Beginner-friendly midatlantic packers

“Trying to find backpacking opportunities with experienced backpackers in the midatlantic area. Been backpacking once before and loved it - would like to get into it more, but have been unable to find local friends who are interested. Experienced hiker, but don't really feel too good setting off into the woods for days on end alone - would prefer experienced company along for a while. Also like to find regional multi-day trips that aren't going to kill me (saw the week-long AT trip - hopefully someday but not quite yet!) but that would be a challenge.

State College, PA area - happy to travel around though. 26 year old guy, for what that matters.

Incidentally - have off work Aug 9th-16th. Realize it's short notice but would be game for a multi-day excursion if anyone on here is free.

Thanks for the input, all!”

“Thanks, I saw - hence the reference to the 8/9-8/16 trip. Floating this post out there on the off-chance that people didn't post every excursion on here.”

“There are some hikers known as The Boneheads who frequent Trail Talk who are known for their sometimes hare-brained escapades.

I count myself in that number and most of them are from Pennsylvania though I live in Merryland.

There are Boneheads in New York and New Jersey as well as one in Quebec.

Here is a trip that I might join....
http://thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1744.php

Mitch is the man to go with to see some Pennsylvania waterfalls.
last edited: 7/29/09 6:32:57 AM”

“The TT'ers in your area are a great bunch.

If you want to meet folks and get in some great dayhikes, make sure you go to the Ghosts of Masten trip.”

“uofdoboe, my son is in St College. he's been into rock climbing & mt. biking lately but have backpacked a good bit. I'm sure he'd be happy to get you involved in some activites in the area.
I've also been doing some dayhiking and mt. biking with some groups from meetup.com in the area.”

“*Bump*”

“Many of the folks in Central PA type out of both sides of their keyboard, so some things are also listed on the Backpacker magazine web site under the Mid-Atlantic regional forums (the so-called "other side"), even though it's many of the same folks who also post here.

Some of us are kind of doing an irregular weekend progression up the Mid State Trail. One problem is the next area in the progression is reportedly in pretty bad shape for maintenance, but a work crew is scheduled for mid-September. http://www.kta-hike.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=37 I probably don't have any free weekends until after that anyway so maybe I should schedule something.

You might also be very interested to check out pahikes.com - a site centered on your area.”

“There are Boneheads in New York and New Jersey as well as one in Quebec

and even a couple in Colorado.”

“MarkO, da primary Boneheads are up hills or rocks at the moment. ;)

I have nothing scheduled out that way during that timeframe backpacking wise...

Buuuut...if UofDoboe can get out on the 8th for a Jmitch hike (it's going to huuurrrt)...

UofDoboe, how does Oct look for you? Have you hiked the "Old Loggers Path" yet?”

“Thanks all. I checked out Jmitch's trip on the 8th - sounded great, but I have a prior commitment that day.

And yup, very familiar with pahikes.com - great site! I'd be game to chip away at the midstate.

Was looking at doing the Allegheny Front trail during my week off - but found out Penn State's got some freshman orientation trip that same week and is sending dozens of kids out on that trail. Kinda kills it.

Old Loggers Path is my fallback plan. Kinda nervous about doing it solo, but may go for it anyway.”

“Never under estimate the power of title 9. Go where the students are!”

“Up hills or rocks, eh?

It looks like yoo iz gonna git up a crick, Spin.”

“Cricks we has.

Paddles or no.”

“Up one crick and down the other....”

“MarkO, stop wussyfooting and sign up for my trip. Geez, if Spindle can do it, can't anyone?? I guess that didn't come out right...

Uofdoboe, the OLP is a fine trail for a solo, not too hard, not too easy, just right. There is almost always a few people on the trail, but rarely overcrowded.

I'll be backpacking more beginning in Nov.”

“I'll be backpacking more beginning in Nov.”

jmitch
2:33:05 PM
7/31/09

Just in time for deer season.”

“Hey now! Just what are you trying to say there Jmitch? hmmmm? ;)

UofDoboe, I've hiked OLP solo. And I'm a girl.

MarkO, you better sign on to Jmitchs hike or he will be stuck hiking with TWO girls...Fifeplayer and I...ALL BY HIMSELF.

And Fifeplayer will make both he and I look old and slow.”

“I wouldn't say hare brained escapades. I prefer eclectic adventures.”