High Sierra Topix

If others are going to be on snowshoes I'm interested in this trip.

I have an extra pair of snowshoes if anyone is interested. They are 8"x28".

The website for Rock Creek Lodge says that to stay in the hut they require you to have an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe - I don't have a beacon or probe; so I guess the hut is out for me.

I have stayed in the hut before with no Av beacon. They recommend them depending on what you are doing in the backcountry. A few weeks back I saw very little snow on east facing slopes of Starr. Back around 1983 an av came down Starr, up Morgan and back down, you can still see all the trees lying down from the impact. The conditions are not anywhere near that right now. The hut is kinda small, three people in bags with gear is about all that fit comfortable, but the stove is awsome, pots/pans and logs included and five or six can sit and warm up.

I'm probably going to make it a 2 night trip; trying to decide between Fri and Mon. Probably stay in a tent, but the hut sounds like a good place to warm up! I will be snowshoeing up as well, so it looks like there'll be a few of us that'll be the envy of the skiers (and splitboarders) as we trudge through the snow!

How much does the snowmobile ride cost?

Snowmobile ride??? How do we get them to give us a ride on the snowmobile?

I plan on going, I told them at work no OT for that weekend. I only have snowshoes or downhill skis. My Toyota isn't set up to haul my old snowmobile otherwise that could get us up the hill. Our clothes would smell from it also. The newer sleds should be better. I will be there Saturday morning with Gak if he is still going and wants to ride along. I don't have a 4 season tent yet so my summer tent will have to do. What time do you want to be there? Leave the TH by 9, 10? If we have to hoof it, it will take a couple hours at least.

Cool! Dave, WLD might join us! He said hi!

I have Atlas 1033's that I can bring home from Mammoth, but I have to know by March 30.

I will probably be on the splitboard, mainly for skinning practice. Dave, can I ride the splitboard down Mono Pass? I seem to remember it wasn't too bad. Have you seen people skiing up there?

Looks like we have a good size group. I can pick up the permit if we're all going in on Saturday.

Snow Nymph
ridgeline
Trail Bud
Trekker
Wing Ding
hikerduane
Gak
Randonee
trailblazer

Doug395????

Also, I have a Stephenson Warmlite (4 season) if anyone wants to use it. The inner zipper is broken, but the outer zipper works. I leave the inner zipper open for ventilation. 2 lb 13 oz

Leaving for Mammoth in a few minutes!

I will check on snowcat rides, and what the cost will be. They normally transport new guests to the lodge around 9-10 Sat morning and guests for dinner by reservation only in the evening. If the schedule or cost situation does not work out we will have to shoe it from the parking. Give me a day or two to verify this. SN, tell Bill that would be great if he could come, Trail Bud aka Doug also knows Bill. Yes I have seen skiers, mostly cross country touring through the pass, Ive seen tracks on Ruby Lake, and various places, just south of Starr at the start of the pass has some safe slopes not sure what last weeks storm brought.
I will try to reserve the hut for Tb and myself for Sat night, and we can figure out the logistics for others later.

After a long hiatus I'm back on this site and just found this thread. Turns out I most likely have that Fri-Sat off as well. Is it too late to add another on, I'll happily sleep in a bivy and melt snow outside, don't need no stinkin cabin. I've got Randonee skis, beacon, probe, shovel, and all the fun stuff.
Oh, and Mammoth Mountaineering rents Randonee ski gear for anyone wanting to try it out, not sure what kinds though. 760-934-4191
Eric

I'll be going in on Saturday.