~*~ QT 4-05 ~*~
Date:
Hikers: ardwick & Beki, TheMarlboroMan, spindle, BroodX, no_granola & lilmountaingirl
Mileage:
Elevation
Gain/Loss:
Friday
no_granola and I met in PA and left my car at a
Holiday Inn so that we could carpool to the trailhead. Fortunately, the traffic
on I-80 West wasn’t too bad and we were able to make good time on our way to
Parker Dam outside of
Our
plan was to hike about 2 ½ miles into a campsite so that we wouldn’t have to do
it in the morning. The rain was already coming down, and 
the forecast wasn’t too promising. We
geared up with all that waterproof stuff they sell in gear stores and headed
out for camp. It was about
It
only took about an hour or so to get to the campsite. Everyone went about
setting up their tents before cooking dinner. Sadly, the fire ban prevented us
from building a fire and keeping us warm from the chilly rain. It just wouldn’t
let up! It wasn’t long after dinner that I gave up trying to stay warm and
upright. I was ready to call it a night and catch some Z’s
Saturday
The
rain wasn’t about to give us a break, it just kept on a-comin’
as we packed up camp. A young man and his father passed through while we were 
getting ready to leave, and that was the
last we saw of humans for the remainder of the weekend. We hiked a few miles,
crossing roads here, there and everywhere but never seeing another person. We
stopped briefly at one point to shed some layers as the sun poked out through
the clouds at us. Conveniently, right around lunch time, the weather broke and
all of a sudden it was 70* and sunny. We just happened to be on a mountain with
a nice little view, so we decided it was a good time to rest.
We
commented on how strange the weather was behaving as clouds swept over the sky
and chilled us once again. Griswold joined us for lunch and a breath of fresh
air at the same time. TMM was the hero of the day as he presented us with some
amazingly yummy chocolate from
I
guess our hurry pissed off the Gods because the rain started coming down in
buckets! There was no point in even trying to stay slightly dry as it came
pouring down, and then sideways when the wind came through the tunnel-like
trail we were walking down. For about 20 minutes, it was looking like this was
going to be an utterly miserable day. We trudged along, crossing several
pipelines and open spaces (which would have made nice lightening strike spots).
We passed a giant field of boulders and rocks that we thought might be the
breeding ground for the PA Rocks. Or at the very lease, where the Boy Scouts
keep them until they are ready.
Early in the afternoon, we came through
the woods onto a road and a few hunting cabins. There was a nice stream so used
the opportunity to filter some water and check out some of the local fauna.
Immediately after the road crossing is an incredibly steep climb that follows a
stream bed. BroodX, no_granola
and spindle took off for the top. Ardwick, TMM and I mosied a bit, but soon enough, ardy
was gone as well. As TMM and I slowly made our way up I started feeling a
little funny. I’ve had it happen before where I get a little lightheaded, but
never on the trail. I found a rock, sat down, loosened my pack, and just tried
to breathe without passing out. I ended up sitting for about 15 minutes before
it passed. TMM was great and stayed with me the entire time, even offering to
hike up and then come back for my pack. I knew I would be okay, I just needed a
few minutes…but I was very grateful to have the company in case something had
gone wrong.
By
the time he & I reached the top, everyone was standing around waiting and
wondering what was going on. I felt bad for holding up the group but assured
everyone I was okay and we kept on trucking from there. At this point, the
terrain leveled out and was clear which made for quick moving. Over the river
and through the woods we went. We had decided to start looking for a place to
camp for the evening, but weren’t seeing a damn thing anywhere. A steep descent
into a valley rewarded us with a small site, but not enough for the entire
group and way too close to the stream. It was decided we would keep on
trekking. All of us were cold, tired and wet. Our feet hurt and we were ready
to camp.
At
the next road crossing, there was a little white hunting cabin. Hmmm. After
some scouting, we discovered a great little campsite by the creek.
Easy to filter water, plenty of space for
everyone’s tent, it would be perfect! It was stealth beyond stealth far, far
from civilization and people. Far from the comforts of home. As we started to
unpack, ardy was complaining about his head hurting
but didn’t know why. All I heard after that was cursing. Apparently, his white
gas had been leaking for God only knows how long. A lot of the things in his
pack smelled like gas…no wonder he had a headache! He was lucky…he smokes, and
lighting up with leaky white gas on your back is probably not very safe.
Everyone felt bad, but of course, laughed. That’s what we all do…we laugh at each
other’s expense. Welcome to the Mad-Atlantic.
Once
camp was set up, everyone cooked dinner and feasted as we chatted about the
weather, the trail and the day. The rain was still coming down slightly and it was
getting colder. I had packed in four
Sunday
Well,
we made it through the night without getting washed away. Too bad we woke up to
sleet and freezing rain though. Is there anything ELSE that the weather Gods
want to offer up for this trip? Please…
It
was decided before we left that when spindle returned for her QT thru-hike in
So
off we went once again. A little bit of a roadwalk
followed by some nice up and down segments in the woods. It felt good to be
moving. At one point, I passed no_granola on the
trail, and soon caught up with BroodX. spindle then
caught up with us and the three of us continued tromping through the forest. We
paused at the beaver dam to take some pictures and wait a spell for the others.
However, the chilly weather and freezing rain tempted us to keep moving for the
time being.
TMM,
no_granola, ardwick and I
went to Shoney’s for some yum-yum’s.
They sat us in the middle of the room right underneath a ceiling fan which in
turn, cleared the room right out. Not a smart business move. no_granola ate his weight in fried food, I’m sure of it. We
then piled into the cars and headed home. no_granola
and I got stuck in horrible I-80 traffic so we made some calls and took a
detour. Another Mad-Atlantic Adventure!
What I Learned:
~ Owners of hunting
cabins should be afraid….very afraid.
~ no_granola is a downhill machine!
~ How to go
through 4 seasons in 48 hours or less.
~ SQUEAKY-SQUEAKY
is always the appropriate response to something funny.
~ Standing still
in freezing rain sucks.
~ “C’mon
~ Back to Trip
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