NJ: Trippin on the AT with Pennsy and 'P ete

“"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"

sirpeteofmillwork
05:16:34 PM
01/30/02

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"The trip I am going on is the weekend of 3/8 not 3/15, I think thats what I posted before. We are hiking from the Gap up to about the 37 mile marker in NJ (AT). We will be leaving the gap on Friday night and camping at one of the sites by sunfish pond. I will be getting out at Rt 206 Sunday afternoon and the 3 others that I am hiking with will be getting out Monday morning. Anyone wanting in is welcome."

sirpeteofmillwork
07:22:40 PM
02/05/02

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Yo Pete - I'm almost certain I'll be able to make that trip. No sneaking into your camp on Sat morning this time. I wanna do the night hike! I also like the idea of ending at the bakery. Yummy!

Just a thought, but maybe start a separate thread for this?"
Pennsy Hiker
08:56:16 PM
02/05/02

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”

“NC that weekend baby!!!!ya”

“are there any people that live in the valley forge/King of Prussia area that could pick up a good friend and kidnap him for this hike?”

“Fritz - you are pure evil, ya know that?? Wait til Pete gets ahold of you. It' his trip and you gave him second billing. ;o)

Stikmon - Fritz will be more than happy to stop by Valley Forge and pick up your friend. Fritz IS going on the trip whether he knows it or not, and he lives roughly in that area. Of course he'll be hog tied, tarred and feathered.”

“There is only one site by Sunfish Pond. I guess the map still shows sites #1 & 2 but only the lower one is still open.”

“Of course he'll be hog tied, tarred and feathered."
Pennsy Hiker
04:44:02 PM
02/06/02

Hog tied ??? Take it easy on those ethnic statement please - some of us are Hogs y'all know.”

“Woops!!!! Forgive me your swineness? Twas a slip of the tongue gone amuck. But can we still tar and feather him? ;-)

I could be wrong about the backpacker sites but I thought #1, which is near the rt80 trailhead, is the one closed. #2 up near the intersection with Douglas trail is still open. Me thinks at least.”

“Pennsy, the thread title will be recognized by Pete, he'll know why he's second.

Search old threads for "Trippin in the Whites" and you'll understand. Before your time, I s'pose. ;-)

But really, "pure evil?" That sounds even worse than the "axis of evil." Guess that's the word of the year, though.

As far as me coming on the trip...not likely, but possible. Not sure if I am more worried about:
1) the number of miles (I'm old, fat and out of shape)
2) the cold
3) having to get permission from my wife to go on another trip ;-)

We'll see!”

“I went dayhiking up to and around Sunfish Pond last Sunday. There are a lot of old tent/camping sites scattered along near the shoreline, but just as many old "no camping" signs as well. However, there were some sites up on the hill above the pond that were not marked. Backpacker Site #2 (which is about a mile or so from Sunfish Pond) is apparently open - or rather, there's no evidence of it being closed. There's a small running stream there. I saw a mommy and two cub bears not far from BPS #2”

“bad sheeat just happen in school today, I don't think because of it I will be able to by a stove thus not going”

“Oh yeah, btw, I *might* be interested in joining this AT weekender. But I can't see too clearly that far down the road. So I'll get back to ya later.”

“MSilver.. I saw Bear tracks up at Sunfish in January. Can't believe they are out and wandering around. Must be too warm.”

“March is a good time to be in the Gap. The Weekend warriors are out by dark and the North bounders are far to the South so there is plenty of wide open area with no one to bother you once you get up the trail a piece. The few people that will be in there Friday will be heading out while we head in. Camping up by sunfish is a non issue, I've been camping up there for years. There are spots up there just beyond the most horrible rocky hillside that keeps the riffraff out that give breathtaking views and a rare pc. of flat ground.
Besides the lower campsite is quite large.”

“I don't have my maps with me. I forget which site is still open, but I know it's only one of them.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you guys this but if you do stealth camp, be gentle. I remember what that place looked like before they restricted camping. There were piles of beer cans in the fire pits and the shoreline was eroded from overuse. It's bounced back nicely since then.”

“The same people who post the no camping signs are the ones who post the no swimming signs.......but all they do is send up kids to inforce them. These are the same people who stand around while all the idiot coin toss'in river jumpers are swimming in the pond. The shores of that pond are eroded because of that. I've been up there in the summer when there were tents lined the trail leading up to the pond and the sewarts were standing around talking to the people. We who practice LNT are not the bad guys here only the vic's. My concern and I'm sure yours too Violin about these mt's that surround my home is far more grave than a kid with a summer job and a internship to complete. I assure you that there is no "stealth" camping necessary to accommodate us. Besides, except for when you are within Worthington state forest and the places that have been posted for revegatation, AT camping rules apply.”

“*boing* back to the top...

This is two weeks away...still gonna happen? Haven't seen Pennsy on the board all week, not sure about SirPete....”

“*boing* back to the top...

This is two weeks away...still gonna happen? Haven't seen Pennsy on the board all week, not sure about SirPete....”

“This is two weeks away............?



3”

“I'm here now Fritz! ;o)
Been super busy moving Mom so I haven't been around much.

I'm still a go.
About your concerns:

If Pete is talking about getting out at Culver's Gap (rt 206), that is about 28 miles from the Water Gap. 4-5 miles Friday night and 2 days to cover 23. Quite do-able.
If you have "50 Hikes in New Jersey," the Water Gap to Culver's gap is featured.

As far as the cold goes, what is your sleeping bag rated for?

You're on your own with the wife but I hope you can make it. It's a great hike.”

“My bad, Pete, it was three weeks...now it is two weeks from this coming Friday. ;-)

Pennsy, re: the cold, I'll be fine walking, I'll be fine sleeping (15 deg. bag), it is just the in-between times that worry me. I think I got mild frostbite in my hands when I was in high school, so they lose their heat fast and become painful and don't function well.

I am still thinking about coming. I'd really love to go. I think I am leaning towards going.”

“Fritz, you need to take a pepsi can stove. I took my Feather 442 whitegas stove this weekend and my fingers were very painful from the cold, trying to prime the stove with the metal pump button. Liner gloves that aren't very flammable would be good.”

“Backpacker#2 is definately open.I'll be leaving next Thursday,High Point to Water Gap.”

“Good luck John. Keep in mind the available water sources and report back if you don't mind. I am a bit concerned about the drought going on. When I was out there last fall the usual watering holes were close to drying up.”

“No problem,Pete.I think the drought is hitting worst,south of the Water gap ,where you have to depend more on springs.”

“Have fun John! BTW, are you from the area?

Fritz - mittens instead of gloves, and I'll grab some extra handwarmers from work.”

“Sounds like a great trip. My first multi night backpacking trip was from High Point to the Delaware Water Gap I think that was back in 1977. The first two days my buddy and I walked in a steady downpour after that the weather was perfect warm enough during the day to hike in shorts and a tee shirt but nice and cool at night. Slept under the stars the last few nights. The little bar at Culvers Gap was great for cheeseburgers fries and a couple of beers.”

“Hey,Pennsy.I live in Wind Gap”

“Cool! Another PA resident. I live in Saylorsburg.”

“We got you surrounded John! I'm down in Easton, Pete's right up the road from you, and Adventurist (what's with the caps - a subliminal message?) is just across 33.”

“Hmmmm...caps? What caps? Is your trip still on for April 26?”

“Hey Must Hike - I haven't been to that bar yet at Culver's Gap. I can never get past the bakery. Yum!!”

“The caps you had in your name silly - AdVeNtUrIsT. Unless someone is doing one of those troll thingies?

I'll have to reopen the Black Forest Trail trip thread. I've been super busy the last few weeks. It's still early so I'm not too worried about interest feigning. I'm sure the trip is still on (I'm going even I go alone).”

“A great biker bar where the chef is from NYC and cooks up T H E best food ever. I did many of the trails up there in my day and the cap to my Hiking stick still rests over the edge of Minsi. I just stood there and watched it bounce down the hill, it never stopped...bummer. I miss that area, now I'm discovering Missouri.”

“Pennsy Hiker I don’t remember the bakery but it was a few years ago maybe the bakery wasn’t there at that time. The bar sure was good after a couple days of walking in the rain. There was also a bait and tackle shop next to the bar that carried a few backpacking supplies. Sure are a lot of PA hikers on this thread I’m in Pike County by Lake Wallenpaupack.”

“stikmon - yeah, I've been in there but it's been a few years. My brother-in-law owns the printing company just up the street so I'm up that way often. I'll have to do a revisit.

Must Hike - It's the Worthington Bakery. Travelling south on the AT, it's right there when you cross 206. Awesome pastries! I don't know how long it's been there though.

And yes, there are many Pa hikers on this forum. PA RULES!! 7 of us did a snowshoe trip in the Dacks last month and there is a Black Forest Trail trip in the making for late April. The thread is here.”

“Welcome John and Must Hike! I'm Fritz, I live in Hatfield, Montgomery County.

Waiting for just the right time to bring this trip up with my wife. I think slightly better than even chance I'll end up going.”

“Hi PA NewToThisForum guys.. I'm in NJ :( , about 35 minutes from the Gap.. I like the PA hiking because it is less crowded.”

“We only saw 2 day hikers on the PA. Link Trail last weekend. For a holiday weekend, that's not many.”

“Anybody out there do trail maintenance or shelter watch?”

“Hi Fritz, I wouldn’t be able to make this trip way to busy at work, but the BFT trip is looking good. My wife said she wants me to get out for a few days. She even said if you need some new gear just go buy it.”

“Must Hike, you better pinch yourself, I think you're dreaming!

(I almost said "drinking," wonder what is the meaning of THAT!)”

“My only regret is that after I regained consciousness I didn’t get it writing.”

“Not yet, John M., but I did sign up for trail maintenance of the Pinchot trail. I hope to sign up for some AT work too this year. How about yourself?”

“I just started last month.I do shelter watch at the Leroy Smith AT shelter,and trail work around Wind Gap.Mostly dragging trees into the trail,sharpening the rocks,you know.”

“Hey cool! I like to find soft mucky dirt and throw shovels full onto the wetter sections of the trail.”

“I knew somebody was sharpening those rocks!”

“Hence the name?”

“Welcome MustHike. I'm not far from you - here in Scranton!

Pennsy, I'm still interested in the BFT trip.”

“I'm in!

Picked up maps today, looks very flat after the initial climb out of the Water Gap.

Getting out Sunday at Culver's Gap/206.

Is there a plan for car shuttling?

What time Friday do you all plan to hit the trail?”

“My friend jerry and I will have 1 vehicle up by RT 206. It is a small truck and I can fit 3 tops in the cab the rest willl have to ride in the back. I am already carpooling with Jerry but we can work out others as time gets closer. As far as Friday goes we are probably going to be hitting the trail somewhere around 4pm maybe earlier I am not completely sure yet it all depends on the 3 that are traveling up from Balt & Harrisburg. They will be dropping a car a bit further up from 206 because they will be hiking out on Monday. I'll post when it gets closer when things are a bit more finalized.

The basic plan is hike in Friday about 4.5 miles. Saturday hike about 16 miles up to Buttermilk falls and if we are abitious all the way to Brinks road shelter, 20 miles, but that is not likely. Sunday hike out from Buttermilk falls to 206 is about 9 miles or something like that, from Brinks shelter it is about 4.”