Misc Planning

“Figure we'll use this for planning what we'll need, when and where we'll meet, and the general plan of action for the trip. Can't wait to see you all again.”

“I'm traveling on businees this week - five states in four days (yuck), but will begin putting things together the following week. Please feel free to copy and paste some of the relevant information from our last trip over in the meantime.”

“I've actually been thinking about a redux, but didn't anticipate one until next year. Since June 6 ended up being the hottest day of the year, what are the chances that it will snow on Nov 8?”

“Snow is certainly a possibility. Two years ago I backpacked the Old Logger's Path the first weekend in November and there was some snow flurries, ice and temps around twenty overnight. Brrrrrr.”

“Cowanesque and I had actually picked a date prior to November for just the two of us to attempt this foolishness. When I stumbled on the info for this one I was immediately torn on whether to continue with our private plans and do just support for the rest of you or to drop ours and join in the entire mileage. Our plan would also require a support person or at the very least stashing supplies at a couple locations and we hadn't worked that out completely.

So here's the deal. It sounds like Spike and Spindlette are up for repeating their supporting roles and know just what to do, and there may be others we can recruit as well. I will repeat all the needed local logistics as needed prior to THE DAY as I did before, but then I want to hit the trail with the rest of the crazies. I saw Cowanesque at a trail race this weekend and he is up for the same thing.

Any suggestions for changes in the plan we tried in June - other than maybe more hot chocolate and coffee this time around? I will dig out the info and post some details later.”

“"Any suggestions for changes in the plan we tried in June" --- Stay on the BFT... not the highwater route.”

“As my daddy used to say, just where in blue blazes were you trying to go anyway??”

“Love it - WWBF can't wait to hike with you again...and this time I'll be runnin' the downhills with ya! And yes, we should try and stay on the trail this time as well as figure out where in blue blazes the trail goes at the mile 25 area (freakin' blazes everywhere). This is going to be a blast. I have a few others that will be joining us as well - mostly fastpackers though.

Thanks again, PARidgerunner, for helping to plan”

“I'm thinking about it . . . Everyone should wear lots and lots of blaze orange and do their best not to look anything at all like a turkey . . .”

“I'll just hide behind Crazy ;)”

“Where's 1camper? We need to talk to him about not bushwhacking on this one?

Did anyone ping the Pennsonator?”

“Like Pa RR said, he and I were planning on doing this anyway. The more the merrier. And I think we worked a lot of the details out last time. Should be a good time.

Cowanesque”

“The newbee turned superhiker from our last attempt emailed me last night. She is definitely in for a repeat performance of hiking everyone into the ground. She also had some good suggestions in the event we don't have enough support people jump in. I am still hopeful we will have enough people to support a similar plan to what we did before.

Last time some groundwork was laid for a relatively large event so I followed through with a lot of bureaucratic requirements and we wound up with a small enough crew that the official paperwork probably wasn't necessary. This time I think we proceed on the basis of it being a small group of friends getting together for a hike that is not sponsored, hosted, or organized by anyone other than a nebulous group of friends just like any other hike posted on the forums. If anyone thinks we need to make it more official, speak up now.”

“PARR--

Ultimately, that was the original intent last time. Some how it got blown into a larger than life event.”

“I contacted 1camper at the other site. It sounds like he's interested.
last edited: 10/02/08 7:00:28 AM”

“Keep it small and friendly.”

“I got yer friendly right here!”

“FYI ... if someone gets shot, I will gut them before I drag them out of the woods.”

“That's very comforting.”

“I'll help with support for this trip but dragging extra weight just isn't smart. I'm a ultralight support person :)”

“I'm bringing definately one, possibly 3 others with me - all very strong fastpackers (two of which will most likely leave me in the dust if they come).

I'm hoping to get some free performance shirts from my new company for those who are doing this (support people too). Unless anyone is opposed to 'wicked awesome' free shirts that wick sweat, combat oder, provide UV protection, dry fast, and are made from recycled materials :)

See you all soon - get your arses in shape - one month and counting...tick, tick, tick”

“This should be fun. Looking forward to seeing what the logistics look like. I might run part of the trail unsupported... gotta train myself to run with a pack for Marathon des Sables.”

“Trail Goat - looking forward to having you join us. To the others, Trail Goat is one of my friends from the Wash DC area. He's not normal :) ... but a solid dude and great addition to our little adventure”

“From our last trip:

“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.
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.


More:

What we learned - Do the trip clockwise from the BFT start (which is backwards) and get the 22 mile hard section out of the way. If you hit 44 feeling good, the next 10 miles are very easy till you get back to 44 again. If you still feel good. Its a nice easy decent into the last section, but there is one more big butt kicker climb at red run. Once you clear red run, again its nice flat easy on the feet hiking and then a long decent into slate run. Depending on the weather and water level, we might do a detour down to the rail trail and finish in the big parking lot by slate run.
last edited: 10/12/08 8:23:04 AM”

“Can't wait to hit the trail! Chowdahead's convinced me it would somehow be a good idea...TBD.”

“Of course it's a good idea - long day in the woods with good people...doesn't get better than that. Then, washing away your aching muscles with a few frosty beverages and some good eats - hell yeah it's a GREAT idea.”

“Sorry dudes and dudettes... I won't be able to make it. Basically, I'm just too damn busy. If something changes, I'll let you know.

Best of luck to everyone! Perhaps I'll see y'all next year. Or should we try a winter traverse?”

“I'm still in...anyone else?!

C'mon!!”

“WWBF - you'll be missed my friend. I'll pour some water from my camel where we got lost to salute you :)”

“campsites 1-3 at Black Walnut Bottom are reserved for 11/7 - 11/9. Please email me your real name so I can fax over a copy of the participant list.”

“Crazy just reminded me of something we thought of last time, having the last person carry a radio - that way we always know where the final person is and how they are doing. PAR, if you have an extra radio, maybe we should do this. Thoughts?”

“North Section Trail Description
http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id194.html

South Section Trail Description
http://www.midatlantichikes.com/bfts.htm”

“The trail will be done counter-clockwise, just an FYI”

“Change that, CLOCKWISE is the direction we're going.

Idiot = me”

“I'm planning to be there as safety sweeper. I intended to carry a/the radio. In the clockwise direction, of course. The last hiker should know they're the last and can tell the support person at the road crossing so they can be checked off as accounted for. Then when I come through, that section is clear.
Just a thought, it will get dark before anybody finishes. Come prepared for night hiking.”

“So.... how'd it go????

Edit: Nevermind, I just found the thread in Trail Talk.
last edited: 11/10/08 6:10:11 AM”