She-nandoah!!!!

Hello Loves!

Esther's special birthday wish is to go backpacking with me. She and I are gearing up for a weekend jaunt on the AT this weekend. This will be her second time out and every time she gains more and more confidence and strength. She has her very own internal frame pack, first aid kit, compass, and map of the area!! As much as i doubt (hope) she'll ever NEED survival skills, i find so much joy in giving her the gifts my mother gave me such as how to build a shelter, set up camp, find water, wilderness first aid, start a fire without a match (um... still working on this one), find edible plants and fungi (um... still working on this one too)... 

I can't wait to spend time in the woods with all of you and learn even more wilderness wonderfulness that i get to pass on to Esther!  

So as of now, we are a group of 13 (possibly 14?). 

I think Stephanie Snyder has weighted down the vote for Shenandoah. Has anyone backpacked the Shenandoah before? Anyone interested in helping me plan?  We need to find a route that allows for an early out Sunday night (if you're planning on staying Sunday night through to Monday please e-mail me asap - most folks i think are leaving on Sunday) and set up the parking situation (if it's not a loop).  I think we need a permit for there too (and therefore need to apply asap). 

Anyone having trouble finding gear? Anyone super anxious and need a good pep talk?

I'll be here if you need me (researching shenandoah trails and permits and whatnot)

Giant Marmaduke Hugs!

Where oh where do we go?

Hello all you fierce ladies!

   I ran away this past weekend on a whirlwind adventure and found myself camping on the shores of Lake Ontario. With the winds arcing high, the lake thrashing about on the rocky shores, and the pattering and smattering of rain along the tent fly, i found myself reveling in utter delight. 

   Now returned home, i am champing at the bit to be out in it again with all of your gorgeous, fierce and fiery selves!

  With Google Reader now defunct (why oh why?), i know it's not easy for all of us to remember to check the blog. I'll still keep it up though but try to send out mass emails too -- which hopefully will allow everyone to pose questions and suggestions (or statements, or introductions) to the group as well. Also, if anyone wants access to post on the blog, just let me know, i'm happy to extend authorship to whomever....

  Ok. SO! the big question is still WHERE ARE WE GOING?  It currently sounds like its between AT in western MD and the Shenandoah.  I'm up for either. I only hiked old rag once a very long time ago so i'm not a great resource of info for that area but i've bounced around on the website and it looks fantastic and the outline some great routes.  I guess, it mostly comes down to how far folks want to drive and where folks are coming from...   Please e-mail me asap with your vote on where we should go. I'd like to have a placed picked as soon as possible so we can get to choosing a route. 

   Since we have all levels of experience and fitness, i want to keep it to fairly beginner level. If folks are super excited to do a harder route, you can always do your own thing and meet up with us where/when convenient -- my only suggestion/recommendation/comfort level is please don't go alone, if you're planning a separate route, please be sure to have a buddy.

  I also wanted to do a quick memo about gear. There is a packing list on the blog but you probably don't need all those things, some are just suggestions... and of course you'll figure out what works for you (if you haven't already) and come up with your own system and packing list. However, PLEASE don't feel like you have to go out and spend a ton of money on  gear. The first time i went backpacking, i wore a pair of old lady wool dress pants (so warm in all types of weather).  You can go to goodwill and get all kinds of woolly/fleecy/wind and waterproof warm wear (REMEMBER NO COTTON!!!).  You can make a bivvy sack (goes on the outside of your sleepbag for added warmth and waterproofing - can also be used in lieu of a tent) out of two trash compactor bags and duct tape. You can easily make your own sleeping bag liner (after all it's just a sack) with thin fleece or tech poly from the fabric store... And the plastic containers made by ziplock with the twist on lid make a perfect backpacking bowl. 

  The main things you'll want to make sure you have or can borrow are:

- a comfortable backpack with an internal frame

- a cold weather sleeping bag (sit in it outside at night or early morning to test) and get a liner if it's not warm enough

- comfortable worn in (don't try to hike in brand new boots) hiking boots

- sleeping pad 

- water bottles that don't leak (approx 2 liters worth)

The rest we can find you or you can find/make/finagle for cheap or free. If you have any questions, don't be shy.  I love talking about this stuff and have a whole host of stories of how i did without (ask me about when my spoon broke on day 2 of a 2 week trip in a canyon in Utah). 

Don't forget to put in your vote for where we're going!

-Libs

So who's in?

Hello all you amazing people, you!

So, i'd like to start getting close to a solid number. I had a couple definite yes's and no's but most folks are still in the "that sounds great... and cold... i don't know..." grey area.

If you're definitely planning on coming, please let me know. If you are waiting for some other plans to solidify to say yes or no, can you give me a time frame on when you think you'll have a definite answer for me?

So far, if everyone says yes, that's a total of 15 women (see the left margin for names).

I also think a fair number of people need to hike out Sunday evening. Can you tell me if you're one of those people? I want to get an idea of how many folks are hiking out too. Unless we plan on doing a loop, we'll need to organize drop off/pick up/car parking logistics around this.

Ok. i think that's all. With the weather cooling off so significantly in the last week or so, the call of the forest is getting stronger than ever. Can't wait to sit around a fire with all your wild and wonderful hearts and howl at the moon.