Sunday, March 31, 2019

San Jacinto Snow S24O


With the snowing melting fast, I wanted to try and get one more snow camp this season so I headed up to San Jacinto for a S240.  I left mid day for the nice drive up to Idylwild.  The town was pretty empty since the two main routes from LA are closed due to storm damage.  When I arrived at Humber Park and there only a few cars there.  I got my gear together and started up Devil's Slide.  There wasn't any snow at the start and I made good time.  A volunteer ranger checked my permit about 2/3 up and we chatted for a bit.  There started to be snow on the northern slopes but I didn't need to use my newly acquired microspikes.  I got to the saddle and found snow about 1' - 3' deep.  I put on my snowshoes and looked for a good camping spot.  I found a nice level location next to a large felled tree.  I brought my GoLite Shangri-La 2 tarp to try it out in the snow.  It was easy to setup using my homemade snow anchors. I melted snow for water, made an early dinner and settled in.  I read and listened to podcasts for a while until the sun set and I feel asleep.
The night started pretty warm but cooled quickly.  My Tyvek ground sheet froze and had to use my fleece liner.  I woke up at 5 and got an early start.  It took some time to dig out my snow anchors since the snow froze up pretty good.  I packed up and started back to the saddle in the dark.  It was a quick hike down to parking lot.
I think my equipment is pretty good for next winter's snow camps.  I need a larger dry bag for my sleeping bag and liner in order to get more room inside my pack but everything worked great.

Humber Park

Saddle Junction

Tarp in the snow

My kitchen

Monday, March 25, 2019

Santa Cruz Island Kayaking


Ventura Harbor

Scorpion Harbor

Island fox

Park museum

Beach

Beach

Camp

Hike overlook

Looking down on harbor

Landing at Anacapa

Arch Rock