Twin Lakes

[Tim Collins]

Thanks for the comments mate. I'll take them both on board !

[bill-e-g]

Hi. You should read all of these:
viewtopic/f=7&t=1287
viewtopic/f=7&t=1181#p4590
viewtopic/f=7&t=1205
viewtopic/f=7&t=1340#p5504

Bugs and water crossings will not be any issue at the time you are going.
Not sure why dan mentions Virginia Canyon crossing...
This is a spectacular loop.
If you have time go up Volunteer. And if you can muster it... Matterhorn.
The peak N of Benson Lake is fun to go up ... but 3K gain... as is Piute.
Another great view is from the knob NW of Murdock.

Need to get my butt out there again this year and see wth holz wrote in Vol. Log.

Have fun

(btw... the search feature doesn't work very well... had to poke around a bit to find those
posts... I know there's a couple more... I remember making a bunch of maps of places
to camp for someone... but thought that was enough for you to chew on)

[Tim Collins]

Thanks Bill-e-g,

Comments and your efforts with the posts much appreciated. They were very helpful. I will give the search function a go myself.

Any views regarding water pumps and filtration v's boiling ?? I am led to believe that these filters are good for Giardia but can still let a few other nasty bugs through.

Best Tim

[AlmostThere]

Any views regarding water pumps and filtration v's boiling ?? I am led to believe that these filters are good for Giardia but can still let a few other nasty bugs through.

Best Tim

What they would let through are viruses, which are not a problem in the Sierra. Bacteria and protozoa and cysts are all handled okay with a .02-.03 micron filter. If you want to be absolutely positive, a purifier is the choice - either a First Need or a Sawyer will take care of viruses as well. First Need will be heavier than a lot of the filters, and the Sawyer will be quite a bit slower, and both will be more expensive.

Or use chemicals. Micropur from katadyn is a good choice. Keep in mind tho that the wait times vary based on clarity of the water and the temp of the water, so for very cold and turbid (full of particulate matter) water, you are facing a 4 hour wait time. Iodine is not ideal for a variety of reasons including the ineffectiveness on giardia or crypto to possible health issues if you use a lot of it. Regular household bleach is not effective either.

[bill-e-g]

Any views regarding water pumps and filtration v's boiling ?? I am led to believe that these filters are good for Giardia but can still let a few other nasty bugs through.

The simplest solution is to simply buy a filter. Katydyn Hiker.
This one:
http://www.rei.com/product/695233/katad ... ter-filter

Take the black weight and the "bottle attachment" and chuck them in the recycle bin.
Put a coffee filter on the screen for additional protection. Add an additional
rubber band if you want to weigh it down into the water (by using a rock)
(i.e. hold rock to tube using the rubber band).

I use this... and sometimes the Steripen. For a long trip I'd just go filter.
There's loads out there that don't use any filtration or use Aquamira or Iodine.
No way I'd put Iodine in the water. If I want crap water I'll get it out of the tap at home...
Using the fiter I have never ever gotten sick in the backcountry in many 100's of days
out there.

The loop you are doing is great. Did a portion of it a couple years ago with lots
of cross country. Some photos here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/RockIsle

Have fun

[Tim Collins]

Dear All

Thanks, we have checked out these filters at the local camp stores here in Australia and will take one to the USA.

One final question (perhaps) ............... we (my partner and I) have a three man tunnel tent we use for cold conditions iin Europe and generally use a very light weight two man tent in Australia. We find the three man awesome for Europe because it effectively gives us a sleeping space, cooking space and drying/storage space (three vestibules) It is a little weighty at 4.5 kg but worth it.

The little two man tent is ideal for a trek in Australia. It is light weight, and a basic mozzie donme and fly. The problem with it is that it gets a little small when it rains consistently. It has one vestibule and therefore little room inside the tent other than for sleeping. It is certainly very difficult to cook in there.

I have noted a few Yosemite blogs where people refer to being chased into their tents by mozzies and subseuently cooking in there. I am therefore wondering if our two man tent will be a little small for Yosemite.

Any views about an ideal tent capacity for the Twin Lakes walk ?

Thanks Tim

[bill-e-g]

End of August. I wouldn't even bring a tent.
Maybe maybe maybe... there will be some mosquitoes this year due to the massive quantity of snow that we've had.
Mid Aug last year one place we went to had mosquitoes but they never bothered us where we were sleeping
and never used a tent in August for sure. End of August... they should be gone... very minimal at least.
So maybe I'd bring a bug bivy to be safe... but I doubt it. Probably wouldn't even bring mosquito spray.
If you want to bring a tent... bring the smallest and lightest one imo.
I have written down to go towards Volunteer in mid Aug... can write if I do and say what bug sit. was.

[Tim Collins]

Thanks mate, i hope you're right !! I hate mozzies (mosquitoes) and really prefer not to go bush (into the wilderness) in the rain if I can help it. It sounds like we have hit the jackpot by going late August !!

Will appreciate your feed-back regarding the trip to Volunteer. Based on these blogs we will plan to set a day aside to make that climb aswell. My guess is the squeeze (my girlfriend) and I be up there around 26 August.

Best Tim

[Tim Collins]

We will be taking the tent tho ! Just make it a light-weight. I think it's about 2.2 kg. Well worth it I think.

Thanks again