reddingcruiser
Practicing for retirement
Well, just like that 2019 came in like a lion, and it snowed and snowed and snowed...…………….(and we're still waiting for it to go out like a lamb).
So, here’s the news many folks have been expecting: the Rubithon is being postponed due to the record snow pack in the Sierra-Nevada Range. Anyone that knows the Rubicon Trail, and who has seen firsthand what Mother Nature has dumped on the Sierras over the past three months, also knows this announcement was coming. Those familiar with the Rubicon Trail know how a record snow pack affects access to the upper parts of the trail, particularly from Tahoma Staging down to Rubicon Springs. While lower portions of the trail may be passable, this key route for supplying the logistical needs of the Rubithon is at a higher elevation, largely protected by shade, and is one of the last areas to ‘thaw out’. Though thoughts of a snow trip may sound appealing to some folks, the risk of keeping the original dates with the chance we might be able to get though is not worth the logistical nightmare that would be caused by a last minute date change.
Just so everyone is aware, the new dates where reserved almost a month ago when it became obvious that California was headed for a year of record precipitation, so I have been mulling this over for quite some time. The potential for being snowed out is always a risk when we are the first major run of the season. I weighed the options and selected the best/earliest dates that would minimize the chance that we would be dealing with too much snow, high water and too much mud. I also had to consider dates where we would be assured we would have all of our usual spots at Rubicon Springs. Of course, the other major consideration was the potential damage that could be done to the trail by trying to force a hundred or more rigs through sensitive areas of the trail saturated by run-off.
This is truly one decision where not everyone will be happy with the change. From parents with kids who will have conflicts with the first week of school (who knew, I always started school the week before Labor Day), to folks who need to plan vacation time 6 to 12 months in advance, to folks who simply will not be able to adjust their schedules. I want everyone to know I do understand and respect your decisions, but I am hoping that rescheduling the Rubithon now, rather than later, will give the greatest number of folks a chance to rearrange vacation and travel plans.
The upside? The same starry nights, the same friendly faces (a little dustier, maybe), longer and warmer days for sunbathing, warmer water for swimming (I doubt there will be a shortage of water, even by August), and fewer mosquitos.
I will be reaching out over the next week to everyone who has already registered to see they can adjust to the new dates. I truly hope most folks will be able to adjust and still plan to attend the 31st Rubithon.
Oh, the new dates! The Rubithon has been rescheduled for August 13th through August 18th. We’ll see you there!
If you have questions please contact me at chairman@rubithon.com or 530-949-2304
Use the same registration link below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just in case you missed last year’s Rubithon, the subsequent Toyota Trails Rubithon article, or you just had other things distracting you last year, you might have noticed Bad Coco (Eric Agee) isn’t starting the official Rubithon thread this year. Well, that’s because there’s a new Chairman in town! Fortunately for all of us, however, Eric is still in the wings helping me with the ins and outs (and do’s and don’ts) of putting the Rubithon together, as he hands over the Chairman reins and prepares for a much deserved Rubithon ‘retirement’.
As is customary, I’m sure some of this year’s Trail Leads will set up their own ‘mud threads as we get closer to June, in order to keep questions and details about their respective runs in one place and provide for direct communication. Feel free to join in once those threads are posted, or contact me if you’re not seeing the information you need.
Moving the Rubithon dates as I had to certainly invited repeat effects from the law of unintended consequences, and the cut-off date I had set for late registrations and shipping your t-shirts and hoddies is no exception.
After speaking again with the vendors for our apparel, dash plaques and other printed materials it was determined our orders must be placed by July 1st to guarantee they are at the Rubithon when you arrive. T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. ordered with registrations received after July 1st will most likely have to be mailed after the Rubithon.
Again, in order to guarantee that your tee shirts, hoodies, dash plaques and other printed materials are at the Rubithon when you arrive, we need to receive registration NO LATER THAN July 1st. (Previous date was July 15th) I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
This only effects the items noted, period. Everything else remains the same.
Like last year, you will be able pay directly on the site with a credit card or PayPal, or you can still send in a check. Registration works with Windows or Macs, and can be completed from your mobile devices.
Just like last year, each month one lucky person will get an extra Grand Prize Raffle ticket, drawn from among the folks that register each month from now through May 31st.
As always, your optimism, enthusiasm, and prayers are welcome to ensure all the ducks get in lined up in a row, the weather cooperates and the trail is ready and open.
You can reach me at chairman@rubithon.com or at 530-949-2304.
Thanks, Dick Thompson
So, here’s the news many folks have been expecting: the Rubithon is being postponed due to the record snow pack in the Sierra-Nevada Range. Anyone that knows the Rubicon Trail, and who has seen firsthand what Mother Nature has dumped on the Sierras over the past three months, also knows this announcement was coming. Those familiar with the Rubicon Trail know how a record snow pack affects access to the upper parts of the trail, particularly from Tahoma Staging down to Rubicon Springs. While lower portions of the trail may be passable, this key route for supplying the logistical needs of the Rubithon is at a higher elevation, largely protected by shade, and is one of the last areas to ‘thaw out’. Though thoughts of a snow trip may sound appealing to some folks, the risk of keeping the original dates with the chance we might be able to get though is not worth the logistical nightmare that would be caused by a last minute date change.
Just so everyone is aware, the new dates where reserved almost a month ago when it became obvious that California was headed for a year of record precipitation, so I have been mulling this over for quite some time. The potential for being snowed out is always a risk when we are the first major run of the season. I weighed the options and selected the best/earliest dates that would minimize the chance that we would be dealing with too much snow, high water and too much mud. I also had to consider dates where we would be assured we would have all of our usual spots at Rubicon Springs. Of course, the other major consideration was the potential damage that could be done to the trail by trying to force a hundred or more rigs through sensitive areas of the trail saturated by run-off.
This is truly one decision where not everyone will be happy with the change. From parents with kids who will have conflicts with the first week of school (who knew, I always started school the week before Labor Day), to folks who need to plan vacation time 6 to 12 months in advance, to folks who simply will not be able to adjust their schedules. I want everyone to know I do understand and respect your decisions, but I am hoping that rescheduling the Rubithon now, rather than later, will give the greatest number of folks a chance to rearrange vacation and travel plans.
The upside? The same starry nights, the same friendly faces (a little dustier, maybe), longer and warmer days for sunbathing, warmer water for swimming (I doubt there will be a shortage of water, even by August), and fewer mosquitos.
I will be reaching out over the next week to everyone who has already registered to see they can adjust to the new dates. I truly hope most folks will be able to adjust and still plan to attend the 31st Rubithon.
Oh, the new dates! The Rubithon has been rescheduled for August 13th through August 18th. We’ll see you there!
If you have questions please contact me at chairman@rubithon.com or 530-949-2304
Use the same registration link below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just in case you missed last year’s Rubithon, the subsequent Toyota Trails Rubithon article, or you just had other things distracting you last year, you might have noticed Bad Coco (Eric Agee) isn’t starting the official Rubithon thread this year. Well, that’s because there’s a new Chairman in town! Fortunately for all of us, however, Eric is still in the wings helping me with the ins and outs (and do’s and don’ts) of putting the Rubithon together, as he hands over the Chairman reins and prepares for a much deserved Rubithon ‘retirement’.
As is customary, I’m sure some of this year’s Trail Leads will set up their own ‘mud threads as we get closer to June, in order to keep questions and details about their respective runs in one place and provide for direct communication. Feel free to join in once those threads are posted, or contact me if you’re not seeing the information you need.
It's time to get officially excited.
Online registration for the 31st Annual Rubithon is now available! You can now register at:
2019 Rubithon Registration
SPECIAL NOTE - EFFECTIVE 6/1/19 Online registration for the 31st Annual Rubithon is now available! You can now register at:
2019 Rubithon Registration
Moving the Rubithon dates as I had to certainly invited repeat effects from the law of unintended consequences, and the cut-off date I had set for late registrations and shipping your t-shirts and hoddies is no exception.
After speaking again with the vendors for our apparel, dash plaques and other printed materials it was determined our orders must be placed by July 1st to guarantee they are at the Rubithon when you arrive. T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. ordered with registrations received after July 1st will most likely have to be mailed after the Rubithon.
Again, in order to guarantee that your tee shirts, hoodies, dash plaques and other printed materials are at the Rubithon when you arrive, we need to receive registration NO LATER THAN July 1st. (Previous date was July 15th) I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
This only effects the items noted, period. Everything else remains the same.
Like last year, you will be able pay directly on the site with a credit card or PayPal, or you can still send in a check. Registration works with Windows or Macs, and can be completed from your mobile devices.
Just like last year, each month one lucky person will get an extra Grand Prize Raffle ticket, drawn from among the folks that register each month from now through May 31st.
As always, your optimism, enthusiasm, and prayers are welcome to ensure all the ducks get in lined up in a row, the weather cooperates and the trail is ready and open.
You can reach me at chairman@rubithon.com or at 530-949-2304.
Thanks, Dick Thompson
Last edited: