New Year's at Nesika Lodge

Spend New Year's Eve at Nesika Lodge up in the Columbia Gorge. This is a backpacking event, but you do not need a tent. Dates: Thursday, December 31 thru ... Sunday the 3rd (or sooner). If you want to return sooner than Sunday, you may have to hike back down yourself. A group of day hikers will be hiking back down on Friday, New Year's Day. Please let me know how many nights you plan to stay in your RSVP. Location: Nesika Lodge in the Columbia Gorge. We will leave from Multnomah Falls at 10:30 am Thursday. Please email me if you want to carpool. Park in the small parking lot directly across from the Multnomah Falls lodge and we will meet up in front of the MF lodge. Nesika is a hiking club lodge located in the Columbia Gorge wilderness and is completely off the grid. The lodge is maintained by the Trails Club of Oregon. We cook on a large wood stove, and wood provides our heat. Bunks with simple mattresses are provided. There is a generator, but power is turned off after bedtime. We also use propane lanterns and candles. Bring a reliable headlamp or flashlight! There's also a fabulous viewpoint and great hiking trails in the area. The lodge itself is surprisingly modern and has the look and feel of a big ski lodge. There's a big fireplace and a bunch of games and cards for entertainment. There is cell phone service but it can be spotty. Important advisory: In winter the water systems are turned off. That means no showers and no flush toilets. We do have fabulous men's and woman's outhouses with a wonderful view. They don't smell, but they are brisk! You can see a slideshow of images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aircooled/sets/72157622809622013/show/ Or images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aircooled/sets/72157622809622013/ Spend the weekend enjoying games, a book by the fire, hot chocolate, hikes, snowshoeing, winter photography - a real getaway and just a few miles from Portland. The hike up is beautiful too - lots of waterfalls! Organizer: Jeff Cost: $10 per night for TCO members/ $15 for non-members. This helps to pay the costs of running the lodge (fuel for generator, maintenance, paper towels, repairs, etc.) Distance: 4 miles with an 1800 foot elevation gain. We will climb the paved trail from Multnomah Falls to the overlook and then take the Larch Mountain trail. Some sections of this trails are rocky and have steep dropoffs. I have done this hike may times (even in the dark) and it is not super difficult, but this time of year there could be blowdown, mud, ice or snow. Returning: You can opt to stay for one day and return on your own. I will probably be returning on Sunday afternoon. There could be light snow and possibly ice. Mist from the waterfalls can create black ice conditions. Trek poles and good grippy boots are recommended. Yak trax and gators are also a good idea. Bring or wear rain pants and a waterproof shell. You need to bring: Sleeping bag Warm clothing for cold and wet weather. Hat and gloves are a must - it will be cold at higher elevations and we could be getting up to snow levels. Headlamp Trek poles (advised) Food for as long as you want to stay). We may be able to provide some meals (breakfasts) at very nominal cost and there are spices, flour and some other basics already there. I am looking at taking up supplies this weekend and will update "YES" RSVPs with the latest. Waterproof boots. Please do NOT wear cotton or blue jeans. Wool, synthetics or silk only! Camera! You do not need: A tent Cooking equipment or utensils - they are provided. The Nesika kitchen has everything you need including spices, cooking oil, coffee and tea and very good spring water. The lodge and dorms (men's, women's and coed) will be heated. Dogs, smoking and alcohol are not allowed in the lodge. Children are welcome.