Snow camp FAQs

or "How do I convince them to pay for some gear for the trip?"

1) Read all the pages at all the links from the Snow Camp page carefully and make plans you can explain for where you will borrow or rent the right gear.

The Outdoor Club has first-signed-up-for-the-trip-first-served rentals for members including really good tents, lanterns, stoves, insulated sleeping pads (you can and should borrow two pads for this trip), camp chairs, and full size backpacks for hikes. If you rent a tent from us at the pre-trip meeting evening we want you to try putting it up during the meeting so you can get help from us if you need it.

Do some comparison shopping. But don't skimp on quality. Don't, for example, buy long underwear with any percentage of cotton in it, even though it's much cheaper. Snow or rain camp must-haves has a dozen ideas for people on a budget, including any rentals for snow boots or parkas that we know of.

Explain to the person funding the trip for you that this gear will be used for years for camping and outdoors adventures all year long. Once you know how to deal with winter weather, you'll probably never camp again without proper rain/cold gear, an insulating sleeping pad, or a decent tent with a full rain fly. Then when Mom nature sneaks up on you with an unexpected spring or fall storm, you'll be able to not only survive, but even enjoy it.

"How do I convince my parent(s)/guardian that I will be safe on this trip so I can go?"

2) Tell them

the club advisor (a member of the De Anza faculty) and her husband, who are leading this trip, have done it with the club for over twenty years and they are Red Cross first aid and CPR instructors.

We usually have had at least a half dozen experienced people who were on the trip the year before, or even more than once before. Almost every year we have people who have never been camping and/or have never seen snow, so beginners are welcome and planned for.

The Rangers and/or campground hosts come by the campsite and check up on us regularly. If there were an emergency at home, and someone really needed to talk to you, but could not get through to your cell phone, the phone number for the Yosemite 911 dispatcher is: (209) 379-1992. In a non-emergency, the nearby Ranger office is (209) 372-0300, and they will get a message to call home to our campsite when they have the time. There is a cell-phone transmission tower in Yosemite Valley, so you can bring a phone and keep in touch, and there are pay phones in the campground and elsewhere in the park.

We choose Yosemite not only because it is gorgeous and has many recreation choices, but also because

the campground has heated restrooms and purified tap water

there are restaurants (in case the weather is bad or just for convenience),

and a medical clinic with 24 hour emergency service/ 24 hour ambulance service a mile from our campsites.

If it snows much, the roads are plowed frequently and patrolled by Rangers. The park provides a free Greyhound type bus to the ski area, and different free shuttle buses to the stores, visitor center, restaurants, ice rink, and trail heads. Therefore very little, if any, driving in snow is needed. Give them a full report of the info you learned by reading Safe driving in rain and fog and Prepare for winter driving

For people driving who are not used to putting on chains, a passenger can usually be found who knows how to do it. Or even better, more than one carpool can leave at the same time, and caravan together. This can be great if someone has car trouble, and fun to change passengers around as you go and get to know more new people.

The trip is oriented towards first-time people, but experienced people also sign up.

Alcohol consumption is not allowed. This is not just enforced by the club advisor, the returning trip goers and club officers truly know how important it is, and there is considerable peer pressure to not break this rule.

Heated wood-walled cabins or canvas tent cabins (a few of which have heaters) are within walking distance of where we will be camping, or if they are closed, the Yosemite Lodge (just two miles away, served by the free Yosemite valley shuttle bus from our campground) has nice rooms. On previous trips some people have borrowed a parent's credit card in case they wanted to bail from the trip. (One year some people did rent cheap tent cabins the last night). You can preview potential accommodations at

http://www.yosemitepark.com/curry-village.aspx

Curry Village weekends as of 2014 - winter rates, (not including the Mariposa county room tax) (please contact them to be sure these prices are right)

non-heated tent cabin $40

heated tent cabin $60

standard hotel-type rooms ($110 to $133.90 two adults, each extra adult/teenager $15??)

Check the website for the deal on a not-heated tent cabin of a price as low as the low temperature the night before.

(In Jan & Feb 2008, for example, the temps were regularly under 39, got as low as 27 regularly, with one 16 and one 19.) Hey, check that this deal is in place when you pay.

Please read http://www.yosemitepark.com/hanta-virus.aspx before you stay at Curry.

3) A parent or guardian who is having last minute second thoughts about allowing a De Anza student to go on this event can come to the mandatory pre-trip meeting and check out the group going, and get questions answered. (An occasional parent or older sibling has done this before.)

2015 pre-trip meeting and equipment rentals will be Friday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. at the east end of the Stelling parking structure. This is the last chance to sign up!

4) Educate them. Have your parent(s)/guardian read all the pages at all the links from the Snow Camp page.

,