Howard Spruit
Member
Does the bear have a name?
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New Boat 4 Sled
- Thread starter sleddog
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Back from 6 days at Tuolumne Meadows and the High Sierra, the only Ursus americanus seen were red ones, marking where bears have been hit by cars. The ranger at Campfire said 14 hit so far this year, and that a small juvenile/cub had been killed that morning just down the road.
The new government issued metal bear storage lockers, Version 3 at 3'x4'x2', seem to be secure for food stuffs. So secure, some campers forget to close the box and its two handed lock, while in camp. Evidently "Purple 49", his ear tag name, had been "active" in the campground, and rangers were alerting all in the area to be cautious with supplies, even lip balm.
According to a ranger, problem bears are no longer trapped and relocated in Yosemite NP. He did not say what other options are available, except making people aware, and to follow the 45 mph speed limit through the wilderness.
Back in the day when hiking cross country in Yosemite we used to carry a sling shot to "sting" stalking bears and were encouraged to hang back packs from tree branches. That usually solved problems.
But bears figured out how to retrieve hanging packs. And camp fires and banging pans had little effect.
Now days those venturing overnight into the back country are required to carry expensive bear proof food canisters with screw top lids and locks that require a screwdriver or coin. My bet is bears, in their quest for your honey roasted macadamia nuts, will figure that out too... Left hand threaded bear canisters may be in the future?
This popular canister is now less so, as bears can see what is inside.
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Ants: Florence Lake? ... Lake Edison? I'm going to share that photo with the Wooden Boat people.
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Skip, my wife has one of those bear cannisters. I carry the Garcia cannister.
30 years of backpacking and never had a bear problem. We don't use the cannisters except in wilderness areas that require it. Usually I counterbalance the stuff sacks from a tree limb, which takes time, but those cannisters are pretty heavy. My Garcia is a tich over two pounds. There are carbon-fiber ones with aluminum ends, as well, but cha-chinggggg... $265 each, to save a pound of weight.
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Skip, my wife has one of those bear cannisters. I carry the Garcia cannister.
30 years of backpacking and never had a bear problem. We don't use the cannisters except in wilderness areas that require it. Usually I counterbalance the stuff sacks from a tree limb, which takes time, but those cannisters are pretty heavy. My Garcia is a tich over two pounds. There are carbon-fiber ones with aluminum ends, as well, but cha-chinggggg... $265 each, to save a pound of weight.
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I could write a book on black bear encounters in the Sierra.
1) Above treeline, and without a branch in sight to hang my trusty Kelty, I climbed into my sleeping bag and put my head on the backpack as a pillow. Sure enough, an indeterminate time later in the darkness under the stars I felt the backpack being dragged from under my head.
Heart racing, I grabbed the pack with one hand and a small stone with the other hand from a pile I had pre-assembled. There was a brief tug of war which I won, as the bear figured out there was likely more acquiescent campers somewhere else.
2) On our way to climb the classic 5.7 Snake Dike on Half Dome, I left the same Kelty hanging by parachute cord 10 feet out and 10 feet below a 3" diameter branch 20 feet off the ground. On return from our all day adventure of climbing the otherwise blank wall of the SW face of Half Dome, the pack was where I left it, still hanging and unharmed except for open zippers and a pile of shredded food packaging and fewmets on the ground below. How'd they do that? https://www.climbing.com/places/snake-dike-iii-5-7-r/
3. During an expedition to climb Mt Clark, we camped on the only level place in the vicinity. There was an old, dead pine nearby. All afternoon a bear circled, never going far despite entreaties to leave us alone. Finally the bruin disappeared and after walking for water in a nearby creek, I noticed the tree was not only hollow, but there was something large and furry inside. Needless to say, we upped camp and moved well away from the bear den!
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The bear was probably given some name by the Muir Trail Ranch folks that operate the ferry on Lake Florence as well as the resort at the upstream end of the lake. The name may have come out in further conversation, but the ferry operator and store keeper were two duties assigned to one person. It was time for ferry to leave.
Ants
PS. The bear boxes by Sierra National Forest are not mice boxes.
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This is a challenging, 3 part, quiz with the prize of Marianne's Macapuno icecream over organic peaches and a gift bag of ripe, home grown tomatoes at CBC to the first person to answer all 3 correctly.
1. The 1,033' foot, 3,000 passenger, cruise ship CELEBRITY SOLSTICE, anchored .75 miles off Philpott's front door and blocking her view west has a unique upper deck featuring what?
a. a 1/2 acre of freshly mown live grass.
b. an electric go-cart obstacle course.
c. a helicopter landing pad for passenger aerial tours of nearby coastlines, valleys, and islands.
d. a drone launch and star viewing area with reclining seating and big screen.
2. While walking the beach in the soft, orange glow this morning 1/2 hour before sunrise, I could still see several bright stars, including Sirius. The time period was:
a. Astronomical Twilight
b. Nautical Twilight
c. Civil Twilight
d. Nibulous Twilight
3. During my dawn beach walk I could also see a medium sized vessel anchored 1/2 mile offshore in Soquel Cove. The lighting was unfamiliar: two red lights, side by side. on top of a mainmast, an all-around white light on top of a shorter foremast on the raised foredeck, and a red light on the starboard forward topside.
This vessel is:
a. A popular, new, glass bottom, boutique floating restaurant, bar, and SUP rental anchored just offshore.
b. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Vessel RACHEL CARSON.
c. A 225' military vessel armed with 2 x 50 caliber heavy machine guns and a large yellow, heavy lift crane.
d. The tall ship MATTHEW TURNER on her maiden shakedown cruise.
Ready, Set, Go.
1. The 1,033' foot, 3,000 passenger, cruise ship CELEBRITY SOLSTICE, anchored .75 miles off Philpott's front door and blocking her view west has a unique upper deck featuring what?
a. a 1/2 acre of freshly mown live grass.
b. an electric go-cart obstacle course.
c. a helicopter landing pad for passenger aerial tours of nearby coastlines, valleys, and islands.
d. a drone launch and star viewing area with reclining seating and big screen.
2. While walking the beach in the soft, orange glow this morning 1/2 hour before sunrise, I could still see several bright stars, including Sirius. The time period was:
a. Astronomical Twilight
b. Nautical Twilight
c. Civil Twilight
d. Nibulous Twilight
3. During my dawn beach walk I could also see a medium sized vessel anchored 1/2 mile offshore in Soquel Cove. The lighting was unfamiliar: two red lights, side by side. on top of a mainmast, an all-around white light on top of a shorter foremast on the raised foredeck, and a red light on the starboard forward topside.
This vessel is:
a. A popular, new, glass bottom, boutique floating restaurant, bar, and SUP rental anchored just offshore.
b. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Vessel RACHEL CARSON.
c. A 225' military vessel armed with 2 x 50 caliber heavy machine guns and a large yellow, heavy lift crane.
d. The tall ship MATTHEW TURNER on her maiden shakedown cruise.
Ready, Set, Go.
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Hi David,
Good guesses, all. However none of you answers are correct.
I don't want the Macapuno to melt or be consumed in advance...step right up and give this quiz your best shot. S/C Hedgehog has already eliminated 3 answers out of 12 possible.
I should mention CELEBRITY SOLSTICE was anchored off Monterey Wharf until she had to quickly steam 22 miles offshore to pump overboard 90,000 gallons of poop...cruise lines feed their guests well.
Good guesses, all. However none of you answers are correct.
I don't want the Macapuno to melt or be consumed in advance...step right up and give this quiz your best shot. S/C Hedgehog has already eliminated 3 answers out of 12 possible.
I should mention CELEBRITY SOLSTICE was anchored off Monterey Wharf until she had to quickly steam 22 miles offshore to pump overboard 90,000 gallons of poop...cruise lines feed their guests well.
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Hi Ants,
Well, you got 2 out of 3 right....but no "winner, winner, chicken dinner" for you.
I'll give everyone a hint, and maybe Marsha can win the quiz for your upcoming visit.
Ants got #1 and #2 questions right. The upper deck of the CELEBRITY SOLSTICE is real mown grass, presumably for picnics, putting practice, and lawn bowling.
And Civil Twilight is correct, when the sun is less than 6 degrees below the horizon and only the brightest stars can be seen.
OK, someone, name all three correct answers. Ants has helped by giving you #1 and #2.
Well, you got 2 out of 3 right....but no "winner, winner, chicken dinner" for you.
I'll give everyone a hint, and maybe Marsha can win the quiz for your upcoming visit.
Ants got #1 and #2 questions right. The upper deck of the CELEBRITY SOLSTICE is real mown grass, presumably for picnics, putting practice, and lawn bowling.
And Civil Twilight is correct, when the sun is less than 6 degrees below the horizon and only the brightest stars can be seen.
OK, someone, name all three correct answers. Ants has helped by giving you #1 and #2.
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Back to the topic of bears... the last few posts made me think of "The Bear Missed the Train".
WHAT? you say?
Well, once upon a time there was a Yiddish song called "bei mir bist du schoen"
Which adapted to a totally unrelated english version was a monstrous hit for the Andrews Sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gICPZ6grA
This song is still recorded, as it's just catchy as all get out. Here it is...I think.... in the original Yiddish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDb2x8QUI_k
But you see, musicians being who they are...that German and Yiddish stuff just didn't roll off American tongues. And so the tune's title, as a joke got metamorphosed into "The Bear Missed the Train"; which has gone on to just have a life of it's own!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iUgOLWmQwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7IKG7QrvJg
So. There's your ursine musicology lesson for today.
WHAT? you say?
Well, once upon a time there was a Yiddish song called "bei mir bist du schoen"
Which adapted to a totally unrelated english version was a monstrous hit for the Andrews Sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gICPZ6grA
This song is still recorded, as it's just catchy as all get out. Here it is...I think.... in the original Yiddish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDb2x8QUI_k
But you see, musicians being who they are...that German and Yiddish stuff just didn't roll off American tongues. And so the tune's title, as a joke got metamorphosed into "The Bear Missed the Train"; which has gone on to just have a life of it's own!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iUgOLWmQwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7IKG7QrvJg
So. There's your ursine musicology lesson for today.
Reminds me of the SHTP skipper arriving at the Hanalei finish with a lawn mower strapped to his mast. When asked "what's with the lawn mower?," he answered, "gotta make some bucks for my return passage. I reckon there's some lush lawns in these parts that need mowing."
No, this was not the same SHTP skipper who arrived at the Hanalei finish line with his saddle and spurs, the saddle lashed to the back of the O-30 mast below. When asked, "what's with the saddle?," he says, "gonna enter me a rodeo while I'm here."
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For as long as I can remember marine hardware stores have been taking sailors for suckers and selling faux owls to mount on the yacht to ward off offending birds. 60 years later, West Marine is still selling owls, albeit with heads that spin and bob in the wind, presumably to keep seagulls from landing atop the owl's head, as I have often seen them do.
Birds aren't dumb. Owls don't sit on boats in daylight.
I saw a new version of let's take sailors for suckers yesterday: a plastic coyote with faux tail moving in the wind wired to the deck of a neighbor's Beneteau 34. Walmart and Home Depot have them for $40 and up. West Marine can't be far behind at twice the price. They already sell inflatable snakes.
Where's a sense of humor for marine equipment schlock?
Never cry wolf.
Birds aren't dumb. Owls don't sit on boats in daylight.
I saw a new version of let's take sailors for suckers yesterday: a plastic coyote with faux tail moving in the wind wired to the deck of a neighbor's Beneteau 34. Walmart and Home Depot have them for $40 and up. West Marine can't be far behind at twice the price. They already sell inflatable snakes.
Where's a sense of humor for marine equipment schlock?
Never cry wolf.
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Unexpected excitement on the CBC AIS screen this afternoon. Here comes HEDGEHOG down the Coast on a speed run/shakedown from SF to Santa Cruz. Intentions unclear: 1) claim his trivia award Marianne's Macapuno ice cream? 2) test the new rudder? 3) test singlehanded spinnaker gybing skills in 25 knots TWS?
HEDGEHOG's AIS blip was showing 10 knot speed average over several minutes until it wasn't...From my laptop screen it looked like David was gybing onto port for his Santa Cruz final approach when his AIS speed went south.
Apparently several miles north of Davenport, 11 miles from Santa Cruz, David discovered the new rudder works better in the water than in the air. The new carbon pole planted and the end fitting broke. The spinnaker wrapped and was recovered a little wet for wear. The gybe was completed but without anything forward of the mast.
Before modern designs rendered the mid-20th century sailing term almost obsolete, this was called a "banana split" served in a boat-like dish.
Many recipes for a banana split, often served as a finishing dessert treat under the Golden Gate nearby the South Tower.
"Comin' at ya!,"HEDGEHOG, an Olson-29, is now surfing at 12 knots under main alone, 7 miles north of Santa Cruz and 10 miles north of Macapuno. ETA Santa Cruz 6 p.m. this evening.
Never a dull moment for the SSS Staff Commodore.
HEDGEHOG's AIS blip was showing 10 knot speed average over several minutes until it wasn't...From my laptop screen it looked like David was gybing onto port for his Santa Cruz final approach when his AIS speed went south.
Apparently several miles north of Davenport, 11 miles from Santa Cruz, David discovered the new rudder works better in the water than in the air. The new carbon pole planted and the end fitting broke. The spinnaker wrapped and was recovered a little wet for wear. The gybe was completed but without anything forward of the mast.
Before modern designs rendered the mid-20th century sailing term almost obsolete, this was called a "banana split" served in a boat-like dish.
Many recipes for a banana split, often served as a finishing dessert treat under the Golden Gate nearby the South Tower.
"Comin' at ya!,"HEDGEHOG, an Olson-29, is now surfing at 12 knots under main alone, 7 miles north of Santa Cruz and 10 miles north of Macapuno. ETA Santa Cruz 6 p.m. this evening.
Never a dull moment for the SSS Staff Commodore.
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Not for the faint of heart, this 30 minute documentary filmed in Marsh Harbor, Abacos, Bahamas, during recent Cat 5 Hurricane Dorian shows why cement buildings were blown down..
Go to 10 minute point if you don't have time to watch full video.
https://www.windy.com/articles/what...9590?satellite,2019-09-22-15,16.145,162.347,4
Go to 10 minute point if you don't have time to watch full video.
https://www.windy.com/articles/what...9590?satellite,2019-09-22-15,16.145,162.347,4
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Since Marsha is not registered on the forum, I hope it is not improper for me to fill in for her.
So, question 3 is not answered correctly, and there are only two options. I recall being at the offshore SUP rental, but have a recollection of thousands of LUCI light, so the remaining answer must be the military ship.
Marsha (via Ants)
Hi Marsha,
In your first attempt you have answered all 3 quiz questions correctly and win the Marianne's Macapuno icecream with ripe, organic, farmers market peaches during your upcoming stay at Capitola with Ants! Not sure if I will still have ripe tomatoes.
Correct answer to question 3 was "a 225' military vessel armed with 2 x 50 caliber heavy machine guns and a large yellow, heavy lift crane."
This ship's lighting display at anchor was confusing: two red lights, side by side. on top of a mainmast; an all-around white light on top of a shorter foremast on the raised foredeck; and a red light on the starboard forward topside.
Nevertheless, in the dawn's early light, I could recognize color (black) and profile of a Coast Guard Buoy Tender, confirmed by AIS to be the Yerba Buena based ASPEN, probably visiting Monterey Bay to perform its once/year maintenance on local buoys, including Ano Nuevo, Mile Buoy, Moss Land "MLA" buoy, Monterey Harbor approach buoys, and Point Pinos R2 Buoy.
Does anyone know if Cypress Point Buoy still exists? Last time I saw it the buoy was washed on the beach at Pebble Beach Golf Course, a victim of some of the biggest waves in the world that infrequently break at nearby Ghost Trees, just west of Stillwater Cove.
Here's the thing. Military ships, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, are under no obligation to use any recognizable lighting configurations. And frequently don't. Many military vessels run darkened, or perhaps with one red light. At least a dozen times I've encountered CG cutters blacked out, as well as aircraft carriers and their consorts.
Civilians will not find any written publications on required lighting for military vessels. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) PART 706—CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, exempts just about everything military from COLREGS navigational lighting, even in peace time.
Here's what I think the Buoy Tender ASPEN's anchor lighting was trying to do: the bright twin red horizontal lights at the main mast head were new LED aircraft warning lights. The dim all around white lantern on the foremast was an old style incandescent anchor light, barely visible 2 miles. And the bright red light on the starboard topsides may have been a warning light on their midship crane.
In your first attempt you have answered all 3 quiz questions correctly and win the Marianne's Macapuno icecream with ripe, organic, farmers market peaches during your upcoming stay at Capitola with Ants! Not sure if I will still have ripe tomatoes.
Correct answer to question 3 was "a 225' military vessel armed with 2 x 50 caliber heavy machine guns and a large yellow, heavy lift crane."
This ship's lighting display at anchor was confusing: two red lights, side by side. on top of a mainmast; an all-around white light on top of a shorter foremast on the raised foredeck; and a red light on the starboard forward topside.
Nevertheless, in the dawn's early light, I could recognize color (black) and profile of a Coast Guard Buoy Tender, confirmed by AIS to be the Yerba Buena based ASPEN, probably visiting Monterey Bay to perform its once/year maintenance on local buoys, including Ano Nuevo, Mile Buoy, Moss Land "MLA" buoy, Monterey Harbor approach buoys, and Point Pinos R2 Buoy.
Does anyone know if Cypress Point Buoy still exists? Last time I saw it the buoy was washed on the beach at Pebble Beach Golf Course, a victim of some of the biggest waves in the world that infrequently break at nearby Ghost Trees, just west of Stillwater Cove.
Here's the thing. Military ships, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, are under no obligation to use any recognizable lighting configurations. And frequently don't. Many military vessels run darkened, or perhaps with one red light. At least a dozen times I've encountered CG cutters blacked out, as well as aircraft carriers and their consorts.
Civilians will not find any written publications on required lighting for military vessels. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) PART 706—CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, exempts just about everything military from COLREGS navigational lighting, even in peace time.
Here's what I think the Buoy Tender ASPEN's anchor lighting was trying to do: the bright twin red horizontal lights at the main mast head were new LED aircraft warning lights. The dim all around white lantern on the foremast was an old style incandescent anchor light, barely visible 2 miles. And the bright red light on the starboard topsides may have been a warning light on their midship crane.
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I encountered ASPEN coming thru the fog under the GG Bridge yesterday just before noon and tacked away so they wouldn't see how worn off my CF #s are and to avoid any possible right-of-way questions. Didn't see any lights and didn't hear a fog horn sounding their arrival back in the Bay. Just a dark shape appearing a few hundred yards ahead off my starboard bow. The South Tower and GG Bridge were booming and beeping quite nicely, thank you.
Intermission
Member
Cypress was on station last Wednesday and Thursday, as we came and left Stillwater Cove.
Cutter Aspen was broadcasting her position every 20 or 30 minutes on channel 16, Saturday, as we came home from Pillar Point.
Cutter Aspen was broadcasting her position every 20 or 30 minutes on channel 16, Saturday, as we came home from Pillar Point.