MeFi OR/WA campout 2015
posted February 8, 2015 1:35 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Fri June 26 at 5:00 PM, Lake Wenatchee St. Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington, USA (Map & Directions)
We had so much fun at the last campout that we're doing it again - this time in central Washington. UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER. :( We'll try again in the fall.
PRECISE LOCATION OF Lake Wenatchee St. Park (here's the campground website.) It's about 5 hours from PDX, less than 4 from Spokane, and 2-ish from Seattle. Here are a few pictures. There are two separate campgrounds on either side of the lake's outlet at the southeast end; apparently the north site is quieter while the south site is Party Central, so we're set up in the north part. Courtesy of fiercekitten, here's the link for reservations. The fees seem to run $20-$30 per night, so we'll want to double up and split the cost. Sites 121, 122 and 123 have been reserved already for Friday afternoon through Sunday morning; each can hold two tents so mention in the thread if you want to double up on one of them.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Weather the end of June starts to get mainly sunny and mid-upper-70's during the day (figures from Wenatchee, about an hour SE of the campgroud), but can still get pretty cool at night so come prepared.

WHAT ABOUT MOSQUITOES?

Some useful advice:
- cover most of your skin with baggy, lightweight, tight-weave shirts (long-sleeved) and pants (ex. UNcoated nylon wind shell).
- Use bug repellent on your exposed skin (face, neck, hands, and ankles) - the most effective appears to be 25-30% DEET (higher concentrations evaporate too quickly).

Other options:
- products with 30-40% Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, ex. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Pump Spray (Note: more frequent applications needed, since it wears off quicker than DEET)
- products with 5-20% picaridin

What not to do - These products either don’t work well or aren’t worth the risks:

- Products with more than 30 percent DEET, such as Jungle Juice 100. The potential side effects aren’t worth it.
- Off Clip-on, a device that attaches to your waistband or belt and uses a fan to circulate a repellent around your body. The active ingredient, metofluthrin, can pose risks to your nervous system, and our tests found that it didn’t work very well anyway.
- Wristbands with repellent claims.
- Garlic or vitamin B1 pills.
- Devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away.
- tight clothes (which mosquitoes can penetrate), dark clothes (where ticks can hide), or strong scents, which may attract pests.

Top rated products according to Consumer Reports (all have 15-30% DEET):
Off Deep Woods Sportsmen II
Cutter Backwoods Unscented
Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8

WHAT SHALL WE EAT?

A food/misc spreadsheet has been set up so we can coordinate. Last time that worked pretty well, and we ate like kings and queens.
posted by Greg_Ace to Meetup (128 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

Here's the link for reservations since WA State does their own thing.
posted by fiercekitten at 6:43 AM on February 9, 2015


Fantastic, thanks! I'll add that to the event header details.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:50 AM on February 9, 2015


Scotch doesn't keep the mosquitoes away?
posted by janell at 11:58 AM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


I dunno, maybe it depends on whether you're drinking it or bathing in it?

By the way, I checked on fiercekitten's link, and at the moment (early Feb.) there seem to be quite a few spots open...but not all of them, so people are already starting to plan ahead. We should probably shoot for getting the date and place worked out in the next couple weeks, so people can start reserving spots before all the good ones (or everything period!) are taken.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:23 PM on February 9, 2015


Count me in!
posted by vespabelle at 1:25 PM on February 9, 2015


What if we roast a bunch of garlic in the campfire? Will that keep the mosquitoes away?
posted by Secretariat at 2:35 PM on February 9, 2015


In order for me to avoid the 'squiters I'll need to stay home. No amount of bug repellant, citronella candles, or scotch will keep them away from me. I would, however, be successful in keeping them away from you.
posted by nickthetourist at 2:51 PM on February 9, 2015


Garlic only works on vampsquitos (also known as Mosqferatu). Then again, I guess ALL mosquitos would qualify...
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:52 PM on February 9, 2015


June/July is prime bug time, it's just the way it is.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:48 PM on February 9, 2015


Very true. The other option is to wait until early or mid September, which I'd also be up for.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:13 PM on February 9, 2015


Yay! Looking forward to seeing y'all again. The end of June would work - July gets close to the Oregon Country Fair, and we're already committed to that.

Despite living in Seattle I've never been camping around Wenatchee, so I've got no information to offer for the location. It's super convenient for me, but I'd be happy driving out to somewhere on the dry side in WA or OR if it meant not having to bring anti-aircraft artillery with us for the skeeters. I'll check with local friends to see if they've got any recommendations.
posted by hackwolf at 10:01 PM on February 14, 2015


I probably couldn't take off for a mid-late September weekend. Were you thinking Labor Day? Otherwise I think June would be better since it might still get cold at night.

I think its fine if you just plant a stake in the ground to pick a weekend.

(Hackwolf - a meetup at the OCF might be fun).
posted by janell at 12:06 PM on February 15, 2015


My original notion was the last weekend in June, Fri 26 - Sun 28 (the weekend before July 4th), since that would probably be the nicest camping weather in that area. But as I said up front, I considered location and date only a suggestion, open for discussion.

So okay, who doesn't like/can't do Lake Wenatchee St. Park on the last weekend in June? If nobody objects by next weekend, I'll go ahead and confirm the event that way and reserve a campsite.

Based on this thread's respondents so far (~6 tents?), I'm guessing we'd need at least one and maybe two more sites to accommodate everyone.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:01 PM on February 15, 2015


The original notion sounds good to me, Greg_Ace. No objections here.

(janelle - That'd be awesome! Rowan is on staff with the water crew, and I camp with them; I'll post an IRL after I check exact dates with her.)
posted by hackwolf at 10:28 AM on February 16, 2015


One advantage for camping in late June is we might get there before the annual fire ban, which usually gets set in place during the first two weeks of July.

I'm totally in on this, and am doing my best to spread the word to others. Should be fun! :)
posted by hippybear at 10:47 AM on February 17, 2015


Good point, since this event is currently set to Portland but will ultimately be in Washington: any WA MeFites who see this, please point anyone who might be interested to this thread. Eventually I'll update it to accurately reflect the location...after which, any PDX MeFites who think they know someone who might be interested, let them know!
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:44 PM on February 17, 2015


It probably isn't abusing the system to have a fake PDX and a fake Seattle meetup (each with a link to the main thread) so people with smaller radii of IRL notifications will still get the word in the "upcoming meetups near you" spot.
posted by janell at 4:21 PM on February 17, 2015


I thought about that originally, but opted for a single post (augmented by hippybear's efforts to notify WA folks) so that any discussion didn't get fragmented and we all stay in the same conversation.

Also, quick update: It looks like most of the sites in the north-side campground are appropriate for 2 tents max, so keep that in mind when it comes time to make commitments, tally up attendees, and snag reservations.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:56 PM on February 17, 2015


I couldn't stand the suspense any longer; I just reserved site 123 for Fri-Sun that weekend. It looks nice, there's room for 2 tents, and there's available spaces on either side (at the moment). Cost was 73 bucks for the weekend, which I'm hoping to split with someone. So I guess I've committed to that place and time...
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:42 PM on February 17, 2015


By "that place and time" you mean the north campground on the last full weekend in June, 26-28?
posted by hippybear at 12:21 AM on February 18, 2015


I continue to be interested but unable to commit to a date, since I don't know what this summer holds for me. But June 26-28 sounds as good as any weekend!
posted by Secretariat at 9:51 AM on February 18, 2015


Sorry hippybear, yes, that exactly.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:29 PM on February 18, 2015


I'll commit. My work schedule doesn't go that far yet, which mostly means I need to remember that I have committed.
posted by janell at 6:13 PM on February 18, 2015


I reserved site 122 next door to Greg's. It can hold a second tent (and a second car) besides me & mine, so someone should plan to be my campsite-roommate. And it looks shady, which will either be happy or freezing. Or perhaps some of each.
posted by janell at 6:22 PM on February 18, 2015


WOOO! THIS IS HAPPENING!
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:22 PM on February 18, 2015


The event has been made official!
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:57 PM on February 21, 2015


I'll probably buy a campsite in a week or three when I have the funds available. That will give us a tidy bit of room for our group. So looking forward to it!
posted by hippybear at 12:11 PM on February 25, 2015


Do we have enough people that I should reserve a site as well? It looks like 121 is open right now, but 124 is already taken. We'd be happy to be somebody's campsite roomie too.
posted by hackwolf at 10:48 PM on March 11, 2015


It would be a good idea to reserve at least one more. At the moment we have enough 'Yes' people to fill up 3 sites with 2 tents each, not even including the 'Maybe's.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:37 AM on March 12, 2015


Actually hackwolf, re-reading the thread, maybe you can coordinate with hippybear directly since he mentioned getting a third spot.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:33 AM on March 12, 2015


Sounds good. I've booked site 121, and should have room for at least one more tent, two if necessary (the van has a bed now).
posted by hackwolf at 1:18 PM on March 12, 2015


Crap, that's what I get for not refreshing the thread. I'll talk to hippybear about the third site.
posted by hackwolf at 3:05 PM on March 12, 2015


I think three is probably good. It's nice to be cozy with campsite roommates.
posted by janell at 4:55 PM on March 12, 2015


I'm actually thinking about going on our way down to Bend for a night or two. Couple questions: kid friendly? Also, may have republican parents in an RV in tow. They're fun but stupidly republican, would they be a buzz kill or just additional drinking buddies with weird ideas?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:17 PM on March 19, 2015


The more the merrier, I think. If the kids are cool with adults drinking around a fire, I think we will we be ok.
posted by janell at 9:22 PM on March 20, 2015


So, I'll be happy to take one of the half spaces that isn't yet spoken for. Not worried about who I'm sharing with, but that's what I'm counting on. I will be sharing my space with wallabear.

Not sure who else needs a space to crash. The RV-driving parents might need to make a reservation for an RV site?

Really looking forward to this! :D
posted by hippybear at 9:00 PM on March 27, 2015


hippybear: If all the "maybe" people decide to come, someone will need to reserve an additional site; but at this point all 3 of the definite attendees have reserved sites so you've got your choice of spots.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:19 PM on March 28, 2015


Slarty, I'd second what janell says. I'm down with the parents too, as long as they're not going to be offended by my boyfriend and I displaying the occasional child-appropriate gesture of affection towards each other.
posted by hackwolf at 2:19 PM on March 30, 2015


I've put in for vacation time on Friday. I'm wondering if I should book another spot.?
posted by vespabelle at 11:44 AM on April 1, 2015


As it stands now we've got 3 spots, only one of which has the second tent space claimed. So I'd say, there's no need to reserve another one unless/until some of the "maybes" are able to commit.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:12 PM on April 1, 2015


I am so looking forward to this event, it's nerve-wracking waiting for time to pass until it happens.

But I'm glad I have some extra time because you Portland people are INSANE with the food, and I need some time to plan.
posted by hippybear at 12:05 AM on April 2, 2015


Insane like a fox. A well-fed, happy fox.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:50 PM on April 2, 2015 [1 favorite]


*contemplates Greg_Ace's fursona in the context of this new information* ;)
posted by hippybear at 12:30 AM on April 3, 2015


My fox suit is shaped like a metaphor.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:38 PM on April 3, 2015


speaking of metaphors, when is the spreadsheet for food and camping stuff going to start?
posted by hippybear at 1:13 AM on April 4, 2015


I planned to set one up around the beginning of June, which should still leave plenty of time to make arrangements and go shopping. But I can start it sooner if people want, or we can always start a discussion in-thread to be added to the spreadsheet later.

Last time, rotating the responsibilities for communal meals seemed to work out pretty well, so we can do that again; or we could decide what meals we want and all chip in a few ingredients toward each one.

(And this time I promise not to grind the coffee so damn fine that it clogs the vacuum pot filter...)
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:53 PM on April 4, 2015


I'm going to bring my grill again and probably do another hamburger spread for one meal. It'll be different from last year, but yeah... a meal of quality burgers with various toppings and probably potato salad to go with that... plus probably another endless series of bags of chocolate chip cookies, because those seemed to be popular last year.
posted by hippybear at 10:47 AM on April 6, 2015


The upshot is... there will be a propane grill available, for those who might want that.
posted by hippybear at 10:48 AM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]


I liked the not-quite-potluck of last year's communal menu (and also the flexibility of the camp stove + propane grill). I think once we get the spreadsheet and people pony up what they want to be in charge of making, we can sign up to pitch in with various groceries/firewood as needed (ie, the BYOMeat for the Meat In Greg's Trunk feast).

I'd propose:
-fend for self at lunchtime Friday (If I have arrived, there will be snacks)
-Dinner friday together (Greg's latest culinary masterpiece of campfire cookery?)
Saturday:
-1st breakfast for the early people (ie, hot water, coffee, grazing)
-Lunch (burgers a la hippybear?)
-Dinner (this seems like a good time for BYOM, but with plenty of room to shape the rest of the menu)
Sunday:
-1st breakfast (graze)
-Brunch together
posted by janell at 10:22 AM on April 8, 2015


If anyone is avoiding meat, I can come up with cow substitute for my burger lunch. But I need to know ahead of time.
posted by hippybear at 1:34 AM on April 9, 2015


Hey, sorry it took me so long to figure out my schedule- I just found out for sure today that I can't make it. Which sucks, because it sounds like last year's trip was fun, and this years sounds like it's shaping up nicely too. But! My excuse isn't too bad either- I'm doing a summer internship at NASA.
posted by Secretariat at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2015


Woohoo, lady! Congratulations!

Where? Ames?

(Or you can just tell me at any of the gajillion upcoming meetups).
posted by janell at 6:13 PM on April 10, 2015


Congrats! We'll miss you. But never fear, I may - nay, will - get all campout-crazy and propose another one (closer to home) in mid-late-September-ish.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:15 PM on April 10, 2015


Mid to late September should work good for future camping! I'll be back from Alabama of all places by then.
posted by Secretariat at 9:19 PM on April 10, 2015


I will continue to content myself with that one meetup that we were both at, sometime before wallabear and I were heading off to a concert. ('cause that's what we do.) Perhaps the winds of fate will change that someday, but for now, I will treasure those few hours.

Oh, and congrats! That's so amazing -- can I have a summer internship at NASA too?
posted by hippybear at 1:29 AM on April 14, 2015


(bump to keep this on my Recent Activity page)
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:04 AM on May 14, 2015


Looks like I will not make it this time which bums me out, so hopefully there may be another late season campout on one of my free weekends.

Enjoy your trunk meat!
posted by vespabelle at 6:23 PM on May 16, 2015


Aw, too bad! But yeah, keep an eye out for a mid/late September meetup closer to Portland.

(Speaking of which, if anyone has any suggestions for locations later this year, speak up. I love camping at Trillium Lake, but I know there's lots of other campgrounds less than two hours away - somewhere like Pine Point Campground at the south end of Timothy Lake, for instance.)
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:01 PM on May 16, 2015


Want to camp in a volcanic caldera?
posted by Secretariat at 1:56 PM on May 20, 2015


(Although I don't like the part of the campground map that says "marsh", I wonder if that's code for "mosquito farm".)
posted by Secretariat at 1:58 PM on May 20, 2015


Paulina Lake Campground is located 6,350 ft. above sea level

Whoo!! Looks like fun, but long hikes are out for me, thanks! Maybe by September, the mosquitos won't be so bad?
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:40 PM on May 20, 2015


We've been to Paulina Lake and I think that East Lake is better, although you can only make reservations at the resort campground. The Forest Service campground at East Lake doesn't do reservations. I don't know why but Paulina has more mosquitos than East Lake and the west side side of it is prime bug territory. Must be something about the way the lake drains.
posted by fiercekitten at 12:41 AM on May 23, 2015


Guess East Lake does do reservations now - Cinder Hill.
posted by fiercekitten at 12:46 AM on May 23, 2015


Thanks, I'll save that link for when I put up a new camping meetup event later this year.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:23 PM on May 23, 2015


ONE MONTH AWAY THIS IS GETTING EXCITING!
posted by hippybear at 12:46 AM on May 28, 2015


Yes indeed! I'll put up a spreadsheet in the next day or two so we can figure out food.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:03 AM on May 28, 2015


Food/misc spreadsheet started (link also added to event description). I think I've got it set so anyone can edit; let me know if you have any trouble.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:07 PM on May 30, 2015


I guess we also need to find out whether firewood will be available there...I don't have any I need to get rid of this time.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:19 PM on May 30, 2015


I can pick some firewood up on the way in; there's plenty of room in the van for it.
posted by hackwolf at 10:54 PM on June 4, 2015


we might all want to pick up a bundle or two of firewood on our way. I know there's a "buy it there, burn it there" sort of thing going on, I don't know how close to "there" is required and where to buy firewood.

I might buy here, and take there to burn. Is that truly bad?
posted by hippybear at 3:09 AM on June 8, 2015


The "buy there" thing is to help prevent the spread of insect infestations:

How far is too far to move firewood? And what do you mean by "local" firewood?
When we say local firewood, we are referring to the closest convenient source of wood that you can find. That might be from down the street, or a state forest in your county. As a very general rule of thumb, 50 miles is too far, and 10 miles or less is best.

What kind of firewood is safe to move?
The short answer to this is that most packaged heat treated firewood with a USDA APHIS treatment seal is considered safe to move. Please note that just being labeled "kiln-dried" is quite different, and should not be considered safe to move.

I know that at least some campgrounds offer firewood bundles for a reasonable price, or the nearest town might have some for sale.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:41 AM on June 8, 2015


Chicken and rice sounds like a fine plan for some dutch oven cookery, Greg.

I am so excited!
posted by janell at 1:19 PM on June 9, 2015


By the way, I guess I should ask ahead of time: does anyone NOT like cilantro? Normally I add it to the simmering pot, but I can leave it out and have a pile on the side as a topping for only those who want it. Let me know.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:05 PM on June 9, 2015


I just called the ranger office at the park - fires are currently allowed in the fire pits. The website was super vague 'designated areas' for the Level 2 fire ban, which was not clear to me.
posted by janell at 9:29 PM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Fantastic, thanks!! I didn't even think of checking that.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:42 PM on June 9, 2015


I've done some updating on the spreadsheet, my brain is still working on some things.

I'm so excited about this weekend, y'all have NO idea. *schmoopy*
posted by hippybear at 1:53 AM on June 11, 2015


OK, with a mild boot in the ass from hippy, I've added my bits to the spreadsheet. I'll arrive late Saturday morning, can't do the Friday night. If that changes, and I'll try, I'll let y'all know. Looking forward to it!
posted by wallabear at 11:31 PM on June 11, 2015


Eeeeeeee! Um, still room?
posted by corb at 7:24 PM on June 17, 2015


Yes, looks like a couple of spaces still available for you to plunk your tent. Have a look at the spreadsheet, which is our central planning place for meals, sites, equipment, etc.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:52 PM on June 17, 2015


I have to tell you guys, I'm getting a bit nervous. Right now they're forecasting really high temperatures for the Lake Wenatchee area next weekend; if the forecast doesn't change I'm going to have to bow out. I have a personal rule against camping in over-85° weather that I developed the hard way. When it gets hot, I get miserable.

I'll keep my eye on the forecast, and decide by next Wednesday whether I'll join the hardier souls, or just stay home with all the shades closed and run the A/C instead.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:21 AM on June 20, 2015


Even when there's a lake to wallow in all day?
posted by janell at 10:33 AM on June 20, 2015


As I said before, I've learned the hard way that camping in relentless heat simply isn't fun for me, and a short or even long dip in cool water isn't enough to balance out the overall equation. I wish I could tolerate heat better, but I don't. And I wouldn't want my wretched grumpiness/heat exhaustion causing a problem for anyone else.

I'm not giving up yet, I know forecasting the weather a week ahead is sketchy. We'll just have to wait and see.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:36 AM on June 20, 2015


What if I bring squirt bottles and follow you around all day misting you with a cooling spray of water non-stop?

This is not a craigslist ad, despite it sounding like one.
posted by hippybear at 11:02 PM on June 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


Holy cow, I was going to try to coax Greg but man it's gonna be 100 with a night low of 70 per http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=wenatchee

I'm up for it but it's gonna be a swelter. Greg, stay home. Who's in?

Sorry for the sloppy linkage.
posted by wallabear at 2:04 AM on June 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


Sorry Greg, that was not my call to make :)
posted by wallabear at 2:10 AM on June 21, 2015


Not a problem, wallabear.

What if I bring squirt bottles and follow you around all day misting you with a cooling spray of water non-stop?

I was thinking I could strap a 5-gallon pressurized garden sprayer to my back, swap out the nozzle a shower head, then bend the wand in a U-shape and prop it up behind my head so it sprinkles over me as I walk around. I bet people'd pay a dollar to see that!
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:08 AM on June 21, 2015


Good grief, that's got to be close to a record. I'm still in, but Rowan's heat tolerance is more like Greg's, so she's likely out if the forecast is still for 100F+.
posted by hackwolf at 10:10 AM on June 21, 2015


For. Swap out the nozzle for a shower head. I wonder if people would pay a dollar to see me use my prepositions correctly.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:00 AM on June 21, 2015


He ups the ante to $2. Nicely done.
posted by wallabear at 7:28 PM on June 21, 2015


I'm wondering if we can just relocate the entire event to someplace at higher elevation a/o coastal. The forecast for Long Beach is the usual chilly-to-tolerable.
There are plenty of state parks in coastal WA, and none of them will be a longer drive from PDX than Wenatchee would be. From Seattle it's probably (maybe?) longer, but not exactly like schlepping to Steens.

Hippy- and walla- bears, what's your limit for driving time, and are any cooler locales within it?
I'm happy to reserve several sites in a batch (and get cash later from folk) if we decide on the hasty relo plan, just need feedback about which parks would be acceptable. And, uh, Go/No Go.
posted by janell at 7:49 PM on June 21, 2015


OH man. Per the link above, 100 Friday, 106 Saturday, 109 Sunday.

I mean, I'm hearty and all, but wow. That's a bit much.

Is this something we should maybe, maybe, just not do?

I'll be happy to share costs for reservations that aren't refunded. I'll also be happy (sorta) to show up and bake with y'all. I'd like to hear from you.
posted by wallabear at 7:51 PM on June 21, 2015


I'd be bailing if the humidity was going to be unpleasant, but that same link forecasts a max of 40%, and that's at night. During the day it's going to be pretty dry, so there should be a discernable difference between "in the lake" and "out of it".

I'm a little concerned that the nightime temps will only get down to 70/73. That's less OK with me, but I'm game for whatever. I think my preferences are:

Relocate
Go
?
posted by janell at 8:01 PM on June 21, 2015


I'm willing to get refunds and relocate to a more agreeably-temped area. I really was looking forward to camping.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:04 PM on June 21, 2015


On non-preview, thanks janell.

I'm in Walla 2, it's all a drive from here :) Wenatchee is a stretch for me, but I'm just a Saturday overnighter cuz work. The coast, well, wow, hours upon hours.

I think Eastern WA is gonna be an oven, no matter where. Schlepping to the Blues, eh, easy for me but too far for y'all. Someplace on the Columbia, Maryhill maybe? Probably booked I'm just throwing it out there.
posted by wallabear at 8:08 PM on June 21, 2015


And next year I'll set a plan for earlier in the year. Thanks, Global Warming.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:09 PM on June 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


Looks like Maryhill will be just as hot.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:11 PM on June 21, 2015


Hell, looks like everywhere will be just as hot next weekend, even the coast! Feh.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:15 PM on June 21, 2015


Aberdeen WA is showing highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-50s. That's pretty perfect weather for the coast. Is that still not OK? Lincoln City is going to be more muggy, but the highs are in the mid-70s.

I would rather go camping than not-go-camping. It looks like there is no solution with both reasonable driving times for everyone *and* reasonable temperatures.
posted by janell at 8:25 PM on June 21, 2015


Actually, I take it back about the coast. But I fear that's too far for our eastern-WA contingent. Wallowa Lake St. Park would be cool (literally and figuratively), but they're all booked for the weekend.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:27 PM on June 21, 2015


The tricky part with changing location this late in the game is that it'll be damn near impossible to find anywhere that isn't already booked.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:28 PM on June 21, 2015


Looks like there are three available sites at wallowa lake. Not near each other, but maybe ok. I do not understand the group tent site availability - C means closed? I will look more tomorrow - there might also be private campgrounds.
posted by janell at 10:53 PM on June 21, 2015


Let me know what y'all get worked out and I'll figure out if I can be there or not.

Stupid heat. Stupid star.
posted by hippybear at 7:12 AM on June 22, 2015


Well geez, now they're saying even Wallowa Lake is going to be in the 90's. This is just nuts.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:29 AM on June 22, 2015


Should we just cancel and try again in, like, November?
posted by hippybear at 8:49 AM on June 22, 2015


I'm beginning to think so.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:52 AM on June 22, 2015


ugh, yeah I give up. I'm going to cancel my reservation at Wenatchee. Or try to move it to a coastal campground so I can still get out of town.
posted by janell at 8:56 AM on June 22, 2015


Good luck. I'll probably fall back on beer and movies in a darkened, chilled (or semi-chilled, at least) house. Maybe I'll browse for pictures of tents online.

Since Wenatchee is open year-round, maybe we can still plan for camping there once the heat of summer has passed.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:02 AM on June 22, 2015


Christ on a crutch, these are like the NYC temperatures I moved here partially to get away from. I'm definitely in for fall camping though if we do that.
posted by corb at 9:25 AM on June 22, 2015


Thanks all, for your efforts.
posted by wallabear at 9:55 AM on June 22, 2015


Okay, so, we all owe each other a campout weekend, redeemable at some point later this year. 'Cause I want to hang with y'all, just don't want to bake with y'all.

Let's really try again at some point. Yer all good people. Just these temps are oppressive.

Stupid star.
posted by hippybear at 10:36 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


corb, I moved here from the southeast for the same reason. At least we left the humidity behind...
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:11 PM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


Well, damn. Sorry it didn't work out, y'all. If anybody still wants one of the Wenatchee reservations let me know, otherwise I'll cancel it.

See what we get for hanging around this close to an unshielded, unregulated fusion reactor? Nothing good, I tell you...
posted by hackwolf at 2:57 PM on June 22, 2015


I think it's safe to say cancel it. I'll be sure to let you know when I setup a "do-over" event later this year.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:38 PM on June 22, 2015


Holy crap, they refunded HALF of what I paid for that site! I hope they spend it wisely...
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:54 PM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


I hope they spend it wisely... Not bloody likely.

If anyone lost money on their reservation here, please pass the hat next time, happy to contribute.
posted by wallabear at 10:28 PM on June 25, 2015


*sigh*
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:59 AM on June 26, 2015


so, let's reschedule sooner rather than later if we can, and I'm totally picking up the campsite reservation next time.

I want to camp with you people. I just don't want to bake with you.
posted by hippybear at 8:51 AM on June 28, 2015


*not anti-baking*
posted by hippybear at 8:51 AM on June 28, 2015


I'm keen to camp any time the daily highs consistently stay below 80°. This has already been a weird spring and summer with higher than normal temperatures, so heaven only knows when that kind of weather will start up again this fall. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:03 AM on June 28, 2015


Yes, I want to camp with you people, and we will find a good time on the calendar to do it. I'm actually not averse to winter camping, if that's what it takes.

It's probably just as well that we didn't camp this weekend, given the fires that broke out in Wenatchee this weekend, plus the fire ban that got put in place something like 3 days before the weekend.
posted by hippybear at 10:46 AM on June 30, 2015


If you reschedule to the fall (and it's a weekend I am kid-free) I'm in again.
posted by vespabelle at 9:50 PM on June 30, 2015


I was provisionally considering a 3-day weekend in the neighborhood of end of September / first half of October; it's usually cooler by then and hasn't started raining yet. Any specific dates 'round in there that you can suggest, or is it still too early yet?
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:17 PM on June 30, 2015


I'm busy the last full weekend of September, but would be available either Oct 2-4 or 9-11. (Or Oct 10-12 if others have Columbus Day Monday off work.)

Also, I'm not sure "hasn't started raining yet" is a factor that applies much to the eastern slopes of the Cascades which is much drier than pretty much anything you Portlanders are accustomed to.
posted by hippybear at 1:55 AM on July 1, 2015


I'd vote for Oct 2-4, or Sept 19-20. I can't do mid-October+.
posted by janell at 8:30 AM on July 1, 2015


Oh yeah, good point hippybear. I'm so used to planning around The Rainy Season that I forget it doesn't necessarily apply on the eastern side!

Anyone else (who's still reading this) have a vote against Oct. 2-4? Of course we don't have to lock down the date yet, I'll post a new IRL event in August or so and we can hash it out then; but it would be nice to have a solid range in mind to start from.

Also, speaking of a new event - I'll probably initially set it in Portland to get the locals interested, and also MeMail hackwolf and hippybear so they can spread the word in their areas. Unless someone else has a better idea.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:06 AM on July 1, 2015


Oct 2-4 works for me.

Once something gets posted, let me know and I'll start shopping it around.
posted by hippybear at 1:09 AM on July 9, 2015


Met with a new (to me) Seattle MeFite over the weekend and she was interested in camping with us in October. I've got her on the "tell her once it's scheduled" list. She knows other Seattle MeFites. Might be a good expansion of this crew. Let's get something on the schedule!
posted by hippybear at 9:26 AM on July 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


Awesome, thanks! I'll probably post a new event sometime in August.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:15 AM on July 21, 2015



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