more photos: Shenandoah November 2015

Shenandoah Catlett Mountain November 2015

9 intrepid women, 10.5 amazing miles, 2 chilly nights, 1 incredible uphill climb, 3 beautiful old stone chimneys, innumerable bear scat sightings, 3 crazy yoginis on a log, and a whole hell of a lot of love!!!!!

Backpacking Bitches

Only two more weeks! Anyone else super excited? 

I like the term "Backpacking Bitches" because the last (and first) time i did this, my kids were pretty young and with both Ben and I working out of the home life was crazy. Good, but crazy (it's still crazy but not TODDLER crazy) and at the time, taking a whole weekend for myself and hitting the trail with a bunch of other women who i admire and adore and hold me up felt selfish. In our culture (and in some ways i think, our gender especially), are taught that selfishness is bad. But, i am learning that sometimes, in order to be present for those around us, it is absolutely necessary. 

So let's be bitches. Let's say fuck you DISHES, LAUNDRY, PTA MEETINGS, FILTHY BATHROOM, HOMEWORK! We're hitting the trail, holding our own hearts, and howling at the moon. 

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I think we have most of the logistics worked out. A few folks might still need tent/stove buddies. If you need ideas for cheap good trail food, let me know. If your worried about how cold it will be, hit me up for some good sleeping in the cold tips. 

Also, PLEASE Don't forget to fill out the Emergency Contact section of the Google Doc!!!  I'm getting paranoid in my old age and want to make sure i have all bases  covered (i added another column for allergies or conditions we should be aware of).

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dd7mLA-hZQsMWZtlCRYG_oleNhC3At2h9cc6H1GEJS4/edit#gid=159676772

-Lib

10 little indians... wait no... 10 strong, powerful, crazy she-wolves?

Hello Dahlings,

So our number is down to 10 (and Cecilia is still a maybe. Any definite answer Cec?).  

I still haven't mailed in our permit applications. Planning on doing that today, but i still need tag numbers from folks. I have two applications so we can park 4 cars down there (two on each permit). 

Here's what i think is happening, please correct me if i'm wrong:

Friday Early Arrivals (parking just below Jeremy's Overlook):

-- Steph Snyder, Steph Bliss (in SS's car) NEED TAG No. 

-- Brittney, Becky (?), Ceci (?) and Libby (in Libby's car)

Friday Late Arrivals (parking at Elkwallow Picnic Area):

-- Amy, Kelly, Steph Taras (in Kelly's car)  NEED TAG No. 

-- Jes Corey (in her own car)

Do i have this all correct? If not please let me know asap. I have just received my replacement phone today and am setting it up now. I can receive texts and phone calls again but have yet to restore my contacts as the phone is taking FOREVER to update. 

Here are some other logistical things: 

* Shenandoah is known for black bears. Black bears are pretty kindly and scared but i want you all to be aware. Here's an article about safety just in case the word "bear" has you skiddish: http://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/nature/bear_safety.htm

* It's going to be cold and maybe a little wet. Accuweather is showing periods of rain expected for the 22nd. And the route we're planning has 14 stream crossings. I don't expect the water to be high this time of year, but our boots will likely get wet... Bring a couple pairs of extra WOOL (yes i'm a bit of a wool whore) or Synthetic socks - when cotton is wet, it takes forever to dry out and it will not keep you warm when it's wet. When wool and synthetic material is wet it will dry more quickly and keep you warm while it's wet.  If you don't have a pack cover, line your pack with trash compactor bags (they're sturdier than regular trash bags). If the weather gets super cold at night, the trash compactor bags can double as a bivy sac for your sleeping bag. 

* It's going to be COLD at NIGHT especially. Accuweather is currently saying it will get down to 28 degrees friday night. Please Please Please make sure you have a warm sleeping bag (add 10-15 degrees to what your bag is rated as in order to be comfortable e.g. if your bag is rated at 20 degress, will likely only keep you warm to down to 30 degrees).  If you need to, go look at sleeping bag liners or make your own! You may also want to bring some handwarmers to go in the bottom of your sleeping bag for both nights!

 

* No open fires in Shenandoah.  They do not allow open fires in Shenandoah. All our cooking will be done on tiny stoves and we will not have that added warmth at night. Please plan accordingly.

* We will likely be shitting in the woods. Sometimes the AT has privvy's but i have never been where we're going so i'm not sure what the set up is and it's good to know how to shit safely in the woods anyhow. I have a trowel but with 10 of us, i'm hoping someone else has a trowel too... Here is a good article on leave no trace shitting in the woods http://www.trailspace.com/articles/backcountry-waste-disposal.html

* I am a firm believer of Leave no Trace camping in general. However, they do require it in. Most of you are experienced, but for a couple of you are newbies. Here's a good article on LNT - https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles

A couple other good infographics and articles:

How to layer to stay warm: http://www.lgsmash.com/2014/02/05/preparing-winter-camping-wear-edition/

HOw to sleep warm in the cold: http://scoutmastercg.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sleeping-warm.jpg

How to pack your backpack: http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~hiking-p/Beta_packing_your_pack.htm

As always, if you have any questions or concerns or want more info or just want to send me goofy pictures of yourself, call/text/email me!

OH! And, i want to get emergency contact info for everyone. I'm going to add a spreadsheet to the google doc so folks can give me emergency contact info!!