OAUSA Net - March 7, 2019 - Favorite Camping Locations

[DaveK]

IMPORTANT NET NOTICE


UPDATE MARCH 7, 2019 @ 4:00pm

Keller is now back up. For this net, we will use the plan described below, so everyone will now be able to listen, no matter how you connect. We will be back to completely normal next week. Thanks everyone for hanging in there!!!!

A million thanks, Dennis!!!!!!!

PREVIOUS POST

As you probably know, our Keller Repeater has been down for the last 4 weeks. As a result, we have had to cancel several nets. Every time we think we are closer to getting back on the air, another storm rolls through and puts us right back where we started - no nets. The crew at the repeater are doing their very best, and we should be back up and running soon.

In the meantime, however, only for Keller listeners, and as a temporary solution, we have arranged to use another repeater, located in the same mountains as Keller. The owners have been kind enough to make their system available to us for this week, and perhaps until Keller is back up and running.

So, in order to join us this week(if you are a Keller listener),you will need to connect to the N6USO Repeater (located on Sunset Ridge) @ 145.44 (-) 136.5. Please check your ability to connect. Alternatives to the N6USO repeater are IRLP and Echolink.

NOTE

1. This switch in repeaters will only apply to listeners who use the Keller Repeater.

if you normally use the ways to listen, listed below, there will be no change for you:

• using a repeater (other then Keller) that is connecting to the Western Reflector

• connecting to the World Conference via Echolink

• connecting to the Western Reflector via your own node

2. If you have a favorite repeater in your area which is IRLP equipped, let us know and we will see if we can work out a way to connect it for the nets.


If you have any questions, post them here.

[TheNothing]

There's a lot of snow this year, and it all came this month. Had a hard time on roads today that have been no problem in years past.

[DaveK]

FAVORITE CAMPING LOCATIONS

This week we will be kicking off the camping season with a list of great places to camp. Whether its the mountains, the desert, or anywhere in between, its all fair game for this net. Here is your chance to give us some ideas for future trips.

Here is just a teaser. It is camping in the high mountains.

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[toms]

Sanger

Someone in the party said this is the best camp site they have ever been in.

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[KK6DYO]

Blair Valley
Primitive, dispersed camping. First come, first served. No reservations. No planning. Fairly large area ... you will find a spot.
Impromptu weekend getaway. Can usually find a spot away from others.


Location

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Hills between Blair Valley and Little Blair Valley rise about 600 feet
Camping is around the hills on both sides

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Camping
The Blair Valley side

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Little Blair Valley

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Foot & Walker Pass

North side (Earthquake Valley) looking south toward the pass

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Top of pass looking south toward Ghost Mountain

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RVs can be numerous on the south side of the pass close to San Diego County Road S2, but they rarely go farther south

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The one restroom

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Morteros

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Yaquitepec

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Pictographs

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Annual Trail Run

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Ghost Mountain Chronicles

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[toms]

Coyote Flats in the Pines

Around the camp fire one night we discussed the criteria for a great camp site. Lots of ideas were offered but we could not agree on the perfect site.
And an attempt to make a rating system was doomed. In the end we decided, it would be better to just list a few of our favorite sites.

These attributes were offered. Our problem stems from what priority is attached each - we all had different weightings and if you can't have it all what do you trade off? Do you give up trees to have a scenic view?

(not in anyone's priority order!)

• Trees;

• Level;

• Remote;

• Water;

• View;

• Scenic

• Morning sun;

• Elevation;

• Protection from wind;

• Easy to insert stakes

• No Bugs

• No cell service

• Bonus: rest room

[toms]

Funnel Lake

The surface of the lake is at 10,035 feet.

[toms]

Masonic Ghost Town

[lrsrngr]

KK6CTT for the online check-in please. It will be good to hear the group on the airwaves; looking for that OAUSA scratch for that weekly itch.

o Little Yosemite Valley (Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, The Mist Trail and Half Dome)
o Panamint City (epic sealed off mining town in the Panamint mountains, Ballarat)
o Anywhere along the Mojave Trail (means I'm out on the trail for more than one day)
o Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon (great place to hang your hat once you build up an appetite and desire a family style meal)

[DaveK]

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

The products which we highlight here usually are ones that we use in our various outdoor adventures. If you camp, you need a cooler (ice chest.) Many of our trips last longer than a weekend and having a cooler that will keep ice for extended periods, is a real bonus. In the last decade or so, there have been some significant improvements in cooler technology making it possible to keep ice for a week or more.

There are several companies out there making great coolers, and some that really deserve your attention. The criteria we use to judge a great cooler are simple:

• Made in the USA

• Sturdy, well made and heavy duty

• Warranty

• Keep ice for extended periods

• Practical features

But there is one more. Recently, there was a controversy concerning a certain manufacturer of coolers (who shall remain nameless) who apparently doesn't do business with the NRA any more. This move opened the door for another manufacturer to fill the slot of "the officially licensed cooler of the NRA." Cordova Outdoors now claims that title, and their coolers meet all of our criteria for a great cooler. Visit their website - https://cordovaoutdoors.com/.

Their slogan: The “2A Is In Our DNA,”

Here is how they stack up:

Made in the USA
Extremely well made and heavy duty
Life time warranty
Heavy insulation for long lasting ice retention
Very innovative features (see: https://cordovaoutdoors.com/features/)
NRA licensed coolers

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NOTE: There are other coolers which meet many of our criteria, but that will be topic for another net!!