"XXX" Adults Only Red River Gorge Trip - TR

“LMFAO!!!!!
Just watched Gem's 'movie'.
I love Jerbear running away!
I think I might too.”

““Gem or anyone else, where exactly are the Indian Steps at. I know we covered a lot of ground there 2 yrs ago but we missed that.”
Ewker
We could tell you but since they are an archaeologically sensitive site we would have to kill you...

It is called the Indian Staircase...too much liquor fogs the minds of some...It is off the Sheltowee and though the rangers won't tell you where it is, the 50 or so people on it at any given time gives it away. In a nutshell it is close to Gladie Visitor Center.”

“Where's the link to the movie?”

“http://gwwebdesign.com/stuff/00.swf

Ruby...if you want to send me YOUR movie...I can convert it into a flash file and upload it to my server. At least for a little while.

Heeheehee...and I scan screen it...just in case it's really, really bad!
last edited: 2/22/05 7:14:42 PM”

“Sticks' dancing movie is on Page 1 of this thread.

There will be another movie link posted tomorrow. That one is not to be missed either. It was made by consenting adults in a cheap motel room.”

“Man I wish that had audio.”

“OF COWBOY CAMPING, ARCHES, AND GOLFBALL-SIZED BLISTERS...

Wow, Gems, excellent trip report. I can't really compete against that (nor do I have the time to right now), but I figured I'd touch base on the few times when our paths diverged.

I was up at 4AM on Friday morning and out the door and on the Freeway by 5. The sun dawned somewhere over south-central Pennsylvania as I was already well underway on this 700-mile fantastic voyage. And as the states came and went -- Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky -- I must have run into every possible type of weather imagineable, from cold and complete sun near Harrisburg PA, to total blizzard near Morgantown WV, high winds and rain near Charleston WV, and finally warmer and sun in Kentucky. I gotta tell ya, it had me going for a while. With all that snow in West Virginia, I thought to myself, this was going to be one interesting night...

So I finally got to the trailhead about 4PM after stopping at the local Shell station to get a permit, coincidentally about 5 minutes after Ruby and Hubcap. So we said our hellos, saddled up, and headed up the Rough trail. We lost it a few times, but thanks to Ruby's prior knowledge of the area, we were able to gain it back pretty quickly. About a mile in, the trail started up a moderate rise, and I started to smell a campfire. Home at last. Once I made my way to the top of the hill, I saw two guys standing around a campfire, who ended up introducting themselves as Refrigerator and Sticks.

So I put my stuff down after a bit, and Ruby, Hubcap, and I decided to go check out this Daniel Boone Hut that was nearby, which was actually a series of giant rock overhangs making a very convenient shelter. No pictures though because I forgot my camera at the campsite. Bummer. Very impressive caves though, I must say.

When we got back, Ruby and Hubcap decided they would seek a larger flat spot at the bottom of the hill to set up camp, as the one up top was kinda tight. I decided I liked the view from the upper spot and that I'd stay there with Refrigerator and Stick.

A little while later, Gemini and Anonymous Coward arrived, when Gemini decided she'd stay at the bottom site, and AC opted for the upper site. Though it was a bit chilly that night, the sky was crystal clear, the smoke was blowing straight up, and there was not the slightest bit of wind to be felt. Consequently, the thought of cowboy camping around the fire had made its way into our discussions, and I was very intrigued, as I had not done that in what seems like forever.

So I says to myself, to hell with the tent and just laid out my thermarest and sleeping bag on top of Backslacker's tarp that I borrowed (see, it doubles up as a ground cloth) right by the waning fire, and I gotta tell ya, the heat from the nearby fire made the setup about as warm as my bed back home. Aww, yeah... Refrigerator and AC did the same while Sticks put up his tent in a nearby flat spot.

We woke up in the morning to a nice thick layer of frost all over everything -- our packs, sleeping bags, ground cloths, you name it. So after brushing as much of that off as possible, making some eats, I was packed up and ready to go. I stopped off at the lower campsite, where I got to meet Jerbear, who incidentally crashed immediately on arrival Friday night.

So after some small talk, I headed back out to the trailhead with Refrigerator to wait on everyone else. At the trailhead, I got to meet TownDawg for yet another name for the ever-growing list. Soon after, people started shuffling off into the woods one by one until we were all ready to go.

Indian Staircase was a very cool rock scramble that I'm not sure would've been safe had it been made of the granite that is all over the place back home. However, boots have better grip on the sandstone, and the little footholes in the rock slab really helped out too. It was a Grade A Hoot watching everyone make their way up this thing.

The views from the top were spectacular, and soon we had to make our way back, at a rather hurried pace, as we had already burned way more time than budgeted in getting into the staircase. I still made it back right behind Sticks, Refrigerator, and Gemini despite this burning hotspot that, by this time, had completely invaded the nerves of my right heel. Also, feeling kinda lousy, probably due to dehydration, as I didn't carry anywhere near the amount of water I should've (oops...), I gotta tell ya, I was beat.

The restaurant meal helped out a lot to fight that condition, as did the visit to the (mechanical) porcelain goddess in the facility there, if ya know what I mean. AC and Jerbear went back home, as they lived nearby (relatively speaking), and TownDawg and TrekknGirl were heading out first thing in the morning. Many of the rest of us opted for getting a room that night, and considering how I was feeling, I considered also, but when Fridge said he was camping, my mind was made up, mainly because I felt bad about him being the only one, and it was his trip and all. That, and I roomed two weeks ago at gPib; I know I'm a slacker, but I have to draw the line somewhere. So we set out for a car-camping spot up on the Tunnel Ridge.

Anyway, I guess my sympathy earned me a spot in his "bomb shelter" tent, and I am ever thankful, as even with two of us bigger guys in there, there was still way more room for me than my MSR Zoid could ever provide. After setting up camp, we put up a fire and just hung around. It was about this time that I discovered the alternate TNT drink: Tequila 'N' Tea, and when used with Lemon-flavored iced tea, it tastes suprisingly a lot like a margarita. It was good, but not as good as the "homegrown" stuff that Fridge brought, but good nonetheless. And I gotta tell ya, the 'shine put up its own fight, well with some of us more than others...

Upon going to bed that night, I came to the brutal realization that that burning hotspot that now lived on my right heel had matured into a golfball-sized blister that was already about half open. [Pause here for the "ouch"] Well nothing I could do for it now, just take the sock off in the sleeping bag and let it air out overnight. In the morning, I'd have to figure out what to do about that, as, like an idiot, my first-aid kit had no moleskin in it, and I had no duct tape, as I neglected to put some on my newly acquired poles (where I usually keep it). Chit.

Morning came and the usual chores: reassemble the fire, cook breakfast, pack up camp, only to find out after everyone else had arrived that popular consensus was to stay put for the next night. Thanks to Refrigerator's overabundantly-stocked first aid kit, we were able to cut up some of his moleskin for this atrocity that has now completely taken over my right heel. Fridge, you saved the day; I would've had to sit in camp all day if it wasn't for that moleskin. Thanks, man. Needles to say, my trail first aid kit is going to undergo some serious revamping between now and my next trip 2 weeks from now.

So I junked the evil Odor Eaters that were believed to cause this blister from my boots, and we set off to check out some arches, in the rain. But it didn't bother us, for we weren't made of sugar or anything that might dissolve. So I donned my rain jacket, and limped along with everyone else, surprisingly keeping good pace.

Gray's arch was really cool, and though their dispute about reaching the upper shelf in the house under it, Ruby managed to prove Fridge wrong about being able to get up to the top shelf of the house, and it was "definitely doable".

After going back to camp and eating lunch and setting up tarps, we went for a quick ride over to Chimney Rock and HalfMoon Arch. Chimney Rock was really cool, except for the fact that I left my camera back at camp. Dammit! I also opted out of Halfmoon arch, as my foot was really starting to bother me and I thought maybe I should give it a bit of a rest. Also, being used to the granite back home, i thought it's rock scramble was not too good of an idea in the pouring rain. C'est la vie.

My friends, that night the bug juice was flowing around the fire, even though we couldn't get our hands on any beer due to local Sunday blue laws. We still had a good time nonetheless; one more night together before that incessantly long drive home awaited me the next day. And Gemini, what's up with calling me a drunk like it's a bad thing; if I recall correctly, you weren't exactly the most sober one there either. But I don't mind, it's all good; all's well ends well.

Morning came much too quickly, and along it that 700-mile drive back home, where it was supposed to snow that day...a lot. Joy. So I hung out for a bit, the packed my stuff, said my goodbyes, and hit the road around 9:30. Started to notice traces of snow on the ground around south-central Pennsyvlania, and by Philadelphia it looked like an all-out snowstorm blew though. Must've just missed it -- whew! Got home around 8 PM and was just plain glad to be done driving.

Fridge, thanks for the excellent trip and providing an opportunity for me to post Kentucky as another state hiked. To everyone else, thanks for coming out; it was great hanging out with all of yous. Ruby, Hubcap, Gemini, and TrekknGirl, it was great seeing you again. Fridge, Sticks, AC, Jerbear, and TownDawg, it was great meeting all of you. Hopefully you can come visit up north sometime. I'll be looking forward to the next time we can do something like this again. Until then, "Rock on, little dudes!"

Piece!

PS How about some pictures (even though I already sneak-previewed them):

PhantomSoul's Red River Gorge Pictures
last edited: 2/22/05 7:29:40 PM”

“Hey PS...why didn't you say that you needed mole skin? I never leave without it!! I think I prolly cary way too much, so it would've not been a problem to share.”

“Eh, mainly pride, I guess?. I know it's dumb, but what are you going to do? I mentioned it to Fridge on the way to the restaurant when he started trying to laugh at me about "getting beat by an old man", so he offered me the moleskin.

Thanks anyway though; if I ever need some again, I'll know who to ask...”

“How does this place compare to Linville, as far as scenery waterfalls and so on.”

“I bet moles never get blisters, being covered in all that skin an' all. Oh nevermind! Great TR and pics phantom man.”

“Great TR's guys!!
Hey Gem if you need a place to put those videos, send me an email I might be able to help ya out! :)
last edited: 2/22/05 8:10:59 PM”

“I finally saw your movie, Gem.

Kudos to Sticks for not spilling a single M&M while dancing!!!”

“Terrific report Gem..can't say I've been on a trip quite like this one before but what the hey..I love the video..
Great place to go and I will go back..soon”

“Sorry not to have posted before.. too much work related stuff. I got all my pictures processed.. just doing a little editing and all.

Enjoy the movie in the meanwhile.. I'll be back.. once I get caught up.”

“bad part...I wasn't even drunk. can I blame it in the benadryl??
last edited: 2/23/05 7:38:42 AM”

“"And we have an aspect of you!"

jerbear
4:40:41 AM
2/22/05

hehe.. I just caught that!!.. but I ain't telling.

Anyways.. uploaded my 19 pictures from the trip.. I ain't got no fancy schmancy digital camera that I carry on my BP's.. so the quality will suck compared to everyone else's..

http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/3x1f3xwp.php
last edited: 2/23/05 12:52:27 PM”

“very cool trip report and pics, thanks for sharing!”

“Apparently, it's some sort of heinous crime to give out the coordinates of this place, but if you were to, say, get on the Sheltowee at the Red River crossing and head north...

(If you'd start in the morning, you'd get there with plenty of time to spare 'till lunchtime...)”

“And phantom soul gets the next trivial Q right also.

;)”

“...I bet I know who wins the "longest drive" award for this trip too...

(wink wink, nudge nudge...)”

“PS, thanks. You guys were on more on the northern side of the park. two yrs ago we were in the central and western section.

Did you take the Bison Way Trail up to the Sheltowee Trace Trail or just stay on the STT”

“The Bison Way? I don't think so. We just got on the Sheltowee at the suspension bridge and headed north.

AC, Jerbear, or Sticks might know better...”

“yup thats makes three, phantom soul.

u are right on top of it all.”

“great pics and reports! i hope to get there this year.”