Tc4 attendance

“According to my friend, we won't be there until Friday :-( Maybe I can talk her into letting me drive through the night.”

“Cottonsocks can't make it. I might have to go up a day early now.”

“Awww, why can't she make it now?”

“I am just new to this site and was wanting some information on this weekend.I am not useing a troll name this is the name I use.so if you all can help me I would be glad...

thank you”

“http://www.titaniumchef.com/ worked fine for me NowSlimmer.”

“I suggest you[url] visit the trip page,
www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/436.php

and, especially, look all around at:
www.titaniumchef.com

Then, if you still have questions, post them here. You will be very welcome at this event.
last edited: 10/10/04 6:34:20 PM”

“Did you cut and paste? That works fine.

This one is not coming through as a link for me.

"A website for the Heritage Trails Festival is under construction. For more details such as lodging/camping, check www.titaniumchef.com ..."

This next one is a link, but the link includes the trailing period and gives me an error message as stated.

"Contestants must hike a 7.5 mile requirement to enter. Rules and Entry Form will be available at www.titaniumchef.com."

Perhaps there is another link in there somewhere, or maybe my clicker is fussy.”

“Thanks for trying to check that link.

I'm using Netscape. Decided there may be a difference in browsers, so I tried IE. It gave an error message, too, because of that period. Maybe a different version of one or both browsers will work.

I see that the link you posted ends with a slash. Nowhere do I see one of these references on the trip page ending with a slash. Perhaps your browser changed the period to a slash. Otherwise, I'm lost as to what is happening.

Paul”

“WOOOO HOOOOO...counting the days.........keeping my fingers crossed so I can have Fri & Sat off!!!!”

“How are the water sources at Martins fork as well as the ridge hike?”

“I don't remember seeing any water sources until I got to Martins Fork, Jerbear.”

“There is a water source near Sand Cave and I think that's it between the TH and MF.”

“Sooooooo... if a person takes the shuttle at whatever time it/or they goe(s) up -- and is either hiking back down or not doesn't want to come back down until Monday -- is that considered two one-way shuttles or what? What steps would one need to take to do this?

The websites are great, but don't assume a person hasn't looked at them and that their information is all-inclusive. That's just not possible......”

“Kudos to those who set up the websites. If indeed I get to TC4, I'd be more than happy to help set up a FAQ for TC5 to try to provide a general information source for some of these annoying, never-ending questions. LOL! :-)”

“lighten up”

“ok I will try to answer some of the questions on the shuttle...

1) There is a fee for this service and it is with Wilderness Road Tours

2) We have arranged for a extra shuttle for all those who want to go up after the breakfast shuttle and a return on Sunday morning.

3) You do have to register for the shuttle but we will do that on Firday night also first come first serve on the space so be sure and get there to register.

4) Don't call the park and tell them they don't know much about this.

5) If you want a spot on the shuttle and have not sent in the entry email me and I will put your name on the list.

6)About the race you can register on Saturday morning for the run-bike race or 6k run.

7) Change for breakfast cook-off we need everyone ready to hike for that event at 8am so be up early.

Hope that answers some questions will see everyone on Friday....if anyone comes to town on Thursday send me a email would love to see everyone.
Barbara”

“I forgot about the water sources so here goes

1) There is water at White Rocks but very far down.

2) There is water at Sand Cave

3) Water at Martins Fork and Hensley Settlement

4) Water at Gibson Gap down from the campsite sometimes dry but go down Gibson Gap Trail about 10 minutes good water source.

5) After Gibson Gap to Pinnacle not many unless you go out Skylite Cave trail or down Sugar Run Trail.

Hope that helps
Barbara”

“[b]Woot!![b]

As of now, I'm planning on being there Friday night through Sunday. I'll be bringing my daughter, Becky, along with me. Looking forward to seeing everyone!”

“Thanks Barb!

HPM, well I'm pretty darn whitey white already! :-P”

“Lizs is the original pastey gangsta.”

“Thanks Ya'lll! YO!”

““i'm pretty sure barb and smokeygirl have no info about anything going on up there liz..thanks..your a lifesaver”

Not sure what that is supposed to mean...I don't want to take that the wrong way, but I hope it was not meant in the way that I first took it.

THANK YOU BARB AND TOWNDAWG for answering all these questions. I haven't had time to get on this website much. I have been slammed in other areas of my life, but after working my freaking a$$ off at work all day, I have still found time to help put this thing together. Now that alot of the components of TC is in place like the website, logo, language, the event will be much, much easier to plan for 2005 and future.

I just want to mention that if you look at all the information on the website, most of your questions will be answered. It takes alot of time to type out answers to every single question that is asked. Not to mention the people that email me questions. I also want to mention that Barb, Humanpackmule, Opie, and several others helped put this thing together. The advertising we did, the thought we put in to it was not pulled out of our a$$es. We planned and got alot of folks to do FREE work. That website was not a piece of cake to put together, the logo was re-designed by Humanpackmule and is looking fantastic on the t-shirts (stinky that you and Treebait cannot attend) and the information we gathered to put on it took time. It takes time working with the park to get a permit.

We do not get paid for this. We don't get the proceeds from the entry fee. Money was spent in advertising and t-shirts. There was no budget to start with. Just in case, anyone was thinking that we were making a quick buck. We're not.

So if you have something to freaking say about the way we have worked our freaking butts off these last 8 months, use constructive criticism at the discussion held after the cook-off. TC3 was a blast, but I took notes from people that voiced complaints at TC3 and saved emails afterwards, and tried to revise the format this year for a better event. We want to hear the comments at the discussion so people can organize next year's event even better. The year following will be even better and so forth. I will be there this Saturday night with a pen and paper.

Also, at a discussion after TC4 this weekend, think about whether you want this to be a TT trip or a structured format for a well-organized cookoff. Also, think about whether you want to volunteer for TC5 to spearhead this effort because I can't afford any more of my time to devote to this other than a very small role. Valerie from the town committee will also be stepping down as festival coordinator for the Gap so someone else in the town committee will help put the festival together next year. Do you want TC to be a part of it? Blue Ridge Mountain Sports liked the idea of the festival better than sponsoring a backpacking cookoff because most of us that join this type of event are experienced.

Lizs - that would be great if you put together a FAQ for next year's event. Email Towndawg - there should be a planning meeting in the Spring like we did this year. We simply did not have any more time to devote for communicative tools as such.

<...Smokygirl closes the door behind her as she limps, depressed, away>”

“Smokygirl and others, I think you guys have done a fantastic job and I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help. I look forward to attending this well planned event later this week and competing for the first time. Thanks a ton!”

“Oh, and I apologize for not answering your questions the day or week you post them, but I thank Barb and others for getting to them.

The shuttle works like this:
You can shuttle up one way and hike down. You can hike up and shuttle down. You can shuttle up and shuttle down, and you can hike up and hike down. The shuttle is like 16 bucks, I believe. You have to hike up for TC if you want to participate though. This was decided this year because of several complaints last year.

The shuttle, operated by Wilderness Roads Tours, is for the National Park. A ranger accompanies the shuttle driver. National Parks usually outsources these types of activities, and proceeds are donated back into the park. The road that the shuttle goes up is National Park property. No unauthorized vehicles go up it. It has a gate, and only the ranger opens it. The shuttle is mainly for the Hensley Settlement Tour, which is like a Cades Cove, but more remote, smaller, and access is controlled. Martin's Fork is one mile from the settlement. Usually, people ride the shuttle to take a ranger-guided tour of the settlement, which is fascinating. Azimuth and I went on the tour a month or so ago so I could check out the cell phone signal in Martin's Fork for this weekend. However, the park has agreed to help shuttle people up and down for this event even though most people will not take the ranger-guided tour. I am at work right now, and I am going home. I will check this thread before I go to bed.”

“Thanks Rub-a-Dub!!! (( )) :* Looking forward to seeing you again!

If you have time to devote next year... I can write down possible volunteers for TC5 at our discussion, and start an email list for volunteers and whoever will spearhead it.”

“Skmokygirl, you\'re beautiful and I love you. You, and the rest of the crew, have done a fantastic job organizing this and checking things with your hikes, visits, telephone calls, snail mail and e-mails. It did require a lot of time and effort. Thank all of you very, very much. And maybe we can meet at the Pancake Pantry, the Front Porch or the Back Porch soon. I owe you one.”

“SG....you guys have done a wonderful job!!!!...TC3 was great and TC4 is going to be even BETTER!!!.....I was Pres. of our PTA for a few years ...so I know how much work these things can be.....We appriciate the time y'all have spent planning and putting this together.......it is great to know I can travel 7 hours and everything will be taken care of!!!....and it's a shame some will miss this wonderful time to meet new folks.....visit with friends....and share talking about and doing what is a PASSION for most of us!!!....I am so looking forward to this weekend ..It will be GREAT to see new friends and old......WooooHoooo.....and...I don't have a cold...wooohoooo!!!!”

“I am arriving in Cumberland Gap Thursday eve...wooohooo......probably 9-10 pm.....I am camping at the campgrounds Thursday and just relaxing Friday.....sleeping in...wooohoo...no getting up at 3 am Fri for me!!!!!..I am so excited......”

“OH...is anyone else arriving Thursday eve??...if so we can share a campsite...you are allowed 4 tents I think.....I sure hope our cell phones work there.....Cumberland Gap is such an old quaint town...I wanna walk around it......and look at the buildings ( I have a thing about buildings)

and there is a neat Bicycle Museum there....”

“We do need to bring the trophy with us don't we?”

“I am tired...I have to work 12 hour shifts so I can come this weekend.......but it will be worth it!!!!!...I just hope I can stay awake to drive....wooohooo......caffine and LOUD music!!!!!”

“(its currafreak posting under Kamperkillers name)

That was OPIE being a smartass.
It wasn't directed towards you. If I'm wrong I'll throw him from the top of White Rocks myself.”

“You guys are doing a great job and I thank you. That was opie being sarcastic to me, I'm pretty sure. Cuz I ask a lot of questions.And the fact that he puts down someone trying to find out something very specific makes me sad.

The quality of asking questions and being curious is required as a news reporter, so if I want to know something -- not matter or how specific, or at the risk of being ridiculed because of it as has been so amply done here -- I ask.

In reporting, asking the questions that not everyone thinks of can make the story everyone else has unique at your paper, when you think and ask the questions that haven't been asked. That just carries into my whole life. I'm curious.

Also, I know what it takes to put on events. I was on the board for town festival where I used to live. We held meetings every month to make Nordic Fest the best it could be. We, too, held constructive criticisms. They are very helpful. I welcome them.

Also, I've planned motorcoach tours. The details involved in those are minute to make it all work. So I do have a good idea what's involved in planning. If I get there, I'd be happy to help next year, as stated. I have the talent for thinking of all kinds of questions you might ultimately be asked. Talent or curse! lol... and even then, you could never anticipate it all, so no, a website for an event would never be all-inclusive as to information.

Smokygirl, you have a good point on the future of the event, whether to keep it structured or move to something different. Very insightful. I had just said to someone that this event was perhaps a bit more structured than I like. Heck, I have a hard time committing to a hike until the weekend comes. So that's my own quirk. For this trip I want to make sure I have plenty of time to explore Hensley Settlement... and realize that is different from most other goals here.

That all said, I defnitely appreciate the effort. Now I must run, in between a city P&Z meeting and off to a local politcal debate! aaack!”

“divinity - I will be there Thursday and I will get a site with my discount(50%). Check the CG board for the site number in case I am out collecting firewood. Others are welcome to fill the site.

My college daughter's fall break starts Friday evening. We are still planning, so I don't know yet if I will be at TC-4 for the weekend.
last edited: 10/11/04 7:31:14 PM”

“the CG board???”

“Camp Ground”

“Is anyone planning on camping in town by the tea house? Just curious. Currahhe, Miss Opie, and I are leaving Nashville between noon and 1pm on Friday, so we should be there just in time for barbeque. Yum.”

“Jerbear.....it is called
Wilderness Road Campgrounds
according to my map it is on 58

Killer....most are staying at the tea house Fri eve...so as NOT to miss any action.....LOL..hahahah”

“Thanks Div!”

“WoooHooo..I still have my map of the area from last year...woohoo...that helps with navigation!!!”

“smokey...my post was extreme sarcasm over the repetative questions, and the info they aren't listening too...nothing at all against wonderful you and barb...lol”

“....it is hard sometimes to find the info in these threads......so much chit chat in between!!!.......”

“okay, good. No offense taken... Thanks All for pepping me back up! I am no longer limping dejectedly!!!

I will be in the Gap Friday night around 7:00. You can find me by the registration booth in Berkau Park near the Iron Furnace Parking Lot. It's real easy to find because the town is tiny. I will be camping at the tea room. I will be eating barbecue. I am bringing my brother and my pa!

Lizs, I understand where you are coming from as I started out in Journalism, but switched to technical writing instead. Sometimes, firing off any question that comes to mind can be a bit overwhelming for some though, but all is well and fine. What makes it difficult is that most other festivals and events supported by volunteers do not have online forums where discussions constantly take place before the event is held.

I am of the opinion that TC should be an entity alone and not just a TT trip. It's great that it started out as one though. We have plenty of those to choose from, thanks to Matt. For me, it's important to have a neat event centered around bping in the Southeast. That doesn't happen often unless it is Half-Ironman or an adventure race. My suggestion is that if it gets big enough, the TC proceeds should go to a good cause like the Cumberland Trail or the Appalachian Trail or the Florida Trail or something to give back to the backpacking community. I hope it does, but that is not my decision to make. I know several people are against the organized format of TC, but backpackers traditionally go into the woods to get away from people so that understandable.

As for the trophy, can Currashriek and Spewgirl bring it Friday night so I can make arrangements to make an addition to it - then I will get it to the winner post-event.

Nowslimmer, I hope I can catch you sometime soon!!

Divinity, looking forward to seeing you again!”

“mind if i ask how popular the other races are?...my boss wants to know how it goes this year so he can attend next year and let a big group know about.”

“KabinKiller (aka spewgirl) has the trophy out and polished and sitting by the door - so I won't "convienently" forget it.”

“Thanks again SmokyGirl and Barb and everyone else. :-) We do know the effort. Heck, I helped write a press release for one of these TC things, maybe two years ago, for chili.

and now....... HEY NOBODY ELSE BOTHER DIV AND NOWSLIMMER! ;) Get your own darn campsite elsewhere. :-) (way to go NS!! WAY TO GO! WOOO HOOO!) lol”

“Hi SmokyG, yeah it's a pain. It seems that September is "get a new job and screw up all your fall plans" month for me.

Ah well, things will be much better soon.”

“do i have to detour and steal HPM anyway..anyone heard from stalker lately?..match is outta town *damn*.....

liz i may be being sarcastic..but do you approach everything like work?”