Trip Planning

Joe and I timed some of the distances we paddled this past weekend. 

From the Webbs Ferry boat launch [ny/pa border] to Hooks Brook campground: 45 minutes

Hooks brook to Handsome Lake campground: 1 hour

We estimate an additional hour to Pine Grove campground and (at least) another hour from there to Morrison campground (our ambitious destination).  Weather permitting, I think this is very reasonable to complete in a day...as long as we break it up into smaller paddles over the whole day (4+ total hours in the boats).  We can certainly enter at Roper Hollow and/or change our "final destination" for day 1 as needed. 

Joe and I intend to drop my car off at the Morrison trail head with food and supplies on Wednesday AM, so we will have to make it there before our provisions run out (extra motivation). 

After several days in the woods/on the water, I anticipate our return trip may have to broken up over two days...we'll have to wait and see!  We can always pull the boats out at Kinzua beach if we run into problems or are lazy. We can hike out to my car and drive over to get Joe's truck. The beach also has showers!

I am really excited to explore the lower sections of the Reservoir, virgin territory!  Only two more weeks...I hope I get my pool deck built by then...ugh. 

Allegheny trip last couple of days

Here is a link to some pictures from our short allegheny trip.

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s2/sh/791b7538-9783-4c79-b610-25c21bd88827/5691caf0a3502e3d4b7832156dff2ec1

Lots of lessons learned and a few reminders that the weather decides our trip more than we do.  We did get to do what we wanted to do, so the trip was a great success, even in the cold and wet environment.  I got a new shirt out of it that had washed up on the shore, and it was even the right size!  One lesson I learned, the new cooler bags work awesome, well at least when it's in the 30's at night and 50's during the day.

The Most Important Thing

Here we are, only three weeks away...can't believe it.

So my question today is, how do you guys make coffee?

Inspirations...

Let's hope that our trip is just as exciting!?

I think that is a hot dog stand!

Fish food?

Anyone need some training "wheels"?

Latest Purchase

Great find Joe!  I think two of these insulated bags will address our food/beverage storage needs adequately.  Joe and I have plenty of dry bags of various shapes and sizes to carry all this shit.  Here is my (tentative) gear list for your consideration.

Meal Preparation:

1. pots/pans
2. Nalgene (1) 1 liter bottle +(2) collapsible 2 liter canteens  (I have extras)
3. Coffee mug  (I have extras)
4. (4) plastic plates and utensils
5. backpacker stove + (2) fuel canisters
6. Water pump/purification

Shelter:

1. (2) Hennessey Sleep Hammocks
2. Ultra lite 4 man tent
3. Utility Tarp

 Sleep:

1. Sleeping bag
2. Bag liner
3. Sleeping mat (I have extra self-inflating mats in various shapes and sizes)

Misc:

1. Headlamps (I have extras)
2. Knife
3. Toilet Paper/trowel
4. Sunscreen
5. Bug Spray
6. Axe/saw
7. Paracord/straps
8. Hammock
9. Camp chair
10. First Aid Kit/meds
11. Swim goggles/ear plugs
12. PFD
13. Warm hat/gloves
14. Baseball hat/sunglasses

Clothing:

1. (2) convertible pants
2. (2) short sleeve t-shirts/ (1) long sleeve t-shirt
3. (1) long sleeve camp shirt
4. (1) sweat shirt
5. Rain Gear (I have an extra set, jacket/pants)
6. Long underwear (just in case)
7. Swim trunks
8. (2) pair socks
9. (2) pair five finger shoes
10. Hiking boots

Starting to gather the gear together

 These are the packs I have available:  small hydration pack with minimal storage; small day pack; and overnighter.  Won't need all three of course.  I may just use the big one as my carry-on.

 This is my nicely compact sleeping bag.  Only good down to about 30 degrees, so let's have good weather.  Deb says I'm gonna come back with a million bug bites -- did you know we just don't have those bitey bugs out here?  Well, not nearly as many, anyway.  It's kind of nice.

My favorite hikers, for when we're clocking miles in the woods.  I will probably need some water shoes too, now that I'm thinking of it.

PS:  what's the tick population like in Pennsylvania in June?

The countdown continues

Our weekend camping trip was not one for the ages...what did we learn?

1. Telescopes are a pain in the ass and are not intended for those with short attentions spans (which all of us had this weekend).
2. Camping sans children is the way to go!
3. Traveling 2.5 hours to campground is unnecessary for any reason.
4. Joe needs to invest in a better sleeping bag and mattress (sleeping bag problem resolved!)
5. No one should be expected to spend $21 to sleep on the cold ground and tents do not retain heat whether the flap is closed or not (despite what Joe thinks) at an R value of zero!
6. My tent was crowded with two adults and 3 children.
7. Never travel without beer!
8. Forest Rangers like Smores.
9. Joe flunked his fire starting merit badge.
10. We need to figure out how to pack more efficiently or we are going to be in big trouble!

 With 37 days remaining, it's time to get serious about this trip!