The Official FYAO VIII Trip Report

“Well, someone else (like our fabulous trip leader!) will have to write up the main entree trip report, but here are some pictures for an appetizer!

p.s. - Don't miss the video of Wilderness Supahstah AmyG extricating her fallen sled!!!!

”

“Is that Bobo cropin' a feel?”

“Where's all the snow?”

“who put up the prayer flags?”

“Where's the wilderness?
All I see is parking lot and lodge. ;-)”

“Holy crap, a BOBO SIGHTING!!!!!!!”

“1. I'm not cropin, a feel, but you'll never believe where that thumb was!

2. Yes Mr. A, there was a good bit of snow up thar!

3. The prayer flags were given to me by a very special, spiritual friend!

4. Yes, this group pic was taken in the parking lot at The Mountaineer's lodge, but I'll give you a hint... If you click on the pic, there is more!

5. A sighting? You sighted me a MONTH ago DORK!

6. Holy Crap! I think Bitpusher has been spotted on the ENS and lyra thread!

~ anybody wanna jump in with the trip report, just feel free!”

“5. A sighting? You sighted me a MONTH ago DORK!

I KNOW... and I even posted a thread about it, but you were once again MIA :P”

“Nice pictures. Looks like a great trail to ski on. So for an FYAO trip just how cold did it get?”

“a paltry -7 F. I think? You'll have to get the official low temp from Lthiker, he had the thermometer.

The trail was awesome for skiing, RichB! It would seem that some boneheads went in before me with one-hundred pound sleds and tuned the trail up just right. And the downhills coming back out were loads of fun!”

“-7 is cold enough. One hundred pound sleds will make a nice packed trail.”

“AmyG posted some cool pics on her Myspace from the trip. I think she said it was about -8 with the windchill.... too cold for my boney ass!”

“Only -8, what a bunch of wusses”

“it was -9.6, not counting the windchill factor.”

“Yeah, -9.6 was the low in the wee hours of Saturday.
The next night's low was -7.”

“How much gear did Pennsy buy at the Mountaineer?”

“If a bear attends a FYAO event, and nobody sees him, did he actually attend?”

“I have just a couple of pics, but some nice shots from the summit of Hurricane Mtn! What a beautious day up there!!

FYAO VIII

Abbreviated trip report:

Arrived at the "Winter trailhead" with little or no parking left, since I got there later in the afternoon than I would have liked. (Aside: my house had just flooded, so it was a miracle I even got my A$$ to FYAO this year at all...sigh)
I was greeted by a very friendly Ranger who told me that he had kicked some derelect hikers out of the woods, so I could take their parking in just a few minutes. Immediately, of course, I thought "great, what did those crazy TT'rs do to get us banned already?"
As it turned out, it was a bunch of beer-swilling, bluejeans wearing, post-holing yahoos from the local area, who were apparently wanting to use OUR leanto as a party site! A PARTY site?!? Gasp! Can you imagine people trekking all the way in there just to laze around the leanto and get inebriated?
;)

Anyhoo, it was a delightful walk in(with snowshoes!!!) along one of the most perfect trails you could ask for...very gradual ups and downs, virtually zero blowdown, and an elephant stampeded of TT'rs before me had it all packed nice and smooth. By the time I reached the leanto, I was so engaged in the iced branches and bowed evergreens, it seemed like I had hardly broken a sweat.

MarkO came in right behind me and we were greeted by Pennsy, Jackstraw, LtHiker and Sacco, who advised us that Buddhy and his buddy had already come and gone(family emergency.) :(


Campsites were across the creek and up on the ridge above camp, which was a pain in the balls in some ways, but in others, it was perfect! Slugging all my crap up there to set up really sucked, but the scenery was idyllic and I was away from the burping, farting and snoring that always eminates from the leanto at night. ;)”

“What, you no likey the Symphonium Orificium?

Buddha, you were there!
Too bad we missed ya!”

“Woke up at the crack of 10...or, i should say, got up at that point, because I really didn't sleep very well. Apparently, the aforementioned flood in my house, had left my bag oh-so-slightly damp. Damp down = cold puppy. It was a pretty long, restless night. :(

Had brekky with the peeps down at the shelter and made efforts to dry my bag out. Around nooner, a few of us packed up our daypacks and hit the trail towards Hurricane Mountain. One of the nicest days we could ask for with the sun shining brightly and the temps in the mid teens, I believe.

The trail had occasional views across the high peaks, which were only foreplay for what was to come. We all took a break just before the summit, fueling up and adding layers in anticipation of the exposed peak..."they don't call it Hurricane Mountain for nothing, ya know."

We met one other dayhiker who came up from another trailhead, but other than that, we had the place to ourselves. The summit was incredible, with 360 views to high peaks all around us. The winds were pretty brutal, plummeting the temps into the negatives with windchill. Pennsy got some great pics, while Jackstraw investigated the fire tower and Sacco lay down on some rocks to die. Goooood times!
(you can see Sacco's carcus in one of my summit pics)

We got back to camp to be greeted by Gremmypoo and Bobo!!! We had almost given up on them! It was a nice reunion and, of course, the usual TT merriment ensued for the eve. :)

MarkO was nice enough to loan me his "emergency bag" to put inside my damp one, so I slept like a baby that night...thank dawg! He was my hero. :)”

“Aw, shucks!”

“After a GREAT night's sleep, it was a much easier morning on Sunday. We had all decided to forego the last night, due to a weather forecast that was calling for a lot of rain. This turned out to be a VERY good decision, as I think my little shelter would have washed away down the mountain! =:0

We all had brekky and some coffee at the leanto, before packing it up at a leisurely pace. After a mostly-uneventful hike out, we reached the trailhead around noonish and most had a celebratory beer. Then, the most important part of the trip: A shared meal at the Noonmark!
The service sucked, but the food was good and company was the best! Sacco shocked all of us by paying the entire bill...and I don't have to tell you that 8 hungry TT'rs, just out of the woods, can eat! Thanks Sac. :)

We all decided that a visit to "The Mountaineer" was essential. Afterall, you don't want to drive a long distance just after a big meal like that. We needed exercise!! LOL
Somehow, we had forgotten a group pic back at camp, so our official Group FYAO shot is in the parking lot of a gear store...appropriate enough, I guess. lol

Most of us parted ways at this point, though some went on to yet another gear store...ho's! The trip home was rain rain rain, with occasional sleet...non-stop for almost 6 hours.

This was a great trip, where everything went as well as planned or even better. We had lots and lots of snow, perfect weather and great company. We were missing a few of our "regulars" but we had a few drinks in your honor and I am sure your ears were ringing.

Oh yeah, and Jackstraw was de-virginized. ;)”

“Mountaineer. . . .Noonmark . .. . it has been two years since I have hiked the Keene Valley area.


Always jealous . . ..but in a good way.”

“Amy, great trip report. Sounds like a fun weekend.”

“Great trip. I am also jealous. I need to FMAO before winter is over, and plan on a group trip next year out here.

Thanks for the report, pics and video!”

“Campsites were across the creek and up on the ridge above camp, which was a pain in the balls in some ways, but in others, it was perfect!
AmyG
6:59:29 AM
2/19/08



?????

AmyG sure has changed a lot since I met her at FYAO VI.”

“Loved the Bobo pics, and I'd really LOVE to watch that AmyG sled crash video with sound!”

“Arrived in Middlebury, VT with P.D. Dave on Wed. night. At at 3 Brothers (great food & service), and had a few beers. PD Dave is married with 2 young kids, so he was happy to crash at 8:00 pm (a pattern, it turns out). Woke up early and headed to trailhead. PD Dave gets a call from the wifey - his 4 month old had a 102 temp, and his 3 year old has been throwing up all night. Stopped by the Mountaineer, picked up a map and a sticker.

We decide to go in for at least one night, in hopes that the kids would get better and/or one of the FYAO crew would come in early & to give PD Dave some winter hiking/camping experience. We broke in the trail after parking in what might have been an illegal area. It was fun pulling my sled again, and the trail was as promised, nice and relatively flat for the last 1.1 miles.

We arrived at the lean-to, and PD Dave was surprised and happy to see an outhouse. The leanto had a ton of snow on and around it, and it looked like it hadn't been used for quite some time. We decided to crash in the leanto instead of setting up our tents. I shoveled out the firepit, and PD Dave went looking for wood. Although I told him to get blowdown, he still came back with some green, and I had found a bunch of burned stuff in the pit after my excavation. Tried starting a fire - do dice. Much like Amy's sleepy bag, the wood was frozen and wet. As I sat wondering if I lost my pyro touch, I noticed a hiker arriving at the leanto.

Sure enough, it was SirPete! I couldn't believe he'd actually showed up, especially with the dumb NASCAR race going on and all! I caught up with Pete, who I hadn't seen since our White Mountain New years trip in 05'. We talked about gear, NASCAR, and the advantages of flossing 2 times a day, instead of once. In honor of Pennsy, we both pee'd in the Gulf Brook, laughing the whole time. We explored the area a little, cooked some food, boiled snow and crashed around 8:00 (again). PD Dave bougfht some piece of crap made in china blow up mattress - with pump (rookie), which defalted almost immediately. I gave him my zrest so he wouldn't freeze. It was a nice cold night (5 deg), and we were treated with a sprinkling of snow in the morn. Left an entry in the trail book (Pete wanted to be left out so you all didn't think he showed again, and thought about leaving the $30 bottle of cab that I brought to share, but didn't want to hear the "yeah, Buddy bailed, but still left us trash to pack out!) line, lol. (Freemark Abbey - good stuff)

Next morn, decided to go back to car, head out, and call home in case the kids were better, if so, we'd do it all over again, but this time PD Dave would get the "experience" of towing the 120# gear sled, lol. We arrived at the car, I thought I saw LTHiker's truck pull up and turn around by the plow area. It might have been the locals checking out the area.

Kids were still pretty sick, and PD Dave's wife wanted him home. We ate at some shack off the freeway, and then parted ways with Pete (he wanted to get home to watch the race) Headed home - nice weather, but it was cold outside.

PD Dave had a good time, but I don't think he'll be winter hiking again. His wife gave me the "eye" when we finally arrived at his house, and said she'd been up all night, again, with the sick kids.

Missed you guys. Hope you got a fire started. The batts died in my camera just as I was taking a group shot with me PD Dave and SirPete, so I only got 1 pic at the trailhead of Dave.

BB
last edited: 2/19/08 6:47:06 AM”

“Great pics and report.

Bobo- I looked through your webshots album, your BFT pics are incredible!”

“Nice reports and pics. Glad you had such a great time.”

“When does planning start for FYAO IX?”

“AmyG - thanks for arranging the trip again this year - nics pics!

Bobo is the next Polanski after watching his video takes. 5 Stars and two frozen thumbs up!”

“Pete showed up??

Pfft!!”

“Hey Buddhy - sorry we missed you guys! Thanks for clearing the shelter area for us! But I'm not fallin' for the "Oh yeah, sirpete was there", ain't gonna happen! Wow, being compared to Polanski! But it's all about the ACTORS Bear... THE AC-TORS!

And ya gotta luv our trip leader's highly visualized reports! Here is a slightly "condensed" version you may enjoy.


FYAO VIII by AmyG

I was greeted by a very friendly Ranger
which was a pain in the balls in some ways,
Slugging all my crap up there.
Woke up at the crack of
my bag oh-so-slightly damp.
A nooner,
which was only foreplay for what was to come.
We all took a break
in anticipation of the exposed peak
Goooood times!
MarkO loaned me his "emergency bag" to put inside my damp one.
some went on to yet another gear store...ho's!
This was a great trip because I kissed Bobo.
Oh yeah, and Jackstraw was de-virginized. ;)”

“awesome trip report!!! great pics!!”

“hehe Sounds like fun. :) Would have liked to have been there FMAO too!”

“LFMG! IMUSFM!!!”

“LOL IMUSFM2!!!!

When are you gonna get your a$$ out here to visit?”

“Well, thanks again, AmyG. Thanks for lunch Sacco. Thanks to everyone for being there. Noonmark, the mountaineer and then we went to Cascade X-country ski area and shop.

I saw a pair of white backcountry skis. The tag said Karhu and I am sure they are Canadian Army skis as they are made in Canada (Karhu has a facility in Quebec).

Anyway, I drove back down to Cascade yesterday and bought the skis. I'll put my Silvretta 500's and put dynafits on the G3's.”

“Did you Boneheads do some skiing?”

“Met up at Marko's Thursday night and headed to the treehouse. Hung out with Tree and Mapleleaf great drink and great company. Headed out at O'light 30 and made it to the trailhead about 230pm after a stop or two for coffee and snacks. After meeting Ranger Charley and the guy who broke the trail to Hurricane we mounted up and headed up the aforementioned lovely trail.....”

“That we did...”

“Got to the shelter and were greeted by LT and Pennsy. Pennsy had scouted out the campsites and was kind enough to tromp down an extra spot. Got to pitching my tent before it got dark and proceeded to haul in a bit of firewood as anyone knows is the FYAO rookies job. I shuddered to think of the hazing that might ensue. It got mighty cold but fortunatly there were plenty of spirits to go round with the regular mantra of " Oh yea, that'll warm the Cockles! ( Whatever the F cockles are......)”

“Great Times everyone! Buddha sorry I missed you, I got to the TH around 10:30 after I stopped at the Mountaineer to pick up glove liners.
I was a little concerned when there were not any cars at the TH. I hung around for a while then loaded up and hiked in to find an empty shelter. I did think to check the log and saw Buddha's message. Hope the kids are ok.
I saw a group coming up the trail thought it was tters but it turned out to be some dayhikers who proceeded to light a fire and burn all of the wood that was at the fire. Sacco showed up later followed by the friendly ranger who yelled at the dayhikers for not wearing snowshoes. Later Marko, Jackstraw AmyG, and Pennsy showed up.

This trip was the busiest FYAO that I remember, we had more people visit camp than I ever remember having.

Thanks to Sacco for Lunch, Bobo for well you know, AmyG for planning another great FYAO, Pennsy for being Pennsy, Marko for the great conversations, Jackstraw for getting wood, Gremlin for musical entertainment,
last edited: 2/19/08 2:29:57 PM”

“Looks like a great trip, sorry I couldn;t make it, lots of stuff going on.”

“My pics finally:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562551167EvTgLi”

“Did anyone bring an axe?”

“No axes Swampy but I brought a big knife.”

“I brought a couple of sharp sticks....................uh, trekking poles actually.”