New Year Kickoff

[te_wa]

so after the party, new year's day, is anyone going backpacking on the following Saturday/Sunday?
I think it would be a great way to start racking up those miles for the resolution we are all undoubably going to make
("go hiking more often")

last year i wanted to do 500 backpacking miles but was cut short with just 421 - so its time to start chipping away at that 500 mile mark.

anybody want to go out this weekend?
there will be some good eatin', as usual for winter.

[steelfrog]

I am planning on bringing 5 of the kids and doing something in the Chiracahua. Looks like there's a little bad weather today (per a forecast for Bowie), but after that it's good weather forecast through next Tuesday. Take a shuttle to the top and do various paths up there and down tot hte VC. Coming into Paradise AZ on Sunday, and do this Monday morning.

[balopez]

I am looking to do a backpack for new years weekend. Probably leaving on Friday. Haven't quite decided where yet. I wonder if Aravaipa would be nice this time of year...

[azbackpackr]

I returned from San Diego last night to find this whole place covered in snow. Anyone who wants to come up here for snow shoeing or cross country skiing, let me know. You can rent the skis up here. I am pretty much free until Monday, although have to work several evening shifts.

[te_wa]

aravaipa might be my destination, as well. im working on a permit now. ;)

[berkforbes]

Grrrr i gotta spend saturday with the fam otherwise id be right along with ya mike..

[writelots]

Looks like I'm headed to 'vipa with the ABC - Now that the Season of Universal Insanity is over, I need to get hiking again! I swear my butt is 5" bigger already!

[te_wa]

aww, too bad, Berk, that would make a 4 hanger trip. (you, me, wendy, fan)

[dysfunction]

I'm jealous, I'll be on call..

[berkforbes]

Wendy and Fan? man i wanted to bust a V with the best of em, and build a bonfire for the ages.. we'll see what i can do about this..

[te_wa]

if you come, dont forget your Hamrock

[writelots]

Nothin' like a hanging convention. Maybe we'll even score the sweet camping spot this time (if not, I'm busting some skulls!) :wlift:

[berkforbes]

Looks like ill be busting skulls with you wendy! I finagled my way outta family duties on saturday, so im free to go..

[te_wa]

i want some freakin' carne asada and hand-churned guacamole and beef fajitas with at least 3 colors of peppers and onions and sour cream w/ salsa and green chiles and i also want some chicken satay skewers with jasmine rice and steamed garlic/pepper asparagus and some of that apple fritter-in-a-pan concoction so wendy get crackin' and i'll see you at camp with an appetite.
as usual, i will trade all of this great food that you will cook for my coolness of presence.

[writelots]

Oh, jeese Mike. If I'd have known I wouldn't have ordered that prime rib and brussels sprouts with fresh roasted garlic and port reduction dinner... But, I might try to sneak some Centenario along...

[te_wa]

i missed the boat on this trip, so im sitting here wondering what to do, if anything, for the rest of the weekend. Berk - are you free?

[azbackpackr]

I'm cross country skiing again, probably, although my muscles are sore from yesterday, and I have a nice big blister on my heel. Wish I knew someone to ski with. I need to network better up here on the mtn. There actually are a few skiers who live here. I pretty much wore myself out yesterday--not really a long distance, only a couple of hours, but I pushed the envelope, going for a little more speed. Plus, I went too late in the day, not starting out until around 10 a.m., and in this sunny weather that makes for mushy, sticky snow. I took my can of silicone spray along, had to use it up near the Pole Knoll summit. Drat the "forest health initiative" anyway--it has messed up my ski area, which has too much sun now.

Anyone who wants to carpool to Alpine or Hannagan Meadow or Baldy foothills with me next weekend is welcome to meet me at Basha's in Eagar. (You drive--I'll teach you to ski.) You can rent skis in Eagar, or Alpine. Shoot me a pm if interested. Sunday is best, because I have to work at 4 pm on Sat. Or early Sat. so I can be back in time.

[big_load]

I wish I could join you. We don't have any ski-able snow here. It's our typical winter pattern: well below freezing nearly all the time, snow twice a week, but a day warm weather and rain soon after the snow.

[azbackpackr]

Sheesh, I would have thought New Jersey would have real snow! Odd, isn't it?

I'm planning to ride my bike tomorrow. It got up to almost 50 today, and the wind was very light, and it's supposed to get that way again tomorrow. It felt downright summery along about 2 pm! 47 degrees on the temp sign in Springerville! Shorts weather! So if I wait until noon or so to ride my bike I shouldn't freeze my personal parts too badly. I have a nice blister on my heel from all the skiing.

[big_load]

It's 12F right now and has been below 25 for 10 of the last 12 days, during which we've had over a foot of snow, yet we only have 3" on the ground.