Headed to Fuji Shelter 1-18

[luvshaker]

I'm with a pretty big group (45 or so) headed to the Fuji Shelter on Friday and Saturday. We will be camping in the area, and likely be exceptionally loud and obnoxis. Of course it's open to anyone so maybe we'll see you up there!

[ivan]

where'z dat?

[ScaredSilly]

where'z dat?

 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/willamette/recreation/wintersports/?cid=stelprdb5109521&width=full#fuji

 

[shapp]

Thanks for the heads up, with all due respect, I think that size of a group at once at fuji shelter is BS. If this is an organized group the Forest Service should require a special use permit. You are going to give some small couple person trip this weekend a very rude awakening indeed. I am glad we are planning our trip in a couple weeks and not this sunday.

[ivan]

Thanks for the heads up, with all due respect, I think that size of a group at once at fuji shelter is BS. If this is an organized group the Forest Service should require a special use permit. You are going to give some small couple person trip this weekend a very rude awakening indeed. I am glad we are planning our trip in a couple weeks and not this sunday.

depends...if all 45 are members of the swedish bikini team, i'd probably change my weekend plans to check out this intriguing shelter

[Water]

this will be interesting because i have a decent sized group of 65 (or so) that will be heading up there at the same time.

[luvshaker]

If it means anything, we are not "camping" in the shelter, we are camping at large. With a group that size and level of in-experience, the shelter provides some insurance in the event of an emergency. Since it's a winter camping trip-not a "hut" trip, as it appears many enjoy sans winter bivy gear-the small couple person trip might feel very welcome by the swedish bikini team and will find a warm place for them in the shelter. So, see you there Ivan??

Cheers!

Edited January 17, 2013 by luvshaker

[rbw1966]

I will never understand why anyone would want to go into the wilderness with such a massive group.

[tvashtarkatena]

FYI: The Love Family is headed there this weekend for their annual Winter Goddess Worship, as well.

 

 

Edited January 17, 2013 by tvashtarkatena

[ScaredSilly]

Thanks for the heads up, with all due respect, I think that size of a group at once at fuji shelter is BS. If this is an organized group the Forest Service should require a special use permit. You are going to give some small couple person trip this weekend a very rude awakening indeed. I am glad we are planning our trip in a couple weeks and not this sunday.

 

Typically a group can assemble on National Forest lands and not need a permit when group size is below 75 people.

[shapp]

So a group of 45 at once at fuji, I wonder how many visit this sheter over a winter. I bet only a few hundred at most. I bet this group size represents a signifianct portion of total winter use all at once. I wonder where all the shit will be deposited. I wonder what it looks like right after thaw. I wonder what the shelter will like like when I am there in the not to distant future after such an intense short duration use. What group is this exactly?

[shapp]

Thanks for the heads up, with all due respect, I think that size of a group at once at fuji shelter is BS. If this is an organized group the Forest Service should require a special use permit. You are going to give some small couple person trip this weekend a very rude awakening indeed. I am glad we are planning our trip in a couple weeks and not this sunday.

 

Typically a group can assemble on National Forest lands and not need a permit when group size is below 75 people.

 

Well maybe on your forest. SUP rules vary widely by forest and can vary by district. There can be other rules for organized gatherings for smaller numbers of folks, such as the need to provide waste facilities for certain size groups, an example hereL:http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/passes-permits/event-commercial/?cid=stelprdb5328575

I will be looking into the local districts rules on this matter, because I think that level of use in close proximity to the shelter is total bull shit. Especially on a weekend.

Edited January 18, 2013 by shapp

[matt_warfield]

Alright guys and girls check out "Hate Me" from Blue October on utube.

[Water]

Alright guys and girls check out "Hate Me" from Blue October on utube.

 

I get it mr. warfield! Looks like the band is playing in the loft of the maiden peak shelter just about 6 miles from the fuji shelter. well played!

[shapp]

So now that I have stood up and called bull shit as the complainer, Here is a constructive post to offer suggestions.

 

First off the conditions of the site, because most folks reading this probably have never been to the fuji shelter, from the Salt lake snow park, where you part your rigs it is about 4.5 mile ski mostly uphill on a gated road only open to self propelled travel in the winter. It is about 4 miles from the hwy. The shelter it self is a 3 sided adorondak style with sleeping loft. The loft holds about 6 people getting real intimate. The lower part of the shelter has a picknick table and wood stove. Max capacity standing room only inside there is probably 14 or so getting real cozy. A comfortable number is probably 6 to 8 people. The shelter sits on an open hill that looks across the valley to Diamond peak, a spectacular view. To many of us, not that far in the backcountry put it is one of the farther shelters you can ski into in the area besides Waldo Lake and Maiden Peak. There are several that are much easier and closer to reach. For a day trip, it is almost 9 miles around trip, ½ up hill, usually not on a good fresh track since fewer people ski in there. It is some work. I can’t imagine any one beforehand considering to ski into fuji, that it would ever cross their minds of running into a group of 45 people due to the distance. People ski to fuji for peace and solitude and the amazing view. If you want a big as crowd you ski to gold lake shelter.

 

Second, my perspective, I have taught several winter camping classes to groups up to about 20 novice people. When planning a trip such as this, one considers the location in relation to safety if conditions become bad or someone gets hurt, etc. We always taught these winter camping classes in close proximity to a snow park, and on more than 1 occasion used the snow park warming shelter for emergency relief for a person. The key part being not far away. We were usually within about ¼ mile. We also recognized that our group size would impact enjoyment of others, as the classes were on the weekend. So we went to areas heavily used like Ray Benson Snow Park, Gold Lake area etc. There are many options to be with close proximity to toilets, warming shelters and areas of relatively high use where a 45 person group isn’t going to seam completely out of place, and where that level of use will not have the impact on other users as taking that group to the fuji shelter. If you took a 45 person group and toured a little ways into the woods, there is ample area to spread out and work on snow caves/shelters and winter safety/surival skills with ski/snow show tours out farther. You have the parking lot shelter for emergency and you have toilets. Say camp near the parking area, then take a tour around the Blowout shelter loop (but not camping at the shelter area).

 

Another option would be to tour into the West View Shelter area, lots of room and close to the parking lot. General many more people in the area than Fuji by an order of magnitude. And there are options for other ski groups to just pass up the West View Shelter and move along to another shelter. This option of moving along to another area does not apply to the Fuji shelter. Basically, a small group would tour up to fuji, see the giant cluster, and probably turn immediately around and go back home. Because again, the reason you ski all the way up to fuji is to get away from a crowd, or else you would be skiing around gold lake, or West View, or Betchel shelters.

another option is also to go to these other places and split your grou in half, going to separate directions, 1/2 to west vie, 1/2 to gold lake. If you dont have enough instructers to do this, your gropu is too big.

 

There are so many better ideas to provide for a great learning environment, minimize your large group impact on the environment, minimize your impact on other users, and provide for a safety margin.

 

If you really can’t think of any other more appropriate places, send me a pm and I will point you in a better direct with planning details without being a jerk off.

 

Edited January 18, 2013 by shapp

[tvashtarkatena]

Probably too late with the advice.

 

Hopefully the group has at least planned for some river running style field toi tois and a butt discipline talk beforehand. Pretty much the least you can do if you're going to tromp an army through the wilderness.

 

Oh, and don't forget to rise up and dance:

 

 

[video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGrbos6YW_o

Edited January 18, 2013 by tvashtarkatena

[JasonRain]

I will never understand why anyone would want to go into the wilderness with such a massive group.

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