Savage Gulf-Jan 17-19

“Dodder and I are headed to Savage Gulf. He's been trapped in retail hell. So, he finally had a weekend off to go backpacking. I think we will be going in at the Collins Trailhead. More to come as soon as I look at my map.”

“wish i could....i'm booked solid my friend..be hard for me to make it that far north till march or april”

“Wish I could make it but I'm heading to Arkansas that weekend. Collins Gulf is my favorite section out there.”

“I don't know, BigGulp. The last time TinMan walked that trail he was sissified.”

“I'm going to see if G00SE is interested before I committ. He's a little gun-shy about winter hiking since his last two experiences both involved freezing rain. Ummm...they were also his first two...and only two experiences with winter hiking so far. You can understand why he's a bit reluctant to repeat the experience. Actually his exact wording involved something about Hell freezing over first. Like I said, I'll have to talk to him and see what he says now.”

“the 17th, you say? if you dont mind, i might be up for that, but i wont know for sure till later. gotta see if im gonna be severely needed to work on our new house or something, but if not, id love to go. ill be right close by, by then ill be in cookeville (back at school, right now im at home in oak ridge)

later,
-nate”

“Defininite maybe. I've been there before and enjoyed it. I'll have to see what's happenin at work and everything. Thanks for the E-mail Bink.”

“I'm down as a definite maybe as well. It would require taking a day off, but what the hey. Need to hone my cold weather bp'ing skills anyway.”

“Thanks for the invite. I will be at Montgomery Bell that weekend. Am planning to hike in the Collins Gulf section April 5-6.”

“Sorry but I have to remove myself from this trip...”

“May be able to join you guys if I can get away on Friday. Give me your itinerary so I can look for possible access points for a Saturday hook-up if I cannot get away from work.

Thanks.”

“I have you down on the list for Montgomery Bell State Park that weekend. Are you not joining us for that hike?”

“Roger that Katibug -

I didn't have that one on my calendar but it would be a good one for Grant and I. Thanks for the heads-up. Looks like I'll be keeping my plans for M.B.”

“I talked with Brian and we are goimg to camp at the collins west campsite on friday night. We will get there early and get the permit from the rangers station and then get to camp and gather plenty of firewood for the night. Most everyone will be getting there after dark. Sat, we will take the collins gulf trail to sawmill CS. We would stay Saturday night over at Sawmill. That's a great campsite. And then take the other side of the collins trail back out.

So far it is:
bbinkley
dodder
skully
goose
amy

Anyone else want to join us?”

“My schedule all depends on the Titans. If Oakland loses the Jets come here that weekend as long as we beat the Squealers. Not giving up my playoff tickets.”

“Pack Rat and I will be there too.”

“Where in Tennessee is Savage Gulf?”

“Outside of Chattanooga”

“I'm almost in, Binks. I'll change my status to yes or no in a day or so.

Is anyone coming down I75 from Ohio or points north, or would anyone south of Lexington, KY like to share a ride?”

“Oh man, I just now realized this trip isn't too far away for me to drive. I thought it was closer to Nashville rather than Chattanooga.
I cann't go anyway because I have sea trials that week but please keep me in mind for the next trip. I really want to see that area of TN more.”

“What did the sea do that was so bad?”

“The sea does some pretty bad things out there!
I work at a shipyard. We take the ships for a "test drive". This two or three day test drive is a sea trial.”

“I will keep you posted if we do anything again.”

“Is anyone coming in Friday night or will everyone be out on the trail that night?”

“We will be camping very close to the parking lot on friday night. Everyone is coming in after dark. dodder and i will be getting there early to get our permit and to gather plenty of firewood.”

“I might be able to make it then. I'll see what I can do.”

“this permit you are getting, is it a group permit or do people have to get their own? would they be available early on saturday.
anyone staying til monday (mlk holiday)?”

“I will get the permit for the group. I don't know of anyone staying til monday. But it sounds like a good idea.”

“It is my understanding that each auto needs to have a permit in the dash for the ranger to be able to see. If you are hauling the group in one auto then one permit will work. Otherwise the ranger will be somewhat confused as to who belongs in the parking lot and who does not. It will be possible to get permits any time of the day at the Ranger Stations, might even be some at Collins West access.”

“Assuming we do go G00SE and I will be there early. Thanks anyway Binks, but we'd prefer to get our own permit from the ranger station.

The reason for the maybe: the weather forecast. Weather.com for Altamont says highs around 30 and lows around 15. We're really not equipped for nighttime temps below 20. If they change that forecast to about 10 degrees warmer we'll be there.”

“Whitch side of the CG trail do you plan to hike Saturday? West side or East side?
Are you planning to make a loop and do the other side on Sunday?

I think it would be best to do the East side on Saturday and the West side back on Sunday.
Whatcha think?”

“I'm game either way. You know the area better than i do.

Which route is the shortest for sunday?”

“The East side would be the shortest route. It's only about 4 miles from Sawmill to the Collins West Parking lot.

Taking the East side it's 8.2 miles.”

“that's cool.

so, we'll park at collins west and camp close to the parking lot over by suter falls and then hike collins east up on the rim to sawmill

and then sunday come out through the gulf past horsepower falls back to the parking lot.

i think i got all that right”

“Except it's Horsepound Falls.

no worries though.”

“I don't think that forecast is changing. We're out.”

“Hi Ya'll
I have been reading your messages for the last couple of days (just completed my profile) Nashville weather is calling for snow thur/fri and sat/sun. maybe your cup of tea, I'll go after it warms up as I have no cold weather gear.”

“As long as I get get to the Trail Head I'll be fine.”

“you from nashville?

look at the weather forecast for Altamont. Only flurries on friday.”

“looks like we'll be getting some snow in Nashville but not much where we're hiking.”

“Allright, I'm officially out. Other plans were just made for me. Have fun, folks.

MM.”

“Ya'll be careful, the weather I saw said 4-6 inches all along the plateau. We might get 2-4 in Nashville.”

“Thursday
Light Snow
High: 36
Low: 20


Friday
Partly Cloudy
High: 27
Low: 11

Saturday
Partly Cloudy
High: 34
Low: 20



Looks fine to me.”

“walkindude- let's go somewhere where there is some snow

whatcha think?

dodder,skully and goose bailed on this one”

“Why did Dodder bail?

Does that just leave Me, you, & Packrat?”

“do you guys still have to work tomorrow?”

“jeez, that kinda fell apart.

What about hauling a$$ to Zaleski in Ohio?”

“Yeah, Packrat will be at my house about 5:30 and we'll head out then. Are you going to meet us at Collins West?”

“Have a good time guys! Be sure and post a trip report so I can eat my heart out. (Damn that cold weather!!!)”

“i'll see you guys there. permits are there at the trailhead”