Planning Thread

“Alot of the planning info is gone, so we need to start over again. I didnt get to see or post on the old planning threads much, so lets start with the starting point and direction of travel.”

“CP. are you still going to use the "support" thread? I'm singed up there and I'mstill interested in helping. ~spike~”

“Details would be nice. Part of my decision to join is based on whether this is going to be a death march or not (I like to keep it under 10). I understand that we might be able to work out partial hikes so that may keep me in the game...”

“Lets get the full count first. we're missing alot of people from the first sign up. I thought there was like 15 people or so.
But partial hike of that trail should be no problem. There are lots of side trails to bail on. Its the placing of the vehicles and drop offs that have to be coordinated.”

“my apologies for deleting the old page. It was wrong of me. I could not stand the drama of TT anymore.

Thanks crazypace for posting another trip.”

“I jumped in on the support side of things some time ago because I have access to some assets that can take care of the communications issues. There is no cell service in the entire area, so even getting people picked up if they decide to bail out a side trail would be a nightmare without radios. I have put a lot of thought and some effort into this for about 2 months now and confidant that I can provide adequate communications. I am also still in favor of having sweepers on the trail. Those who know they only want to hike a portion but want to be involved can carry a radio and stay behind the slowest distance hiker. At the same time, I really like the attitude in the description of the hike that all are welcome. I would encourage anyone who thinks they want to try the entire trail to do so.

As near as I can put together, here is the previous list excluding the ones who have already signed on to the current one. There may have been one or two of these that were tentative, but I think the list is pretty complete.

Shankmere1
iamjcb
Trailblaze
Wounded Knee
LThiker
sacco
MarkO
Pennsy
Jackstraw
Meangreen
Tilt

Informed input by the hikers is definitely the way to go.”

“Thanks. I was about to send you an e-mail. You mentioned camp sites? where are they?”

“Camp sites at Black Walnut Bottom were recommended by Forestry on first contact with them. They are along the rail trail just over a mile south of Slate Run. Very easy to get to, and the only camping area I am aware of that is close to the trail, free, and authorized for a group the size we are dealing with. All they require is advance reservation and they have been on hold for this hike for a couple months now.”

“Sounds like tent city comming that way!
I hope we get a huge turn out. I took off the friday before to head up, get set and be ready for the big day.”

“Looks like I am going to be in the area of the BFT on Saturday afternoon. I will do further recon on the camping area and refresh my memory on some other details I have been thinking about.”

“I'll be in that area next month. April 24-27 for long canoe weekend. If you need me to check out anything at that time, just let me know. I'll be staying at a campground at Cedar Run
http://www.pettecotejunction.com/
And I'll be there for the entire weekend of the hike to help where needed.”

“Definetly need a recon at least to check out size and picture a tent per person, parking, facilities (if they have em), picnic tables, fire rings, etc.........

I would like to get up there before the hike and mabey backpac the BFT.

Spikehiker - Make sure you write a trip report on that canoe trip! I was looking to do a family trip like that up there too.”

“We've been up there every April for at least 25 years. We drink, canoe, eat, drink, eat, drink, canoe, and drink. There's probably around 100 people every year. Come on along.
The water levels on Pine creek can get pretty low over the sumer so earlier is better for the canoe part of it.
I live in Altoona, about 2 hours south of the area.”

“I've finally taken a few minutes to look at the map. I vote for putting the 6 easy miles at the end of the trip. That's clockwise from the official BFT starting point.

The only downside is this: anyone who isn't completely sapped after the first 35 miles will have a decision to make at Francis Road. There are no easy bail out points the rest of the way.”

“great idea
last edited: 3/22/08 3:12:55 PM”

“.
last edited: 3/22/08 3:14:40 PM”

“I checked out the camping area at Black Walnut Bottom this weekend and I am impressed. It is situated in a partially cleared pine forest tucked in between the rail trail and Pine Creek. Parking area is designed for around 30 vehicles with maybe a little expansion room available. From the parking lot the rail trail and road access to the campsite are gated, but most of the sites are within 200 yards of the vehicles. There are clean, modern pit toilets. There used to be a pitcher pump for water but that was taken out of service a year ago. There is plenty of water in Pine Creek so just bring a filter. The individual campsites are HUGE. For most of them there are no clear boundaries other than a numbered post to give you a sense of where the campsite is. I would say the smallest site is around 40 feet by 60 feet and most are much larger. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table and are shaded.

As you enter the camping area sites 13, 14, and 15 are on your left and set back from the driveway for a more secluded feel, but they are interconnected with each other. Just beyond site 15 are the toilets. Across the driveway are sites 1 through 10 that are wide open with no visible barrier between the sites. They all back up against the stream. Sites 11, 12, C1, C2, and C3 are smaller more private sites beyond site 10. Now I need to figure out what I actually have reserved. I know there are multiple sites listed but I can’t remember how many because I didn’t do the initial arrangements.

I posted some pics here: http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/okjq6muf.php

Note the sign about the bald eagles in the area. I guess we will need make an attempt to keep the celebratory noise at least partially under control.”

“That last two checkpoints is where we would probably need sweepers if we have enough support. After the last hiker comes through the sweepers should follow for that leg, maybe with tents or hammocks and food for the night in case anyone breaks down and can't make it.

I need to start getting in shape . . .”

“The snow has melted from my lawn. Time to mow...”

“I see your training is about to begin. Excellent!

I have 140+ miles of AT planned two weeks before this hike. Bring on the pain!”

“So as I understand it at this point we will be camping at Black Walnut Bottom. I have made arrangements for that. At some time in the wee hours of Saturday everyone will start out at the "official" trailhead on Slate Run Road. There will be people to shuttle the hikers to the trailhead - it's a short hop. There is still interest from the forums from people to help with support. It would be nice to have sweepers the entire way, but the last half is more likely to have a potential need. I also still have some local non-forum people interested in helping.

To get the worst - or best - hills out of the way when you are fresher clockwise seems to be the better direction. As NG pointed out the downside is that in the last 7+ miles there is no bailout. At that point it is only mental to get to the finish anyway.

I have enough radios to supply sweepers, three support stations, myself, and and a couple other coordinating people.

If we don't get many more signed up to do the hike, I am seriously leaning toward trying the whole thing myself. I've got a lot of miles to cover between now and then, as well as personal demands keeping me away from the miles I would like to be doing. We will see...

Any other suggestions, hikers and helpers chime in.”

“Paridgerunner - I gotta talk to you about more details for the support. E-mail me so I can give you my #.
So far, it looks like we would need people at Rt 44 after the big section, and then we would need people at the other Rt 44 crossing for the last section. Then decide if we need one more final bail out betwen there and slate run.”

“I'm without a doubt in! I'll be in the area and get off work in Princeton, NJ at noontime...but this can be earlier.

Question 1: what's everyone bringing for the actual hike?

Question 2: Can I carpool with someone if I can get my ass to some place in PA to meet someone?

Send me an email if I can jump on with you!

Chowda”