Confessing to the Priest Trip 2009

“Well it is that time again....

Time to get it all off of your chest...
Time to ease your conscience...
Time to lay it all out there...
Time to face your maker...
Time to face the truth...
Time to... well you get the point....

So join me as we confess to the Priest, if it doesn't kick our butt in the attempt...

I have been to the priest in 8 degree weather and in 88 degree weather.. Hopefully this time it will be somewhere in between...

'32oz
last edited: 4/14/09 8:10:10 AM”

“i'm in as a tentative for now.

probably thru hikers around at this time. it might be a better idea to stay in the orchard at hog camp gap instead of near the shelter at cow camp gap. there is a little tent space at the shelter, but it's limited. also, camping off the bald on the top of cold mountain is allowed (this was told to me by the maintenance crew leader a few years ago). there's actually a maintenance road going into the woods east of the climb to the high point of the bald. it's flat, grassy and legal. camped up there a couple of times and it is the most awesomest. the mileage between the two gaps is minimal (cold mountain bald is between them) and really wouldn't make an impact on the hike as you have it.”

“a few other high points from this section worth mentioning.

the views from the balds on tar jacket ridge and cold mountain are awesome.

the orchard at hog back gap has a swing. it's a great place to camp.

the hike thru the remnants of the settlement along brown mountain creek is pretty cool. still a couple of chimneys standing in the trees along the creek.”

“I'm a maybe too.

I agree about the orchard. Plenty of camping, fire rings and bear scat. I don't think there is any water there though.

There is also camping near the small parking area off the forest service road before you get to the actual Mt. Pleasant parking area.”

“there's a spring down over the hill on the east side of the orchard. pretty much still in the orchard. it was piped and steady last time i was there.
last edited: 4/14/09 10:15:14 AM”

“i ain't confessing to no priest. it'd kill him.”

“Sounds good.. I remember seeing the camping areas on my map/books, but I didn't have them with me when I posted the trip..

I wanted to get the trip posted to get dialogue going, and in that I have succeeded...

We can iron the definates out as we get closer...

'32oz”

“Is "confessing to the priest" anything like "bashing the bishop"?”

“Uh.... no...

You need to confess something in the log book in the Priest Shelter... Now if you want to confess to bashing the bishop, that is your perogative...

'32oz”

“I thought it was "bopping the bishop"? Bashing sounds..um...full of self-hatred.”

“"Boxing Oscar" works too......”

“I always thought it was the 'purple helmited love warrior', but that's just me..

'32oz”

“32oz is a couple ounces short of a liter.”

“Spindle its nice to see ya back on the boards, now what about on the trail?”

“You sayin' Spindlette is chicken?”

“I would NEVER say something like that!
She lives way to close to me!”

“I gotchur chicken MarkO. :p

Oh trail, how I miss thee so. I weep for the want of you....

Cocohead, Mr. Dr. Man has one more foot to cut up and reconstruct and I'm back in my boots as soon as he realizes he can't prevent it anymore.”

“Ouch and good luck.”

“I am bailing on this trip.. I will be completing this section later...

I may be posting an over nighter to take its place...

"32oz”

“you know theres a special place in hell for people who bail on their own trips, right?

;-)

i know cuz i have a spot reserved, too”

“You can still go.”

“to hell, or to the priest?”

“i may reroute my own plans then and do a loop with a fellow here at work. three ridges and the mau-har sounds good.”

“Yeah, I think one day this summer I'm going to load up a back, do three ridges marhar and up to the priest in one day...

I really need to start training for Rainier...

'32oz”