4-23-04 Knobstone Trail Trip:

“And bring the ibuprophen....”

“If you haven't already been doing it, I suggest elevating your leg and icing your knee after you have been up on it a while - like when you get home from work. Ice can do wonders. I know people that majorly ice down their legs after every run they do. If you decide to start doing longer walks again tomorrow, turn around if it doesn't stop hurting after a half mile or so. It's ok to experience the soreness after a hike, but it is probably not going to get better soon if you are continually walking through pain.

As prosecutor suggested, post your gear list. You never know what little gems of knowledge that experienced hikers like gforce and prosecutor may come up with.”

“Here's what I already gave up: Minibong (first restraining order against me), CD player (second order), rain tarp (I'll stay in the tent if it rains), binoculars, frisbee, saw, frypan, 1 pants and shirt, and (gasp!) small cooler & beer.

Kelty pack, REI tent, Kelty polorgaurd bag about 17 pounds.
Clothes, camp shoes, and rain jacket.
Ridge rest, ground tarp.
Stove, pot, fuel, cup, utensils, bowl, etc.
Water filter.
Camera.
First aid kit (its clean I swear!).
Folding stool.
Flashlight, repellent, sunscreen, toothpaste, soap, towel, tp, razor, etc.
Notebook, pen, book, cards, map.
Food.
I get it all on the scale, its about 39 pounds.

Okay, the defense rests. Prosecution, cross examine.”

“"And bring the ibuprophen...."
Indy Hawk
11:17:33 AM

. . . yup, wouldn't leave home without it! Actually, I use naproxen sodium tablets (Aleve), because they work much better for me.

Definitely not laughing at ya Griz . . . been there, done that with the knee pain . . . but for the first time out EXPECT to be sore somewhere. I know that I am the first time out each year.

So you've already reduced your pack weight by at least 5 lbs? Even just 5 lbs. makes a world of difference. Keep looking for the "just in case" types of things to eliminate from your pack. If you're unsure about something . . . ASK . . . we're here to help!!

I went 32 mi. in TWO days last weekend . . . but I did go 46 mi. in a single day last May . . . that's a different story. I only do the crazy stuff when I go solo, so you'll never hold me up on a group hike no matter how fast/slow you hike. For me it's nothing more than being out and enjoying the day . . . and it'll be more enjoyable if you can make it. So come on along . . . and bring your favorite pain reliever!!!!”

“Whoops! Omitted a pint of shcnapps, which got me thinking to liquids. Coffee and gatorade packets. And water itself. for a day-long hike, probably need more than 1 quart, right? 2 quarts? Oh well. I was in the magical thirties for a moment anyway.”

“- leave the folding stool at home
- forget the bowl and eat out of your pot
- utensils - you should only need a spoon
- water - I generally carry only a quart, but for the Knobstone probably 2
- with a name like GRIZ why do you need a razor?
- water filter - maybe share? - you can use mine but I probably won't see you until Sat afternoon
- bring either the tent or rain tarp not both
- bring only as much fuel as you need . . . how much were you planning?

Also what types of food are you bringing . . . leave the canned foods at home.”

“rain tarp- use mine to cook under if it rains.
camp shoes- wear your boots loose.
ground tarp- just pick the ground clean.
utensils, bowl- G-force is right.
Water filter-borrow one or use aqua mira.
Fuel- 8 ounces or less if it rains, otherwise, use a campfire.
Camera- let someone else take & post pictures.
Folding stool- sit on ground (less of a fall when drunk).
Flashlight- LED only.
Sunscreen- 2 ounces only.
toothpaste, soap, razor, towel- you're not on a date.
Notebook, book, cards- we will keep you busy.
Schnaps- 151 rum.
water- one quart, replenish from streams enroute (springtime only).

Food- go light on dinner, like a freeze dried dinner, and I'll let you have a sample of venison burritos, chicken taquitos, and cherry cobbler if you like.”

“I guess I've stumbled onto the dark side of backpacking. All the aches and pains - ignore them, and move on! Rambo's got nothing on you guys. And 46 miles with a pack - I've got to hear that story!

What can I say, except - thanks! I'm sure I will reconsider and take many of your suggestions, but don't be offended if I don't take them all. (Do you really not brush your teeth? Skip it - I don't want to know.) I thought twice about the stool, but with a bum knee, I thought that was all the more reason to bring it. Anyway, there's enough there to return to magic again.

My big walk this evening - around the block. Yes hub, I know the RICE formula. I'm probably gonna call the doc in the morning. I'm cornfused.

You do eat good P-man. Thought you might be the type to grab mushrooms out of the forest. (Get a buzz from any?) No cans here. Two freeze dried dinners, oatmeal for breakfast, snack bars for lunch.

Indy, love your line "If you wake up dead, you'll be okay by 10 ... happily dying." Now there's a motto! I guess I'll try it out, starting with the easy part. G-night!”

“Indiana has three time zones. G-force tried to explain it to me on the Yellow River Trip, and I just figured out my mistake. Most of Indiana stays on Eastern Standard Time and does not switch to daylight savings time. The northwest corner of the state is on Central time and switches to daylight time the first Sunday in April. The area around Louisville which includes the county where the trail starts at Deam Lake switches to Eastern Daylight Time. We meet at Elk Lake Trailhead at 10:00 a.m this Friday 4-23-04, which is Eastern Standard Time (most of Indiana) and also 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Savings Time (Chicago). Tom S. who lives in Michigan and is joining us, it would be 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

http://geography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.mccsc.edu/time.html”

“Sheesh, not only cutting weight, but MATH... errr, time zone problems too???! Too much, man, too much!

I am enjoying the witty repartee with GrizBait. :-)”

“Uh oh, don't know why I had it figured we meet at the trailhead at 11. I don't even think it was your mistake Prosecutor. Darn these time zones. Edy and I will both have to figure out how to get our kids covered an hour earlier - it won't be much of a problem for me, but I'm not sure what my miscalculation will do to her. I'll be back..........”

“I know you are all going to have a great time on the KT it is a great trail to backpack on this time of year before it gets too hot and the water runs out.


8)”

“10am it is, or at least, it might be.

You are not going to believe this. Last evening I started getting a rash on my arm. Today, it is on my other arm, my belly, and one of my legs. It itches like crazy! I guess I picked up poison ivy or something on the trail Sunday. (Yes I know, Benadryl. Nothing like more chemicals!) This has not been a good week. Now I got two reasons to see the doc. I can't get in until Thursday. :-(”

“Ok. Edy and I are set. Kids are covered. 10 it is.
Griz- hang in there (it IS it IS).”

“I'm back to Maybe for this trip. I'm not sure what is up with the Mammoth Cave trip but CMB is asleep and I can't get ahold of him. They have a site limit there of 8 and it is strictly enforced. The rangers could not be buttered up. I don't want to drive 5 hours then find out I can't camp with the group especially when I'm bringing a newbie. So once I figure out what is up with Mammoth Cave which should be later today or tomorrow I'll let you guys know if I'm 100% for this trip or the other.

If I do go on this trip we will arrive Friday afternoon and meet you guys in camp. We will need a shuttle back to our car on Sunday sometime...is that a possibility? Gonna read this thread now...”

“Dub - quite a few of us are leaving the trail on Sunday. There are shuttle plans! Hope ya make it.”

“Only in Indiana can one travel through three time zones and not leave the state.

Dubs,and anyone else who arrives late, just drive down to the Deam Lake Trailhead and catch up to us. The pace will be easy and you should meet up before the first campsite, which is one of the best overlooks on the trail. I'll flag the driveway to the campsite with surveyor's tape. For G-Force, Saturday nights campsite is clearly visible within 100 feet left of the trail. Directions to Deam Lake Trailhead for those who plan on arriving late only: I-65 south to Exit 16 Memphis Road. Go .2 mile west on Memphis Road and turn left on Crone Road. Go 3 miles southwestbound on Crone Road and make a right at the end on Cummings Road. Go 1.3 miles on Cummings Road and turn right at the end and go a couple blocks to Wilson Switch Road. Turn left westbound on Wilson Switch Road and go about .6 miles to the "KT" Sign on your right, about in the 4600 block of Wilson Swith Road. My car is a green Ford Expedition with Illinois license plates BCKPCKR, and my cell phone number is 708-341-2302. Be warned though, on my last trip there, the cell phone reception only occurred on the tops of the hills. On Sunday, we should have at least two cars at Elk Creek Trailhead to shuttle down to recover any vehicles at Deam Lake

The weather is currently calling for highs 70 to 72 degrees, with chances of no rain at 70%, 60% and 90%. The rain that may come is the short lived variety.

I typed this once, and just before I clicked "Submit Message", the cat jumped up and stepped on the keyboard erasing everything. The cat is now outside. Go catch a mouse. Ha.”

“prosecutor - thanks for the directions to the Deam Lake Trailhead. For Saturday can you run a rope/string across the trail, or something VERY obvious, so I'll know when to look for the camp? I've found there are too many flags in the forests these days so it's not easy to decide which one might be intended for you. Sat. night is close to mile 21 on the North Branch?”

“G-Force, Saturday nights campsite is around milepost 21.2 on the North Branch, and we should have a campfire going well past dark. You should see it hundreds of yards away. Sunset is 8:28 p.m. Moonset is 1:40 a.m., but only 19% of the moon will be illuminated. If you are not there by the time I go to bed, I will string some florescent orange surveyors tape across the trail waist high.”

“Seems that things are cleared up for the Mammoth Cave trip. So unless something changes last minute don't expect to see me there. And Prosecutor, you do an excellent job at trip planning. I found all the info I needed for this trip very easily.”

“Have a good trip, Dub. If you hike often with CMB then perhaps I'll see you in WI with the wolves.... :)”

“prosecutor - I hope to be there well before dark . . . I was just concerned about blowing right by in the daylight. I know where to start looking so that will help. Do you want my cell # in case something changes on Friday?

Well, it's about time for Griz to post again. I expect to hear all about his tremendous pack weight savings . . . maybe even to the extent of going on this trip with nothing more than a flint stone and a pocket knife . . . :)”

“As long as he's still wearin' clothes... ;)”

“G-Force, post it or email it.

Everyone, don't forget to spray your clothes with Permethrin.”

“Permethrin?”

“Kills the crawlers, Dub.

Deet disorients, Permethrin KILLS. hahahahahahah”

“Kills eh? And it doesn't melt your clothes like deet? Where can you get this stuff?”

“Most of your local outdoor shops should carry it. You need to spray it on your clothes and let it dry before your trip. The application will last several days - maybe a couple of weeks.”

“Awesome...I can't beleive I've never heard of this stuff. If it's on your clothes do you have ot put deet on your skin? Socks and shoes?”

“People don't tell people about Permethrin because those that do not spray their clothes become tick magnets and it gives those that spray the pants, socks, and long sleeved shirt double protection. The treatment last for two weeks even if you wash your clothes. You are supposed to let your clothes dry for several hours, but sometimes it takes around four hours to dry. A tick cannot walk across 12 inches of clothing sprayed by Permethrin without dying, and if a mosquito stays to long looking to poke you, it dies too. On a bushwaching trip in northern Wisconsin last year, I was the only one who didn't have to remove any ticks. Permethrin is not for the skin, and you need to use DEET.”

“Ok, permethrin. The hunt for permethrin is on. Thanks for that tip!!! My 5 yr old son got a lyme rash last year when we were still living on the Cape - it was scary. Fortunately a few doctors in that area have a developed infectious disease protocal specifically for lyme. Most don't.

I'm pretty much packed and ready - How many plastic bags have died so that I can make this trip... ;)”

“I've been following this thread cuz I wish I could make the trip (can't).

Now I went and learned something. I'd heard of the tick-killer but couldn't remember its name. Thanks, prosecutor.”

“ok prosecutor, my cell # is 574-340-0641 . . . but don't give that number out to anyone.

Guess I'll be the tick magnet on this trip! :)”

“Indy, if you leave your clothes behind, what the heck, I will too!”

“Griz,
THERE you are. How are those aches? Ready to go?”

“ok prosecutor, my cell # is 574-340-0641 . . . but don't give that number out to anyone.

gforce
08:07:29 AM
04/22/04

you don't want prosecuter to give it out but you post it on the net...makes sense ;)”

“Yes, the knee aches, and the ivy itches, are unfortunately still here (not going to tell you what itches). Just got back from the doc, and got my third restraining order. I forgot all his technical jargon but it boils down to I have strained ligaments. I made have some cracked cartilage but would need an MRI to know for sure. He said 10-14 days of taking it easy and I should be all right. So I brought up backpacking this weekend, and he gave me one of those looks that said 'You are nuts aren't you?' Did get three prescriptions tho. So bad news for me but good news for y'all, I am officially withdrawing from this trip. Have a good time! If you all do this trail again, or something else, I am definitely interested. Thanks too for all your pointers and patience.”

“Ahhh. Well there WILL be more trips, Griz. Rest easy.”

“Gforce,
Which trailhead are you starting from on Saturday?”