A new direction

Or much of the same... Either way, documents have been transferred to http://finedeposits.wordpress.com/

Dark and Dirty Trail Run 2011

6.66 miles of hundreds of runners funneling through a single file trail at night...
I convinced Chitlin to join me for this event in Reading last evening. Conditions ended up being perfect for a trail run; rainy, muddy, and lots of wackos. -> We ran with a teletubby for a few miles until he had to take his head mask off to avoid overheating.

Mile 5ish came to a clearing out of the trees where the blinding red lights of the pagoda became muffled in the fog like a space ship was beaming us up for probing. Instead it was a beer station serving America's oldest brewery's finest lager. We decided to take 5 and enjoy a few.

Post race entertainment involved hot dogs and kraut, beer, soft pretzels, and plenty of candy. Plus entertainment in the form of a dirty old man singing drunken songs about titties and beer with the help of his accordion. He happened to do a great cover of "country roads" accompanied by an uptempo drum track.

The Whippin' Post: Paw Paw, WV

A couple weeks ago I attended the Association of Mid Atlantic Aquatic Biologists 2011 conference in Cacapon State Park, WV. As Chitlin and I have been in a frolf frenzy, I searched for courses in the vicinity. The Whippin’ Post was listed on dgcoursereview stating "The Paw Paw courses in rural West Virginia are without a doubt one of the top disc golf destinations in the US. Not only is the disc golf fantastic but beautiful scenery and wildlife abounds."



Absolutely out there- Not the easiest to get to, but well worth it, driving on winding dirt roads over ridges with steep drop offs. The plot of land itself is a gem. A "Paw Paw" sign on the barn and two greeting dogs told me that my google directions had lead me to the right destination. I explored the barn a bit to find a sign pointing to sodas in the refrigerator, a lounging couch, and a coffee can for course fees. I dropped my $5 in the can and headed for the first tee to be greeted by the owner- a wonderfully generous woman, who ran in to copy a map for me... The map shows both courses. I was fortunate to have the course to myself, as I expect it to be most days, being so far from anything. Not a sound to be heard other than a few early spring birds.

The course itself was more challenging than Buchmiller Park's layout. LONG holes, many trees, deep valleys, and water hazards... I intend to return for a weekend of camping, swimming, and frisbee.

In honor of last week's 115th Boston Marathon

Photo of my post race shirt/bib in the 2010 Adirondack Marathon

one year on the AT (on repeat)

Pictures taken between March 2009 and March 2010. More frequent during seasonal transitions, and harder to get to this location in the snow. My camera was perched upon a gate post with a paint chip marking the centerline.

I was surprised to see only two hikers while taking my routine pictures. Although, it is understandable, as most thru-hikers do stay at the Doyle (6 miles south). A 4:30 occurrence would mean one of two scenarios: A. hangover or B. not a thru-hiker... Choice A would also constitute not being a thru-hiker because the metabolism of a thru-hiker destroys those toxins. Otherwise the hiker would be a yellowblazer with a weak metabolism.

Trail Run: Swatara State Park

I stopped over at Swatara State Park for a trail run last week with the opportunity to try a phone app I just downloaded. "My Tracks" recorded my path along the A.T. (south), tracked elevation, speed, distance, and time. A graph output shows double y-axis variables elevation and speed vs. distance for an interesting graphic. I could easily pick out the creek where I wandered, looking for some rocks to hop across before I decided to pull up my pants and run through.
The best part of the app is that can be shared to google my maps, complete with a selectable finish point with an elevation graph.

View 2011-03-04 16:46 in a larger map

Fun with Delorme Topo Maps 5.0

Slightly outdated, but I recently explored the use of this mapping program essential for outdoor enthusiasts. As a test run, I examined the Mahoosuc Notch/Arm area of the A.T.'s lower Maine. What stands out about this program's contents is the info about Mountain ascent/descent/prominence, etc.- also the many trails and trail names given. The East map set includes everything from Maine to Florida, as well as the Upper Midwest, meaning I should get as much use out of it while I am still East of the Mississippi.



The image displays the 3D window to the left, and the highlighted section of the A.T. that runs through the Mahoosuc Notch (hardest scramble/squeeze/crawl) of the trail, then heads up the Mahoosuc Arm. The profile is shown below, and although illegible in the image, trail accent/descent, milage, and grade is provided to the right. For more info: http://www.delorme.com/

12,500 miles in one year

Samuel Gardner is attempting this feat. Paraphrasing his "tweet"- "if only this blog app would work on my phone". Seems to care too much about who is watching him. I'm not sure of this guy yet, intentions or character, but I will be sure to follow his google lat/lon occasionally.

Channeling Ned Smith

Snow shoe'd my mountain (peter's) this afternoon. Probably the last day snow shoes will suffice until the next snow. Following some tracks I was able to make out a few squirrels, deer, cross-country skis, keens -womens size 8, and Asolos size 11. Watched a red-headed woodpecker much like the one above, although I didn't have the means to get a picture.

Deer Leap trail, VT

Took a long weekend to get into the woods and ski a bit. After snowboarding 2 days Big Bird and I needed a rest, so we hiked. From the intersection of Rt. 4 at the Inn at the Long Trail, take the blue blaze up towards the A.T. Deer Leap Trail is a side trail to a vista above the Inn (about 1.5 mi one way). Tested out my recent Craigslist snow shoe purchase.

In the picture, Rt.4 is below with Pico ski resort on the far side of the valley. A good day involves the trail across the street from the Inn. Hike in with your board up to meet a Pico slope for a free ride. One can also attempt it on Killington, though the hike is much farther.

trail mapping

ExplorePAtrails was launched by DCNR within the last year or so. When last checked, it contained 320 trail names and 7,205 miles of trails to be searched by location or name using the interactive Google maps platform. Recommendations and pictures can be sent to add to the growing list of trails-> descriptions and links are also provided. I find the site useful for learning new trail locations within a short driving distance. The more suggestions they receive, the better it will be...

recent Caving

As caving ethics go, I will not say where, but I explored a Central PA cave on my day off for veteran's day. Rob, Chitlin, and I followed directions given by a grotto member- who supplied the cave map as well.

Spent 3+ hours underground without seeing all the rooms on the map, which is for the best- so we can get some pictures to document the cave's splendor. Our bodies were covered in too much mud to properly wipe off our hands to use a camera. Documented some translucent insects, salamanders, and bats (free of white nose syndrome).

Up on the hill

Spent another night on the hill known as Peter's Mountain last week. A cold, windy November night, I set up my tent inside the shelter by the parking lot. That parking lot is always busy, no matter the time of year. Although, I believe the car that was idling in the parking lot was of the feds who were supposedly investigating the case of the infamous tire dumper. It was the clearest night on Peters Mountain I have seen-no need to rush into the morning, but daylight savings has ended.

memories of when..........

3 days, or so, before reaching amicolola falls in 2008. In the town of Helen, GA, which happens to be a spectacle of sorts for attracting tourists to its immitation german style. Fun times at the bar for Karaoke night, and Creeture's uncle to celebrate with us.

Mt. Nittany: state college PA

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in State College for a conference. When speakers and receptions were all said and done, went up to check out Mt. Nittany on a gorgeous early evening. Just a few miles from S. Atherton, and from what I understand, a bus stops just down the hill from the trailhead. The trail system is interconnected loops (blue trail and white trail). I laced up my trail runners for a jog to cover the perimeter of the trails, switching between blue and white. Enjoyable overall, with a view down upon happy valley.

Vermont LT/AT section

A great section equipped with a guaranteed ride back to your car (unless its a sunday). "The Bus" runs M-Sat between these towns. Starting at Manchester Center VT, heading north on the LT/AT- met up with Chitlin and Dutch on their trip north (PA -> ME). The trip is 50 miles total, finishing at the Inn at the Long Trail, Rutland/Killington VT. Camping is available in the grass patch across from the Inn, which is a good chance to have a few beers and not have to hike out to camp. Reminiscent of first time through during my thru.

Day 1 up Bromley, and down quickly as a thunder/lightning storm passed through.
I may do this in a series of posts.. To end the beginning- a few pictures from Bromley.

1 46er down, 45 to go.

Traveled to the Adirondacks for a marathon a week ago, so naturally I had to summit one of the 46ers. Due to race recovery and weather conditions, Grandma and I chose Giant Mountain. Trailhead is 5.6 miles on 73 W from the Rt 9 intersection (near Chapel pond). 3.7 miles to the summit- 4625' ish. quite a hike in wet conditions. Reminiscent of SW Maine; rockslab trails to slide down most of the way. Unfortunately, no view from atop, but loaded up on red blood cells just the same - to feed the worms.

Boiling Springs(ish) to Caledonia. Or anywhere in between

Started at Lisburn Rd, 4 miles North of Boiling Springs. Chitlin and I camped two nights-hiked 3 days. Swimming occurred at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, not sure of the Pond name. Yogi'd along the way. Almost scored some brews from a cooler at a campsite after passing 2 guys early one morning, but upon opening their cooler, realized there were others still sleeping at their campsite... Walked away quietly when they started unzipping their tent to get out.

Below are the maps I created for the first 2 days of hiking. The second has an insert in the bottom corner of the 3rd day's hike. Shapefiles for shelters were helpful in creating these files with topo basemaps. Great section to hike, although no views-typical for PA.

Day 1

Days 2 and 3

Dolly Sods Wilderness

Red Creek headwaters and surrounding bog
atop the plateau, as seen from camp.

Machette in the distance. We took a break to
boulder a bit.




The Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia is said to be the highest of its type-on the east coast (Ave. 4000 ft). I visited the trail system atop the plateau in mid June. Almost nobody else to be seen or heard on top, although we did hear the sounds of a female at the height of climax in the near distance.

Great weekend destination, interesting ecology, stream channels, and bogs. The sods receive up to 100 inches of precip, mostly in the form of snowy winters.

The map, below, identifies the circumnavigation of the sods (provided by midatlantichikes.com). I would recommend the circumnavigation. The trail notes were incredibly detailed, allowing for a fairly easy navigation through interconnecting trails.

Aside from hiking, swimming and bouldering opportunities can be found along the trails. Plus blueberries are everywhere. Although a little early in the season, we found a few sweet berries.

I hear the government tested bombs on the plateau at one point, leaving future hikers in pieces... Stick to the trails.

Stony Mt. Fire tower

Stony valley has had much support through the years to preserve its natural state. As part of PA gamelands, there are a number of trails worth checking out. Web maps displaying these trails are found at the PA game commission website.

I took my hard-tailed mt. bike out to ride up rattling run rd (on the horseshoe trail) to the top. Reached the radio towers and unsure where to go from there, I beared right, through another gated access road. Along Stony ridge, several wildlife habitat fields were passed on the left of the trail/road before having to make another left/right decision. Left slighly ascended, ending up to be the right choice. The tower was in sight soon after.

A magnificent fire tower, gated to restrict access, the tower provides one of only a handful of 360 degree views in PA. From the valley, the tower can be reached within an hour by bike. 6pm was the perfect time to depart for the top on the last day of July. Just in time for the sunset on the tower. I do not recommend out-and-backs, but will have to explore other trails down the mt for another time, as daylight was fading. I have seen the distance to the tower listed as 4.2 mi, which seems fairly accurate.

Camping in the valley is readily available along the creek. A HQ-CWF, stony creek provides great water source, and swimming in various pools. FYI-water tank trail to the creek. There is a pool deeper than my height.