Lessons Learned

2021 Notes (Mules):

We had a big donation carry over from last year, and very little snow over the winter, so mules were almost a given. I waited too long to apply for permits and wasn't able to get one through regular channels so had to beg the pack station - everyone else had to pull long distance permits. George R got bitten by a rattle snake a little above Sphinx Crossing and had to be helicoptered out of the park (he is fine) - Liz R ("Nightingale") had to drop of of the trip to help care for him. Maura brought kazoos for everyone which was a big hit. We had too much food on this trip and had to burn tortillas in the fire and carry some spaghetti back down the hill (we hate doing that!)

2020 Notes: Trip Cancelled Due to Covid-19

All donations carried over to next year

2019 Notes (No Mules):

We were all set for mules, but rivers got too high and the mules dropped out a few days before the hike. We planned for about 50 hikers and got close to 70 in 24 hours (and had to go down the hill early). Most of the hikers did not stay long with us - they ate and moved on.

2018 Notes (Mules used):

There was a group of hikers that used this trip as a launch for a longer trip up Mt Whitney and back on the High Sierra Trail (so not all of the contributions went to "Magic")

2017 Notes (No Mules):

This was a big snow year, and there was a huge melt off in the week before the trip. Rivers had changed course and multiple search and rescue efforts caused SEKI to suspend our permit at the last minute. We end up switching to Florence lake as an access point to the PCT (and ditching much of the food/supplies originally planned for)

2016 Notes (Mules used):

Many of the angels on this trip used Vidette as a launching point for a longer trip around the Rae Lakes Loop, so not all of the contributions went to "Magic". This is our first trip using mules!

2015 Notes (No Mules):

This was a very minimalistic trip, funded on a shoe string. We fed something to all the hikers, but it could have been more.