Current Conditions

[daniel banquo merrick]

Yellow jackets are thick this year. Bummer about Mike but glad he is ok. As a kid in Idaho, I learned they were always worse after a dry winter or one without much snow. The little buggers nest underground and wet winters drown them out. Main thing around wasps is do not move fast, swap or waive them away since these types of things incite them. If they land on you just hold still. Keep shirts tucked in and cuffs tight - I've been stung many times when they have walked up under my clothes and then got trapped when I moved.

Wasps have been introduced to New Zealand where they are a big problem. This video will give you the creeps. He is not killing them but studying them. Jump ahead to about 2:30 for the real fun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NxOYkw2z54

As far as current conditions, I have nothing planned for this weekend so send me a message or email if you have something going on. I've climbed perhaps 3 days in two years so not much can be expected of my climbing.

Whenever anybody wants to visit Balloon Dome, count me in.

[susan]

Wow what a job digging out that mansion of a hive - the buzzing sounds alone set off my flight/fright response! Awk!

[mike a]

Hi all, I climbed at Fresno dome yesterday, and it seems the bees are bad every where but at the trailhead super bad, and sure they will be bad at the camp grounds because of the dumpster and people with food have been there and the creek they need water, there is no getting around it they are bad and makes it hard to climb they were on my as I climbed yesterday 😞🐝🐝🐝 but that will not stop me from climbing 😊❤️🐝

[John]

We should call you Mike Bee instead of Mike A!

[susan]

Yes - Mike B! 

Mike, that was brave, and your news has me thinking I'll only want to night climb at Fresno Dome until the swarms buzz off.

Here is a Googled Forecast for Fresno Dome showing next Tuesday night's low might be all the chill we need with any luck:
https://www.google.com/search?q=fresno+dome+temperature&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[susan]

Wow - forecast looks pretty darn perfect! High 70s.

[susan]

Damn wasps got me again yesterday - one at the base of a climb when I placed my hand over it not knowing it was there, one up high on a climb on the side of the calf when it got trapped up the pant leg. The swelling in the leg has grown so much it is felt above the knee. Can't wait to get back at them with traps in the spring.

[mungeclimber]

Ricky D saying that Minarets might get shut down soon?

Anyone heard anything else?

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2974051&tn=80

[John]

I'm a little surprised some of those washed-out sections were approved to be driven on this year, they look kinda hollow underneath and sketchy. Haven't heard anything about this, thanks for the heads up.

[susan]

Yeah, Sneville just mentioned it in a text yesterday about the road closure coming up Monday. It's about time if they really get to fixing it. That pretty much leaves all of November for them to do so before the weather could be expected to get too bad. 

I heard somewhere this winter might be a light one, so they'll probably have longer.

Even a light winter usually makes Beasore unavailable, so access for most will probably be nil once snow/ice sticks on Beasore. Aww, we'll see what happens...

What a too quick climbing season that was - knew it would fly!

[mungeclimber]

seriously too short a season this year!

"winter might be a light one"  I'm torn by this. I'm ready for snow, but I have so many lines I want to explore!!! 

[mungeclimber]

Finally posted... Not till November 26th!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD562769

[susan]

That's great news! Thanks Munge!

[mungeclimber]

Construction begins for road 4S81 Minarets Rd, Bass Lake Ranger District.
Minarets road will be closed beginning Monday December 18, 2017, while repair work begins. The construction effort will take place seven days per week until the project is complete.
During the road closure, warning signs/barricades will be posted, at the Redinger Overlook above North Fork, and Clearwater Station until project completion. 4S81 will be open to LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY from 7:00-7:30 A.M. and again from 4:30-5:00 P.M.
Visitors to the forest will still have access to their favorite areas within the Bass Lake Ranger District using Beasore Rd. (5S07) from Bass Lake (see map attached below).
For questions in regard to this project please contact Pablo Gonzalez at 559- 297-0706 ext. 4961 or at pablogonzalez@fs.fed.us

Guess it was delayed. Seems official coming from the SNF FB page.

[John]

What an odd time to start a construction project in the mountains.