HELP

“Hi, me and some buddies are planning a backpacking tri for the first week of march. We're wanting to start at Jarman Gap, on the appalachian trail, in Virginia or somewhere there close. We need info on parking, distances to certain points, and basically any other info to help plan our trip. We're all marines and have experience, but this is our first time planning a trip on our own. any info would be greatly appreciated
last edited: 12/30/08 1:40:14 PM”

“Well iffin you were Army I might help!!! LOL! JK I don't know that area...wish I could help!”

“well, at least he's not a seaman...sorry hyway ;)”

“Don't know about parking...you might look for a website about the Shenandoah National Park (Jarman Gap is within its boundaries). You might also check into the Sawmill Run Ranger Station...its located 2.73 Crow-fly miles WNW of Jarman Gap. You also might try Google Earth for some coordinates. There's a trail called Turk Branch that runs East from the AT to a local road which would hook you back up to Jarman Gap (sort of a triangle trek)...Jarman Gap to Turk Branch via AT to local road to point of beginning...”

“I don't know that place either...

But you should be able to get your hands on some topo maps/trail maps pretty easily, I should think...

Marines with experience? Experience backpacking and camping? (I ask because a good friend of mine is a former Marine but he's a computer geek and I wouldn't count on him to know how to hike/camp very well...)

But seriously, if you are experienced hikers and campers... you should know most everything you'll need already... the rest (maps for example) you should be able to track down Google-Style...”

“not sure how far you're going..but heres your start http://rohland.homedns.org/at/state/state_detail/AT_state_detail.aspx?stateID=11%20§ionID=141”

“The on-line version of the AT Thruhiker's Companion can be found at http://aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm
The basic mileage for nothern VA is at page 93 - 97, details on the section follow. You can buy a copy of the book at ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy).

Jarman Gap is in the Shenandoahs, so you will need a backcountry permit from the park. They have special rules that don't apply to the rest of the trail. There are many places to park in the Shenandoahs. No problem leaving your car(s) there. If you want a shuttle, contact ATC - they have a list of shuttle providers. It also isn't all that difficult to get a ride in the park, unless of course there is so much snow that the road is closed. Because the road winds, they often close Skyline Drive when it gets icy. You could park at the north end - down by the gate - and climb up into the park, either on the AT or a side trail from Front Royal. PATC publishes maps for the park that show the AT as well as side trails if you need to bail because of weather.

All along the AT there are good parking lots where you can leave a car for a week or so. Although there are occasional problems, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are cautious, contact ATC. They'll let you know if there has been trouble in the past.”

“Thank you to those posts from Ginny and GatherNoMoss... A few more questions we had was concerning the shenandoah national park- will be able to access it during that time of year, early march?.. i read that they close skyline drive sometimes. Also, if we started just south of the park, are there any trailheads/parking spots to start at in that area?..”

“If you're hiking S to N there is adequate parking at Rockfish Gap..then you'd just hike into Shenandoah. 7 miles in I believe is Calf Mt. Hut/shelter

as far as hiking N to S...thats just pure backwards to me..but you could park anywhere in the park I think and head S..depending upon how far S you wanted to go.

in addition to the ATC...the specific club for that area of the AT is the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club www.potomacappalachian.org. you may want to check with them or their website for trail updates etc etc.
last edited: 12/30/08 6:44:35 PM”

“32ozgatorade will know probably some finer points about the area...he's out on the AT now I believe but ought to be rolling back onto the forum in a week or so...

keep a look out.”

“They'll let you know if there has been trouble in the past.”

the only trail murder in the park was in the big meadows area. i camped there the night or two before it happened, iirc.



as far as hiking N to S...thats just pure backwards to me

what's that supposed to mean? technically the AT runs southbound anyway.

there was a shuttle service out of Front Royale at one time. definitely check with ATC. i think Bears Den is still run by them.

as to the skyline: check with nps here: http://www.nps.gov/shen

the blue ridge pky is notorious for getting shut down but i don't think you'll hae any issues in march unless a good ol' noreaster slams the blues.”

“as far as hiking N to S...thats just pure backwards to me

what's that supposed to mean?

its means what it says...for ME it seems backwards. Doesn't have to to you.”

“do you face N when you do everything? ;) :D”

“no but when I'm on the AT I do.


who are you?”

“Because when she goes south she's going downhill, and uphill is North. GNM, remind me not to do any bushwhacks w. you. ;)”

“LMAO..Thank you mg!!”

“Any time sweety.”

““Because when she goes south she's going downhill, and uphill is North. GNM, remind me not to do any bushwhacks w. you. ;)”

lol”

“i love Marines.

Soldiers, Airmen, a few Sailors.

LOL!
last edited: 12/30/08 10:07:01 PM”

“Well, i very much appreciate everyones input. We've got a trip itinerary set and i've gotten alot out of this thread. We're starting at Jarman Gap and the finishing at the Tye river/Va-56 parking and trailhead area.”

“Heading south on the Blue Ridge will be a more strenuous hike than the Shenandoahs, but it should be a nice one. With the leaves gone, you'll have decent views. Be sure to have maps so you know about bailouts. As I remember, the hike down to the Tye is steep and rocky - if it's snowy or icy you might want an alternate bailout.”

“That will be one hump of a hike.
Thirty (or so) terrain miles isn't intimidating over a weeks time...but 16 (or so)miles of it is ascending and 14 (or so) descending at an average grade of 12%...not a hike for the weak of heart...even without a pack. Remember to have fun.”

“Anyone live between Knoxville and Memphis interested in keeping my dog for about 3 weeks until we close on the house??????”

“If you lived close, what would be one more wild dog wrastlin in the living room? lol”

“yeah Indiana is just a tiny bit out of the way:)”

“BUMP.. come on guys....anyone????”

“I really wish I could, NGB.

Keep bumping this up for a couple of days. Sometimes it takes a little while to find someone.”

“ship him to NY. we will take him :)”

“I know a few Japanese restaurants that will take him.......... just kidding.”

“geez i hate when I do this cause I always forget how to fix it.
how do I change the font size back so I can read everything on my pc.

everything is way to small...”

“Are you sure it's the compi? Maybe you need a new reading glass?

If not, do you see in the lower right corner of the screen a little magnifying glass with a percent number next to it? Try setting it to 100%”

“See I told you if you didn't stop doing that you'd go blind.”

“ok the font is not that small and i can read all that you punks worte.”

“haha thank you zac...oh and euro...bite me LOL

kisses**** :)~”

“What browser?”

“Firefox: Ctrl + 0

IE: View > Text Size > medium”

“has anyone here worked on Great Plains Accounting Software????? How does it compare to Quickbooks? Is it as easy to figure out??”

“guess you shouldn't have lied on your resume huh? ;0 j/k”

“Never heard of it”

“Bump....anyone????”

“i have never used it but ran my business on quickbooks for years. it was ok, but state payroll was terrible and i had to get outside help to make sure i did my employees withholding correctly. that was quite a while ago, so things might have changed. but i guess i wanted to point out that you need to look at all your accounting needs and that can include things like an accurate understanding of state and local withholding schedules. also, i had an employee who had a judgment filed against him and i was ordered to garnish his wages. i recall it was this issue that was a particular pain in the rear. i still used it for invoicing, managing the checking account, accounts receivable, etc. some of the reports it produced were helpful when i had to go to a bank to borrow money for a large project i did. again, that was a long time ago.”

“The company I am going to work for uses Great Plains. I have never used it and am just curious as to how it compares to QB in its ease of use etc. I imagine it is pretty comprible, it is a pretty well known package from an accounting standpoint. Quickbooks and Peachtree are the most used I do beleive tho.”

“Anyone in a 2-3 hour radius of Memphis interested in pet sitting an almost 2 year old female boxer??? Please Please!!”

“http://www.jillscrittercare.com/

Senatobia, MS”