ECT - Presidents Weekend ?

“How about another trip over Presidents Weekend? Feb. 15-18?

I was thinking somewhere in NorthCentral PA or the Adirondacks again?

Anybody interested?

I don't have any plans yet...just wanted to see if we could get together again.”

“i might be able to make something. better chances if it is kept in pennsylvania. i would love to get back to my old stomping grounds.”

“Anybody else?”

“Given favorable weather, I'm interested ... but offer the following thoughts:

If there's enough snow on the ground to require snowshoes, a 3-4 day PA backpacking trek could be very exhausting, depending on topography, trail & weather conditions, and how far apart projected campsites are (Rich B and I did a section of the Chuck Keiper Trail last December -- no snowshoes, but with about 3-4 inches of newfallen powder, it was quite tiring). Wearing snowshoes and carrying heavier winter gear, I could do no more than about 8 miles on a full day. If little or no snow on the ground, I could do more.

What about the Catskills? They're halfway between northcentral PA and the Daks. Could backpack in a few miles & set up base camp. Day hike to the top of a peak or two to enjoy some nice vistas. Last year, ECT ( under AmyG's able organizational skills), did Tabletop and Slide Mtn. Perhaps this year we could do another area -- like the Blackhead Range?

My $.02”

“I'm not sure about the snow conditions in Central PA. Actually I was wondering the same myself.

I definitely don't like doing too many miles in the winter either.
First of all there is less daylight and second it takes twice as long.”

“BTW, a basecamping/dayhiking arrangement in the Adirondaks would be very attractive to me. Do date, I've done only 3 season stuff there, but I'm ready for my first winter trip.

I'm familiar with the High Peaks Region, and could offer some input on a projected itinerary. Snowshoes would most likely be required. Crampons might be helpful.”

“I've actually been glancing at the Adirondack maps and I was thinking if the High Peaks were chosen the base camp could be in the Flowed Lands area. I've been checking out www.lexicomm.com/views/index.html
for current trail conditions.

Other areas I was thinking of in the Adirondacks were either Pharoah Lakes Wilderness or near Five Ponds Wilderness.”

“This would be a loop trip and not a base camp trip. But I think it would be great for only being 15.1 miles total. This is just "one" of the trips I've been thinking of and like I said there are many more opportunities in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness.


Cranberry Lake/Five Pond Wilderness

The High Falls Loop (red) (13.0 miles)
This trail begins at the parking lot on the South Shore Road in the Hamlet of Wanakena at the start of the Dead Creek Flow Trail.

The first two miles follow the bed of a logging railroad constructed by the Rich Lumber Company prior to state acquisition of that parcel in 1919. In the mid 1930's, it was upgraded to a truck trail for state administrative use. It is now used only as a foot trail, in conformance with wilderness management guidelines.

After leaving the former roadbed, the trail follows old logging roads to meet with a short (.2 mile) trail that provides access for boaters from Janack's Landing.

At the next intersection (Sand Hill Junction), a yellow trail provides access to the Cat Mountain Trail and Cowhorn Junction, while the red trail continues toward the Plains. A short distance later, the trail turns southerly to leave the former Plains Trail, which was abandoned due to excessive beaver activity. The new Plains Trail was constructed in 1986 on higher ground. This trail ends on the High Falls Trail, which shares its history with the Dead Creek Flow Trail. From here, it is a short distance to High Falls.

On the return trip, a hiker may continue along an abandoned logging railroad that ran between High Falls and Wanakena. Adjacent to the Oswegatchie River, this trail will likely contain some beaver flooding. At the northern end of this trail is the Wanakena Primitive corridor, which is a one mile remnant of a former truck trail retained in drivable condition to allow the Wanakena Water Company to maintain its facilities. From the barrier at the northern end of the corridor, it is approximately .5 mile along the South Shore Road to the parking lot.”

“http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,567_P,00.html

Or another option with less miles in the Cranberry Lake area is to hike 3.3 miles into Janack's Landing as a basecamp. Then do High Falls or Cat Mtn as possible day trips from there.”

“I've got a few things going against me but ya never know.....

I don't have off President's Day which would require a vacation or *cough cough* sick day. No biggie there but all during Feb I'll be moving my mother from her house of 35 years to an apartment. Anything I do in Feb will be last last minute BUT I will have my eyes glued to this thread for details cuz you know I'd love to give it a go.”

“Sounds good. The more I look at the Janack's Landing option, the better it looks.”

“Adventurist, I may be fooling my self in asking this but send me info to Dom_corleone@hotmail.com as it comes to you. I am planing to work on my eagle stuff that week and my mothers 50th birthday is on the 16th, so likly hood of me joing you all is slim. I would need a rid out there too, in NJ yah can't drive till 17 and yah can't drive out of state till 18; I'm 16 now. Weather is anther player, if its over 6inch of snow I don't have the equpment for it. But keep me informed on this one”

“Tea,

I'm counting on atleast a foot of snow.

What kind of gear do you have for the winter?

Boots?
Sleeping Bag?
Clothing?

Just wondering.

You should try to get up to the Adirondacks atleast in the warmer weather. Its a great area!

Where do you usually hike?”

“I'm an NJ boy. I have been near lake plasid (rollins Pond AKA Fudwood) during the summer, I agrea it is gorgiouse.

Gear:
My stove is a pesican, but I'm looking at and Optimus Nova

Sleeping bag is good, its a TNF Cats meow

Tent is good

Boots are Vasque clarions Gortex. I wore them last weekend in 1ft of snow playing paint ball. My feet were dry but when I took of my boots I was happy that I had wool sox of because I would have been an Ice cube

And winter jacket. I guess I could use my Nautica Down jacket.

Othere then that I'm fine for winter, but I think I may be too bussy for this trip, yet I want to try to make it work.”

“If my lovley mistress...umm I mean s.o. is up to it, I think we might be into joining you on this one. I have a few days off and wouldnt mind doing anoter face plant for everyone amusment.”

“We just did an Adirondack Trip last weekend and the temps went down to below 10 without windchill.”

“Video Camera is needed to film it this time..

We could always do a renactment of it.”

“Yeah, but it would be minus the pride....think I left that by the pond.”

“If its that cold I think I will count my self out”

“Just wanted to give you fair warning Tea. I would love it if you could make it but I don't want anything to happen because you might not be prepared, gear-wise, for the cold.

I don't think the Cat's Meow would be warm enough.

My Winter clothing list:

Fleece hat
Fleece neck gaiter
Gloves
extra fleece gloves
one pair socks per day
Gaiters
Gore Tex Windproof/waterproof pants
Waterproof/breathable jacket
Coolmax insulated bottoms (light to midweight)
Coolmax T-shirt
Longsleeve Duofold shirt(medium weight)
Fleece Jacket”

“Dont forget irish whiskey...bring an extra bottle if AmyG comes.”

“Yeah. She needs her own. Chug-A-Lug...”

“lol....Im gonna get beat when she reads that.”

“Do you guys think you would leave Friday or Saturday if you came?”

“Probably Sat. I have off Sat to Mon, but I might be able to get the Friday off to. I cant promise it, but maybe.”

“ok...I took off Friday and have off Monday as a Holiday.

Holiday...If we took a Holiday...
Celebrate...ok now I have that DAMN Madonna song in my head.”

“Thats sick man...80's flashbacks, very sad condition. Took 20 years of therapy and a Clinton administration to cure me.”

“I go home now...me done with work-e”

“Do you think we could get something to gether for springbreak?

Most of my gear is Fall Summer and Spring. I've never been on a really winter camping trip so I currently don't own much cold weatehr gear.

Have funn all, how the trip works out”

“I'm sure if anything we could atleast do an overnight thing in the Water Gap area Tea.

Or maybe even the Pine Barrens?

Or a dayhike somewhere?

There are plenty of people here that could show for a dayhike!”

“I better talk to AmyG tonight to see what she's up to. Alots gonna depend on her schedule, but Im sure she will if she can.”

“I think it is much more fun to basecamp and dayhike in Winter. I loooove a good loop trail, but in Winter you want to pack in all kinds of extra goodies and comfort items and with the added weight, well...
I'll have to see if my gear mule is up to it.

;o)

I'm game for another ECT. It was that weekend last year that we did the ECT freeze-yer-ass-off Catshike.

I'll have to see what my job status is at that point. Also, we may be moving in to the new house that weekend (hopefully before!)
Stay tuned.

Tea - would love you to join us, but wait for Spring. I think you'll have a better time.”

“I agree, I think it would be best for me is I waited ont his one. I do want to join you all on a ECT soon though”

“Do you guys have a map?”

“Adventurist, I may make it over that way as well.”

“Has anyone here ever been there?
I'm going to start another thread to see.”

“YO!”

“Me and a few others are doing a trip on the AT in March. It is going to be from Friday through Monday for them, but I will be cruising in my usual Friday night and out on Sunday. It is going to be the weekend of the 15th. The plan is still a little scketchy but the whole trip for them is going to be 40-45 miles. I think we are going to start at the NY/NJ state Border and head South on the AT. As always anyone is welcome the door for friends is always open. I will post better details as the date approaches.

Pete”

“I wonder where AmyG and DareG are at?”

“pete send me an e-mail as the trip gains shape? Dom_corleone@hotmail.com”

“Sorry Adventurist...I've been busy house hunting!

I've got maps of the ADK's and most of the guide books. Are you most interested in Pharoah Lake Wilderness? I love that area and have been a couple of times now.

I also have maps and guides of the Pine barrens and almost all of PA. I'd be happy to loan 'em to ya, if it turns out we can't make this weekend. It'd be a good excuse for us to come up and play cards some night, so I can see your cool log house!!

I'll be checkin' back. :o)”

“Adventurist, you have a log house? Cool!”

“Cranberry Lake...check the thread I started.”

“I dont know about cards. I think adventurist's Mrs. know just a little too much about that. I might lose my truck....oops, I forgot, I already lost that.”

“You know your in serious trouble when you walk in the door and she has her old dealer uniform on.”

“So any updates on who is showing and when? This trip is definitely taking place in the Cranberry Lake area of the Adirondacks.”

“Adventurist,

I'm seriously thinking about heading to the Catskills (or possibly the Daks' High Peaks Region) that weekend. Y'all have a nice time picking the Cranberries.”

“Have a safe trip M Silver....”

“We are still up in the air. Alot will depend on whats happening in the next few days. I guess just count us as still a maybe.”

“*sobbing*
I am 99% sure I am out that weekend. We'll be U-hauling all weekend between Mom's house and her new apartment.”