New Stuff in the Wings

Since its last update in March of 2006, Slicesofamerica.com has braved the torturous hell that is Death Valley, traveled from the lowest basin to the highest peak in the lower forty-eight US states and lived to tell the tale, experienced the exceptional volume of the great Sequoias, and endured the tedium of a bogus ghost town. Most recently, Slices also took a long weekend on Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, GA. All this is yet to be added to the site. Stay tuned. The code is slowly coming together.

MIA?

Has anyone seen Taylor? We're approaching a month since the last post...

Mount Whitney Update 06/24/06: More Gear + Baggage Info

Mount Whitney Update 06/24/06: More Gear + Baggage Info

Guys,

I suppose that by now, everyone has received the email from Jason. That guy has some cool gear. 4 2-way radios, an extra sleeping pad, instant dehydrated meals, a DC/AC converter with a plug splitter, and LSU flags! Awesome. I would certainly rather hoist a Saints flag or a Louisiana flag, alas I have neither.

Here is a list of what I plan to bring. I will try to be thorough:

Personal Items

boots, sneakers, 5+ pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants (one is convertible to shorts), two long sleeve shirts, 3+ plain white t-shirts, thermals (top and bottom), 8 underwear, swim trunks (or shorts for swimming), goggles, 2 pairs of gloves (one for warmth and one for rougher stuff), sunglasses, wide-brim hat, cap, watch, waterproof jacket (doubles as outer layer), waterproof pants (fit over pants), backpack (has its own raingear), Jetboil stove (will acquire fuel after arrival in Vegas), belt, 20 degree rated sleeping bag, pillow (?maybe?), chapstick, baby powder, floss, mini toothbrush, mini toothpaste, toenail clippers, 2 nalgae bottles, 2 energy bars for each day (probably Cliff Bars), hand/foot warmers (approx 3),
journal, digi camera, manual camera, film, tripod/walking stick, 2 camera batteries, Ipod, mini-tape recorder, stamps (for postcards), 2+ add on straps for latching things to my pack, extra batteries for all my stuff,

Shared Items

tent (fits 2 snug), tarp for tent, whistle, sunscreen, National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps of Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Death Valley, plus topo maps of the Mt. Whitney Trail, water filter, box cutter, pocket knives, cell phone, mini-maglight flashlight that converts to headlamp, trowel for bathroom

I am also looking into buying a car charger for my camera’s batteries. That is unless someone already has a charger for batteries compatible with the Nikon Coolpix series?? Also, maybe we should just all bring our tents. From what I can tell, they are all pretty light. Does everyone have groundcover for their tent? - like a tarp.

I plan to check most of this stuff on the flight, and I’ll have a small backpack to carry on with the more delicate electronics like camera and Ipod. Jason supplied us with some great info about baggage and backpacking and flying here:

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/42451,-1.php

Also, you will want to look at Southwest’s page describing their policies according to TSA rules here:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/airport_info.html

And also SW’s baggage screening info here:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage_screen_QA.html

The most relevant piece of information I found so far is that the TSA would rather that its passengers keep all food in carry on bags.

Taylor

Mt. Whitney Update 06/20/06: Checklist - Team Name?

I posted a checklist on the blog today. You can view it by clicking on it in the "Trip Tools" on the blog at slicesofamerica.blogspot.com. There are two kinds of items on this list: items that can be shared and items that can not be shared. If you can contribute a shred item, like a tent or an MRE, write me so that I can get that list together. Here is what I have so far:

I can contribute 1 two man tent, 1 tarp for 1 tent, 1 kickass Jetboil Stove, 1 water filter device, utensils, pocket knives, 1 box cutter, 1 cell phone, 2 flashlights, all necessary maps, some plastic bags, lighter, trowel, firestarter sticks, and a tripod.

Jason says that he has a 2-3 man tent, iodine tablets, water filter, possibly some packaged meals, and a stove.

Trey has a 3 man tent (that we must use because it's been to Nepal!!), a tarp for that tent, a compass and a whistle.

Dane promises MREs if his brother doesn't eat them all.

Bryce dedicates his legal expertise should we find ourselves in trouble with the law.

I'm thinking that we don't need all that stuff in the Survival Kit checklist, but we do need to put together a good first aid kit. Some things like snake bite kit, bandages, and rubbing alcohol are a must.

Let me know what else you have to offer team.

On a sidenote. Do we need a team name? Dane had a few suggestions:

1. The We're All Gonna Dies
2. Bear Food
3. Taylor Dane and The Hiking Pole Trio
4. Trey and the Accountants
5. Arming bears
6. The We Ate Treys
7. 5 Guys, A Bear, And A Final Resting Place
8. Alfa Flight
9. The Rocketts
10. 5 Pillars Of Innocence
11. The Jackson 5
12. Ben Stiller movies suck (that's not a name just an opinion)
13. Taylor's last joke
14. Into thin Air

Some of those might work. Anyone have any input on this? I would like if it started with "Team" like "Team Zissou" for example.

40 days friends,
Taylor

Mt. Whitney Update 6/9/06: Route Map

Here is a map of the trip route, beginning in Vegas through Death Valley, Mt. Whitney, Sequoia, and then back to Vegas via interstate. Click on the small map below for a larger view.

Mt. Whitney Update 06/01/06: Food, Water, Tents, and more Flight Info

Food, Water, Tents, and updated Flight Info

To keep you all up to speed:

We are all flying out of Vegas on the afternoon Monday Aug 7th, which means that we get a whole extra day of vacation – Sunday Aug 6th! I’ll start thinking about what we can do with this extra time.

I've got some answers for you all. I just made a few phone calls, and to my relief - two LARGE questions have been answered.

1. What do we do about food??

I just spoke to a few people in the Lone Pine / Mt. Whitney area, including 2 park rangers at the visitor centers, and we will be able to rent bear canisters for the climb. The cost will be $2.50 per day per canister. Sweet! We can each afford one. They are approx 18 in by 12 in and supposedly hold a lot if stuffed properly. We will work out the actual foodstuffs later... MREs or whatever.

2. What do we do about H2O?

The rangers said, "Whatcha wanna do is get yourself a filtration system and combine that with the iodine pills, and use the water you find along the way. You're gunna wanna make sure you have enough after trail crest because there's no water source above it." SWEET! So we just bring a couple of liters for the first day... replenish as we go and stock up the night before we launch into the summit. There just so happens to be a huge water source near Trail Camp aka... where we'll camp on the first night. see map:

Mt. Whitney Map

Also, Jason has a 3 person tent, and I have a 2 person tent… That’s all we need, unless someone else has a 3 person tent that they’d like to bring in place of my 2 person… for more room. Either way, we are good on tents.

More soon,
Taylor

Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Valley of Fire State Park is just one hour NE of Vegas:




Go here for more info.

Mt. Whitney Update 05/09/06 - Bought 3 Return Tickets!!

Fellas,

I talked to Bryce last night on the phone very briefly, and he said two things that really helped to clear my thoughts.

I mentioned to Bryce that flying back to New Orleans is now a cheaper option than flying to Houston and driving to New Orleans. He rebutted with the profound, “So we could just rent a car to Houston.” I hadn’t even thought of that.

Also in talking to Bryce he told me to do whatever I wanted – to just make a call and he’d be fine with it. That led me to the following decisions…

I just purchased 3 return flight tickets (direct!) from Vegas to NOLA for Dane, Trey, and myself for August 7th. This means that we will stay one extra night in Vegas or the surrounding area.

Jason and Bryce, I need you guys to purchase your own separate tickets back to NOLA and Austin respectively, and each of you will need to arrange pickups – obviously. I cannot purchase you tickets because I will not be there to confirm the credit card that it was purchased with. I know that you guys are strapped to get back to work on that Monday, but this way you both have the option to stay in Vegas if you would like. Here is the return flight info for Dane, Trey, and I if you should so need it:

Monday, August 07
LAS VEGAS NV(LAS) to NEW ORLEANS LA(MSY)
Flight 2969 M
Depart LAS VEGAS NV(LAS) at 6:15PM and
Arrive in NEW ORLEANS LA(MSY) at 11:50PM

Jason and Bryce, realize that we need to drive back from Sequoia National Park on the 6th, which will take at least 6 hours. Please, if you do decide to purchase an Aug 6th ticket, allow for some driving time on that day to return to Vegas.

Envisioning the five of us claiming the top of Mt. Whitney for all Cajuns,
Taylor Lasseigne

New Itinerary (updated 05/09/06)

MONDAY Jul 31 – rent car and NOLA crew + Bryce leave NOLA at 9AM; meet Jason at HO, TX; flight leaves at 5:05PM; rent SUV in Vegas; drive 2.5 hrs to and camp in Death Valley that night

TUESDAY Aug 01 – wake in Death Valley; see the park all day; drive 2.5 hrs to camp near Mt. Whitney Portal

WEDNESDAY Aug 02 – wake at Whitney Portal; obtain permits; hike (approx 6 miles) to Trail Camp at 12,039 feet; camp for the night

THURSDAY Aug 03 – wake at Trail Camp; spend the entire day hiking to summit of Whitney and return to Trail Camp (approx 10 miles); camp for the night

FRIDAY Aug 04 – wake very early at Trail Camp; hike down the rest (approx 6 miles); drive 6 hours to Sequoia National Park; camp near park sights

SATURDAY Aug 05 – wake in Sequoia NP; see the park all day; drive part of the 7 hr trip back to Vegas that night (probably stop in at a motel and shower/sleep)

SUNDAY Aug 06 – drive the rest of the way to Vegas that morning; Bryce and Jason may fly out at this point; remaining find something to do in or near Vegas (lodging not yet secure)

MONDAY Aug 07 – remaining continue to explore in or near Vegas; fly out at 6:15PM

Mt. Whitney Update - May 8, 2006 (Return Flight and Checklist)

In this, my last week at UNO this semester, it is very hard to concentrate on school. Just this morning I was in Brass Methods class – that’s a music education class whereby students become somewhat proficient on brass instruments: tuba, trombone, French horn, trumpet, etc – I’m in class and my professor is going on and on about how students should warm up using chorals, and all I can think of is the trip to California, “I wonder what we’re going to do about tents? I hope the price of gas levels off by August. Can I outrun a bear? What are we going to do about a return flight?”

I. AIRFARE (return trip)

I wish that the airfare bit of this expedition had unraveled less awkwardly. With each passing day, Dane’s outlandish idea of taking the train back from Vegas is looking more and more viable. (By the way Dane I checked it out, and an Amtrak ticket from Vegas to New Orleans would cost $272/person and the trip would take 3 days.)

What it comes down to, and yes Dane tried to warn me about this a month ago, is that we are attempting to fly back on the worst night of the week - Sunday. Because we may never get a break on Southwest’s price, my thoughts are wavering between returning on same/different days and flying back to Houston/New Orleans (and Austin in Jason’s case). The fact that it is now cheaper to fly into New Orleans on Southwest really complicates things. I would like to speak to each of you on the phone about this, tonight if possible.

Since flying back to New Orleans is suddenly a more feasible option ($206 to New Orleans as opposed to $210 to Houston + driving back to New Orleans) then maybe the drive to Houston should actually be more like a drop off. Maybe Angela can bring us there, do some shopping or whatever a person does in Houston and then drive back on her own time. Flying back to New Orleans instead of Houston equals less driving for all. Justin, in your case, you could fly directly back to Austin. (I checked out the prices and you’re looking at $220 for a really late night flight on the 6th or $158 for a flight all day on the 7th)

Because we would be flying into New Orleans and not Houston, anyone from the New Orleans crew would be able to fly back on the 7th and easily find a ride to their respective dwelling. This is contingent on the fact that Bryce could convince Ashley to drive to New Orleans to pick him up on the evening of the 6th.

Here is a table of possibilities so that you can see what I am basing all this on. I have not yet found anything cheaper than SWair:

Vegas to Houston Aug 6th = $210
Vegas to Houston Aug 7th = $90
Vegas to NOLA Aug 6th = $206
Vegas to NOLA Aug 7th = $144
Vegas to Austin Aug 6th = $220
Vegas to Austin Aug 6th = $158

Ok, as I am typing this I become more and more sensitive to the fact that I am making less and less sense. This could only be more complicated if one of us was named Austin and was traveling from Houston. I need to speak to everyone in person tonight if possible.

II. GEAR

As soon as this final ticket is purchased, it will be a lot easier to see what kind of money we have left for purchasing gear. One way to kick off the master checklist is for us all to state what we each have to contribute to the trip. The more we can share, the less we all have to buy. If you send your response to me I will disperse it to the other guys. You can also email the response to the whole group. Here’s what I know so far:

Taylor – tent for 2
Taylor – extra hiking backpack (Bryce will borrow)
Taylor – I will purchase a bear canister (required by law on trail)
Taylor – Jetboil stove (may not need to bring this)
Taylor – Trowel for burying waste
Taylor – I will obtain maps ahead of time
Dane – MREs (not sure how many yet)

That’s all I know so far. We should begin with large, shared items and make our way to the smaller things. Who has a tent? Anyone have extra backpacks, sleeping bags, or anything else I am forgetting? Dane’s MREs are a great idea, but he probably won’t be able to sustain us entirely. Can anyone else get MREs? Check these checklists:

http://www.masseys.net/masseys/dept.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=3335

http://www.masseys.net/masseys/dept.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=3337

http://www.adventure16.com/outdoor/checklist.html (this one is good)

I hope to speak to you all at some point this evening.
Taylor

Houston - Vegas Tickets

If there's one thing that I can’t stand, it’s the frustration of sitting on an air plane, knowing that I’m late for my connecting flight, knowing that I’m going to be severely screwed by the airline when my connection is gone. Later I’m in the terminal stuck sleeping alongside fifty other angry, desperate souls, on a three foot long bench, with everything I hold dear as a pillow. We won’t have to worry about all that layover business on this trip because I scored us a DIRECT FLIGHT for a mere $95! Here’s the flight info:

Monday, July 31
HOUSTON HOBBY(HOU) to LAS VEGAS NV(LAS)
Flight 995 M
Depart HOUSTON HOBBY(HOU) at 5:05PM
Arrive in LAS VEGAS (LAS) at 6:10PM

Mt. Whitney Update - April 12, 2006 - Phase II: Who’s In This?

Ok fellows, it's time to hunker down and see who's who in this group.

This Mt. Whitney update has been sent to Trey, Dane, Bryce and Taylor (myself). As of now, both Trey and Bryce have friends they would like to bring along. That brings our count to 6 people (Taylor, Trey, Bryce, Dane, Friend#1, and Friend#2). We only have 5 wilderness passes, and we will only be able to fit 5 comfortably in the rental, so unfortunately - someone needs to stay home. I want your input here, because frankly, I'm not sure how to handle this situation.

There is more troubling news. UNO recently released the summer, intercession, and fall schedules. While deciding on dates for our trip back in February/March, these semester dates were not yet released, so I based my decisions on the previous year's dates. In short, for those of you wanting to make this trip but are simultaneously wanting to attend UNO during the summer, here is where we stand:

1. We have wilderness pass reservations for August 2-4, which means that we MUST pick up our real permits at the Permit Office on August 2nd, no flexibility. Remember that it will take about 5 hours to drive to Lone Pine, CA (the trailhead to Mt. Whitney) from Vegas. (just keep that in mind)

2. UNO’s summer session classes run from June 8th – July 27th. That alone would concern me, but to compound the problem, summer session finals are scheduled to be taken through August 1st!

3. For those interested in UNO mini-session #1; classes run from June 8th – June 29th with finals on July 1st.

4. For those interested in UNO mini-session #2; classes run from July 5th – July 26th with finals on July 28th.

My main concern is that we have to be at the Permit Office by 6PM on August 2nd. I have had some really serious delays at airports that have caused me to be not only hours late, but in two separate instances, days late.

Scenario #1: fly out July 31 - If we fly out on August 1st, there is no guarantee that we will arrive in Vegas that night. I would feel a lot better flying out on July 31. That way, if we do get there the night of July 31, we drive to Death Valley and camp. The next day (Aug 1st), we explore Death Valley and drive out to Lone Pine where we camp for the night. The next day we enter the Mt. Whitney Zone (that’s actually what it’s called by the way).

Scenario #2: fly out August 1 – If we fly out August 1, we may in fact get to Vegas that day. We would make our way through Death Valley either that day or early the next, camp, and be at Lone Pine to enter the Mt. Whitney Zone on time. BUT… if we fly out on Aug. 1 and the flight is delayed, we may have a layover somewhere. That might put us in Vegas some time on the morning of Aug. 2. Remember we have to get baggage, rent a truck, and drive at least 5 hours to the trailhead. (that scenario just scares the crap out of me)

I strongly suggest we fly out on July 31. This means that we would be flying out on a Monday with UNO’s summer session finals stretching out to Tuesday. You would miss two days of finals. Those interested in attending UNO need to decide (1) will I attend UNO’s summer session, mini-ses#1, or mini-ses#2 (2) would I feel comfortable asking my professor to take an exam early?

I’m sorry I screwed us on this UNO thing, but I had to choose dates, and I thought it best to model my choices after the previous year. If you feel you can take your exam a few days early, then there’s no problem. Hell, your test may even fall on the Friday or Saturday before we leave!

I know this is a lot of information, but I’m telling you all this because I need feedback. I need to know who is serious. I want to speak to a travel agent by Tuesday, April 18. We need to buy plane tickets, reserve a rental truck (Jeep), and develop a gear checklist. Also, Trey will be providing us with information on altitude sickness. I still feel like the trip will cost each person approx. $450-550. That depends upon what you own and such, but we’ll get into that after we’ve got a true headcount. By the way, if our number remains at 6, we’ll have democratically un-invite someone.

Side note: Just so you know, Angela and I are being evicted from our home and must find a new place to live in this wacky, desperate environment by April 30. I thought about scrapping this trip. I even told Trey that I wasn’t sure about it, but I talked to Angela and she wants me to make it work. Maybe my little story can help to motivate any of you out there who are thinking of dropping out.

Your expedition leader,

Taylor Lasseigne

new slice added by Jason Hughes

NEW SLIICE POSTED! Go to slices to see Jason Hughes' slice of Lake Varret, LA. Jason is a friend of Bryce Autin and a potential participant of the '06 summit of Mt. Whitney. Check out his awesome pics and let him know how much you like them. You can contact Jason at La_south_paw@yahoo.com.

University of New Orleans Budget Cuts

I have published the following info because I know that some of my slicers, including a few of the guys gearing up for the '06 summit of Mt. Whitney, are (or will be) students at UNO. I hope this info helps.

The University of New Orleans announced the "probable" cuts for Fall 2006. I can't find a story online yet, but I have the university's Driftwood newspaper here in front of me. Here is a crude summary of their summary:

College of Business Admin. - reduce admin; nix bach. in Economics; reduce electives; reduce full-time faculty

College of Education - reduce admin; nix Phys Ed ; nix human performance degrees; nix PHD in curriculum and instruction; nix single person programs in special ed

College of Engineering - reduce admin; nix Dep of Engin. management and full-time faculty positions

College of Lib Arts - reorganize to include School of Planning, Anthropology, and Geography which will offer a new master's degree in Social Science; Anthro faculty will focus on urban and cultural studies; nix full-time faculty teaching physical/biological anthro; nix master's degree in Geography; nix courses in linguistics and ESL; nix many faculty positions primarily for fresh writing and sopho literature; nix mass com master's degree and program; nix mass com from undergrad curriculum; nix one fine arts faculty; nix specialists in Italian and reduce French; nix music composition, conducting, and performance degrees; nix all classical music masters degrees but the jazz master's; reduce upper-level philosophy classes; nix 2 philosophy faculty; nix 2 positions for recently retired poli sci faculty; reduce funding of the UNO Poll by 50%; nix 1 faculty position in sociology

College of Sciences - reorganize from 7 departments to 3; nix some faculty positions; nix masters in math

College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs - discontinue college as a self-contained unit; nix master's in Urban studies; relocate Public Admin curric. to Poli sci; nix 2 faculty in Pub Admin; relocate Transportation Studies to College of Business; relocate Urban Studies and Planning to Liberal Arts

Metropolitan College - reduce budget for off-campus education

Graduate School - nix school as an administrative unit; Academic colleges will do paperwork for graduate education where degrees are pursued; place some staff on leave-without-pay status

Athletic dept - nix programs for cross country, indoor track, women's outdoor track, and women's golf.

This initial press release should be taken with a grain of salt. For instance, under music the paper reads, "Eliminate all programs for classical music." This is not exactly true. I just came from meeting in the Performing Arts Center, and the department will offer almost all of the same classes as before, but the students will come away with a "BA in Musical Studies" instead of let's say a BA in Music Composition or a BA in Music Performance. It's all under one heading now - BA in Music Studies.

All of this is a "draft" by the way that was leaked to give students and faculty a heads up, to give them time to plan for an inevitably transitional year to come. If not for this leak, the info would have remained a secret through the rest of March and into April - not much time to think about transferring to a new program much less a new university. The leak was a bold, courageous move. I'm not sure who first released the info, but they should be applauded.

MT. WHITNEY RESERVATION CONFIRMED!!!

Great news, we qualified for 5 hikers entering the Mt. Whitney zone from 8/2/06 - 8/4/06! I was worried, but it looks like of the more than 4,000 applicants, we got in!! Now it's time to kick the expedition into a new gear. We need to look at plane tickets, jeep rental, gear, and we need to get in shape with some regular excercise. I am posting links to the reservation confirmation and four page newsletter below:
- confirmation letter
- newsletter pg. 1
- newsletter pg. 2
- newsletter pg. 3
- newsletter pg. 4

for those awaiting info about the '06 expedition to california...

The most recent post on the Inyo National Forrest website reads:

As of March 10, processing of the more than 4,500 Mt Whitney applications received for the 2006 lottery is about half done! Every application in the lottery will be pulled out and we will attempt to make a reservation based on the remaining space available for the entry dates you requested. Letters are being mailed out daily, so people should be receiving their letter in the next few weeks. Please note we cannot search for, change, intercept or report on the status of your individual application at this time. All applications will be answered by mail. As soon as the last lottery application is pulled out and processed, this page will be updated to show what dates still have space left after the lottery. We appreciate people not interrupting so we can complete the work as quickly as possible.

So all we can do is wait and hope that the mail actually finds its way from California, through our effed up postal system here in New Orleans, and into my mailbox. You can check in on the Inyo site or visit Expedition Basecamp at slicesofamerica.com.

sneak peak from mardi gras '06

I am releasing two pictures as a sneak peak into what went down on Fat Tuesday. It is the first time that I've ever summoned the initiative to get out of bed early enough to catch the Tuesday morning parades, and it was well worth it. Costumes making light of Katrina were rampant - and pretty funny to boot.

new year yields hoards of new slices!!

I can't really explain the sudden interest in slices. Maybe this post-Katrina funk has got some Louisianans wanting to be more creative, more artistic and resourceful, causing them to reach deep down into their collective artsy entrails and heaving this new batch of photo essays upon us. In the past two months, I have received four random slices via Louisianans, not to mention three of my own and another magnificently weaved collection of photos from a Texan who travels to Seattle. Like I said, I can't explain it. I won't even try, but what I can do is tell you about them and link you to them:

1.Big Bend and Amistad by Taylor Lasseigne and Angela Driscoll
2.Messages After Katrina by Taylor Lasseigne and Angela Driscoll
3.Random New York by Lindsay Campbell
4.Multnomah Falls by Lindsay Campbell
5.Lake Verret by Jason Hughes (not yet posted)
6.Muses Parade by Patricia "muffin" Sills (not yet posted)
7.Katrina at Mardi Gras by Taylor Lasseigne (not yet posted)
8.Seattle, WA by Justin Wetz (not yet posted)

Slices of America "the blog" is born!

Well, everyone else and his mother has a blog, so why shouldn't Slices of America? It's pestered me for a while that Slices has been without a forum, and finally i'm doing something about it. March 6th, 2006 marks the beginning of what I hope will be an endless flurry of photo essay related text. Let the gab begin! Oh, and for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, visit the website.