yosemitenews.info - Yosemite National Park News, Information, Advice and Discussion Forum

Yellowstone Recruiting for 2012 Youth Conservation Corps Program

eeek — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:19:18 -0800

Imagine having the opportunity to work, learn and play in the world's first national park.

Yellowstone National Park is recruiting for the 2012 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program, a residential work program for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 18. The program is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation's natural resources and heritage through unique educational, recreational and work experiences.

This summer, Yellowstone will offer two, month-long YCC sessions, June 10 to July 12, and July 15 to August 16. Approximately 40 teenagers from across the country will be randomly selected to participate in each session of the program.

Initiated in 1984, Yellowstone's YCC Program recruits youth from all social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Corps members work together under adult leadership to complete conservation projects such as rehabilitation of trails, campground restoration, and a wide variety of resource management and maintenance projects. Through this experience, participants develop their job and leadership skills while further exploring personal values, gaining self-esteem, expanding their awareness of work ethics, and learning firsthand about environmental and conservation issues.

Corps members will also participate in recreational activities and discover the many options for careers in the National Park Service and other land management agencies. Many of these activities take place in the evenings and on weekends. Activities may include hiking, rafting, fishing, ranger-led programs, enrollee and staff presentations, assisting rangers and/or scientists, seminars with special guest speakers and trips throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

No previous wilderness experience is required, but a willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, getting along well with others, and maintaining a positive attitude are essential for success.

Participants will be required to live on location, and room and board will be provided at a minimal cost. Wages will be set at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and be 15 years of age by June 10, but not over 18 years of age by August 16.

For further information and application materials visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/yccjobs.htm. Questions may be directed to the park's YCC Program Manager at (307) 344-2256. Completed application materials must be received no later than March 5, 2011.

The Yellowstone YCC Program is supported by the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

Re: Quotes Thread

eeek — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:02 -0800

Quote
AlmostThere
There's no place like 192.0.0.1!

-- my bumpersticker. :)

Shouldn't that be 127.0.0.1?

Re: Quotes Thread

qumqats — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:13:46 -0800

Quote
mbear

Quote
AlmostThere
There's no place like 192.0.0.1!

-- my bumpersticker. :)

Haha... mine is "My other car is a cdr"

Shouldn't that be "There's no place like 127.0.0.1!" ?

Re: Quotes Thread

mbear — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:03:02 -0800

Quote
AlmostThere
There's no place like 192.0.0.1!

-- my bumpersticker. :)

Haha... mine is "My other car is a cdr"

Re: Quotes Thread

mbear — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:59:48 -0800

Quote
eeek
Linux: because rebooting is for adding new hardware.
—Anonymous

:headroll:

Re: Quotes Thread

mbear — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:53:50 -0800

If you put your hand on a hot plate, you should say ‘Wow, these molecules are fast!’. That’s what I want you to say from now on, not ‘Ouch!!' --- Ramamurti Shankar

Re: Quotes Thread

mbear — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:51:42 -0800

You could write a law and think it's correct, and then you'd publish a bunch of papers, and eventually you'd realize that your parents are the only ones reading them and then you'd know that you were wrong. Now, on the other hand, if your friends are reading your papers, your enemies are reading your papers, and then your enemies are stealing what you've written in your papers, then you'll know that your law is correct. --- Ramamurti Shankar (physicist)

La Niña is likely to transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during March-May 2012

eeek — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:45:49 -0800

A mature La Niña continued during January 2012, as below-average sea surface temperatures (SST) persisted across the equatorial Pacific Ocean (Fig. 1). The weekly SST indices remained near -1.0oC in the Niño-3.4 and Niño-4 regions (Fig. 2). However, the negative SST anomalies weakened in the far eastern Pacific, indicated by warming in the Niño-1+2 and Niño-3 regions. The oceanic heat content (average temperature in the upper 300m of the ocean) anomalies also weakened slightly (Fig. 3), but continued to reflect an extensive area of below-average subsurface temperatures east of the Date Line (Fig. 4). Also, anomalous low-level easterly and upper-level westerly winds persisted over the central and west-central Pacific. Convection remained suppressed in the western and central Pacific, and enhanced over Indonesia (Fig. 5). Collectively, the oceanic and atmospheric patterns reflect a weak-to-moderate strength La Niña.

A majority of models predict La Niña to weaken through the rest of the Northern Hemisphere winter 2011-12, and then to dissipate during the spring 2012 (Fig. 6). Also, there is evidence of a downwelling phase of an eastward-propagating oceanic Kelvin wave (red shading, Fig. 4), which may increase temperatures across the Pacific in the next couple of months. The combination of a weakening subsurface temperature anomaly, the historical seasonal evolution, and forecaster preference for the average dynamical model prediction favors a return to ENSO-neutral conditions during the Northern Hemisphere spring, which are likely to continue into the summer. Therefore La Niña is likely to transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during March-May 2012 (see CPC/IRI consensus forecast).

Because the strength of impacts in the United States is not necessarily related to the exact strength of La Niña in the tropical Pacific, we expect La Niña impacts to continue even as the episode weakens. Over the U.S. during February - April 2012, there is an increased chance of above-average temperatures across the south-central and southeastern U.S., and below-average temperatures in the northwestern U.S. Also, above-average precipitation is favored across most of the northern tier of states (except the north-central U.S.) and in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and drier-than-average conditions are more likely across the southern tier of the U.S. (see 3-month seasonal outlook released on 19 January 2012).

This discussion is a consolidated effort of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA's National Weather Service, and their funded institutions. Oceanic and atmospheric conditions are updated weekly on the Climate Prediction Center web site (El Niño/La Niña Current Conditions and Expert Discussions). Forecasts for the evolution of El Niño/La Niña are updated monthly in the Forecast Forum section of CPC's Climate Diagnostics Bulletin. The next ENSO Diagnostics Discussion is scheduled for 8 March 2012. To receive an e-mail notification when the monthly ENSO Diagnostic Discussions are released, please send an e-mail message to: ncep.list.enso-update@noaa.gov.

Re: Ranger uses stun gun on man walking dogs off-leash

Frank Furter — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:46:54 -0800

http://www.hmbreview.com/news/sheriff-considers-tasers-high-level-force/article_da3e4314-52be-11e1-9a31-0019bb2963f4.html

The use of a Taser by a National Park Service ranger last week would likely be considered excessive force according to rules followed by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.....

Re: Horsetail Firefall

plawrence — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:29:09 -0800

Quote
Ohnivy-Drak

Are the angles still decent in March?

Not for the traditional photos of the falls will the water falling (more or less) straight down the cliff.

But I have eyewitnessed in mid-March the water from Horsetail Fall being lit up a bright electric red right before sunset when wind (very strong updrafts) cause the water from the waterfall to spray out almost vertically from the cliff before dropping down. It's when these strong updrafts occur that this waterfall actually looks like a horsetail wagging from the cliff wall. But it's EXTREMELY rare to have these updrafts to occur right when the sun is in perfect postion to light up the water electric red. But when it does, it's definitely a sight to see.

Re: Rockslide on 140?

plawrence — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:07:29 -0800

Quote
Paris92

So, I did take 140 in through the Arch Rock entrance last Friday. On the way we came across a temporary one-way bridge that lets the traffic get around a rock slide. Pretty amazing looking. How long ago did that happen? We had to wait 10-15 minutes in each direction. I imagine that stretches out substantially in the summer traffic. I really liked the 140 route, but would not be sure it would be an acceptable alternate route in heavy traffic times (like summer.) We had the advantage of driving in on a Friday morning, and out during Super Bowl Sunday. No traffic to speak of.

Well at least you were warn about that one-lane portion of Hwy 140 by others (including myself). Usually the wait when I've taken Hwy 140 has been only between 3 to 8 minutes on average, except during summer evenings when it has stretched to about 12 to 15 minutes. I'm very surprised that you had to wait 15 minutes in February. Did you actually time it, or just estimated that it was a 10 to 15 minutes wait?

As I have stated in a previous thread, I prefer taking Hwy 120 during the summers months (and also during spring and fall). I usually take Hwy 140 only during the winter months when there's snow on Hwy 120, or anytime during the year when my travel plans include stops in Mariposa or Merced.

Re: Rockslide on 140?

y_p_w — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:56:55 -0800

I seem to recall that the bridges have been redone at least once. Initially they were perpendicular to the river, but now they're diagonal. There was a practical size limit that was increased when vehicles didn't have to perform a 90 degree turn.

I remember in the first few months a large vehicle damaged the bridge because it was too long and clipped the structure.

Re: Rockslide on 140?

marmot — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:14:23 -0800

here's a pretty good news article I found on it, it explains it better than I could :)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700091064/Along-beloved-route-to-Yosemite-a-bridge-too-far.html

I love that drive. Usually I take 41 through wawona to get into the valley but I occasionally drive through mariposa and 140 into the valley through arch rock entrance. El portal is a fun area. I don't often take that route in the busy summer times so I'm not sure how bad the traffic can get on that route.

http://youtu.be/I8pvLZN0Q7g
at 3:45 it shows the bridge :)

(sorry i haven't figured out how to make the video image display, only how to paste the link)

Re: 60 Minutes Sunday re Alex Honnold & free climb of Sentinel

Ohnivy-Drak — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:10:55 -0800

In this video, he attacks Washington Column and Rostrum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8yZCXNJFE

Re: Horsetail Firefall

Ohnivy-Drak — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:49:16 -0800

Quote
marmot
I was in the valley today and was unable to spot horsetail falls; probably due to the lack of water flowing (or I just couldn't spot it for some reason ) all the other falls had low amounts of water.

As long as there's enough rainfall, Horsetail should be going, right? Last year even into late June, there had to be at least some flow. But unless there's flow at this time of year, you won't be able to see the "lava flow." Are the angles still decent in March?

Rockslide on 140?

Paris92 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:49 -0800

So, I did take 140 in through the Arch Rock entrance last Friday. On the way we came across a temporary one-way bridge that lets the traffic get around a rock slide. Pretty amazing looking. How long ago did that happen? We had to wait 10-15 minutes in each direction. I imagine that stretches out substantially in the summer traffic. I really liked the 140 route, but would not be sure it would be an acceptable alternate route in heavy traffic times (like summer.) We had the advantage of driving in on a Friday morning, and out during Super Bowl Sunday. No traffic to speak of.

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update - 2/7

Paris92 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:26:57 -0800

Many deer, ravens, and even several coyote in the Valley last weekend.

Re: Horsetail Firefall

AlmostThere — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00:27 -0800

No water as of last weekend. Doubt there's been enough rain for it since Sunday, either.

Re: Yosemite Forum 2/14/12

YosemiteClimber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:05:28 -0800

How cool would that be to see? The Geography Major in me would totally geek out at this presentation. Seeing the Nature Notes episode that Steve made on rockfalls is also fun to watch.

Re: Quotes Thread

eeek — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:46:12 -0800

Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope. — Aristotle

Re: Yosemite Forum 2/14/12

qumqats — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:34:07 -0800

What is a "Yosemite Forum"? Who puts them on?
oh wait . . . < off googling >
This seems to be what you're talking about.

Yosemite Forum
Sponsored by Resources Management and Science
Yosemite National Park

More Flood Damaged Areas Repaired And Reopened in Joshua Tree National Park

eeek — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:05:57 -0800

Cottonwood Spring Oasis, closed since it was damaged during last September's flash flooding, has reopened for public use. In addition to Cottonwood Oasis, the park also reopened the road from Cottonwood Visitor Center to Cottonwood Spring, the Cotton Spring parking area, trails to Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis, and the Mastodon Mine Loop Trail. Still closed to public use are Cottonwood Campground, the self-guided nature trail from Cottonwood Campground to Cottonwood Spring, and the canyon wash immediately below Cottonwood Spring. On September 13, 2011, a monsoon-like thunderstorm dumped more than three inches of rain on the Cottonwood area, causing extensive damage. The road through the Pinto Basin and Cottonwood Canyon was reopened in late October and the Cottonwood Visitor Center opened on November 3rd. Park crews are presently working in Cottonwood Campground to repair flood damage to picnic tables, grills, and eroded campsites.

Yosemite Forum 2/14/12

eeek — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:28:45 -0800

The next Yosemite Forum is on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from noon to 1pm in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium. The presentation will be "Simulation of Rockfall Trajectories Using Process-based Models" by Sandra Melzner, Geological Survey of Austria. Sandra Melzner is a geologist with the Department of Engineering Geology at the Geographical Survey of Austria, and works in the field of rockfall and landslide hazard assessment.

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update - 2/7

eeek — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:15:33 -0800

Weather: (2/2 - 2/7)
High temp: 48°F (2/3)
Low temp: -2°F (2/5)
New Snow: 0 inches

Total settled snow depth: 18 inches as of February

Skiing Conditions and Weather: Ski conditions haven’t changed much as of the last report except for maybe there are now more wind affected areas above tree-line. North aspects still hold some soft stuff. And there is still ample snow for touring. In spite of such a perpetual dry spell the skiing is pretty darn good!

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to http://www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events. The high density new snow, which fell at the beginning of the storm on January 19th, essentially fell on bare ground making for a good base layer. No avalanche activity has been observed since the last storm cycle.

Wildlife: A couple of Ravens have been spending time here in Tuolumne Meadows. Insectivore birds like the Red-breasted Nuthatch & Brown Creeper are pecking away on the Lodge pole Pines. Haven’t seen the coyote lately but there’s evidence that they’re still out and about.

Questions: Power and phones are probably out for the season. Contact the Wilderness Office at 209/372-0740 with any questions or concerns.

Re: Yosemite is for badonkadonkers...

2HalfHitches — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:36:47 -0800

Hmmm... I think somewhere there must have been confusion. After many miles on trail, I could see how a hungry look and a statement like "Chick-On lookin' real good to me right now" could be misconstrued.

Re: Global Hiker Stopped by Yosemite

hikerchick395 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:12:56 -0800

We had this story on local TV and radio last week. He started from Lee Vining on Jan 24 and was just about one week too late to beat the storms.

Someone's hike from N.Y. to S.F.

KenS — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:41:26 -0800

My Hike Across America: Why I Must Have Gadgets in the Wilderness

Posted on January 17, 2012

When I first conceived of the idea of hiking across America I envisioned an epic adventure, a journalistic tale of endurance and survival over 5,000 miles of American wilderness in which I played the lead role. Like the solo expeditions of good-ol’-day explorers I imagined mine a low-tech trek- no phone, no internet, no gadgets. I’d travel along the very edge of modern society, and I’d beargrylls my way across the country surviving through sheer power of will and infallible instinct. Now, one month before departure, I’ve decided that I can still do all that. I just need an iPhone 4S.

I’ve adjusted my vision quite a bit since I dreamed up my adventure fantasy two years ago- I currently own ten pounds worth of gadgets.

Solar panel, DSLR camera, HD helmet cam, HD flip cam, remote controlled airplane for aerial photography, weather radio and altimeter, satellite tracking device, iPhone 4S.

http://twodogsandahiker.com/

Re: Global Hiker Stopped by Yosemite

hotrod4x5 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:19:39 -0800

Really BAD planning. Why didn't he plan to cross in spring or summer? Not to mention how ironic that if only he was, what, 2-3 weeks earlier, he'd have made it no problem!

Re: Global Hiker Stopped by Yosemite

Bearproof — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:16:47 -0800

Just checked his tweets...he was at Tuolumne Jan 25-28 or so.

Dr Colin Skinner Tweet

Re: Snow conditions to Ostrander

ska21 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:13:54 -0800

I was there mid January and there was no snow. It did snow quite a bit around January 20th. I would expect you need snow shoes or skis.

Re: Global Hiker Stopped by Yosemite

hotrod4x5 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:03:35 -0800

Wait, this was recent? He just missed the mild weather?

Global Hiker Stopped by Yosemite

Frank Furter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:46:59 -0800

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120207/A_NEWS/202070320

"I snowshoed over Tioga Pass and onto Tuolumne Meadows, but that took over three days," Skinner said. "I had to camp out around 9,000 feet for three nights and got mild frostbite on both feet. The good news is that the feet should heal. ... The bad news is that I need to stop walking," he said, explaining that his boots went from "wet" the first night to "frozen" the second night and "frozen solid" by the third night.....

Re: Horsetail Firefall

parklover — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:37 -0800

When we drove past early this morning when leaving the park and I did not notice any water but that was before it started to rain.

Re: Snow Survey Results

plawrence — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:10:36 -0800

Wow! I'm actually surprised there's that MUCH water there. I was expecting it to be far less, in the 10-15% range. Still, quite a shortfall.

Let's pray for more snow between now and June.

Re: Trip report

plawrence — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:07:44 -0800

Thanks for posting the photos. They're lovely. Nice also seeing some photos of Len enjoying himself in the backcountry one last time with you and his son.

Re: Snow conditions to Ostrander

eeek — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:48:21 -0800

It's about to snow there. So conditions are changing today.

Snow Survey Results

eeek — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:52:50 -0800

Park Rangers recently completed the February 1 snow surveys. The water content in the Merced drainage is 29% of average while the Tuolumne drainage is 32% of average.

Re: Trip report

tomdisco — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:11:42 -0800

Well, I finally got off my butt and uploaded some of the better photos from my trip in August. The link below accesses the slideshow.

Yosemite 2011 trip report photos

Re: Big Oak Flat Road closed, no access to the Valley on 120

plawrence — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:14:29 -0800

Quote
chick-on

Going 140 to/from SF blows for one big reason: 99

When I take Hwy 140 to or from Yosemite, I usually avoid traveling on Hwy 99 except for the two miles that Hwy 140 joins Hwy 120 through Merced since I usually take Hwy 140 all the way to I-5. Not nearly as fast as taking Hwy 120 or taking Hwy 140/Hwy 99 to Hwy 120, but it's a lot more of a scenic drive traveling through the heart of the Central Valley. A worthy stop along the route, if you have extra time, is Great Valley Grasslands State Park, an excellent place for birding and wildflower viewing during the appropriate times of the year.

Re: Glacier Point firefall wood pile circa 1956

plawrence — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:50:27 -0800

Quote
marmot

another cool video

Snow conditions to Ostrander

tallowen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:03:00 -0800

Hello!

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me about the recent snow conditions on the trail from badger pass along the bridalveil creek trail. We're looking to either ski/snowshoe/hike to Ostrander hut on Sunday. Has anyone done this loop recently?

Thanks!
Owen

Re: Anyone ever been to this place? The chamber/amphitheater.....

chick-on — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:33:45 -0800

Thanks for asking about this. It's pretty kewl. Def. will visit multiple times now...
With little flow in the creek I just rock hopped up the creek and then took the trail down.
(ok, there are some HUGE boulders in the creek... so had to get out of it a couple of times)
Have fun

Re: Big Oak Flat Road closed, no access to the Valley on 120

chick-on — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:27:39 -0800

Going 140 to/from SF blows for one big reason: 99
I'll take 120 unless I want to try to spy Z Half a Dome from Turlock.
(no dice on Sunday)

Re: Yosemite is for badonkadonkers...

chick-on — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:49:38 -0800

Well... if you must... I mistaked Z Old Fart for a Egg after Billy said
look at the Old Egg Head. I chair chores at home... so I'm not against
sitting on an egg or nine:

or one big one:

After that Old Guy do not nice things... not good to post here. There may be children around.

Re: GPS Suggestions

marmot — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:53:41 -0800

I have a Delorme earthmate PN-60

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30538&section=10560

Anybody know much about these? I just got it a while back but haven't really been able to use it much yet. It's my first gps so i'm still getting everything figured out. once summer hits i would like to use it more.

Re: Glacier Point firefall wood pile circa 1956

marmot — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:45:21 -0800

Quote
plawrence

Quote
ryanmj

cool shot , anyone know the excat point they pushed the coals over?

Yes, just to the left of the coals shown in that photo.

yep :)

if you visit glacier point now they have a rock wall there instead of that metal railing but it's right out on the edge of the point. it would be easier to show you in person.

another cool video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkI2GOm-bHQ

Re: GPS Suggestions

Ohnivy-Drak — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:43:58 -0800

Man, those maps look really cool. I need to improve my tech-savviness.

I might look into the 62s for the custom map support. That looks to be a really neat feature.

Here is a link for model comparison: http://blog.hendricksen.eu/2010/08/22/comparison-between-garmin-gpsmap-60csx-and-62s/

Re: Glacier Point firefall wood pile circa 1956

plawrence — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:09:51 -0800

Quote
ryanmj

cool shot , anyone know the excat point they pushed the coals over?

Yes, just to the left of the coals shown in that photo.

Snowiest places around the world

KenS — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:05:28 -0800

Where does the Deepest Snow on Earth Accumulate?

Posted by: weatherhistorian, 6:54 AM GMT on February 03, 2012

As the warm and relatively snowless winter of 2011-2012 progresses in the contiguous United States (I write this as a big snowstorm develops in the west-central plains!), some other parts of the world have been experiencing some extraordinary snowfalls, specifically in Alaska and Europe. So, I thought I’d take a look at what the greatest depths of snow on record might be.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=60

Sheep herding bunny rabbit

KenS — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:01:34 -0800

Sheep herding Swedish bunny becomes online hit

By LOUISE NORDSTROM, Associated Press

Friday, February 3, 2012

(02-03) 08:51 PST STOCKHOLM, (AP) --

Champis the bunny doesn't only hop — he also knows how to herd his masters' flock of sheep, possibly having picked up the skill after watching trained dogs do the job.

The 5-year old pet rabbit from the small village of Kal in northern Sweden shot to online fame last week, garnering more than 700,000 YouTube hits, after a clip of his sheepherding skills surfaced on a blog.

http://bit.ly/Aixo8I

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/02/03/international/i041253S76.DTL

Re: Glacier Point firefall wood pile circa 1956

ryanmj — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:22:18 -0800

cool shot , anyone know the excat point they pushed the coals over?

Re: Horse-packing on the way out?

dbagnall — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:35:02 -0800

Quote
eeek
At least the ruling will make NPS look at some of the problems with stock use.

They were sort of taking a look at it this summer as apart of the over plan. There was a document open for public comment here: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=33225
but it appears to be closed now. I sent them my input but so far I have not heard back regarding any outcomes.

More info here: http://www.highsierrahikers.org/ha-SEKI-WSP.html

Badger Pass Snow Report - 2/6

eeek — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:22:08 -0800

Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 2/6

Base Depth: 12” – 24”
Temperature: High 48, Low 29
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Rabbit, Turtle, Badger, Wildcat, Chipmunk and Red Fox
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All, except Beaver

XC trail snow conditions: Good coverage from Badger Pass to Glacier Point. However, there are some small, bare spots with asphalt showing.

Grouse heads toward listing

eeek — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:20:05 -0800

Maintaining the status quo when it comes to protecting Nevada’s sage grouse will eventually lead to its listing under the Endangered Species Act, a situation that could come with widespread economic impact to the state, experts said.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120130/NEWS/120130002/Grouse-heads-toward-listing

Re: Tenaya quote

eeek — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:58:22 -0800

Perhaps this:

"I will not leave my home, but be with the spirits among the rocks, the waterfalls, in the rivers and in the winds; wherever you go I will be with you. You will not see me but you will fear the spirit of the old chief and grow cold. The Great Spirit has spoken. I am done."

http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/the_yosemite/chapter_13.aspx

Re: Horse-packing on the way out?

eeek — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:50:07 -0800

At least the ruling will make NPS look at some of the problems with stock use.

Tenaya quote

QueenBee333 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:17:18 -0800

Can anyone helpf me find the quote from Chief Tenaya when he was being let out of the valley with his people? It has something to do with "...even if we leave here, we will remian in the rocks and the trees...." there is a lot more to it, but I just can't seem to find the exact quote and it's source. PLEASE HELP! I'd greatly appreciate it!!
Thank you!

Re: Vandals Pay Over $6 Thousand For Site Restoration

plawrence — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:19:59 -0800

It's the inherent stupidity of the people that leads them both to do such vandalism and then brag about it in a public forum. :embarassed:

Horse-packing on the way out?

phantum — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:04:15 -0800

This recent CA court ruling raises issues for all NPS and wilderness areas, re-supply for thru-hikers, and trail access for some:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2012/02/court-rules-sequoia-national-park-officials-violated-wilderness-act-allowing-horse-trips9422

Re: Vandals Pay Over $6 Thousand For Site Restoration

tomdisco — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:23:06 -0800

Never identify yourself doing something stupid!:anvil:

Re: Oh, Oh! The maker of Twinkies is filing for bankruptcy

plawrence — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:26:35 -0800

Quote
eeek

We found a replacement

No replacement will be necessary. Twinkies will survive the apocalypse.

Here's proof:

Hazardous weather outlook

eeek — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:22:17 -0800

Hazardous weather outlook
National weather service san joaquin valley - hanford ca
113 pm pst sun feb 5 2012

Caz089>099-061230-
West central san joaquin valley-east central san joaquin valley-
Southwestern san joaquin valley-southeastern san joaquin valley-
Mariposa madera and fresno county foothills-
Tulare county foothills-kern county mountains-
Sierra nevada from yosemite to kings canyon-
Tulare county mountains-indian wells valley-
Southeastern kern county desert-
113 pm pst sun feb 5 2012

...Breezy conditions expected tuesday...

This hazardous weather outlook is for all of interior central
California.

.Day one...This afternoon and tonight

No hazardous weather is expected.

.Days two through seven...Monday through saturday

Breezy conditions and locally strong gusty winds are possible on
Tuesday...Mainly along the west side and south end of the san
Joaquin valley...As well as the tehachapi mountains around the
Grapevine. Please refer to the special weather statement or
/sfospshnx/ for more information.

.Spotter information statement...

Skywarn spotter activation is not anticipated.

Weather spotters are encouraged to report any significant or
Unusual conditions to the national weather service.

$$

Bso

Special weather statement

eeek — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:21:21 -0800

Special weather statement
National weather service san joaquin valley - hanford ca
107 pm pst sun feb 5 2012

Caz089>099-061100-
West central san joaquin valley-east central san joaquin valley-
Southwestern san joaquin valley-southeastern san joaquin valley-
Mariposa madera and fresno county foothills-
Tulare county foothills-kern county mountains-
Sierra nevada from yosemite to kings canyon-
Tulare county mountains-indian wells valley-
Southeastern kern county desert-
107 pm pst sun feb 5 2012

...Breezy conditions to return to the west side and south end of
The san joaquin valley...

A low pressure center will make its way to the central california
Coast by early tuesday morning and will bring strong southerly
Flow into the region. The southerly flow will increase downslope
Conditions along the west side of the san joaquin valley and
Especially into the south end of the valley. South winds may gust
Up to 35 mph along the interstate 5 corridor in the valley and as
High as 55 mph at the base and through the grapevine.

$$

Barlow

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

eeek — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:38:59 -0800

Quote
hotrod4x5
Where is that building?

Next to the store. In the summer it's the campground reservations office.

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

hotrod4x5 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:34:05 -0800

Where is that building?

Re: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review

Ryno98 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:02:33 -0800

Quote
plawrence
Back in the 1990's the Park Service dealt with this problem for one or two summers by simply limiting the amount of vehicles that could enter the park at any one given time.

But they did have a de facto "permit" system in place in such as anyone who had an overnight reservation at one of lodging properties (Curry Village, the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, the Wawona) or had a campground reservation or wilderness permit were still permitted to drive in regardless if the "vehicle quota" had been reached. All other vehicles would be turned away at the entrance gates.

It proved to be highly unpopular, not just by would-be park visitors that were turned away, but also with the local motel owners of the surrounding communities who ended up with pissed-off guest who couldn't enter the park they had travelled so far (in many cases) to visit.

This quota policy was soon abandoned.

Wow. Good to know. As I suspected, that type of policy requires a mountain of details to be worked through to be successful. Still not sure it should be abandoned for all time, though.

Re: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review

plawrence — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:51:13 -0800

Back in the 1990's the Park Service dealt with this problem for one or two summers by simply limiting the amount of vehicles that could enter the park at any one given time.

But they did have a de facto "permit" system in place in such as anyone who had an overnight reservation at one of lodging properties (Curry Village, the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, the Wawona) or had a campground reservation or wilderness permit were still permitted to drive in regardless if the "vehicle quota" had been reached. All other vehicles would be turned away at the entrance gates.

It proved to be highly unpopular, not just by would-be park visitors that were turned away, but also with the local motel owners of the surrounding communities who ended up with pissed-off guests who couldn't enter the park they had traveled so far (in many cases) to visit.

This quota policy was soon abandoned.

Re: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review

Ryno98 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:32:19 -0800

I'm consistenly conflicted regarding my opinion on this issue. While I certainly like the opportunity to use the cables to get to the top of HD when I please, I'm not against SOME form of keeping that an enjoyable experience at least in the form of avoiding waiting for hours to get on insanely crowded cables. I'm reminded of the approach of Deer Valley Utah ski resort where they limit the number of lift tickets they sell per day to keep the crowds to a level where you can still have fun. You can get "guaranteed" tickets ahead of time or take your chances at the window. The more I consider it the more I wish Yosemite (for the Valley, anyway) could have "permits" to drive into the valley. Not to eliminate cars entirely like Zion, but at least enough to keep the place enjoyable. I know that starts an entirely different debate, but my idea would be to allow this restriction to supercede and even eliminate the HD "problem". As an out of state visitor, I have a bias in this direction, but here is what I think: If I invest my money and time in MONTHS of planning to visit what I consider one of the most beautiful places on earth (and one that can accomodate some of the hardships of travelling from out of state -- it's hard to fly with a full week's worth of camping gear to stay in less "developed" places) I would hope that at least some of that effort could be reciprocated by the residents of the Golden State for their visits. In other words, California is a very blessed state. Is it that much of a burden to ask "locals" to plan their trips far enough in advance to secure permits for the benefit of all who vist from around the world? There are more than enough places for people to go for spur of the moment day or weekend trips without clogging up a small part of the world that could reasonably be considered "for special trips only". How many of us get irritated at the people who drive up in an RV then sit around in North Pines being loud all weekend and hardly ever leaving the camp site? There must be something we can do to remove the incentive for this and redirect it appropriately, and I think permits would at least help by requiring a little more advance planning relative to other locations. I would be willing to bet that most people wouldn't mind adjusting their trip dates slightly if it meant a more "unspoiled" visit might occur. A hotel doesn't let 500 familes/night book when they only have 300 rooms; why should Yosemite Valley (and Half Dome) be any different? I know that the devil is in the details just like with any new proposition, and that people who are lucky enough to live 30 miles from Yosemite Valley would be outraged by this, but who knows how to fix a problem like this and keep everyone happy??

Re: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review

dbagnall — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:51:08 -0800

Hey Steve - Thanks so much for your comments. Half Dome is certainly an emotional issue no matter which side of the issue you stand on. I understand your concerns about cutting off the wilderness to "non-climbers"
and others who may not have the means (physical/financial/or otherwise). That is certainly something that must be seriously considered. While you obviously disagree with my personal opinion to remove the cables I am unsure if you disagree with my (compromised) support for the permit system or not. Certainly the permit system does not cut off access to HD; but only limits it. I wrote my post supporting the permit system. It limits numbers but does not "lock people out". It's a good compromise and I am sure that is why the NPS is choosing it. Frankly, even if the cables were removed I would disagree that the wilderness is effectively shut-down to the general public.

How about a little reality check in terms of "....shutting everyone out of the wilderness, there won't be anyone left who will advocate for the wilderness. Nobody will care, since they can't go there anyway."
There is a paved highway that takes you directly into the heart of the Sierra, to the base of numerous granite cliffs, waterfalls, and wilderness trailheads. When you get here there are hotels, a grocery store, a post office, busses everywhere, traffic jams, parking lots. I reality, the valley wilderness experience is being "cut-off" by sucking bus fumes while staring up at Yosemite Falls. There is zero sense of Wilderness left in Yosemite Valley. It feels more like a magnificent city park not unlike Golden Gate or Central Park than a Wilderness. You have to leave the valley floor to get to the Wilderness now. You should feel lucky that Yosemite Valley was not included in the Wilderness boundaries of Yosemite National Park when they were first drawn (as it really should have been IMO). If that had happened there would be no roads into the valley and no buildings here at all. I think we are all pretty lucky to have what we have (despite the environmental impacts). Are you similarly upset that there is no elevator to the top of El Cap? an escalator to the top of Yosemite Falls? Where do the lines get drawn? Why must there be cables to get to the top of HD in order for you to get a wilderness experience? There are numerous opportunities throughout the park no matter what your physical abilities.

Here is an interesting article about the HD plans in USA Today from 2/4 http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-02-04/Is-Yosemites-Half-Dome-being-loved-to-death/52951480/1

Keep up the discussion everyone! I am glad we have forums to express our viewpoints and learn from each other. We all have one thing in common; We love Yosemite!

Re: Mushroom pickers found alive after 6 days

plawrence — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:58:11 -0800

Maybe the mushroom pickers got disoriented and lost after consuming some psychedelic shrooms.

Mushroom pickers found alive after 6 days

eeek — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:11:29 -0800

Three mushroom pickers took refuge in a hollowed out tree after getting lost in an Oregon forest, fighting wintry chills for six days and drinking water from streams until a helicopter pilot spotted them. Belinda and Daniel Conne, along with their 25-year-old son, Michael, managed to reach a clearing Saturday, where the searchers saw them several miles outside the community of Gold Beach, roughly 330 miles south-southwest of Portland.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mushroom-pickers-days-lost-forest-15516371

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

marmot — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:28:19 -0800

beautiful photo :) i know of one payphone at chinquapin in front of the restrooms.

Re: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review

SteveC — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:00:45 -0800

dbagnall,

When fanatics succeed in shutting everyone out of the wilderness, there won't be anyone left who will advocate for the wilderness. Nobody will care, since they can't go there anyway.

I get so tired of hearing the self rightious advocate blocking all the Disneyland people from the wilderness because they don't deserve to be there. We see the climbing community advocate taking the cables down -- because they can get up there without them. We see the people who can wander anywhere in the wilderness any day of the year advocate shutting down Half Dome, because they are better than all the fat dumb Disneyland types.

Closing Half Dome to more and more people does not preserve it for future generations. It's a rock -- it will outlive all the future generations!

As for preserving the Merced River... my only "damage" to the river is to tip-toe to its banks and dip and drink its water -- UNfiltered no less. Nobody climbing the Half Dome cables is damaging the Merced.

Before Yosemite N.P. starts making changes for "safety" on Half Dome, they should first try to improve the safety on places where more people die -- like the Mist Trail and Vernal Falls. I don't get the reason Half Dome has all the sudden become their most important safety concern. I think there is an element of dbagnall's mentality in the park management's thinking: "If we can just keep more of them out, we can all sleep better at night."

There are other ways to improve safety and reduce crowding without shutting down people's access to what could be the best wilderness experience they will ever have. Locking people out of the wilderness should be the option of LAST resort.

Re: First Plants Caused Ice Ages

plawrence — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:51:53 -0800

Too bad that planting a few more ferns around the yard can't slow down global warming. Oh well...

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

plawrence — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:38:00 -0800

There are several pay phones along Tioga Road. Another one is at a eastbound pullout in near the Porcupine Creek CG.

Re: Time for some more snow?

Ohnivy-Drak — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:02:47 -0800

Better late than never. Hopefully we'll have a really cold, stormy February and/or a very wet spring.

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

Ohnivy-Drak — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:02 -0800

Quick FYI:

I believe there is a pay phone at the picnic area across from the Murphy Creek TH.

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

plawrence — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:06:23 -0800

Quote
DB1

It's seems strange to see pay phones again, but two of them is even stranger.

It's too bad, and a bit annoying, that pay phones have done such a disappearing act that it's now hard to find one when needed.

And that's the problem, pay phones are still needed (or would come in real handy) at times. Like when I forget to charge my mobile phone overnight and it's running very low on power. Or in locations where there's no cellular signal or places where there is cellular service, but the service is slammed because of too many users (like at a stadium or a major arena).

Yellowstone Monthly Update issued Feb 1, 2012

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:58:12 -0800

During January 2012, 26 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest was a magnitude 2.5 event on January 18 at 2:32 AM MST, located about 7 miles north northeast of West Yellowstone, MT. Yellowstone earthquake activity continues at relatively low background levels and no swarms were detected. Slow subsidence of the caldera, which began in early 2010, continues. Current deformation patterns at Yellowstone are well within historical norms.

Please see: http://www.uusatrg.utah.edu/ts_ysrp.html for a map of GPS stations in the Yellowstone vicinity. For a graph of daily GPS positions at White Lake, within the Yellowstone caldera, please see: http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/archive/current.php?noticeid=6952

Re: Yosemite is for badonkadonkers...

ttilley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:01 -0800

You had Bill-E document it, but not stop it?

Re: Bear Warning

mbear — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:49:36 -0800

Quote
eeek

Quote
mbear
I'd personally bring the bear spray for use on any group carrying the bear bells.

Doesn't it just increase the noise level?

Maybe temporarily, but it would give one some time to get way ahead of the bells for the rest of the day.

Biolite campstove w/ USB charger

KenS — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:21:25 -0800

Why Choose the BioLite CampStove?

Forget the fuel. Our stoves cook your meals with nothing but the twigs you collect on your journey, eliminating the need for heavy, expensive, polluting petroleum gas. It’s quick to light, fast to boil and clean to use.

Charge your gadgets. By converting heat from the fire into usable electricity, our stoves will recharge your phones, lights and other gadgets while you cook dinner.

http://www.biolitestove.com/CampStove.html

Zion National Park Announces Approval of Kolob Terrace Road Rehabilitation Project

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:57:14 -0800

Zion National Park Announces Approval of Kolob Terrace Road Rehabilitation Project
Date: January 25, 2012
Contact: Kezia Nielsen, 435-772-0211
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811

Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth announces the completion of the environmental analysis for the rehabilitation of the Kolob Terrace Road and the signing of the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) by the National Park Service intermountain regional director. This approval followed a 30-day public review of the environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed the impacts of the rehabilitation and resurfacing project. The project will begin when funding becomes available.

The FONSI and the EA constitute the record of the environmental impact analysis and decision-making process for the rehabilitation of the Kolob Terrace Road. The National Park Service will implement the preferred alternative as described in the EA and FONSI. The preferred alternative includes measures for protection of park resources, benefits to health and safety, improvement of visitor use and experience, and park operations and management. The alternative was selected after careful review of resource and visitor impacts, and public comment.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the FONSI, please visit the National Park Planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/zion. Thank you for your interest in Zion National Park.

Re: Bear Warning

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:49:33 -0800

Quote
mbear
I'd personally bring the bear spray for use on any group carrying the bear bells.

Doesn't it just increase the noise level?

Re: Bear Warning

mbear — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:24:55 -0800

I'd personally bring the bear spray for use on any group carrying the bear bells.

Food Reality vs. Food Ads

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:13:18 -0800

http://www.alphaila.com/articles/failure/fast-food-false-advertising-vs-reality/

Re: Ranger uses stun gun on man walking dogs off-leash

Dave — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:10:00 -0800

Quote
y_p_w
...There were witnesses. ...

That's part of the problem. You can take ten eye witnesses and get 12 different stories. The way the witnesses are questioned can effect the outcome. In this case sympathy for the "victim" and distrust of authority may cloud their view of what actually happened. Or, maybe not. That's why lawyers get so rich.

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Report

DB1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:06:51 -0800

Nice picture, but if you hadn't said it was current I would have guessed it was at least several years old.

It's seems strange to see pay phones again, but two of them is even stranger.

New rule?

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:04:29 -0800

Re: Bear Warning

eeek — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:03:38 -0800

Quote
calipidder
I wanted to rip it off her pack and chuck it over the falls.

But that would be littering!