Noob from Connecticut

[CTTim]

I have been checking out this site every so often (alright I admit it daily) for many months. I finally decided to post here and say hello. I live in Connecticut but fell in love with Utah about 20 years ago. I try to take several trips a year to Southern Utah either solo or with my family. I live vicariously through many of the trip reports from members here. The more reports I read the longer my to do list becomes. Maybe I need to retire and move to Kanab.

 

[Dave]

Welcome to BCP.

 

[Glasterpiece]

Welcome.

Kanab is in the heart of the beauty but also the heart of political buffoonery. Still closer to the most wonderful landscape in this country.

 

[Artemus]

Living in the heart of buffoonery and pricking it now and then to let some hot air out can moderate things some.

Welcome.

 

[TannerT]

Welcome.

 

[CTTim]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I hope to see some of you on the trail in the future.

 

[Glasterpiece]

Living in the heart of buffoonery and pricking it now and then to let some hot air out can moderate things some.

Welcome.

When Clinton declared the GSENM I heard many people from Kanab claiming that their property was now worthless. I decided to move there so I grabbed my checkbook and headed on down. Turns out they really didn't consider their property worthless. In fact, prices were higher than the last time I checked.

 

[CTTim]

So I am seriously thinking of a spur of the moment trip. Fly in to Las Vegas (cheap flights) next Wed night. Drive up to Southern Utah on Thursday morning. I haven't done much hiking in Utah in the winter. So many options. Zion, Bryce and Kanab area easier to get to from LV. Arches and Canyonlands look beautiful in the snow but longer drive. I will try to rent a 4WD at airport but that is hit and miss sometimes. 3-4 days of dayhikes. I will bring winter camping gear. A nice fire at night. I often crash out in the back of whatever I rent. Fly back to CT on Monday. I love the recent cold weather posts from some of the members here. They are giving me the itch to try it myself. Any advice from the intrepid winter hikers/campers out there?

 

[Nick]

Winter camping in the desert is a beautiful thing. Come prepared for long, cold winter nights and hope for sunshine and calm for the days and you'll be golden.

From this TR: http://backcountrypost.com/threads/willis-creek-grand-staircase-escalante.193/

 

[Jackson]

My one or two cents would be to be mentally prepared for it. It sounds like you like Winter, so it shouldn't be hard for you to enjoy the solitude and quiet of cold weather camping/hiking. I've done some pretty cold camping and hiking, and what has always made it fun is that no one complained (or when I was solo, I didn't think negatively about the cold and such) and we just enjoyed what Winter had to offer.

That's not much in the way of specific advice, but as long as you've got warm clothes, a good sleeping bag, food and water, you'll do great.