Friday nighter on the lower half ofthe A FT anyone?

“Crazypace and I want to go back and finish the trail. The southern half of the trail is supposed to be the better half. Not sure what dates yet. Sometime in August. It is about 16 miles. We're going to do it as a Friday nighter.

Hike in Friday night and then finish Saturday and be home Saturday night.

Anyone else interested?”

“Quite possibly, depending on the dates ~ I'll be in Banff through the 15th.”

“I'm going to ME the weekend of the 20th”

“I just returned from ME...though I was kayaking, eating lobster and doing NOTHING productive while I came down off of my Whites high. Say hi to Mt. K for me ~ tell her I'll see her next September. ;)”

“cool, so it looks like the date of the trip will be August 6th - one week from today.

I'll check out jmitch's book to see which direction to go will be best.”

“most of the views are on the eastern end. didn't you like sixmile run? i thought that was a pretty stream.”

“I liked Sixmile Run and thought the Rhodes were very pretty and it was nice to see the trout in the stream. I just thought it was really buggy due to the wetlands along the run.”

“I think we should do it clockwise like in jmitch's book from the main trail head. I'll be getting there late (8:30 ish?). Then we only have a quick hike to the first campsite (1-2 miles?) or further if we want, since we're using hammocks.
Let's skip the stove and save some weight.”

“I need a backpacking trip so I might be up for this. I've been biking, running, and day hiking (saw a bear up close near Mt Tammany summit this morning), but I haven't camped in a few weeks.

I guess I gotta go look for your AFT trip report cuz I thought you guys were doing the whole trail a few weeks ago.

You're starting at the east trailhead on 504, hiking clockwise and finishing at the west trailhead on 504? If I come along, I would only need the northwest section to complete the trail, so I'm going to think about continueing on Sat and finish on Sunday.”

“we didn't stick to the original plan and cut out the southern half and camping Saturday night, so we're going to go back and finish this weekend. So you are thinking about hiking the entire loop this weekend? We saw a beautiful fox on the AFT near the I-80 vista, he was big too. We nearly crossed paths with a bear, but it was dark, we could only hear and smell it.”

“I'm thinking about turning right on the Shingle Mill Trail and finishing on 504 at the lake, just north of the Ranger office. I did the northeast section before, and I'd rather not do 20+ miles on Sunday. I'd need to spot my car at the lake if it's doable.”

“Pennsy!! long time no see. Did ya bag-em all up north?”

“almost. the heat killed me but I got 12 out of the remaining 15. I'll tell ya all about it this weekend.”

“I'm back. I moved to York and have been away from the internet.

Looking forward to getting out this weekend.”

“Heat and rain for friday night. Throw in some bugs, and we have our normal weekend outing ! :-)”

“Moved to York? The Amish finally kicked you it, eh?

When and where are ya's meeting Friday night? Are these directions ok: 80 west to exit 158, south on 220 for 6.7 miles to Unionville and then a right onto 504?”

“those directions sound good Pennsy. We can just meet at the trailhead on 504 (east of Black Moshannon SP).

Pennsy, do you need to leave your car at the state park? You are correct, I was shunned.
last edited: 8/03/05 7:13:34 PM”

“I'm not sure yet. I'll know more tomorrow night. What time do you think you'll be getting there?”

“I should be there by 730.”

“Looks like I'll be able to make this one.Gotta be home Sat. night tho.Are yous Gonna wait up till everyone gets there to hike in? Will it be Hammock City? I'm gonna go super light this time.”

“I'll be there before 8pm too. I'm gonna try and get out early, but dont know if I can yet.

Pennsy - alot of construction on 80 (both ways) I took the next exit (bald eagle State park) I think its rt 150. head south and turn right on 504. Its a more direct route and you dont go through that one town on 220.”

“awesome Jackstraw. Hammock City, I think we will have. The forecast is looking pretty much identical to the last time we hiked the trail a few weeks ago.

There is a really good German Restaurant in Belfonte we could grab a post-hike bite in. German Restaurant = good beer. What do you gents say to that?”

“ENS what were you saying about next weekend”

“mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......Beeeeeer.
(In homer simpson voice)”

“this weekend hike on the AFT (allegheny front trail) near State College and afterwards Beer and schnitzel at the german restaurant in Belfante.

Next weekend we should do around 10 or 11 miles on the Appalachian Trail, starting in Duncannon, PA (near Harrisburg) and hiking south. Do two miles Friday night and then 8 miles Saturday. That would be a good warm up hike and a good way to get out and test your new gear. I know once you get your gear you will be itching to use it. You won't be able to use it carcamping at Ricketts Glen.”

“That sounds good. I'm working hard to break in my boots. I signed up for the West Rim hike”

“Pennsy - FYI
If you get of the next exit, Rt150, and head south, it turns into Rt 220, then make right at 504 and head up the mountain. You'll avoid milesburg this way. (stop signs and traffic lights)

ENS - remember to pack post hike clothes, German chicks hate smelly men.”

“Friday- A mix of sun and clouds with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Not as warm with highs in the lower 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Friday night- Partly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Cooler and less humid with lows in the mid 50s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
Saturday- Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

I'll believe low's in the 50's when I see it. But It looks like we will escape the rain.”

“now you really have me confoozed, oh crazy one. rt150 and 220 look to be at the same exit with both going through Milesburg.

anywho, I'll try to get up there between 7-7:30. I'll be packing light (hammock, no stove), but I'd like to leave a bag in someone's car at the western trailhead. That will contain my Sat night stuff (stove, food, dry clothes etc) if I decide to continue on to Sunday.

VERY IMPORTANT INFO!:
Don't let me lead Friday night. The trail turns sharply right (I think in the first mile or so) and is easy to miss. I missed it on the infamous WTF trip and took everybody downhill about 1000 feet. That's the only part of the scam trip report that's true.”

“I am going to take a video camera with me for when we get to the infamous spring. I am planning on filming a full length documentry for IMAX.”

“the weather is looking good! Perfect for hammocks!”

“Get a better map! It really doesnt matter which one, both will get you there, but the first one you go through the town.

Your gonna want to get some food and beer with us on saturday. The temptation will overwhelm you.”

“I have the Gazetteer and the Pa State Road Atlas, and the next exit looks several miles west with no rt150. There's a rt 144.

Oh man, don't tempt me with that food and beer. I'll have to pack something REAL good to avoid that temptation.

Bad news, ENS. The infamous spring is NOT on the AFT. It's on one of the cutoff trails behind the lake.”

“you'll have to pack food and beer lol”

“Sorry guys , looks like I have to bail. Duty calls, overtime to be worked. Have a great time , I'll catch you on the next one.”

“bummer JS - see ya next time

should be a great weekend to hit the trail.

so techntrek, you coming with us?”

“yea, just do me a favor and take pictures of the vistas. So I know what I missed. Unfortunatly the almighty dollar is taking presidence this weekend.”

“are you still going to the Smokies for the Cades Cove Trip?

Maybe you can go to the Catskills Trip in 3 weeks - The Giant Ledge Trip that phantom Soul is planning. I am hoping to make that trip. That is one of the best loops in the midatlantic.”