2019 Half Dome Preseason Lottery will open on March 13, 2019!

I found a news release for Half Dome preseason lottery.  It will open on March 13, 2019.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/yosemite-national-park-announces-that-the-2019-half-dome-preseason-lottery-will-open-on-wednesday-march-13-2019.htm

Application can be filed on:

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652

Avalanche Safety Gear ~ Avalance beacon and snow shovel and probe

Avalanche beacons

Avalanche safety....

There might be higher risk for avalanche when people ski in back country, outside of ski resorts.  I saw many people ware avalanche beacon in Europe even if in a ski resorts.

This is an equipment to identify a location in snow when people meet an avalanche.  It is better to ware avalanche beacon when we go skiing in back country.

Also, we need snow shovel and snow probe as well!

Although an avalanche beacon is useful, it is not good enough to rescue people in snow in a short time.   

Snow probe and Snow shovel

Once we identify a rough location where a person in snow, we need to have a probe to identify exact location / depth where he/she is.  Then we need to dig him/her out.  Without a snow shovel, it is very hard to do in a short time.   Therefore, snow probe / snow shovel are really necessary to rescue people as well.  Basically all member need to carry them.

Snow saw 

Snow saw is probably nice to have.  I think most of cases, we probable do not need snow saw to rescue from avalanche accident.   Since the snow might not be very hard in most of cases.   However it is very useful to make a snow cave especially some emergency case in a snow.

Snow cave would be a good shelter to unexpected camp in a snow without a tent.

Half Dome Preseason Lottery 2019 is delayed (Yosemite NP)

Half Dome (Yosemite National Park / California USA)

Preseason Lottery for Half Dome is delayed according to the web site of Yosemite National Park this year.  It is usually starting on March 1 every year.  The date to open has not been determined yet.

To hike to the top of Half Dome a permit required.  To get the permit, there are two different way to get it.  One is going through preseason lottery and the other is daily lotteries.  Since daily lottery allocation is limited, it is probably a good idea to get it through preseason lottery.

It is better to pay more attention for announcement on the web site to find out the new schedule.

Mt. Whitney Lottery 2019 ~ The reservation form has been changed!Mt. Whitney Lottery 2019 ~ The reservation form has been changed!

From the visitor center in Lone Pine

Mt. Whitney Lottery 2019

As I mentioned in this blog before, Mt. Whitney Lottery for this summer is now opened!  The application can be filed till 23:59 on March 15 (PDT).

I have just filed my application and the form is slightly changed this year.
This year we do not have to fill the entrance and exit location and the exit date in the application.  Just need to fill the type of permit, either day use or overnight and the entrance date.

The application fee is just USD $6.

The application will be filed at https://www.recreation.gov/.

People need to have an account.  If you do not have it, you need to register first.  Then just search by "Mt. Whitney", you will find out where you can file the application.

Again, the application can be filed till 23:59 on March 15 (PDT/USA)!

Update: Mt. Whitney Lottery 2019 ～ Feb 22 - Mar 15, 2019

Due to government shutdown, Mt Whitney schedule was postponed this year.  Now the new date was announced which is Feb 22 - Mar 15, 2019.  It seems that the rest of date will stay the same.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD609658

Lassen Volcanic National Park ~ There is a lot of snow due to storm last a few weeks

Caution! There is a lot of snow due to storm last a few weeks!

https://www.nps.gov/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm?id=81B46270-1DD8-B71B-0BE9D202820A8990

This is a link to a webcam it shows a real time view behind the visitor center on the south side.
I usually check it when I plan to go back country skiing over there.  There is a lot of snow accumulated in last a few weeks.

There are some observation of avalanche in Lake Tahoe area as well.
https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/observations

It is probably better to be very careful to go back country skiing next a few weeks.  I should be better to check all warning information in the area.  The forecast is all snow next several days.
I think the amount of snow would be the most within a several years!

Mt. Whitney Lottery 2019 ~ No update yet

As I mentioned in the previous post, the schedule of Mt. Whitney Lottery this year was postponed based on a news on January 30.   Now it is February, there is no update so far.

Usually, the application can be filed starting from February 1, however what we know is it would be some time mid / late February and no information for the following schedule of key dates.  The government shutdown was a little more than 1 month and no further information how much impact for the following dates.

I will keep posting any update I found in this blog.  It is better to keep eyes on it if people plan to get the permit to hike Mt. Whitney this year.  It will be something different from typical years.