HIKE MAINE 2003! (winter trip?)

“I guess I'd better check the required gear list....anyone got a direct link?”

“I should say "recommended" list.”

“the trip thread says there is 9 of you already. R U missing goretexx?”

“we miss him terribly.

why don't you join us rox?”

“Wahoo! got the cabin key today!”

“I will not be going on this trip for a variety of reasons (do not have winter equipment, do not want to invest in it right now, my Utah trip went longer than planned b/c of eastern storm). In addition, my dad was hospitalized a couple of days ago (heart problem-this came from out of the blue) and is being transfered to a specialized hospital today for further tests. He will most likely need surgery as early as this weekend or next week. I have to be here for my mother and I wouldn't feel right going at this time. I'm sorry to drop out last minute. If someone wants to take my place there is a fully paid for spot open. Have fun and be careful. I'm looking forward to backpacking in the spring with any and hopefully all of you again - Matt”

“Wow - sorry to hear about your dad, Matt! Hope it goes well for you and your family - we'll be thinking of you.”

“Yikes! WB... Best wishes for your father's speedy recovery.”

“If no one objects, I'll start a spaces available to Hike Maine thread (unless someone else wants to do it).

btw: I went to an REI "clinic" on winter camping last night. It was very reassuring. I actually knew everything they covered in two hours, it made me think that maybe I was ready for this (at least in terms of knowledge and gear, if not fitness).”

“Sorry to hear about your Dad....good luck. Our prayers will be with you.”

“Go right ahead ped - there are three spaces available.

This is the list I was looking for:

Required Equipment
Because of the likelihood of extreme weather conditions in Baxter State Park in winter, and because rescue of injured persons may be delayed for hours or days, the following equipment is required as part of every winter visitor's basic kit.

(A) Winter camping gear (personal):

Showshoes or skis, with repair materials
Insulated pacs or mountain boots
Sleeping bag rated for winter conditions
Sunglasses or snow goggles
Pack
Matches or other fire-starting device
Food (with two-day reserve)
Warm clothing
Topographic map and compass
Flashlight or headlamp

(B) Winter camping gear (one (1) per group):

First aid kit
Axe and camp saw
Outdoor thermometer and wind-chill chart
Snow shovel”

“I just talked with BSP about refunds - I thought they might give a refund in Matt's case. However, they keep a $32 processing fee. :)

AND they told me that we're supposed to submit info for the people who swap five days prior to the trip! I don't think that's gonna happen, so I'll bring along a revised list for the ranger and I've got an emergency list for everyone to have with them. I think if we can show we're covered it won't be an issue.”

“thanks for the support and enjoy yourselves out there as you never know when this BS can happen to you. i was looking forward to moose jerky, sausage, and stew. I was worried about having only a 20 degree bag? do the cabins have wood burning stoves?”

“We have heat all four nights.”

“Wolfman, we'll be thinkin' of you. Take care now.”

“Matt - I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he gets well soon. We'll miss you on the trip, especially if there are any stream crossings. ;o)

Some stuff I'm bringing:

emergency bivy
4 season tent
ice axe
sven saw
shovel
tarp, tie lines
2 way radios
white gas stove with extra fuel
pocket rocket stove (if inside temps are warm enough)
Coleman propane lantern
2 headlamps and extra batteries
snowshoes and crampons
extra sled if anybody needs one?
2 sleeping bags (0 and 40)
thick sleeping pad
gaiters
lots and lots of warm clothes
digital thermometer (wind chill chart, what's dat?)

and a partridge in a pear tree...”

“Pennsy, would you mind bringing your coleman stove so we can heat up the moose stew at the cabin?

I have a wind chill chart.”

“Oh yeah... I forgot about the stove. I remember you mentioning it before. Sure, I'll bring it to the cabin. Maybe someone will want to strap it on their back for the hike in? ;o)

Wind chill chart... wouldn't you have to know the wind speed?”

“LOL, that would make sense Pennsy, but it's required, so I bring it. It's the size of a credit card.”

“Oh man I can't wait for this trip...I don't care if I have to crawl to Roaring Brook.
I'm gonna stand in the middle of Chimney Pond - the pond you can't touch with your body parts any other time of year...LOL!

wahoo!”

“Matt I hope your father feels better!!”

“Twigeater, I'm there with you!!!!”

“Ye-ha!!! Can't believe it's almost here!!! :)

Hey, Twig, any last minute ideas on what we might want to bring for food to share??”

“Dang, I sure wish I was going on a winter trip in the North Woods.”

“Come with us Pathman!
HIKE MAINE!

Whatever you want Skeetah - remember the slide show we saw? The lasagna looked yummy, but I'd pass on the ice cream, LOL!”

“I've spent my time off.”

“Oh and thank-you Pennsy for bringing the stove! I'll deduct one special sticker for that. ;)”

“Too bad Pathman - you could pick up Santa Fe on yer way, then Artex would come - our permit would be full and Pennsy wouldn't be so lonesome. :)”

“. . . can't you MAINIACS turn this into one of those invisible threads . . . your killin me! BTW, I hope everyone has a great time. 8)

matt: I'm very sorry to hear that about your father. I hope everything turns out ok.”

“Pennsy: why didn't you include the bug bivy on that list? You've got everything else. This will be your perfect chance to put that baby to the test!”

“Hey Indiana Long Legs!
wish you could join us!
o(:}”

“Twigeater, do we need some camp lamps, you know the coleman style?”

“You can bring yours if you want - I think Pennsy had one on his list. We usually use candle lanterns - partly because I don't have a coleman lantern.

I'm bringing bottled water for Thursday and Friday. I have some empty jugs with wide mouths that work well for getting water at the bunkhouse. I'll bring newspaper and firestarter for the bunkhouse.”

“twgeater --

That'll make a nice fire, being made of wood and all . . .but where will you sleep, and won't it piss off the rangers???”

“Is anyone bringing a percolator or is instant the word?

My wife has this ...uh... addiction, I guess. Sigh.... she is so weak. Pardon me while I find myself a piece of chocolate to eat, BRB.

I don't understand the obsession with coffee. All I know about coffee is that those cans hold a lot of nuts and bolts once you get rid of all that brown packing material.”

“I'm a coffee addict but I never bring any on backpacking trips. I make up for it on the drives home. Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Lantern - I'll be bringing a Coleman propane lantern with a few cannisters. This sucker puts out a lot of light, but I'll have a small candle lantern in case the cold or weather screws it up.

Hey gforce - I won't need the bug bivy. I'm bringing lots of deet instead. ;o) To tell you the truth, I'm looking forward to using it because it will mean warm weather.”

“I sure wish that I could join everyone . . . Baxter has got to be an awesome sight in the winter . . . not to mention the awesome company of a great bunch of TT'ers!

Pennsy: so you decided to go lightweight with the deet? 8)”

“Okay, Pennsy has the lantern, and did I read a stove a while back? We'll bring our stove also, it's just one that screws on top of the bottle of gas. I'm thinking I want to bring our barbque grill also. Those burgers and steaks will taste some good after a day of playing....”

“Who's bringing the picnic tables?”

“I would definately bring your backpacking stove and not rely on the woodstove for all your cooking.”

“Steaks?
No lie?

I suppose this will be a booze-free trip, huh?”

“Anyone have advice/opinions on whether I should bring crampons in addition to snowshoes if I'm thinking of hiking So. Turner?

(I'm also thinking of trying my hand at making a snow cave - an emergency winter skill I'd like to have. I just read a small book on this I picked up at an REI clearance sale)”

“booze-free? bite yer tongue! :) Last night when I was picking up peppermint schnapps I noticed a bottle that was 100 proof. Figured I better not get that else I get really drunk on hot chocolate, LOL!

I meant to get crampons, but didn't get to it. Maybe I can borrow some. The last 1/4-1/2 mile of South Turner is rocky and bald, but I've never been on it in winter.

I was thinking of using Pennsy's stove at the cabin, not hauling it into the bunkouse. My plan was to cook the moose stew for Thursday night's supper rather than haul that into the bunkhouse. It looks like half the people will arrive in time for that and the other half are arriving later. I'm sure that it will be fine in a cooler in my car and we can finish it off on Sunday night.

Also, I have four self heating meals that we can put in our daypacks for emergency. Or if we want a hot meal on the way. I have no idea how they taste.”

“"Hmmmm, look like dog$h!t, taste like dog$h!t, good thing we didn't step in it!"
Cheech and Chong

Is moose und sqvirrel stew for all?

Oh goodie, I can bring a bit of barley nectar.

Shucks girl, I wanna see you get whacked on hot chocolate and dance for the people!”

“We plan to load up our sleds tonight and check the weight. I'll bring the light weight stove, but if it's not too much weight, I'll bring the bigger stove and BBQ grill. Just because we're backpacking doesn't mean no steaks.....

Actually, let me reconsider the weight first.”

“TRUST ME Tommy-boy, you don't want to see me drunk or dancing and certainly not both together, lol! Wonder what the hangover from hot chocolate and schnapps would be like - ewwwww!
I'm bringing some wine along as well. :)

Moose stew for all, probably cook up some moose sausage in the morning as well. You kill the squirrel and I'll put it in the stew. I have deer heart and liver as well - heart is really sweet - I could bring some if anyone wants to try it.”

“How about moose sushi?

Say THAT ten times fast!

Ah, just as well twigirl, I wouldn't want to embarass my son.........aw, why not?

So just how cold is it gonna be?

It couldn't POSSIBLY be as cold as FYAO III......he-yeah, right!”

“It's 5 degrees here in Chicago, with windchill -10, and it's heading YOUR way. Keep warm!”

“It was minus 41 at night, minus 20 or so during the day that weekend here in Maine.


forecast:
Thurs Feb 27 Mostly Sunny 18°/0° 0 %
Fri Feb 28 Partly Cloudy 19°/1° 0 %
Sat Mar 01 Snow Shower 26°/11° 30 %
Sun Mar 02 Few Snow Showers 30°/8° 30 %
Mon Mar 03 Light Snow 28°/1° 40”