Competition. The 28th Tioga pass prognosticator. Winter closing 2019.

[Southwest Dave]

Welcome to the 28th Tioga Pass Prognosticator and your chance to win a free tank of gas for your road trip ride !

***All you have to do is correctly predict the date the Tioga Pass will close for the 2019 winter season!!***

The Tioga Pass is one of the most scenic drives in the American west and is part of California State Highway 120, (CA-120), which crosses the Sierra Nevada in Yosemite National Park. Sometime during Fall and early winter the snow will arrive, eventually closing the Pass until the following Spring. Have you got what it takes to predict the closing date ? If you predict the correct date you could win a free tank of gas for your road trip ride, if you get within an hour of the official opening time you will also receive a bonus prize !! It doesn't matter how you arrive at your prediction, you can use a crystal ball, study data or just take a wild guess, all you have to do is follow the rules set out below.

Just look at these contrasting images of Yosemites high country from the same Webcam!!

So have you got what it takes to become the newly crowned TPPC
(Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champion)??

The Competition.

***Please read the entry rules carefully***

To win this prize, the date must be posted** on this Forum more than or equal to fifteen (15) days prior to the official Tioga Pass Road CLOSING date. (**Your "date" and time must be identified in a post on this thread...**)
* Further, you must identify a particular date in your post.
* Further, you must identify a particular time in your post (date and time is required for the winning entry).
*And if you manage to identify the correct closing time within 60 minutes.... you'll receive an additional surprise gift from RTA.
* A single calendar date can only be claimed by one member. If two or more members chose the same calendar date, and that date proves to be the "Winning Date", the prize will go to the member who "claimed" the date the earliest in this contest period.
*The official date for this Tioga Pass Prognosticator contest tracks with Pacific Time (USA), so no matter what date it might be in your local neighbourhood, the date used for this contest will be the same one used by the officials at Yosemite National Park for Tioga Pass.

When you have identified your prediction in your post you must "Ping the Poll" at the top of page (This is done by completing your poll selection).

************Forum Moderator, Dave Gomm, (Southwest Dave) is the official Sheriff and Chief Wrangler for this contest and his rulings as to the naming of the winner are final, (& they also could be arbitrary & capricious) Got a beef? Or a question? Take it up with him...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is some further info and links that may help you in your quest !

Official Tioga Pass Closings in recent years:
2018:November 20th
2017: November 14th
2016: November 16th
2015: November 1st
2014: November 13th
2013: November 18th
2012: November 8th
2011: January 17th, 2012
2010: November 19th
2009: November 12th
2008: October 30th
2007: December 6th
2006: November 26th
2005: November 25th
2004: October 17th
2003: October 31st
2002: November 5th

Here is a link to previous opening and closing dates for Tioga Pass.

See whats happening right now with Yosemite webcams.

And links to 10 previous RTA Tioga pass winter closure contests.

2018 winter closing.
2017 winter closing.
2016 winter closing.
2015 winter closing.
2014 winter closing.
2013 winter closing.
2012 winter closing.
2011 winter closing.
2010 winter closing.
2009 winter closing.

Here is a list of previous winners and dcTPP's. (darn close Tioga Pass Prognosticators.)

Tioga Pass Prognosticator Champs!

Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2018. Reigning Champ !
......................(tantrum), Spring 2015 Opening (never identified or claimed the prize)
George Carey (glc), Spring 2014 Opening
George Carey (glc), Spring 2013 Opening
Jessica Beagles-Roos (CAnative), Spring 2011 and Winter 2011 (although it actually closed in 2012)
Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010
Phil Boardman, (PhilB) Spring 2009
..................... (weirj), Winter 2008 (never identified or claimed the prize)

***and the dcTPP contestants (Darn Close -- Tioga Pass Prognosticator)

**************Southwest Dave. Spring 2019
************** tseeb Spring 2018
************** Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2017
**************Southwest Dave Spring 2017
**************travelingman Winter 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos [CANative] Spring 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos, (CaNative), Winter 2013
*************George Carey (glc), Spring 2012
*************Sheriff Dave Gomm (Southwest Dave), Winter 2010
*************Don Casey (CalOldBlue), Winter 2009
*************Lynn & Victor (Hotel Charlotte), Spring 2008
*************Joey (Kinless), Spring 2007

Here are some POG photo's of previous winners. (Proof of gas)

Mark Sedenquist Winter Closing, 2018 ( must be "insider trading")


George Cary (glc) Spring opening 2014.


George again. Spring opening 2013.


Jessica Beagles-Roos [CAnative] 2011 winter closing.


CAnative 2011 Spring opening.


Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010.


Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009.

Remember, your prediction must be posted on this thread to include time and date and you must 'Ping the Poll' at the top to qualify !

So what are you waiting for ?? Have the opportunity to win a tank of gas for your road trip ride, for free !!

Good luck prognosticators !!

[Southwest Dave]

I am a little late getting this up and running for this contest as 'real life' got busy, but here we are so good luck everyone !

I'm going to get my date in and it's going to be November 23rd at 8am.

Dave.

[DonnaR57]

November 22, 8 am.

[anuj1985]

November 20, 8 am.

- - - Updated - - -

How do I ping the poll?

[Southwest Dave]

November 20, 8 am.

- - - Updated - - -

How do I ping the poll?

You should see a poll at the top of the thread. Select the date range that relates to your choice and click on it.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I think the snow is going to start flying early this year. Parts of Wyoming and Colorado already have snow on the ground.

So, Friday, November 15th at 8:30 am PST

Mark

[tseeb]

I was going to pick 11/13, but don't want to be so close to Mark so my pick is 11/12 at 9 AM.

I saw some snow mixed in the precipitation at about 6,000' in Truckee on Mon 9/14 and Mammoth had some snow yesterday or today. Picture is from about same altitude as Tioga Pass.
Mammoth_9_19_19.jpg

[Southwest Dave]

That looks to be a significant amount of snowfall, especially so early in the Fall so it will be interest ing to see how this season unfolds.

Dave.

[tseeb]

Squaw Valley said they had 2" of snow at 8200' on Mon 9/14. We had a 1 hr 20 minute of delays about 10 miles W of Donner Summit (well below where any snow fell) in early PM. It sounded like two semis went off the Interstate (more than 10 miles apart). Highway seem like it was closed when they were pulling them back onto road. We were totally stopped twice for at least 20 minutes. My picture of Donner Summit about 1:45 PM
8205DonnerSummit.jpg
Very cold temps and snow now predicted for next Sat/Sun at Mammoth Lakes.

[Mark Sedenquist]

It is really outrageous to have so much winter weather already.

Thanks for the updates!

Mark