LM: Assateague Shuttle Hike, 24 miles
- March 9 · 8:00 AM
***This is an updated trip description, based on what I've learned about backpacking Assateague. Due to the length of the car shuttle, the few miles involved, and the NPS' rather restrictive permitting system (they don't issue permits after about 4pm), we're going to switch this to a single night out. It will still be a lot of fun, but there's no way we'd be happy doing four or five hours of driving on Friday night. So, we'll switch it up. That means that this is also now a "low mileage" trip, suitable for new folks.***
So, we'll meet up at Grosvenor, Saturday morning, 8am, and we'll drive to Toms Cove, Virginia. There we'll leave cars for the shuttle, and drive to the North Ocean Beach in Maryland. We'll be good citizens and get our $6 permits. Hopefully, we'll be walking by 1pm-ish. We must be there no later than 2pm, or they won't issue the permit.
You can check out the NPS various rules on this one here.
Here is one map. And PATC also has a good online resource.
On Saturday, we'll walk about 12 miles in to either the State Line campsite (ocean) or the Pope Bay campsite (bay), where we'll spend the night, hopefully with a nice campfire.
Sunday, we'll wake and walk the remaining 12 miles south to Toms Cove Virginia. Reverse the shuttle, find a pub, celebrate.
Please note that you will have to carry your water for this entire stretch, so do some thinking about that.
Finally, I have scanned in a nice description from an out of print book describing this trip. Give it a read. Note that the Sinepuxtent Campsite (the secret to an additional night and extra mileage) is no longer useable as it has been washed over.
Trip size is limited to ten. We'll nail down the final logistics next week.
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Douglas
to subvert a well-known phrase from 1970's television: I love it when a plan doesn't come together. those things outside your control, like weather, or NPS bureaucracy (or both!) can really elevate a trip above just having a nice weekend walk.
March 14
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Michael Martin
Well said, Doug! What would be the fun in doing something where everything goes according to plan? Fortunately, I rarely have that problem? ;)
March 15
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Brian
Two clips I posted on YouTube showing the tidal overflows we were dealing with at the end of the day on Saturday - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=.... My first youtube postings and they seem to need a little work, but they get the idea across.March 12
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Brian
An awesome group this weekend! Hiking along the ocean was a new and fun experience. The miles seemed to fly by, and just when they started getting monotonous, something interesting got thrown into the mix.
March 11
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George Davis
Awesome trip, it was really cool to hike along the shoreline and everyone in group was fun to hang out with and very knowledgeable.
March 11
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Jen
Class 1(75) fun all the way. It was a great two days on the beach - the miles flew by. Thanks again for a great trip.
March 11
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Michael Martin
Thanks, everyone for a great group and a great 28 miles along the beach! Obviously the logistics were challenging and, well, our "donation" to the park service raised the adventure bar some. I hope everyone had fun. I certainly appreciate everyone's good will and patience. Full trip report tomorrow!
March 10
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Michael Martin
Make sure it's a full tang survival knife. You really can't go into the woods without one.
March 8
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Michael Martin
For tomorrow, do keep in mind that it will be a little breezy and our campsite is entirely exposed, so don't forget stuff to keep the wind off, like a wind shirt or a shell. MM
March 8
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George Davis
Just checked and there's an REI garage sale going on this Saturday in Rockville :(
March 7
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George Davis
Forgot to ask, but does anyone know whether or not 6" MSR groundhog stakes will work in the ground/sand we'll be camping on?
March 7
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Michael Martin
Well, I don't know, for sure, but I hear that regular stakes often work adequately in sand. I know that I got mine to work in volcanic sand through liberal application of giant rocks. I did purchase (and I'm probably bringing with me) five snow/sand sands. I'm keen to experiment with them. I never really camped on a beach before.
March 8
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Travis
Something to think about:
Coast Guard Looking For Missing Vessel, Two Men 15 Miles Off Assateague Island
ASSATEAGUE -- The Coast Guard late Wednesday afternoon continues to search for two men missing from a disabled fishing vessel 15 miles off the coast of Assateague after rescuing via helicopter a third man who was found in a life boat.
Around 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Coast Guard Fifth District watchstanders received an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, from the 67-foot fishing vessel “Seafarer” reporting a position about 15 miles off the coast of Assateague Island. The Coast Guard contacted the vessel’s owner, who believed the “Seafarer” had become disabled and the vessel’s sister ship started towing the “Seafarer.”March 6
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Douglas
hope they're ok. reminds me of the Cranberry Wilderness trip from almost 18 months ago, and the hiker who'd gone missing there in May earlier that year. Though on this trip I will miss Haley but not her "vitriolic expositions"...
March 6
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Michael Martin
Yeah, hope they make it. In November, while trying to set up the worldest easiest Himalayan trek, I inadvertently took Laura and her fried over the precise stretch of trail where this young person disappeared ... http://aubreysacco.co...
...March 7
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Michael Martin
How many park passes do we have? The park ranger says that we have to pay $15 per car (in addition to the $6 per person backcountry fee) that we leave on the Maryland end, but that fees do not apply for those with NPS passes. I have one: I assume a few of you guys them too. Also, I think we're going to use the State Line campsite--it's right on the ocean.
March 4
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Michael Martin
So, you have a wolf, a chicken, and a bag of grain, and you need to get them safely to the other side of the river ... ;) ... Yes, it's amazing how much easier it is to shuttle 8 than 12. Definitely only six cars until it drops down to 6-7, in which case we can make do with four. I'm going to wait till Wednesday night / Thursday morning to finalize this, in case there are any more drops. The ideal situation would involve an adequate number of seats, no more cars than necessary, and a park pass in each car. Jen and Travis have both pointed me towards park and ride facilities east of town that could be used. We'll figure it out. I think everyone is solid, but I have yet to hear from Matt.
March 5
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Travis
I've given up going fri. So if I could get in on the carpool. As before. I have 5 seats and 2 could fit in the back.
March 5
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Brian
I live in Wheaton, which is about 2 miles north of the Beltway on Georgia Ave, so north of Silver Spring. Picking me up would be convenient for anyone taking the Beltway north of the city.
March 4
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Michael Martin
I think we're going to have to hit this brewery on the way home:
http://evolutioncraftbrewing.co...
;)
1 · March 3
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Chris Moran
Does anyone have thoughts about using a bivy sack next weekend rather than a tent? Cuts out a little more than a pound of weight over the tent and there is nothing to stake out in the sand. We also won't have insects to worry about. Not as comfortable, I realize, as a tent.
March 2
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Michael Martin
Chris, last couple of trips (winter), I've been sleeping in a tarp + bivy arrangement, and I find that I quite like it. I've never bothered, yet, zipping up the bivy around my head, but I can't say that I feel uncomfortable in it. I rather like the cocoon-like feel. And for winter trips the bivy gives you lots of options for stashing things close to your body to keep them relatively warm. Haven't totally decided what I'm taking next weekend. What model bivy and tent are we talking? It ought to save you more than a pound, in most cases, I'd guess.
March 3
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Michael Martin
Weather report for this is looking better and better:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/u...
After rediscovering winter again yesterday on my CHC day hike, better weather is welcome!
March 3
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Michael Martin
I suppose the main thing is that we end up at Toms Cove at the right time with enough car seats to make the shuttle work for everyone. Who all is planning to drive their car there, and who most definitely needs a ride? Doesn't matter so much where we leave from.
February 27
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Miles Barger
Yep, I'll drive. I drive a Toyota Camry, which can fit 4 (myself included) w/moderate packs or 3 w/big packs.
March 2
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Douglas
I guess it really depends on where is most convenient for the car-less people to get to. If I were going to pick someone up who needs a ride, it would be more convenient for me to pick them up at New Carrollton. But for someone driving down from Maryland, Grosvenor or somewhere else on one of the northern branches of the Red Line could be more convenient.
February 28
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Travis
I'm coming from ellicott city and I might go fri night. I have a empty friends house I think I can use
Does this help anyone?February 27
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Michael Martin
@Noam, Shelby ... Do remember that if you have the "member" rank and you've not paid your dues yet this year, you'll need to for this trip. $10. Easiest on the website via AmazonPay.
February 27
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Michael Martin
@Chris, Dmitri ... We'll take stock of the waiting list situation early next week, but I think you guys can plan on going. Those campsites are quite large, so taking a few extra people should be no biggie, so long as we have car space.
February 27
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Dmitri T.
I've done this backpack 2 times. You have 2 options for staking the tent - buy very wide aluminum stakes at the Sports Authority or bring several trash bags, fill them with sand and use them instead of stakes.
Walking on this particular coast is very easy. Plus you get to meet the ponies.
February 26
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Miles Barger
One piece of sand advice: I was surprised by how cold the sand was at Oregon Dunes. The low was around 35, but the sand, which was holding a lot of moisture from the day's drizzle (imagine that—drizzle on the Oregon Coast!), had a lot of thermal draw. So, I wouldn't recommend skimping on your pad thinking the sand will be nice and soft, lest you end up with cold butt syndrome.
February 26
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Michael Martin
Hi Travis ... because of the way we screen people (online application, etc.), we don't really allow guests for backpacking trips (socials are fine). If your friend wants to apply and join us, then he/she can sign up like everyone else. Sorry if this seems strange: we have had some screening issues, historically.
February 26
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Miles Barger
I'm driving from Harpers Ferry. If anyone from out this way needs a ride in to Grosvenor, let me know.
February 26
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Michael Martin
Excellent, Miles! I look forward to meeting you! Glad to hear that the dunes are not so bad. I've never walked very far on sand myself.
February 26
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Miles Barger
Ah, sand miles. Once did a 10-mile out-and-back on the beach of Oregon Dunes. Tiring in a particular way, but not so bad.
February 26
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Douglas
Illuminating beach hiking footwear thread from BPL:
http://www.backpackinglight.com...
February 25
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Michael Martin
"It would be wise to put aside one's preconceptions about beach walking before attempting a backpack on Assateague, particularly a long one. This is not nearly as casual as might be imagined. Most of the walk will be right at the tide line, where the sand is firmest, which means that wet feet are constantly part of the trip -- pleasant in bare feet or sandals, but a problem if one chooses to wear the conventional boots and socks. Consider running shoes or sports sandals. Either wear socks or bring lots of sunscreen - and use it. Badly sunburned feet can virtually cripple you. If you do opt for socks, make sure they are of a fabric that sheds water and dries readily, such as wool, polypropylene or a technical polyester like Patagonia's Capilene. Cotton socks are NOT recommended."
February 26
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Michael Martin
Just letting you guys know that I am starting to plan this thing actively. It will be quite the expedition. We'll need to carry fresh water *for the entire trip* so you can leave your water treatment behind. More details forthcoming.
February 25
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George Davis
Definitely going to join this one -- the 8th is the day our spring break starts and my usual hiking partners will all be gone for break.
February 22
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Brian
Should be interesting with the March breezes/wind coming off the water. Also some different challenges - softer sandy tent anchors and protecting food from wild horses instead of bears.
December 27
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Brian
It all sounds good to me. I think you have it about right. http://www.intellicas...
Getting into April it looks like it starts getting warm enough for the bugs, so March is probably best. It will be interesting to see how the sand miles go, not having done any before. It just got me thinking of how the snow slowed us down on the AFT. It could be that it just depends how far up one walks from the surf for softer or harder sand. But hey, there's always a little wiggle room to push some miles to Sunday if need be.December 27
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7 attended
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Travis
Member
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Brian
Veteran Member (2) (B~~~), Assistant Organizer
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George Davis
Member
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Miles Barger
Member, Assistant Organizer
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Jen
Veteran Member (Shuttle), Assistant Organizer
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