Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board WPSMB Autumn 2013 Group Climb / Potluck Planning..

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to thank you all for a wonderful weekend. Manzanar was great, the pot luck was amazing- so much great food, and the moonlight hike. I’ve come here a lot of the last few years, but seeing the crest lit up in the moonlight was a sight I will never forget.

Carin is doing very well and walking more everyday. She, and I are deeply appreciative of the help we got from everyone and learned so much. She learned being immersed in a landscape that she never experienced before, the joy of meeting new people, and about herself and her capabilities (shortly before the accident, she told me she wasn't sure at first, but felt she could do the whole 10 mile distance). We both learned true teamwork and level-headedness in the face of an accident out in the wilderness by watching you all and how you snapped into action.

So with that I want to thank all of the group for working together to bring us out. Especially John, and Karin for the first aid and fun company under the stars. Doug for navigating the maze of roads out there and Rosie for bringing us back to town.

I brought Carin out there to show her the amazing beauty and scale of the eastern Sierras and I'm happy to say it worked. She has the fever and wants to come back and see more and would love to see you all again!

Thanks to Doug T, Trailbud Doug and everyone for making this wonderful event possible. I had a blast hanging out with you guys, touring Manzanar for the first time, the potluck, the full moon hike, and the after party at the Hostel. What a fun weekend. I'm happy to know that Carin is doing better and getting stronger everyday. So glad to hear that she wants to come back and isn't letting the accident stop her. Go, Carin!

There was some discussion amongst us on the hike Saturday night regarding the next group outing and I suggested Bridge to Nowhere. So far we've got a "yes" from Doug T, Karin and Rosie, but I'd like to get an idea of who else might be interested. The best time to do the hike is in late spring since it's a water hike, meaning you will get wet due to several water crossings along the way. With normal water levels, the hike is pretty easy. It's ten miles total, minimal elevation gain, out and back. Once at the bridge, you can bungee jump, which must be reserved in advance.

I know it's early, but I just wanted to put the idea out there to see if there's enough interest. If so, I can start the discussion on a new thread.

Joyce

If I'm free on the date that is chosen, I'll be there.

I've been wanting to do this hike for a while! Here's a couple FYI links:
http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/bridge-to-nowhere-hike-los-angeles/
http://alltrails.com/trail/us/california/east-fork-trail-bridge-to-nowhere

AND... when we get to the bridge:
http://caladventures.com/listings/bungeeamericacom/
http://bungee-jumping.findthebest.com/l/101/Bridge-to-Nowhere-by-Bungee-America

This is totally a "bucket list" item for me!!

Rosie

I just started a new thread.

So, basically, I'll just agree with everyone else that this was another GREAT get-together! Ken and I got into Lone Pine about 10:00 AM and went over to the Film Museum with Karin (she'd never visited the museum before)... I never get tired of that museum or the short film (with the Statler Brothers singing "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott" for the final credits).



Later eight of us toured Manzanar. What a sobering reminder of what we are capable of doing out of fear. The museum was VERY interesting; the short film played in the museum theater was so well done.





The potluck was so much fun... and I must say, I think Doug stole the show in his tutu that Tracie made. Tracie took his comment "I'll only wear a tutu if you can find one in camouflage" to heart and made one!! As usual, there was an abundance of GREAT food... however this time those of us who were hiking had to restrain ourselves from over-eating (probably a good thing... LOL!)







The Moonlight hike was nothing short of AMAZING!! There were 10 of us... and Doug, in his usual style, made this trip so interesting - stopping our group occasionally to give bits of information on the area. I haven't been on a moonlight hike in years... and the rock formations in the Alabama Hills with the backdrop of the Sierra were just so beautiful!! After the "first aid on the trail" was handled and hikers/cars shuttled, we got back to the Hostel about 2:00 AM or so, and started in on "round 2" of the feast



Kristine and Norm joined us all for breakfast at the Alabama Hills Café... I was so glad to get to see them before ken and I had to head south.

I'll finish this by saying that these get-togethers.... being with all of you.... is so very, very special. I am blessed to have been born into a very loving family, and I am blessed to be a part of this mountain family as well. I could get very sentimental right now, but suffice it to say that I love my mountain family.

The rest of my pictures are here:
http://rosabella.smugmug.com/Other/2013-October-19th-WPSMB-get/32934270_FXbV8S#!i=2853825431&k=mpd8DwF

Rosie

This photo sums up the moonlight hike perfectly. Priceless!

Rosie always looks like she came out of Vogue Magazine.
Ken's costume was amazing, too!! Sadly, I drank too much wine at the pre-party. Oops.

We missed you Tracie!! No one know where you disappeared to.

It was an amazing hike... wish you would have been there with us. Or for breakfast... I did NOT want to leave. What a great weekend!

Rosie

P.S. I wonder if (Trailbud) Doug has worn his tutu any more since then... he was looking pretty good in it on Saturday night! You did a great job on it Tracie!