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The Kegger back in the year 2000 or "Y2K" was the 25 meeting of this group and deserves special coverage. That was the year that spawned this page... A new T-Shirt, mugs and more...

The first keg of the 25th annual is brought down.
"Sooo Deee"

The June 2000 Kegger Backpack trip was a great experience for all.

The weather was perfect, blue clear skies every day with temperatures in the 70s to 80s. Friday and Saturday nights cooled down into the upper 40s F. This may have helped keep the mosquitoes down a bit. The river was just stocked that Friday with over 300 nice size trout. This was some of the best fishing in the Sierra. Concerns about having the roads clogged with snow and thus being closed were not realized. In fact, there was no snow to be seen. The usual afternoon thunderstorms also failed to materialize! The upper campground was not too full... Upon arriving at the trailhead one was greeted by a group from Apple Computers that had arrived and started partying by one in the afternoon! These guys know how to party and welcomed anyone that came by.

Jake's promise to cook a steak dinner was made good. These tri-tips were 2" to 3" thick, and slow cooking over coals made them extremely juicy and delicious. Rumor has it that the steaks were provided as a fulfillment to a bet, but we aren't exactly sure what the bet was about, Ehh Jake? The others chipped in by bringing baked potatoes with all trimmings, salads and desserts. This was a great meal! Thanks to Jake for suggesting it and buying the steak. And Tom for organizational input, and to all else who contributed. It was a great way to start this 25th Kegger. Of course there was a keg tapped and waiting for those of us that came up Friday. There was also some evening delight in the form of Tequila lime green Jell-O shots. These little babies could sneak up on you. People came and went from the upper camp all night. There was a strong presence down on the island also that Friday night. As a group of us stumbled down to the island around one o'clock that Saturday morning, our group felt warm effects of the Jell-O shots.

The two items produced this trip, this year's Kegger Backpack Shirt and the large commuter mugs, were hot items. Everything brought up pretty much sold out. Thanks again Jake Jacobson for a great shirt and Mike Williams for a classy cup! We'll have them both to enjoy for years to come. Mike says that he still has a box of cups in his garage, if anyone would like to still buy one. And there is still the group photo to come from John Husbey.

The year 2000 shirt by Jacobson
The Y2K 22oz. Mug and lid by Williams.

When we finally got down to the traditional kegger spot, we discovered another party had moved in the afternoon before. This group of seven included 2 older men and five college age boys. These guys come to the island about the same time as we do each year, it's just that we have happen to miss each other most years. This group also has a set of horse shoes buried under the big tree by the main fire pit. These guys had only three rules: 1) No radios, 2) No guns & 3) No women.(sick!) They were polite to us but cool. They made it clear that next year they'd like to coordinate with us to make sure they come on a different weekend. Fine. The two older guys were Jim Lynch at 707-446-3610 and Dave Shelton at 707-448-3826. They work in Concord and have been bringing this group of boy scouts now college students up for 20 years to the island. We'll give them a call next May for sure. This minor inconvenience caused only modest changes to our routine. The kegs had to be relocated. More cooking fires ended up being made instead of using the main pit.

If you were smart and lucky enough to be able to wake up on the island Saturday morning, you would have been greeted by the finest of sights. The soft warm wind of the Sierra bathes and envelops you. As it embraces you it gently pushes away all thoughts of the rest of the world. The sound of the mighty Stanislaus River on one side, the gurgling creek on the other with birds chirping. Though the pace was slow there was anxiousness in the air as we all anticipated the coming of the first Keg. It arrived before noon I think, with Jake pulling lead and Tom pushing.

As you reach this point in your life, are you where you want to be? We never imagined how things could have turned out, 25 years ago when the first keg was carried in on a slapped together 2" X 4" stretcher. "Would this thing work. We're strong dudes, but a keg is pretty big. If we screw it up we're monetarily liable = $$$!! The rocks and all... " The risks. Most of us didn't have good jobs then. But the rewards High Sierra beauty, and beer, and solitude! and maybe girls. And maybe more! Fishing, rock climbing, swimming, and Drinking! And general carousing! This is what we were made for. Back then we knew that we always wanted to be connected to the beauty of the natural world. We knew it was good for our soul.
This is us, our life(at that time) our experiences. We are what we are.

And now we reflect on this, talk, laugh, remake and fortify long established relationships. How many good friends do you have in your life? Kegger Backpacks help answer that, to some degree.
During the day there was quite an additional group of day-timers that either went back up to the top campground at night or drove home. Their presence was welcomed. It was good to see so many old timers this year. Who knows when we will all gather together again?

We all owe Tom a big thanks for organizing this trip, as always, and keeping this institution going and growing. Thanks Tom. We look forward to another 25 years.

From: Dianna Hansen To: Kegger Backpack Home page
Date: Sunday, June 25, 2000 10:39 AM
Subject: First trip!

WOW!

What a trip, in more ways then one. I have never done this kind of thing (Lots of new experiences) and I wouldn't have missed it for anything. The pack in (and out -I made it!), new friends (Kathleen who sold me her hat off her head, I love it and wear it all the time- Tory for being such a joy to talk to and Flash Gordon who tested all the breakfasts on the last day, where's the commentary), beautiful country, old friends ( Joe, our trusty scout and wilderness guide), and best of all the knowledge that I can do anything I put my mind to. Thanks to Tom McGon and friends 25yrs ago to know this was the place, and to keep it going so that Greenies like me can have the opportunity to share this phenomenon. Hope to be there next year, a little smarter as what to haul in, then maybe I won't have to make as many trips in and out. That kinda cuts into the drinking time. It was a happening! Hope everybody had as good a time as I did, so have a good year and see you again this time next year if not before.

Dianna Hansen

From: Teresa McGonigle (teresa.mcgonigle@dgs.ca.gov)
To: Kegger Backpack Home page
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 10:39 AM
Subject: Reflections on Kegger 2000

Hello All!

The weekend has come and gone now! Did it go fast? or what? I had a real good time. It was a bummer that the main firepit was held captive by aliens. The weather, friends, family, food, and fun were great. All the first timers appeared to have a good time.

This is the first time in years that I thought I was prepared. When the time came for the 25th Annual Kegger Backpack, I was lost. Can you imagine forgetting to bring "COFFEE". I forgot many things. Enough on my memory loss!

The weekend and the people seemed to be a little scattered. We did not get the "BIG FIREPIT FAMILY FEELING" this year. (It was the aliens.) However, it was great to see so many people, I myself, only get the pleasure to see once a year! (You know who you are). I made it to Pretzels Pool. Paula Williams, Sam Moore, Laurel Goddard, Jake the Dog Goddard, Brian Jacobsen, Doug (crosstop) Turner, Woofer McGonigle, and I took what seemed to be a difficult hike this year. Why???????

It seemed I packed and unpacked and packed and unpacked then it was time to go. Next year I have decided to get to the site early on Friday and possibly stay Sunday night. Time off work permitting. It just wasn't long enough.

Peace,
See you all next year,

Teresa McGonigle

From: Jake (brian.jacobsen@ps.ge.com in Village of Colonie, New York) To: Kegger Backpack Home page
Date: Weday, June 14, 2000 10:39 AM
Subject: Kegger Backpack 2000

Kegger Backpack 2000:

It Was The Year of ....1. Cool Mugs2. Too Much Beer ? (why does that sound so strange?)3. We're Guests at Our Own Party4. No Gerrits (hard to miss Dave, but we did)5. Worlds Longest Horseshoe Game(s)6. Sold Out Tee Shirts (more to come, maybe)7. Tempored Drinkers8. A Fire Ring for Damn Near Every Tent ! (boooo)9. Killer Mosquitosand finally, KBP 2000 was the year of ...10. No Where Near Close to Enough Single Women (one man's opinion).

Regards, Jake