BACKPACKING TRIP 2 days 1 night
- October 6, 2012 · 8:30 AM
Please don't think you need to run to REI and spend hundreds of dollars in backpacking gear. YOU DON'T NEED MUCH. Plus, I could provide tents(one of the most expensive pieces of gear) for at least 5 people.
Starting at Tiorati Circle, we'll hike 7.3 miles to West Mountain Shelter, where we'll spend the night. Next morning after breakfast we'll pack up and head to our final destination, Bear Mountain, 6.8 miles.
I personally love this section of the Appalachian Trail for its views(i promise you'll be taking a LOT of pictures) . There's also a ton of things to see and do at Bear Mountain, like visiting the FREE trail side museum, taking breathtaking pictures from the Bear Mountain Bridge or renting a boat to paddle around the lake.
I will provide a map and a copy of the Appalachian Trail Guide of this section to everyone attending this trip.
This is not a loop! We will be covering 14.1 miles of gorgeous terrain from point A to point B.
Notice the title says "all levels welcome". This is meant to be a beginner's friendly trip. If you have more experience please use it to help others have a better trip. And if you like to hike faster than the rest, be ready to either hike slow or go on your own ahead of the group.
This is the way it works:
We are all meeting at the parking lot in Bear Mountain and will leave half of the participating vehicles there. All of us will carpool in the remaining vehicles and drive to Tiorati Circle, where we'll start our hike. After finishing our hike on sunday, we'll carpool back to Tiorati Circle ( a 15 minutes drive) so everyone gets back to their car. THIS IS WHAT SECTION HIKERS DO WHEN PLANNING THEIR TRIPS.
Gear List:
-backpack
-Sleeping system:
-tent or tarp
-sleeping bag (20-30 degree rated)
-sleeping pad ( costs less than $10 )
-Mess Kit(cook kit):
-backpacking stove (if you don't have one don't run and buy it. We'll have the chance to make fire so you'll be able to cook on it)
-pot (backpacking kind) a $5 kit from walmart would even include a cup
-fork or spork
-clothing - AVOID COTTON IF POSSIBLE - the world won't end if you do use cotton, but wool and polyester are the winners when it comes to backpacking.
that said, beside your underwear, your first layer should be a tshirt and shorts. Your second layer could be a windbreaker, hoodie, or rain jacket plus long pants. You won't need more than that for this time of the year.
-extra clothes - you only need one change of clothes, if possible as little as 1 extra pair of socks and 1 extra piece of underwear. BE CAREFUL! this is where people tend to carry too much weight when they start getting into backpacking.
-headlamp or any other small flashlight (a must)
-small knife
-bandana
-bottles for at least 2 - 2.5 liters of water
-rain jacket/poncho
-if you don't have a way to purify water don't worry, you're more than welcome to use my hiker's filter.
NOTE : your pack shouldn't weigh more than 40-45 lbs (as light as 25-30 lbs) and everything(except maybe for your tent and sleeping pad) should fit in it.
FOOD FOR THIS TRIP:
-1 breakfast
-2 lunches
-1 dinner
Backpacking food comes in a huge variety of prices and styles. Email me if you need more information.
Unfortunately, I won't have the time to host another BACKPACKING WORKSHOP. So I'd like to know when would be a good time for you to have a video conference on Skype or Google+ so we can go over the basics.
Hiking is no walk in the park and you should be ready to sweat and to make several stops to rest and drink water.
I am confident that anyone willing to enjoy the outdoors can reach our daily goals.
This hike will have a sweeper (a person at the rear of the line making sure everyone's doing fine). We'll carry 2-way radios to make sure I'll know how everyone's doing even all the way in the back of the line(which could easily spread a few hundred yards). That way NO BODY gets left behind. And if you do fall behind the head of the group, our sweeper will be keeping an eye on you and will never walk past you.
MARIANO'S INFO :
[masked] CALL OR TEXT
[masked]
Skype : marianomza25
Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
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Brian
Something came up and I can't be there in the morning. There is an outside chance I can hit the trail at 1ish. If that works out I'll start out at the 7 Lakes Dr parking and take the short way in. Best case scenario I beat you all there and have wood collected and a fire going to welcome you. Assuming I can find wood. There ain't much up there.
1 · October 4
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Mariano
there isn't much at all... but i'll give you a little hint.. go down to that seasonal spring just don't from the shelter and you'll find more there.
October 5
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Mariano
hey Brian..i thought of you on saturday.. i carried this log for like half a mile before the shelter haha.. just to find there was plenty of wood up there.. i was surprised!
We are planing the next one! hope you make that one!October 8
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Jena
Another great time with awesome people! Thank u Mariano! Can't wait for the next one =)
October 7
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Mariano
Everyone was GREAT. I'm so damn proud of this group of hikers!. It was really fun talking and laughing around a campfire! Special thanks to Jens an Al, which I was told led the group when I was busy assisting someone in the rear, and to Luis!! for his never ending patience!. Everyone had everything they needed and did a good job following some of my tips on gear.
I can't wait. CAN'T WAIT. To hit a trail with you guys again!
October 7
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Mariano
yes... we'll get wet. Bring a rain poncho and make sure your tent is waterproof. :)
October 5
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Tom Cortez
Jena, I think you mentioned I might be able to hitch a ride with you??? Mariano, I was about to buy a new tent since I havent seen mine in a few years and I think it was fairly large. Do you have anything extra small to mid size I could coordinate with someone else and split up the weight with?
October 2
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Jena
Hey Tom, I still have room in my car if you want to carpool. We have to be at Bear Mtn by 8:30, so you should be to me by 7:30-7:45... does that work for you? Where are you coming from?
October 3
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Jason
Backpack
Sleeping bag, therma-rest
Two person tent
Cooking pot with esbit stove
Duct tape
Bug spray
Camelbak bladder
Camp cup
Cell phone
Garbage bags
Mini lantern
Hand sanitizerClothing wise:
Rain coat
Base layer shirt
Long sleeve synthetic shirt
Spare undies and socks
Gaiters
Synthetic pants1 · October 2
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Mariano
good idea... just so anything happens to the filter. I thought about bringing some too.
October 3
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Jena
Hey Tom, yesterday I posted that I was leaving from Mahwah if anyone wants to carpool - since then I believe 3 people were added to my car. If so, I might have room for 1 more (hopefully, with all our backpacks?) - lemme just double check how many are meeting me at my house and I will let you know!
October 3
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Mariano
ok ppl.. here's my gear list for this trip.
Backpack
Sleeping bag+bag liner+pad+tinny ultralight pillow
5' by 7' tarp (for a tent)
Water filter (you don't need to carry one! )
Small first aid kit
Backpacking cooking pot
Backpacking "super cat stove"+ 4oz of fuel
Toothbrush+toothpaste tube - travel size!
2oz of biodegradable camp soap = hand sanitizer
100' of paracord (or thin nylon cord)
Two 1 ltr bottles with water+ camel pack(maybe)
Insect repellent
Camera
2 rolls of biodegradable toilet paper (for the group!)
Hiking poles
Bandana
flint/lighter
Knife
Small trash bag (ziplog)Clothes I'll wear: polyester shorts, wool socks, hiking shoes, polyester t-shirt, ultralight windbreaker.
To sleep: long johns, extra wool socks, long sleeved polyester base layer(shirt)Food ( I love coocking while backpacking but I'll keep it simple on this trip)
Lunch: 6" sandwich from subway
Dinner: 6" sandwich from subway
Breakfast: oatmeal and coffee
Snacks: energy barsOctober 2
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Mariano
Great idea Jason. I'll list my things for everyone to see what i'm taking.
EVERYONE should have a headlamp or small flashlight .October 2
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Jason
I saw the alternate location and was wondering how bad the tick situation is? High Point state park is usually crawling with the nasty little buggers.
October 1
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Mariano
I've been out there lots of times and never got a tick bite. Just bring insect repellent with deet. I'm having trouble finding "reliable" parking at High Point. I'm working on a new section right between high point and harriman state park. This might annoy some people but believe me...it's been really hard to find another spot with good parking, ok mileage, shelter, water, etc. So please bare with me... I'll update all the new info tomorrow.
October 2
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Rodrigo
Hi everyone! Anybody driving from Manhattan with room available? Or I could meet you in a Path station in NJ. Of course we split fuel/tolls expenses.
Thanks!October 1
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Tom Cortez
Mariano...
I just saw your email about the murder suspect hiding in the woods near where we wanted to go camping. Does somebody have a concealed carry permit and a tool they can bring to blast this guy if he pops up on us with the funny games???
I also checked the weather report and it says some rain on saturday as of now... I know they have a hard time with what the weather is going to be like when we are talking about as soon tomorrow or even later this afteroon. What is the course of action in the event of a rainy saturday/sunday?
Also-- at what rate do you expect us to complete the 7-8 miles on day 1?? I am trying to figure out at what time we will be setting up the camp and cooking dinner... Not trying to do that stuff in the dark while its raining.
***PSA TO EVERYONE**** --- MAKE SURE YOU BRING A GROUND TARP FOR UNDER YOUR TENT... POTENTIAL RAIN/SHOWERS SATURDAY MORNING/DAY.
-Tom
September 30
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Mariano
About pace now. Most of the people attending this event will comfortably walk 1.5 miles per hour. If we all meet by 8 or 8 30 am, we should be able to start hiking by 9 (hopefully). So we would get to "camp" no later than 4 or 4 30 pm. It's hard to tell because I don't know exactly how fast everyone will work and there's absolutely no rush. That's why we have a sweeper. I wouldn't mind getting to camp half an our earlier and get firewood and such.
September 30
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Mariano
And about your comment. He's nowhere near where we were going to camp. Harriman state park is huge!.. and he's way south from there. Plus.. he's not a serial killer, just someone trying to hide from people.. and the appalachian trail... compared to other trails.. is like a very busy highway.. a world famous highway. Too popular for someone trying to hide.
September 30
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Amanda
I would love to go but live in Baltimore now. Advise...my first backpack trip I took way to much. Don'[t over pack on food...bring something easy like dehydrated soup or tuna in packet that won't go bad, but easy to pack. Clothing no COTTON...it hold moisture like crazy.For pant I recommend hiking ones that you can remove bottom part to create shorts...breathable material, windproof and most can withstand some water on them. Being extra socks like he stated, and re-wear clothing just bring an extra -tshirt or something to sleep in.sleeping bag cover can covert to pillow by stuffing with clothing. For those who need toilet paper take center roll out and decompress (bring slightly used rolled so it doesn't take up as much space).Campmor, REI, Walmart, Target, etc have camping supplies...aka clothing, sleeping bag/pads, tents, plastic sporks, etc.
Have fun. And don't over pack less is more don't forget travel size toothbrush & toothpaste.can also get odor proof bags at Campmor for $9.
1 · September 29
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Mariano
thanks a lot Amanda for sharing this tips that I'm sure will be very helpful for a lot of us.
About toilet paper.. I don't want you guys carrying any kind of toilet paper.. I'll bring 3 full rolls of biodegradable toilet paper, and that will be more than enough for everyone.. (1 roll will) . So if you don't have the biodegradable, don't bring any. We'll have enough.
September 29
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Jena
Cross your fingers that they catch the guy hiding out in Harriman by the time we take this trip!
September 28
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Jason
Mariano, can you pdf a map of the trail you plan on hiking? Might not be able to make it at 8:30 (most likely will be an hour behind you). If you have a gdb file it would be even better.
September 5
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Kat Sotillo
Tom, I live in Clifton, I can pick you up and we can carpool. I'll message you my phone #.
1 · September 15
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Tom Cortez
Awesome, thanks for the offer and heads up. I was supposed to have moved to montclair by then but I will still be in Garfield which is actually very close to Clifton... they actually share a border.
September 23
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Mariano
about 6 people can stay in the shelter. But keep in mind that there are more people out there.. so shelter space is not guaranteed. I'm planning to stay in the shelter but i'm still taking a tarp just in case. In the best case scenario, we'll have the shelter all to ourselves .
September 10
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Sylvie
First it was on the 29th, which I accepted. Then pushed to the 6th, which is not ideal for me, but never mind... I re-arranged my plans accordingly so now I have scheduled something else for the 29th. If you put it back to the original date, I won't be able to make it anymore.
It is not the end of the world but Mariano, just go with what fits YOU because it is impossible to make everybody happy :-) and you are kind enough to organize it for us all. I am sure everyone will understand if you have to make a choice that doesn't suit all.1 · September 9
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Mariano
thanks for the support and for being so understanding :)
I'll wait for more "votes".
September 9
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Marlene Stapinski
Does it really have to be pushed to the 6th? Not sure now if I can go :(
September 7
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Mariano
we'll.. i thought that colombus day weekend would be more appropriate since people will have the long weekend off. I even posted a comment asking for opinions.
September 8
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Jena
I don't have a tent either, and am willing to share the load, if there's one still free.
September 5
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Mariano
There are more free tents. Chances are you're going to share with Marlene, Kat or Laura. I only pair people of the same gender. But is ultimately up to you.
September 5
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Mariano
Jason is right. They also work if someone close to you snores lol. It happens! . As for me...it makes me nervous not to be able to listen to my surroundings. I like to be aware.
September 5
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Gustavo Miron
I have a 2 person winter backpacking tent but its 8lbs. I can share space with anyone that doesn't mind splitting the weight.
September 5
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Mariano
Thanks for the offer Gustavo. I'll let you know if i know of anyone. I think that shelter and carpooling were the most challenging aspects of this hike .. but it seems like we'll have it easy. THANKS EVERYONE! That's one hell of a start
September 5
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Mariano
QUESTION ... WOULD IT BE BETTER TO HAVE THIS MEETUP ON COLOMBUS DAY WEEKEND? THAT WILL BE FROM OCT 6TH TO THE 7TH.
September 3
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