Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Aspen fire - is there smoke near MW?

Looks like as north as Yosemite Valley the smoke is spreading.
http://shutter-eye.blogspot.com/2013/07/aspen-fire.html
How are MW and surroundings? The portal camera shows some haze. Do you smell any smoke? Just curious and concerned about my JMT hike next week!

As of 07-30-13, the fire is at 11,000 acres and is 20% contained.

Krishna: If you are going NoBo from the portal, you wouldn't hit smoke from Aspen till probably Muir Pass at least: it seems to be going mostly north and east. I am starting SoBo from YV on the 5th, and not giving it any thought. Based on the reports of how it is being fought, it should look even worse over the next couple of days, but then subside starting Saturday or so. They are building indirect lines, meaning that it will burn up to those lines, another 8,000 acres or so, very soon, and then stop there. Anything can happen on a wildland fire, of course, but this one seems especially well managed.

Salty:
Thanks for the encouraging info. I am also SB from YV HI starting on Aug 7th and have food resupply at TM, RM MTR and OV (a friend from Chicago is joining me with my resupply). You will be 2 days ahead on the trail. I plan to do about 10 to 12 miles per day. Latest from JMT@yahoogroups is that the smoke is drifting NNW and may not be a problem between RM & MTR. If everything goes well (fingers crossed) I will be coming down on 29th.
Happy Trials!

The inversion layer in place at the moment is driving the smoke all the way down into the Owens Valley, where I couldn't see the end of town while driving through this morning. Likewise, from the Vons parking lot in Mammoth yesterday, I couldn't see Mammoth Mountain. Smells of campfire pretty much everywhere, even waking up with a sooty taste despite leaving all the windows shut.

North of here will probably be fairly smoky and hazy for a good while yet. But don't forget that that's often a part of Sierra summers. Best air quality and pictures are taken at sunrise and sunset. I don't know what the particulate counts are up north, but bringing a small, disposable mask might not be out of the question.

Link to latest update.

SoBo may even be clear by next week. Strategy on the fire is indirect lines. Meaning lines are dug well away from the current flame front, allowing fire to burn up to lines or backfires set. Either way, total burn will be 20,000 acres, and as of today it was up to 14,000, so it is on track for burning to the lines this weekend. If the lines hold, main smoke source will subside rapidly after that. Still smolder for weeks of course, but chances are it will be way down this time next week. wouldn't be surprised if you caught me by MTR. Kelty Serac with a green ribbon.

Laura, Salty:
Thanks for the updates. I will audit my breathing status at Reds and if it is too smoky would abort, take bus from Mammoth to Bishop and start SB from South lake. Hopefully things will clear up by next week. I am taking my biker baklava mask which covers head, neck and nose with breathing holes.
Krishna

now up to 14,000 acres, 35% contained! 1,800 personal attacking the fire... the smoke has been and continues to be very dense in Mammoth.

bobj

Krishna, not to belabor a point, but the mask is for covering your nose and mouth to help filter out some of the particulates that are floating around in the air. I might recommend a Buff, which is much lighter than the ski balaclava and won't be as warm. Or perhaps just a neckerchief.

Laura:
Good point! I will look for a light weight "buff". Thanks!
Krishna