High Sierra Topix

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 12:12 pm**

By checking the Internet website for when area stores open that have freshly restocked shelves overnight, got up in the dark, put on my Nitrile gloves and 3m 8293 mask, and then at a Walmart scored 2 each gallon cans of white gas (camping stove fuel for my MSR Whisperlite), and at a supermarket, a gallon of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Already had bought a gallon of aloe vera a couple weeks before so now can make enough hand sanitizer to last a few weeks for myself and a few neighbors. Thus an example of how necessary supplies will continue to be stocked at retail stores so know how the game works and be patient. At this point have gone into stores twice during the last week and have all the food, drink, and supplies I may need for a few weeks. More goods than I've ever put in my small kitchen so today will be doing a 5 year reorganization ,pulling everything out of cabinets, cleaning shelving, and fitting it all in efficiently. Of course the sooner each of us takes care of supplies, the less chance we have of contacting the virus as each day there are more people within stores that may be contagious. If I do come down with the virus it will because I visited Safeway a couple days ago without using my face mask standing in the checkout line.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 12:34 pm**

A little over the top, Dave

Every store that I've been to in the last week, there are a lot of people out there. I'm really not concerned about the virus, as I don't fall into the at risk bracket.

Even today, I went to two stores and there were a lot of people. Only a few are sporting gloves/masks. Even Target's inside Starbucks was bustling with activity. Not seeing the debit/credit cards being cleaned a lot. Best approach I have is to not touch my face at all until home and washed up.

I'll stick with the old adage, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

I see this as more of a media-hyped up situation than a major threat.
How do we know we all don't already have the virus as testing isn't that wide spread yet? I feel I have a better chance of getting sick from all the dust I've been inhaling as I move my stuff to my new digs in Wilton.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:43 pm**

rlown wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 12:34 pm
Every store that I've been to in the last week, there are a lot of people out there.

I'm really not concerned about the virus, as I don't fall into the at risk bracket.

I'll stick with the old adage, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

I see this as more of a media-hyped up situation than a major threat.

How do we know we all don't already have the virus as testing isn't that wide spread yet?

X2
on all points made

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:46 pm**

I see a lot of talk about bondocking or camping away from people, but has anyone actually read the Governor's Executive Order and the CDPH Director's order detailing what we are allowed to do? Ihave seen some explanations in the media about what activities are still allowed, but these all seem to hark back to the earlier, better written Shelter in place orders issued by County Health Directors. The state wide shelter in place order only allows you to leave your house to access food or medicine or to help others access food or medicine or to continue working in a critical industry. That's it. Now will I shut myself in my house? No, I'm going to continue biking and hiking to see where this goes. However, if the cases continue to double every 4 days (probably due in large part to the increasing availability of tests, but that won't be considered), you can bet a much stricter interpretation of the shelter in place order will be implemented. Forget any backpacking trips this year and for the foreseeable future. And, expect the panic to increase and our leaders and the media to continue to feed it.
Iknow that's just my opinion, but try venturing onto other hiking sites and Facebook pages and you will see that the panic is increasing daily.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:09 pm**

If you look at the contagion curves from Italy and Spain, you can see that we are about two weeks behind where they are now. And where they are now is not at all funny.

Denial is a powerful drug, but so far has not proven effective against this virus.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:51 pm**

Lumbergh21 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:46 pm I see a lot of talk about bondocking or camping away from people, but has anyone actually read the Governor's Executive Order and the CDPH Director's order detailing what we are allowed to do?

I have and I don't care.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:31 pm**

c9h13no3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:51 pm
Lumbergh21 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:46 pm I see a lot of talk about bondocking or camping away from people, but has anyone actually read the Governor's Executive Order and the CDPH Director's order detailing what we are allowed to do?
I have and I don't care.

You can go hiking without running afoul of the Governor. Below is an excerpt from the guidelines found at:
https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except ... ial-needs/

Outdoor recreation

Can I still exercise? Take my kids to the park for fresh air? Take a walk around the block? Walk my dog?

Yes. So long as you are maintaining a safe social distance of six feet from people who aren’t part of your household, it is ok to go outside for exercise, a walk or fresh air. Gyms are closed.

Does this order affect hiking? State Parks?

No, you may still go outside so long as you practice social distancing of six feet. California State Parks have closed indoor facilities and campgrounds, but trails and outdoor spaces are still open. Spending time outdoors can lead to a number of overall health and wellness benefits like lessening anxiety, boosting creativity and getting your vitamin D. If you decide to make a trip, remember to keep social distance.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:48 pm**

Lumbergh21 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:46 pm I see a lot of talk about bondocking or camping away from people, but has anyone actually read the Governor's Executive Order and the CDPH Director's order detailing what we are allowed to do? I have seen some explanations in the media about what activities are still allowed, but these all seem to hark back to the earlier, better written Shelter in place orders issued by County Health Directors. The state wide shelter in place order only allows you to leave your house to access food or medicine or to help others access food or medicine or to continue working in a critical industry. That's it...

Following the SFBA Counties order. Ok to exercise and recreate outdoors while maintaining social distance. Some city authorities want people to think it says they can't go out of the county to hike or run but that is incorrect. Their agenda with that addition is to keep all the Homer Simpsons in their residences. I've already posted the link to the text of the order. Doesn't say squat about counties with any exemptions like "exercising". Never read what the governor added. If that was different, news sources would have said something yet I've read nothing in that direction. In any case they have no reason to bother a few hard core mountain types that figured it out long ago and instead need to focus on winning the war against COVID-19. Stuff like how to keep people apart in supermarkets or dense public transportation stations. And where bro culture gravitates to, Moab already shut them down and Bishop may soon follow, that is another world from what I know.

Besides backcountry skiing this next week, also by month end am likely to also make a road trip south in Carrizo Plain and then Antelope Valley. In both those regions are an abundance of disperse camping opportunities that I'm well familiar with. In every case will weigh what is currently going on in the media with public announcements. At a certain point disruptions to infrastructure with panic is what would worry me as too many people in cities and trucking are sick, shipping, receiving, and warehousing suffer and people can't get food.

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:33 am**

State parks are now closed. Note that not only is Yosemite itself closed, but all facilities and concessions are closed EXCEPT FOR LOCALS who depend on these stores for food.

I might feel differently about this, but last year we drove to Death Valley in the spring for a week long visit. On day two I woke with a massive sinus infection...and ended up spending a day in Ridgecrest between the ER, the local pharmacy, etc.

There is no excuse for that scenario in this current situation.

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:46 am**

"In his announcement Thursday night, Newsom indicated outdoor recreation and exercise is also allowed — he mentioned dog-walking and “taking your kids outside” — as long as social distancing and other “common sense” preventive measures are followed."

Here in Marin the original shelter in place said that travel was allowed even "into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities." Essential activities including "hiking, or running."

My take away is that even if you need to drive somewhere hiking is currently ok. The spirit of both orders is in a nutshell keep away from others to stop the rapid spread of the virus, aka social distancing.

So, my plan while this thing is in place is doing solo mountain runs/day hikes. Should things improve then I would consider multi-day trips, but whatever park or wilderness I would be visiting would need to be "Open." I had been thinking about the (California) Sawtooth Ridge traverse this year, but I'm going to put that on hold. I'm thinking that climbing maybe isn't socially responsible until things both get better and stabilize... there's the rub: balancing social responsibility (helping to stop the virus, not potentially putting more burden on health care) and getting out.

Looking forward is seems that this will be with us for a long time. The Spanish flu pandemic lasted 2 years. I've heard 12-18 months as an estimate for how long it will take to develop a vaccine. It seems like this is going to affect this hiking season and next.

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