman/article_820.shtml
VI. MOUNTAIN WEST
Idaho -- Sawtooth Wilderness
-- Sawtooth Lake
The Hike: A full day hike
to the largest lake in the Sawtooth Mountains. This 10-mile round trip
trail takes you through a flat expanse of lodgepole pine, into a lush meadow
with clear views of the Sawtooth Mountains. After a few switchbacks through
Douglas Fir trees, the trail climbs up to a sub-alpine
avalanche meadow, including
a ford of Iron Creek (until August). Start climbing some more on a forested
mountainside, until Alpine Lake comes into view 100 feet below (don't miss
this view!). Things flatten out as you approach Sawtooth Lake, with majestic
10, 190 ft. Mt. Regan reflecting in its waters.
The Approach: Take Idaho Highway
21 heading northwest out of Stanley, ID for 2.6 miles to the Iron Creek
Road turnoff. Drive 3.2 miles over washboard roads to Iron Creek Transfer
Camp. Park the car and start hiking.
Contact: Sawtooth National
Recreation Area, (208) 726-7672, or (800) 260-5970.
Insider Scoop: This lake can
be crowded, but head one mile further to McGowan Basin for some solitude
among the high altitude McGowan Lakes. Late July and August are prime wildflower
months.
Traction: Light to rugged
hikers.
Some other nice photos:
http://www.forwolves.org/ralph/wpages/sawtooth.htm
Date: June 6,
2005
From: John Conley
Hi Jeannie,
...
14-18 Aug tentatively looks
OK for me (at least for now). I understand the point about avoiding
weekends, although I'd probably fly out on either Sat or Sun.
Much will
depend on what's happening work-wise at that time (right now it's too far
off to really speculate. ... contract renewal ... supposed to happen
... finalization ... temp funding ... fiscal year ... screw around
until Aug to do final negotiations ... things change almost daily
... could easily have settled ... before Aug ... push the funding
negotiations off even further ... In either of those events,
I'll be free for ID.)
My biggest
concern is that I plan to use frequent flyer miles for the air ticket,
and I don't want to lock into a non-refundable ticket, and then find that
the dates change, or the deal falls totally through.
Gotta run to work. I'll
check the website comments, and let's stay in touch as things evolve.
John
Date: May
26, 2005
From: Curt Wagner
Dear Jeannie et al,
The more
we think about the dates for a rendezvous of GASSERS in ID the more we
think that a LATER date like "15-20ish looking good" would be better for
us. Trying to be realistic about our weather-dependent harvest commitments
is like trying to predict the best dates to make a big climb in the Himalayas
without getting clobbered by that same kind of weather!! We could come
as soon as the weather permits...
Shalom, FL in MN
P.S. Any idea about the availability
of PZ in AL(berta)?
Date: May 24,
2005
From: Peter Zvengrowski
Subj: Idaho...
Dear Jeannie,
Nice to hear from you and that you have not given up on me. Last summer
just got too busy and after returning from a long trip followed by still
another meeting just a day after returning from Brazil was a bit too much.
Mid August this summer is a good possibility and will keep it in mind.
Tomorrow from the office will try to fwd you a couple of pics of some skiing
this past winter.
Also, if interested, go to
the website www.math.muni.cz\~srni
or
http://po.math.ucalgary.ca/album.php?album=6&order_by=5&view=slide&offset=0
and then the photos, and
there are pics from a meeting in the Czech Republic I attended in January,
lots from skiing there, some with me doing a little magic show, and even
a few lecturing.
Best Simian Regards,
Peter
P.S. Tomorrow the Queen will
be in Calgary!
Date: May
23, 2005
From: Mark Wilson msw1@humboldt.edu
Subj: Idaho...
Hi Jeannie,
Mark here. Hope all is well.
I have had a crazy and difficult year, but then we all get them every-now-and
then. My summer is scheduled out with tours, but as of yet I have no clients.
Thus I might be able to travel east. I am scheduled to be a modle for some
artist some time in mid August. Keep me posted as it would be great to
see you and all the Simians. Send me your mailing address. Mine isd : 1759
Linda Way, McKinleyville, CA, 95519
Mark
From: George Fredericks
Date: May 24, 2005
Subj: Idaho...
Hi Jeannie,
The window between the middle
of August and Labor Day maximizes my chance of turning up for a Simian
gathering. I look forward to talking with Curt about his agricultural exploits.
The herbs in my garden window have had mixed success.
Oh yes, I finally got my road
maps for Chile and Argentina. They have a contradiction. The Argentine
map shows a road from Curico in Chile that goes over the Andes to Las Lenas
in Argentina. The Chilean map shows the road petering out before the mountains.
I will have to talk with Mantsch about this in Breckenridge in July.
It looks like Memorial Day
weekend will be a kind of duel of the Iron Chefs here. Everyone gets in
on Friday afternoon or evening. I do the shopping for Rose Ann before she
arrives. Then that night, she cooks. Then Saturday night, Kris cooks. Then
Sunday night, his fiend Jessica cooks. Monday morning Kris and Jessica
leave. Monday night, Rose Ann and I eat the leftovers. I don’t get to cook.
I suppose there will be no Thai food that weekend. I hope Kris did not
bring a recipe for chicken with rice back from Iraq.
George
From: John Conley
Date: May 23, 2005
Subj: Idaho....
Hi All,
As things stand now, it looks
like I should be able to make it to a Simian (GASSERS!) Rendezvous in Idaho
in mid-Aug. Jeannie proposed "around the 14th." I'd like to
get a dialogue going to lock in some specific dates before committing my
Frequent Flyer Points to a non-refundable airline ticket. It looks
like there are flights from Washington DC to Boise (with one change enroute).
I'm guessing the plan would be to fly to Boise and rent a car and drive
to wherever we'd actually be camping, although I'm open to alternative
suggestions. If the central date really is 14 Aug, I'd probably fly
in on the 12th and depart sometime in the middle/end of the next week (which
should allow the weekend and a day or so for camping/reunion).
I've been to Sun Valley to
ski (100 years ago), but otherwise don't know much (anything) about the
topography, weather, and so forth for the area Jeannie has proposed.
Could someone give me some idea of what the terrain is like where
we'd be camping, and what temperatures, etc, we'll encounter in mid-Aug.
Thanks, hope to hear from
folks soon. John
From: Curt
Wagner krunchkaptain@netscape.net
Date: May 19, 2005
Subj: Idaho...
Hi Jeannie!
It
was great to hear from you--a sure reminder that summer is on its way at
last! This will have to be a quick reply because we're heading down to
the farm in a few hours for 2 days of trying to finish planting the big
garden plus some trees & raspberries. And that's because on Monday
we will drive down to Chicago to see Kara & family and then fly down
to Georgia on Wednesday 25 May for another mission trip. We'll fly back
to Chicago on Thursday 9 June and return to Marshall on Monday 13 June.
Our last trip to Georgia was last November for 2 weeks- a great time with
Gloria & friends; we'll share the details next time we meet.
We're
certainly hoping that we'll be able to drive west later in the summer,
and Idaho sounds as good as anywhere! Early August will hopefully be harvest/eating/freezing
time for peas, beans, and sweet corn (!!!), but perhaps by mid-August we
could spring loose from the garden and head west! Are you thinking of meeting
in the Stanley area of the Sawtooths? I have not been there for 40 years,
and Gretchen has not been there at all, so it would be a pleasant destination.
Let's keep in touch! Love & Shalom, Curt
Alpine summit - John (L) and Paul (R)
