West Rim Trail - PA Grand Canyon 3/4 - 3 /6/05

“will we need crampons for that?”

“oh ENS...no falling on this trail then...ya hear?!
I hope I can make it. Looking good!”

“I hardly ever fall. I'm quite the upright hiker, and you know this...

jk

lol
last edited: 2/28/05 7:11:25 PM”

“The last time I tried that route in the winter was a rescue, did not require crampons, but if you have them, bring them. I'll look it over on Wednesday morning and let you know how it is. Its possible we could put together a rope ascent system, or maybe a shuttle up the West Rim Road to the WRT if its too treacherous. I'll let you know what I find.
Gus”

“hey...only trying to be funny. didn't work huh? sorry. :(”

“awww...you edited! dang you.
so should I bring crampons then?”

“Just make sure you put them on properly GemmiPoo. The European way didn't work for us the last time. ;-)”

“bring them, depending on how quick this snow melts during the day and refreezes at night there may be some unexpected patches of ice. I do know folks that snowshoe and cross country ski the WRT, you will probably encounter a few on your journey.
Gus”

“yeah, I'm bringing my crampons too. I doubt I will use them, but I'll have them in my pack. I can share them too if need be.”

“Thanks for all the info, it's really helpful. I think everyone is going to have a great time this weekend.”

“There is a 'Kid Icarus' game for NES (old school) and some bomb of a PC game that came out awhile back with reviews reading somewhere along the lines of "makes you yearn for the days of stunning commadore-64 graphics" - really, really, awful games ;)”

“cool name”

“I would imagine after all that drive time getting here, your first order of business, well maybe the second, is going to be FOOD. There are several excellent choices to be had. In proximity to the trailhead is the Blackwell Hotel 1/4 mile from the MST. In Slate Run is the Hotel Manor, excellent cheesesteaks here. In Morris is the Babbs Creek Inn. Best Burgers and Wings in Tioga County. The fare runs from Pizza to Prime Rib. There was mention of a camping permit, the DCNR district office is on route 287 about 8 miles North of Morris, before you get into Wellsboro. You can get your permit there, and a good idea to let the rangers know you'll be on trail.
Gus”

“we definitely intend to feed our faces sunday after the hike. Thanks again for all your help.”

“Fri
Mar 4 Partly Cloudy
25°/15° 20%
25 °F

Sat
Mar 5 Few Snow Showers
25°/10° 30%
25 °F

Sun
Mar 6 Few Snow Showers
24°/13° 30%
24 °F”

“i'm gonna freeze to death...na....I will take a second sleeping bag with me though.”

“I'm still at maybe for the trip and I'll see how things go over the next few days.”

“okay...I have to cancel...wasn't able to get another doctor appointment. Dammit... I need my thyroid meds or I would've just said forget the doc, but I have to take this appointment.

DANG!!!!!”

“I'll stuff my face before and after!! Thanks for the info. We were gonna meet at pine creek to get the permit and then find food.
we could meet you somewhere and eat together.”

“yes the campsites are located off of a blue side trail from the MST, this side trail forms of half-loop that goes down to awesome campsites at the juncture of pine creek and bohen run, the side trail rejoins with the MST by going up bohen run's glen. one of the nicest campsites ever. bushwhack up bohen run to see bohen run falls.

the sidehill along the MST from blackwell used to be narrow and precipitous, but trail work has greatly widened the trail and there are water bars, not nearly as difficult now. although, i can't comment on what the snow/ice has done to that section. if iced over, it'll be tough.”

“whats for lunch,

do you happen to know who owns the blackwell cemetery? i'm a member of the mid state trail association and the trail is being extended northward from blackwell to NY. we are hoping to cross the cemetery. it's been tough trying to locate an owner, the cemetery is no longer used and overgrown.”

“that sucks Gemini :( good luck with the doctor appointment.
-

Jmitch, how are things looking for you? Hope to see ya

-

RichB - hope you can make it. Be good to see ya”

“Crazypace what time do you expect to arrive in the area? I will be in the Morris area all day Friday, if you give me a time frame we could meet up at the Morris Fire Station at the intersection of Route 287 and Route 414. Good food is a stones throw from there. Are you leaving vehicles at Chucks or the northern trailhead?
We have 7 inches of snow in the backyard, was melting fast this afternoon. I'll be checking on the ice and snow at Blackwell in the morning. jmitch, the cemetary may be owned by the Blackwell Family, I'll talk to a few of the locals and get a better idea and get back to you on this. I have been awaiting information myself on the route of the MST, let me know what they have planned so far. Thanks.
Gus”

“hmmmmm 7" of snow? we may not need snow shoes at all.”

“What's the snow pack up on top of the mountain? I was just reading a post from RichB on another thread and it looks like we should be good with snow shoes.

weekends forecast from - weather dot com:

Fri
Mar 4 Few Snow Showers
26°/13° 30%
26 °F

Sat
Mar 5 Few Snow Showers
25°/11° 30%
25 °F

Sun
Mar 6 Few Snow Showers
28°/15° 30%
28 °F”

“I'll take a spin up the West Rim Road in the morning and take a look see. Theres not much elevation difference between my backyard and the canyon rim I doubt there is much more snow. Maybe a few more inches in the deeper woods. Should be hassle free with snowshoes.

Gus”

“thanks Gus”

“Well, I'll just walk last, so I'll walk on everyone else's snowpack trail...”

“you'll be fine Phantom Del Sol”

“Yeah, the "del Sol" part is gonna melt the snow in front of me as I walk...

..it gonna be one muddy trail... ”

“from NOAA
Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Lows 10 to 15.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the lower 30s.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Lows around 20.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow or rain. Highs in the lower 30s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20.
-
maybe I should just stop watching the weather all together..

maybe I should just stop watching the weather
-
for those who have seen airplane
last edited: 3/01/05 8:14:53 PM”

“LOL it's a totaly different kind of flying altogether!”

“Surely, you can't be serious?”

“Yes I am serious and don't call me Shirly!

Pennsy, how's the knee and the strike?”

“Doctor, we have to get this knee to a hospital right away.”

“Hospital was is it?”

“I picked a bad week to quit sniffing glue”

“you blew it BS. Your reply should have been "why, what is it?"

My reply - It's a big building with patients in it, but that's not important right now.

You must still have that drinking problem, eh?

anywho, to answer ENS's question, the strike is still on with no end in sight, and the knee is so-so. I'll let you know tomorrow or thursday about this trip. I might come up and try to do part of it.”

“Pennsy, you got mail. If you can't make it this weekend, perhaps a quick overnighter on the AT next weekend.
last edited: 3/01/05 9:27:21 PM”

“National Weather Service State College Doppler radar shows a west band of heavy snow originating from the southern tier of New York. In the area of Ulysses and Mansfield in Tioga County between 10 PM and midnight. Snowfall of 2 to 3 inches per hour anticipated.

don't lose those snowshoes

Gus”

“Hey WFL, Thanks for all the legwork. Escpecially the heads up on the trail conditions.”

“yeah, very much appreciated! Also - thanks for all the trail maintaining and hardwork with that. That area up there is full of trails and it's a great area.”

“Hey EnS, I just used my dividend to pick out some Awesome Crampons.”

“good deal - I didn't get my dividend yet :(

Last year 2003, I spent a ton at REI, or so I thought. I was expecting big dividend and when I got mine, it was a measely $19. Apparently, everything I bought was on sale and didn't count for the dividend. I have a feeling this year's dividend will be in the same territory, even though I spent tons at REI again in 2004. Oh well, life story”

“Mine was $27 plus 20% off Stubai Lite $58.00 total out the door.”

“sweet, maybe you'll get some use out of them this weekend.
last edited: 3/01/05 10:39:38 PM”

“Hey Earth - naw I can't make it. Just finished 2 months of 16 hour work days - my hiking legs suffer from atrophy. Even so, I'm packing right now to leave in the morning for 4 days of skiing in Colorado.

When I get back I'm gonna try to whip into shape, and maybe look into LT's Catskill's trip.

Hope to hook up w/ you & the crew on something before the bugs come out!

Have a great time!”

“ENS - so what is the north drop off point for the cars ? Colton state park or north terminus ?”

“I'll have to look at the trail map. I think there is a parking area right at the trailhead though.”