Ozark Highlands Trail trip

“Tax Day is over for this trip and you are either paid up or going to jail. Either way the heck with it all "LETS GO HIKING". Section 8 of the Ozark Highlands Trail is reportedly one of the more scenic on the trail system. The section is 20.9 miles long with several creek crossings. Water levels can make these crossings a safety concern. The starting point at Richland creek leaves the option of hiking section seven backwards if water levels are to high to safely cross the creeks on section 8.”

“The part of that section between Richland and Stack Rock is one of the most scenic on the entire OHT, IMO.

I may join y'all but since I'm also a kayaker, I'll have to wait to commit until I see what the whitewater situation looks like closer to the trip date. I can backpack anytime. I can only paddle when there's water.
last edited: 2/09/08 5:10:19 PM”

“Perfect timing! I'll be out of jail then. Chili, maybe we can carpool, as long as you don't mind riding with an ex-felon. Ha! Ha!”

“So thats why you've been so scarce stomper!! they limit time on the puter in prison eh?”

“Time is limited, that's for sure.”

“No problem.”

“Sounds like a cool trip to me. I'm gonna try and make this one. Hopefully Buffalo Babe will be interested too.”

“I might be able to swing this. I have had the trail guide for a few years now and still have not stepped foot on the OHT.

Is this planned for a single night on the trail?”

“As it stands, it is a single night trip. I am planning on driving up on Friday night and car camping at Richland creek campground.
I will probably get there before most out of state folks. Please let me know and I will get campsites for those planning to car camp. Most of these FS campgrounds have a two car two tent restriction for each site.”

“I posted a possible trip last December but nothing ever happened.

I would like to do this as well, but this is only 1 month after a new son or daughter comes into our life.”

“It will be 2 months after my new one, WK. I haven't mentioned this to my wife yet, so I'm still a big maybe.”

“I am already a maybe on a different trip in April.”

“Hey HC!!
11 hours from the northwest burbs!!
Thats a lot of driving!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Yes, it is a lot of driving for one night on the trail. I'm going to have to consider extending the trip in some way to justify it.”

“Would you all tolerate a rusty hiker to tag along on this trip? I haven't been on a trail for a while. Trying to get back in shape but probably won't be the fastest tortoise in the race by departure time if you know what I mean.”

“HH, what topo map quad is the Sect 8 (hum I wonder if there is some significance to this designation?) part of the trail on?”

“Welcome Tom
The topo quads for section 8 are Moore and Eula. If you plan to hike quite a bit on the OHT, Tim Ernst has written trail guides that are pretty detailed. The section 8 is out of the trail guide. Richland creek to Woolum on the Buffalo River.

www.cloudland.net is Ernst web site.”

“HH

I was just looking at the time factor in getting to Richland Creek campgroud. Are you and whoever else is coming able to extend the time of this trip? It will take me about 4.5 hrs to get there and I was wondering if we could actually get a few miles in on Fri?

On another note will we be able to shuttle or will this be a loop trip?”

“wt

Tom..that is to far out for me to do much detailed planning at this point. I am doing good to know where I will be tomorrow.”

“"I am doing good to know where I will be tomorrow.”

Hillbilly,

you sound like me! Are you by chance, doing tax returns?”

“Nope, just chugging through life trying to stay ahead of it all.”

“Buffalobabe(Carla) and I talked this over this morning and we're IN FOR SURE!”

“I think I'll take off Friday and drive up early. I wanna see twin falls.”

“uht oh, i think I have a gig on the 19th.....not good”

“Dude!!”

“yeah man, I know...crap, maybe it's a typo, I'm meetin with my singer tonight, I'll ask him about it.”

“HH,

Got the Ernst book yesterday, ordered the quads last night. Been thinking that I should study carefully my options. This will be my first trek since finding out I had diabetes 3 yrs ago. Since I am trying to get in shape and not wanting to hold up every one else I was going to look at jumping off points IF I should become too much of a drag on everyone else. were we going to set up some kind of shuttle?”

“WNT

It may be me and you going. Depends on Strat and the Kentucky and Illinois contingents. If you want to ease into this and try a lighter trip let me know. I live in the Ft. Smith area so I am just south of the west end of the OHT. I am game to go whenever in late April or thru mid May. After that is Scuba season and I will be at a lake somewhere.”

“Well. dernit. Looks like I'm locked in for the 18th and 19th at Tony C's. Man I didn't even think when I agreed to join the band that this would happen. I'm really bummed about it too because I was really looking forward to this hike. I'd be down for doing something the week before or after, if anyone else would.

Sorry HH”

“Strat, I am pretty easy going. We can move it and you will not hurt my feelings. 4/12/08 or 4/26/08 instead of 4/19/08. WNT, Randall, and Stomper post up if you still are interested and have any problems with a change.”

“Yeah I know you are man, why do you think I want to hike with you again? Lemme talk to Buffalobabe....”

“I would be locked out on the 26th (daughter has a piano recital) I might could swing the 12th if a decision is made by fri.”

“Date change is fine with me. I'm still unsure if I will make it - either date you pick.”

“Buffy's checkin our calendar........”

“...............”

“This just isn't going to work with my schedule guys and gals. For those that do make the trip, have a great time!”

“We're on for the 26th”

“Trip data has been edited to reflect the new date.”

“Are we there yet?”

“I may be out. My heel has been hurting so I went to the doc. I have been diagnosed with Plantar fasciitis (pulled or torn ligament in my foot). I have a podiatrist appt. Monday and will know more after that.”

“ok dood, it's no problem, we'll go floatin instead”

“I have that to. It comes and goes though. Here is what my doctor told me to do:
1. Don't go barefoot. always wear shoes.
2. Stretch your feet and heels before you get out of bed in the morning or after other periods of inactivity.

AFter doing this, I only get occasional discomfort. I also got some heel inserts for my shoes.”

“That was plan B.

The online data on Plantar fasciitis leads me to believe that my hiking is over for a while. That leaves paddling, scuba, and chillin on the pontoon at the lake for the summer. Dam% the luck!
Stat
May go paddling this Sunday if you want to go. Looks like Coastie and a buddy, me, and a couple of friends of mine. I will have my trailer so shuttles won't be a problem.”

“I went on a hike last weekend and was about crippled by the end of it. I kept going (really no choice at that point) and apparently irritated it badly.”

“Hopefully, if you can get it under control you can manage it so you can still hike. I think mine was a mild case though I was limping pretty bad for a while.”

“I just over did it I think and really irritated it. The Dr. acted like it was pretty common and not a big deal once I get it under control and take precautions. It is just depressing. It makes you realize that you are getting old when you have to wear orthotics.”

“Ooh! I never thought about it like that. Orthotics should be a four letter word.

Mine started last spring during softball season. I didn't run at all then so I think base running is what did me in.”

“I have been on my feet at work alot more than usual the last couple of months. I had bought some new work boots that did not have the arch support that my old ones had. I that that, combined with a New Years resolution to log alot more bag nights this year, was the cause. I will just log bag night on the islands on Lake Quachita and give the feet a chance to rest.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563140599XFVfPV”

“I am out folks.

Strat. I am still up for paddling if there is water.”

“I think there's a good chance of rain every day this week. I'll call you in a day or 3.”