Thank you so much! You are all such amazing, beautiful, strong, rambunctious, delightful, hilarious, joyous, sweet, and vicious women! I love you very much. I cannot wait for the next one. I'm trying desperately to keep from starting the planning process already!.
Also, if you have pictures let me know and i'll give you access to post on the blog so you can upload them all here for everyone to see. Or even if you don't have pictures but want access to post something else let me know!
Love you!!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Last minute shopping
Welcome to a guest post/spam from Jess (Dymond). This seems like the easiest way to communicate with everyone, so I hope you don't mind. I am heading to Costco later this week to pick up a few things, and was wondering if anyone needed anything or would be interested in splitting a few things with me. I was going to pick up some snack bars, trail mix, oatmeal, etc. and would be happy to share if anyone still needs to pick up some food. Also, last time I was there, they had some fantastic hiking socks that were fairly cheap - about $5 for 3 (and they are nice!). I think I'm going to make some dried apple slices too, if that sounds good to anyone. In any case, if there's anything you'd like, please let me know by Wednesday evening.
See you all this weekend!
(Oh, do we need firewood for Friday night?)
See you all this weekend!
(Oh, do we need firewood for Friday night?)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Showers Sunday
Ok, now they're calling for showers on Sunday.
Fri
Oct 22
Sunny
Showers
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/26264
Fri
Oct 22
Sunny
63°
40°
40°
0%
63°F
Showers
63°
42°
42°
60%
63°F
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/26264
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Last Minute Notes
Ok. So we're one week away. And there are some logistics that still need tackled...
On a very positive note the weather for dolly sods 22-24 looks pretty good. 60 hi, 36 lo, and SUNNY! no rain. no snow. a bit cold at night but if we all get into one sleeping bag we ought to be fine.
Now. The food thing. I think, to minimize coordinating, and if it's ok with everyone, i'll just get fri night meal stuff, and sat night meal stuff, and sun lunch stuff all at the same time and probably from sam's thursday (since i'm off thurs afternoon/eve). are folks ok with pitching in some $ for it later??
(Al, no prob about separating the meat stuffs. Anyone other than Al and Jes have dietary restrictions? Last call...)
The gear thing. how's everyone doing with gathering what they need?? need help? just call me (i love gear gabbing). If you have just bought your first pair of hiking boots, go break them in this week. wear the to work, to the mail box, while making dinner.. anything! the last thing you want to do is break in boots day one of backpacking. OUCH!
We've had a couple additions and drop outs of the group. It sounds like Annie is no longer going to be with us (boo!). But Clara Cornelius will be joining us (yay!), and possibly a couple other folks? (Donna, is your whole foods friend coming? and there was someone else's friend... Jes's friend???)
I really need a solid number by this week cause i'm buying food. so please tell me now yay or nay.
OH, and we'll be doing this LNT style (Leave No Trace). This means burying poo and packing out the paper (see the poo post below for details), no fire on saturday night (that's what the camp stoves are for), no trash out and about, scuffing up our campsite...
i feel the collective groan about the no fire situation on saturday especially if it's cold, but i feel very strongly about this. And we will have a fire friday night to cook all those s'mores on (thanks julie!).
Also, anyone planning on bringing dogs? hamsters? bird of prey? bunny rabbits? (not as food but as companions).
Anyone have anything else to add?
On a very positive note the weather for dolly sods 22-24 looks pretty good. 60 hi, 36 lo, and SUNNY! no rain. no snow. a bit cold at night but if we all get into one sleeping bag we ought to be fine.
Now. The food thing. I think, to minimize coordinating, and if it's ok with everyone, i'll just get fri night meal stuff, and sat night meal stuff, and sun lunch stuff all at the same time and probably from sam's thursday (since i'm off thurs afternoon/eve). are folks ok with pitching in some $ for it later??
(Al, no prob about separating the meat stuffs. Anyone other than Al and Jes have dietary restrictions? Last call...)
The gear thing. how's everyone doing with gathering what they need?? need help? just call me (i love gear gabbing). If you have just bought your first pair of hiking boots, go break them in this week. wear the to work, to the mail box, while making dinner.. anything! the last thing you want to do is break in boots day one of backpacking. OUCH!
We've had a couple additions and drop outs of the group. It sounds like Annie is no longer going to be with us (boo!). But Clara Cornelius will be joining us (yay!), and possibly a couple other folks? (Donna, is your whole foods friend coming? and there was someone else's friend... Jes's friend???)
I really need a solid number by this week cause i'm buying food. so please tell me now yay or nay.
OH, and we'll be doing this LNT style (Leave No Trace). This means burying poo and packing out the paper (see the poo post below for details), no fire on saturday night (that's what the camp stoves are for), no trash out and about, scuffing up our campsite...
i feel the collective groan about the no fire situation on saturday especially if it's cold, but i feel very strongly about this. And we will have a fire friday night to cook all those s'mores on (thanks julie!).
Also, anyone planning on bringing dogs? hamsters? bird of prey? bunny rabbits? (not as food but as companions).
Anyone have anything else to add?
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Google Doc Spreadsheet - VERY IMPORTANT!
Muy Importante!
Alexa started a google doc (good thinking Lex!!!!) for organizing gear for lending. I (being the over-planning excel-obsessed person i am) have expanded it to include several worksheets for your use. The link to it is over to the left on the top of the page. It's invite only so you should have gotten an e-mail about it.
Once the doc is open look at the bottom of the page, you'll see the tabs for the various spreadsheets. If you need help e-mail me or Lex or leave a comment here and i'll try to help ya!
1) Personal Packing List - this is what you need to bring
2) Group Gear Sign-up - Here's what we need for the groups and who has it (or not)
3) Gear to Borrow - if you need something and don't want to buy it check here and see if anyone has some to lend!
4) Contact List - this has contact info for those coming. this is an invite only doc so your info won't be out for random skeevy folks to stalk you.
5) Group sign up - we have to go in two groups because of the size of our group. So i've got two lists in there and you can sign up for which ever you like. We're all going to do the same route just one group will do it backwards (not walking backwards but opposite of the way the other group is going... oh you get the idea). Please don't neglect to sign up. i don't know who you absolutely want to be with - aside from my charming self of course... ; D - so you need to figure this out amongst yourselves. I've asked my mother to "lead" the other group as she is fairly experienced and a motivator... but "lead" doesn't mean much really, we're women and i think we're all communists (or do i mean socialists??) at heart!
Alexa started a google doc (good thinking Lex!!!!) for organizing gear for lending. I (being the over-planning excel-obsessed person i am) have expanded it to include several worksheets for your use. The link to it is over to the left on the top of the page. It's invite only so you should have gotten an e-mail about it.
Once the doc is open look at the bottom of the page, you'll see the tabs for the various spreadsheets. If you need help e-mail me or Lex or leave a comment here and i'll try to help ya!
1) Personal Packing List - this is what you need to bring
2) Group Gear Sign-up - Here's what we need for the groups and who has it (or not)
3) Gear to Borrow - if you need something and don't want to buy it check here and see if anyone has some to lend!
4) Contact List - this has contact info for those coming. this is an invite only doc so your info won't be out for random skeevy folks to stalk you.
5) Group sign up - we have to go in two groups because of the size of our group. So i've got two lists in there and you can sign up for which ever you like. We're all going to do the same route just one group will do it backwards (not walking backwards but opposite of the way the other group is going... oh you get the idea). Please don't neglect to sign up. i don't know who you absolutely want to be with - aside from my charming self of course... ; D - so you need to figure this out amongst yourselves. I've asked my mother to "lead" the other group as she is fairly experienced and a motivator... but "lead" doesn't mean much really, we're women and i think we're all communists (or do i mean socialists??) at heart!
Dietary Restrictions?
Anyone have dietary restrictions, food allergies, etc?
I know that Jes Corey will be handling her own food needs for the group meals. Anyone else?
Here's my thinking for group meals. Any requests or questions or issues?
Friday Dinner (car camping at Red Creek Campground):
Salad
Spaghetti w/ sausage
garlic bread
Saturday Dinner
rehydrated bean & rice burritos
Sunday Lunch (after hiking out, back at Red Creek Campground)
meat and cheese sandwiches
chips
(note: all other meals you will be responsible for planning and packing your own) for bfasts: i'll be bringing instant oatmeal, or granola (you can pack in powdered milk too), used tea bags are great for washing out your bowl. lunch: i usually do bagels, cheese, summer sausage. snacks i do granola, gorp (trail mix), chocolate, energy bars.
I know that Jes Corey will be handling her own food needs for the group meals. Anyone else?
Here's my thinking for group meals. Any requests or questions or issues?
Friday Dinner (car camping at Red Creek Campground):
Salad
Spaghetti w/ sausage
garlic bread
Saturday Dinner
rehydrated bean & rice burritos
Sunday Lunch (after hiking out, back at Red Creek Campground)
meat and cheese sandwiches
chips
(note: all other meals you will be responsible for planning and packing your own) for bfasts: i'll be bringing instant oatmeal, or granola (you can pack in powdered milk too), used tea bags are great for washing out your bowl. lunch: i usually do bagels, cheese, summer sausage. snacks i do granola, gorp (trail mix), chocolate, energy bars.
Gear Check and Supply meet up?
Not sure if anyone has time in the next couple of weeks but Alexa has offered the use of her dad's house (lots of room inside and outside) for a gear check, gear swap, rei and sam's club supply field trip type gathering. I think it could be good to ensure everyone has all they need, however, i know that i probably won't be able to make it... things this month are already super tight and i'm already ditching poor ben with the crazy kids the whole backpacking weekend... :(
The Poo Post
Contrary to rumors and that one section in the article i posted. We will not be packing out our poo. We will be digging "cat holes". If you use paper or wipes (i use wipes in the back country) i ask that you not bury those but pack that out. (i know, not terribly tasteful and fun but it's not a big deal. really.) I also ask that you pack out pads, tampons, etc.
The method:
I get a small stuff sack maybe like 4"x8" or so. I get a gallon size ziplock bag and cover the outside, especially the seams with duct tape. This is my used paper/wipes bag. Also in the stuff sack i keep a pack of clean wipes or tp and hand sani. We will have one trowel per group and there will be a "keeper of the trowel".
You snag the trowel grab your dookie bag and trek off somewhere discrete and at least 200ft away from water - about 70 adult steps. Dig your hole about 6"-8" deep and set the trowel aside. FAR aside. do you business. put the dirt you dug out on top of your business using your shoe or hand or a stick DO NOT USE THE TROWEL - there will be no dookie on the trowel! stamp the dirt down with your boot. and i tend to find a rock or branch to put over the spot to keep others from digging in that spot.
Use your hand sani. gather your tools and head back to the others.
A short word about pee:
peeing in the back country is relatively simple. Since we're all ladies you just gotta master the squat and avoid flat rocks as the back splash will get cha. Also, try not to pee on your shoes or pants. It's good to keep the 200ft rule for pee as well but pee in healthy people is not a big deal (via the CDC).
The method:
I get a small stuff sack maybe like 4"x8" or so. I get a gallon size ziplock bag and cover the outside, especially the seams with duct tape. This is my used paper/wipes bag. Also in the stuff sack i keep a pack of clean wipes or tp and hand sani. We will have one trowel per group and there will be a "keeper of the trowel".
You snag the trowel grab your dookie bag and trek off somewhere discrete and at least 200ft away from water - about 70 adult steps. Dig your hole about 6"-8" deep and set the trowel aside. FAR aside. do you business. put the dirt you dug out on top of your business using your shoe or hand or a stick DO NOT USE THE TROWEL - there will be no dookie on the trowel! stamp the dirt down with your boot. and i tend to find a rock or branch to put over the spot to keep others from digging in that spot.
Use your hand sani. gather your tools and head back to the others.
A short word about pee:
peeing in the back country is relatively simple. Since we're all ladies you just gotta master the squat and avoid flat rocks as the back splash will get cha. Also, try not to pee on your shoes or pants. It's good to keep the 200ft rule for pee as well but pee in healthy people is not a big deal (via the CDC).
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Gear for Borrowing...
i'm sure more of you have more than this... but for now:
2 tents - 2 person each i think? (jes dymond, jes corey)
1 backpacking shelter - 4-5 person i think? (libby jones)
3 sleeping bags (libby jones, jes dymond, jes corey)
2 sleeping pads (jes dymond, jes corey)
i will also bring all my extra trekking clothing in case people need/want to borrow. Let me/us know if you're looking for anything in particular. Lex, i have my feelers out for 7-7.5 hiking boots. if you go to the REI outlet i saw some relatively cheap women's hiking boots in case you want to buys some of your own. keep checking craigslist and freecycle and what not too...
2 tents - 2 person each i think? (jes dymond, jes corey)
1 backpacking shelter - 4-5 person i think? (libby jones)
3 sleeping bags (libby jones, jes dymond, jes corey)
2 sleeping pads (jes dymond, jes corey)
i will also bring all my extra trekking clothing in case people need/want to borrow. Let me/us know if you're looking for anything in particular. Lex, i have my feelers out for 7-7.5 hiking boots. if you go to the REI outlet i saw some relatively cheap women's hiking boots in case you want to buys some of your own. keep checking craigslist and freecycle and what not too...
Average Weather for Dolly Sods this time of year
Just checking and being the crazy planner that i am:
Avg Hi - 65
Avg Lo - 40
Record Hi - 88
Record Lo - 23
layers people. layers...
Avg Hi - 65
Avg Lo - 40
Record Hi - 88
Record Lo - 23
layers people. layers...
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