My basic guide to gear...

Backpack-
The most important thing about a backpack is that it fits. So try it on! Internal or external frames are both fine. And truth be told, if you're not spending more than a few days don't but a big one with all the extra pockets, straps, and built in robot legs or whatever... Simple, well built (nylon thread, heavy seams, thick material) you'll be fine. Be sure the frame is strong. Internal frame packs have aluminum stays which you can remove and mold to the contours of your back. Day and a half packs usually don't have a frame they have like a stiff plastic plate that won't cut it and you'll end up looking like Quasi Moto...

Boots-
unless you're super experienced, go with hiking/backpack specific boots that have lots of ankle support and good foot bed. Superfeet make some crazy-wonderful insoles. Waterproof is nice but not exactly necessary... Gortex is nice but not necessary. Basic leather boots can easily be made waterproof with "bear" grease or the like.
I'm kind of a shoe whore so i tend to be loyal to certain brands - merrell, Solomon, vasque...

Sleeping bag and pad-
Lots of us have extra sleeping bags so borrow one and see what you like. I love down. But it can be high maintenance. I'm also a cold sleeper so I like warmer bags which are more explains. Get a mummy bag... 15+ - 20+ degrees are probably the limit.
0 or 5+ might be better it will likly be pretty cold at night where we're going. I. Got both my bags discount and they've served me we'll. We're going to make bivvy sacks out of trash compactor bags and duct tape so don't buy one unless you want to. And it may not be THAT cold any how...
Sleeping pad? Get one. Doesn't have to be super fancy. Turtleheads are lovely but I'm a ridgerest kinda girl. Cheap. Easily replaced, age well, I don't feel bad cutting them up or accidentally setting them on fire! Pads keep you comfy and more impotently, warm.

Waterbottles-
Nalgene of course. Camelback bottle or bladder. Platypus. Sigg. No glass and must be LEAK proof. I have a camelback waterbottle that leaks all over the damn place and it's miserable.

Any questions?

Two options:

I have two routes in mind.

The one is ~14.3 miles long.  Saturday we'll hike between 10 and 12 miles and Sunday we'll do 2 or 4 miles (be out in time to eat lunch, pack up, debrief and drive home and get ready for monday morning).

if you look at the topo map from the previous posting the 14.3 mile route starts at Blackbird Knob Trail and moves west then north up Rocky Ridge Trail and then southeast on Raven Ridge Trail to where it meets up with Upper Red Creek Trail (south) and cuts back to Blackbird Knob Trail (east).

The other is ~10.5 miles long. Saturday we'll hike between 6 and 8 miles and Sunday 2 or 4 miles. (same as above).

starts at Blackbird Knob Trail (west), North on Harmon Knob Trail (north) to Dobbin Grade Trail (east) to Upper Red Creek Trail (south) back to Blackbird Knob Trail (east).

Now, keep in mind that Dolly Sods hiking is considered moderately strenuous.
The average person, on average terrain can hike 3 miles per hour (without a backpack i imagine). 

I know lots of you are worried that you're too out of shape, and i know two of you have asthma. BUT don't sell yourselves short. after all it's just walking! And those of you who are in extremely phenomenal shape (oh shut up, you know who you are!) are going to have to take it easy on the rest of us and not rub it in while we huff and puff our way up steep inclines.

So, anyway, back to the point of this post - do you have a preference?

Question:

Would you guys prefer group e-mails over the blog in terms of coorrespondence or does the blog work for everyone?

Update on who's coming.

Confirmed Attendees - Black
Still Waiting for Confirmation - Red
Jessica Corey
Jessica Dymond
Cecilia Grimm
Libby Jones
Bim Jones
Annie Johnstone
Julie Brownley
Donna Smith

Alexina Jackson
Andi Simpson
Donna Smith's Whole Foods friend
Alexa Siegel

Topo Map of the area we're going.

We're starting at Blackbird Knob Tr.
From there the world is our oyster, well Dolly Sods North is our oyster...
i think we ought to go all the way back to Rocky Ridge Tr. though, i believe the views back there are fantastic!
Any requests??

Group Gear Needed:

• Backpacking Stove (Pocket Rocket, WhisperLite)  

mine needs an extra part, but i may buy a new one all together. If we end up being more than 10 we'll need two.

• First Aid Kits (10 people 2 days) 

I can very easily get at least one major kit together, but if you have one already...  
Keep in mind, you will be responsible for carrying a personal one in addition to the group one (i'll give you a list of basic 1st aid supplies you'll need for yourself later).

• Car Camping stove (coleman, etc)

I'm fairly certain we have this covered among us. I can get access to a couple but if you have one you love... 

• 2+ quart Billy Pot (light weight backpacking cook pot)

• Tent (3 season should be fine) but must have a fly.  

I'm fairly certain we have this covered among us. I have an MSR backpacking shelter, basically just a fly. which can sleep 7. 


Anything that we don't have among us i will purchase with my own $ seeing as how i hope to continue this tradition and these things will come in handy...

oh how i love craigslist... need gear??

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1960911098.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1974292350.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/1959931851.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1974284380.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1953381301.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1952239826.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1939095876.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1913373877.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/spo/1949266323.html
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/spo/1906775676.html

Update

Confirmed attendees:
Jessica Corey
Jessica Dymond
Cecilia Grimm
Libby Jones
Bim Jones
Annie Johnstone
Julie Brownley

Note: since we're only 7 strong right now, i think we'll stay in one group. If we get more than 10 of us we may need to split up. So i really need to know if you're planning on coming or not (those of you who aren't on the list) so we can gather the right gear (two backpacking stoves, two first aid kits, two compasses, two topo maps, etc)


Gear
I know that lots of folks are starting to think about gear they need to purchase and/or borrow. If you need something can you post in the comments here what you need, not the group stuff like stove or tent. But boots, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.

Does anyone have a backpacking stove? I have a pocket rocket but it is in pretty bad shape and i was considering just buying a new one. I know some of you have car camping stoves which is great for friday night but we'll need something for the back country as well.

REI field trip
I need to buy a few things from REI and i never made it last week so if we haven't spoken already and you're interested in joining us for a gear trip please e-mail me or comment here so we can all meet up there.

Field Trip to REI??

Hello All!
I know a lot of us (myself in particular) need to go get a few more gear items before the big weekend. I was thinking it might be fun for those of us in the area to meet up at REI sometime soon and have a little gear-gathering-meet-n-greet (and maybe eat?).  Who's down?

We were thinking this Wednesday the 22nd at around 5:30 but if that's too short notice leave a comment and we'll coordinate a new day/time.

Hope to see you soon!
-L

Articles and Things to keep in mind

I'm collecting some articles on the right side of the blog for you to review. Please keep in mind that we will be primitive camping one night. this means no toilets, no sinks, no showers, etc. So if you haven't taken a dump in the woods before you might want to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself now. I'm going to throw some articles about the terrain in there too so you can pack appropriately, it could get pretty cold!

Six Weeks out check in...

Hello beautiful ones!
It's six weeks until our anticipated trip. I just wanted to touch base with everyone quickly and see if we have made any progress with some of our maybes or talked some of the others into it.  I still only have confirmations from those i listed a couple posts ago. Any more to add or any to take away? (Julie, i never got confirmation from you... ).

If i get a chance between now and then i'd like to take a day trip out there to "suss" out the situation and do some small hikes around...

Also, i've been avoiding it but i have to say it now. There will be some $ involved. There is an $11 fee for Red Creek Campground (that's total not each). I imagine there is a person limit per campsite but i'm not finding it anywhere so we may need to get two sites, may also be more comfortable that way. Also, for the group meals we'd like a contribution. (IF you have special dietary needs and prefer to take care of yourself just let me know and we won't ask you to contribute. IF you want to be in on the meals just let me know what you can/can't have and we can make YOU-Friendly meals) You don't have to contribute in advance either, i'll just hit you up when you get there on friday.The group meals at this point are Friday Dinner & Smores AND Sunday Lunch (which may just end up being a hodge podge of sandwich fixins). So i'm figuring a total of $13 from everyone to cover the cost of the campsite(s) and the group meals. Any objections??

AND finally, i know i need to go on a shopping spree and get/gather some supplies. If anyone is interested in a little field trip to REI or the like please let me know! Also, if you just want gear advice hit me up. Most of you have my e-mail address and/or are friends with me on facebook or you can leave a comment here. Please feel free to ask me (though i may not know, i've never owned a water purifier for instance). If you haven't already please check out the gear list on the left of the blog for more info. If you have questions don't hesitate!

I'm sooooo excited!!!

Hope you're all enjoying the cool weather!

-Libby