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Hetch Hetchy backcountry overnight in January

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:14 am
by Gimmeslack
Hoping to get out for a night or two this coming January. Assuming some winter experience and appropriate gear (XC or snowshoes or crampons/axe if necessary...), is it feasible to get out to Lakes Laurel or Vernon?
Any advice - even alternate destinations - most welcome!

Re: Hetch Hetchy backcountry overnight in January

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:20 am
by bill-e-g
Look here:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,30771
You can post over there and I'll answer anything you want.

This site is awesome for history and books and maps.

Re: Hetch Hetchy backcountry overnight in January

PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:22 am
by Gimmeslack
Thanks muchly... Very nice TR over there :-)

Re: Hetch Hetchy backcountry overnight in January

PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:22 am
by bill-e-g
Just a word to the wise... since you didn't post over there...
haven't a clue what your experience is... but if you don't have any or very little..
(i.e. never busted your own trail)...
I highly recommend you ease into it. Getting to Vernon is winter is easily
3x harder than in summer months... maybe more.

Re: Hetch Hetchy backcountry overnight in January

PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:49 pm
by Gimmeslack
Thanks bill... I didn't post only because I hate joining forums for a one-shot-deal. But it looks like a good forum, so me be I'll see you over there after all...

I've done some glacier travel and have done some snow tenting, including snowshoes and Xc ski trips. Which is not to say I don't have great respect for winter travel, nor would I consider myself a pro. We do have good gear, can nav with compass (of course will have gps), and are used to traveling light. Biggest limitation is not knowing Cali very well. Last year we did the Dewey overnight (easy trail of course and had moderate weather with temps not below 20 or so). Ive done some trail breaking in the Cascades and well know it can he a huge thrash...

Thanks for looking out for a visitor ;-)