Two Different Adventures

A Glamping Adventure

From my last post, you saw that we finally got the trailer out of the driveway and into the woods.  I had picked Pine Grove Furnace Campground as our first stay, because I was familiar with the park and the campground and I liked the area having worked there at the AT Museum for three years. 

Not too hard to back in

After the initial challenge of backing the coach into its space and getting it leveled, the adventure continued.  Our first excursion was to walk down to Fuller Lake.  This deep spring fed lake was previously the iron ore pit that was dug to provide ore that was refined in the furnace within the park.  The lake is now very beautiful and has a nice beach on one side.  

We took a little woods trail down to the lake. Ginger was checking out each new smell and investigating each sound.  We couldn't take Ginger on to the beach, which still had a few swimmers hanging out, but that was ok. 

Relaxing by the fire after a nice hike

As we started heading back on the AT, we found a snake skin.  It was fun showing it to Ginger, she got all paranoid and kept thinking it was alive.  I believe she has a healthy fear of snakes.  We headed back to the trailer and started making dinner.  The hike was just a little over 2 miles, but it wore Ginger out.  After dinner, she passed out on her bed out by the fire and didn't move for a couple of hours.  

Zonked

Dinner was burgers and beans cooked on the outside grill.  Yum.

The next day's adventure was another hike, but this one up to sunset rocks.  We drove the truck up to the end of Old Shippensburg Road.  From there the walk was less than a mile, but the climb was a couple hundred feet of elevation gain.  As we were heading out, a van showed up with a group of local college kids.  

We made the climb up, Ginger keeping up just fine.  As we got to the rock overlook, LoGear held Ginger while I checked for snakes. I hadn't walked four feet before I saw what looked like a curled up rattlesnake.  Sure enough it was, not one snake, but three young serpents curled up together to keep warm.  I took some pictures then look up into another crevice.  Here were at least three more snakes, these much bigger, trying to suck the heat out of the stone.  They stayed completely motionless.  I took some more photos and we decided to back out and head back down.  Sunset was still more than an hour away and we didn't want to wait around with the sunning serpents nearby.  We headed out and on the way down we encountered the students.  We warned them of the snakes and continued back to the truck.

Catching the late day warmth

I had heard many stories of snakes up in those rocks by visitors to the Museum, so I wasn't surprised at all that they were there, but this was the first time I had seen any on my trips up that ridge.  

We headed back to camp and had another nice fire.  Dinner was chicken with mushrooms, spinach and cheese. All the appliances worked great.  

LoGear relaxing in the hammock

After another decent night's sleep in the trailer, we got up the next morning, made a nice breakfast and started to get things ready to leave.  

As we were preparing the coach for the trip home, I noticed water leaking out next to the fresh water tank drain.  Something was amiss.  I would figure out later that the fill tube had a small hole in it and when filling, water would leak out and flow down in the void around the tank.  As we unleveled things getting ready to go, water that had been sitting around the tank started leaking out.  Not too big a deal, but it had me worried about a more substantial problem with the fresh water tank that would have meant a lot more work.

We hooked up and pulled out with not problem.  We made our way around the campground and had our first dump station experience.  Since we were right next to a restroom, we were only peeing in the toilet.  I'm delaying having to deal with the literal "shit" as long as possible.  Everything drained and cleaned up no problem and with that chore done, we were back on the road.  

We retraced our tracks back down to Maryland and arrived home with no issues.  I was able to do a much better job at backing the coach into the driveway than last time and there it sits until the next travel trailer adventure.  

We learned a lot and had a good time.  I can't wait until next time.  We might even have some solar power going by then.

Back to Walking

I had been planning a hike of the 100 miles of the North Country Trail that travels through the Allegheny National Forest in northwest PA for several years now.  Back in 2016 I had to cancel due to a back issue that greatly affected my ability to hike. Thankfully that healed and my back actually feels better when it has a pack on it.

This year our plans kept getting postponed and canceled due to a family tragedy and other things that life throws at you.  But finally, we were able to put the plan in place on October 10th.  I like planning trips and this one had a lot of planning put into it, but my plans are always flexible and open to change.  That's one of the main thing I have learned over the years.  All plans are subject to adjustment.

We LoGear and I headed up to the northwest corner of PA to start this adventure.  The leaves were turning, but had a subdued look to them. The reds were more marone, the yellows still had a greenish or brownish tint and the oranges were a burnt color.

We met Joe "Dilly Dilly" Turkovich at the Red Bridge Campground.  He had arrived the day before and had the campsite all set up with a big pile of wood to burn.  

LoGear and I found some good trees and hung our hammocks.  Next we jumped in the vehicles and drove to Willow Bay which would our first car drop off. When we got to the parking lot, we took a hike up to the New York line and back.  Starting the adventure with a 2.1 mile "warm up".  It was a gradual climb up to the border and a nice, fast downhill trek back to the truck.

New York Line

Dilly in PA

We went back to the campground, ordered pizza and started a fire.  

Day 1 Journal:
The Adventure Begins 1. Date: Seasday, Winterfilth 20 (R-10-10) 2. Day 1 3. Morning temp: 13 4. Weather: calm cool cloudy 5. Time start: 0900 (driving) 6. Time stop and miles: 1415 (arrived at camp) 2.1 7. End point: Red Bridge Log: Drive was nice and uneventful. Colors ok, but subdued. Met Turk at campsite. Dropped off car at Willow Bay and hiked to NY line. Back at camp had pizza and a nice fire. Tomorrow we hike. Fauna: deer turkey chipmunk Smell: wood smoke High: starting the journey Low: none Hope: a good start tomorrow

The next morning dawned cool and cloudy. We were all ready to go around 0800 and started up the trail a few minutes later after parking the truck in the long term lot.

Last restroom break

The trail was really nice as we started. The climbs were gradual and the trail well maintained. After lunch we all started to drag some, realizing that doing 13 plus miles when you are in good shape is a lot easier than if you hadn't done any hiking for months. The day seemed to go on forever and it was late when we finally rolled into camp, a nice new shelter next to a creek.

Blue Blazin on the NCT

Osprey nest at Chappel Fork

LoGear reverse planking at the bridge

The tree choices around the shelter were a little less abundant, but we managed with a few near the shelter. Dilly decided to sleep inside as rain was in the forecast for either overnight or in the morning. We set up, had a nice diner and fire. The almost full moon shone into the woods as the temperature started to drop.

Afternoon foot soak

Day 2 Journal:
Getting Back in the Groove
1.  Date: Earthday, Winterfilth 21 (F-10-11)
2.  Day 2
3.  Morning temp: 3
4.  Weather: calm, cold, some clouds
5.  Time start: 0813
6.  Time stop and miles: 1717, 13.5
7.  End point: Hammond Run Shelter
Log:
A cool morning, but we were up and out just after 08. LoGear and Dilly even had showers.

Started off nice the climb was very gradual and we moved along nicely. We had lunch at Chappel Run campsite and we were starting to drag. We soldiered on, taking break every 2 or 3 miles and arrived in camp after 1700. Dilly led the pack at the end. We set up, ate dinner, made a fire and hung out as the sky darkened, the moon came out and the temp started to drop. Tomorrow will be another challenge and we may need to adjust the plan as we go.

Flora: ferns, burrs
Fauna: snakes
Smell: smoke
Sound: coyotes howling nearby 
High: Getting to camp
Low: Dragging after lunch
Hope: That we can keep this thing going.

We woke after a decent night's sleep with the sound of sprinkles just starting on the tarps. We were all up in the dark, getting ready as we had another rather long day and wanted to make sure we got the hiking done, because we then needed to drive the car to get some dinner then to the next parking spot.

Getting water

After Day 2's struggles, we weren't sure we would even be able to finish the 13.3 in a timely manner or at all. I spent part of the day figuring out how I would stretch my food bag if we ended up staying another night away from the car where my next resupply sat. (lesson relearned: which is worse carrying too much food that you won't eat, or not enough until the next resupply? On this day I was thinking the latter)

Mr Toad

We headed out into the just lightening forest with a light rain falling. We saw a man and his two daughters camping out and making a large breakfast of eggs and pancakes and talked for a little. He seemed to think we would get back to the bay by 1300. I wasn't as optimistic, but my calculations said we might get there around 1500 which would give us enough time to move and finish the day.

The day was just full of walking. We were determined to make it in time and to do that the pace had to be as brisk as possible. We still took our breaks, but they were short and efficient. The rain stopped around noon, but walking in wet shoes/socks caused a little blister to form on my little toe. A common occurrence for me which I treat once, throw some tape on it and it usually doesn't bother me again as it forms into a callus. LoGear was dealing with several blisters on both feet.

Wet road walk

The lake is drawn down very low in he fall

We made it to the car and transitioned to the next stage as we drove to a stop where we could call and order dinner. At this point we all decided that we really didn't want to top this 13.3 mile day with a 14 mile day tomorrow, so it was time to alter the plan. We had come to the realization that we didn't want this much type II fun which means walking all day long, just to get to the next camp. This plan was originally made to be hike in the height of summer which provides a lot more daylight hours. This dawn to dusk walking just wasn't cutting it.

The lake through the trees

So we decided to move in front of that 14 mile day and park at Cherry Run and get back to Dilly's truck a day earlier. At that point we would decide what to do next.

Interesting fungus

We got our food and drove to the Cheery Run Trailhead and found s nice spot about a 100 meters from the parked car. We set up, made our fire, ate our somewhat soggy hoagies and settled in for the night. Tionesta creek was right beside our site.

Honoring Xander at the campsite

Day 3 Journal:
Doing the Miles
1.  Date: Starsday, Winterfilth 22 (S-10-12)
2.  Day 3
3.  Morning temp: 10
4.  Weather: calm, light rain
5.  Time start: 0715
6.  Time stop and miles: 1514, 1700 13.6
7.  End point:  Cheery Run Campsite
Log:
We were up early in the dark as a light rain started. We packed up and got out just as the day was getting lighter. Today went pretty well.we needed to get to the car with enough time to get dinner and move to the next drop off. I was determined to make it. The trail was pretty good and the rain stopped after a couple hours. We stopped for lunch at Johnny Cakes Run and were making good time. I had the motivation of hoagies and I kept a good pace. I reached the car at 1514 with a small blister forming on my pinky toe.  I filled my food bag and removed my socks for the drive.  The others weren't far behind and we headed to the restaurant. We ordered some food and decided to shorten the trip some. We cut off four days and will just hike two more days.  We parked at Cheery Run Trailhead and found a spot about 100 yds from the car. We set up and ate, putting our food bags in the car for the night. A fire topped off the night. We are sore and tired, but still having fun

Flora: autumn leaves 
Fauna: toads 
VOD: road walk
Sound: Turks radio
High: getting back to the car 
Low: blister

Hope: tomorrow is a good day

The next morning was cold. The temp had dipped below freezing and I had a restless night. We took our time getting ready as today would only be a little over 11 miles. Totally manageable.

Frosty fern

More frosty stuff

The day's hike went well. We would take nice, leisurely breaks every couple of miles. Laying on the lush grass near a dam was a especially nice break. We rolled into this shelter area just before 1600. This was another nice shelter, but once again, not much in the way of established tent sites or hammock areas. We eventually found decent trees to hang, but I was a little ways into the woods. There are plenty of trees, but lots of small saplings and underbrush which made it a little harder to find the right hang spot. But as usual, we managed.

Chain saw art

A beech tree growing out of a very old beech tree stump

This shelter area had a "spring" for a water source and this was the first campsite we had encountered where the source was dry. No worries though as we just moved further down stream until we found pools big enough to gather some water. Dilly found a nice one where we could scoop it up, but it clouded up after a few scoops. He went back later and we all had enough water for the night's dinner and the mornings needs. LoGear made her famous quesadilla.

Shelter fire

We listened to the Steelers game on Dilly's radio and even watched a little bit on his phone. This would be my latest night and helping Dilly drink his vodka would make for a tough morning, but we went to bed happy with a win in the books.

Day 4 Journal:
An Easier Day
1.  Date: Sunsday, Winterfilth 23 (U-10-13)
2.  Day 4
3.  Morning temp: -3
4.  Weather: calm, cold, clear
5.  Time start: 0810
6.  Time stop and miles: 1555 11.3
7.  End point: Griggs Spring Shelter
Log:
Woke to an frigid morning after a restless night. Took our time doing the morning chores and headed out after 08. The day was ok. It slowly warmed up until it was a nice day. The waypoints were spread nicely so we could take a break every 2 plus miles or so.  We took our time and rolled into the shelter just before 1600.  The "spring" was dry at its source, but we found a pool further down hill that tastes ok after filtering but smells sulfurous. We are going to listen to the game later. If we can stay up long enough.  Tomorrow we finish this little jaunt.

Flora: beech trees
Fauna: Caterpillar 
Smell: water
Sound: hawk
High: resting by the dam
Low: some blister pain
Hope: a good finish

The next morning would be our last backpacking, but the adventure wasn't over, just shifting gears.

The morning was cold, but not as chilly as the day before and we only had a little over 7 miles to get back to the truck. We once again took our time packing up and eating breakfast and didn't head out until almost 0900.

Today the water sources would be a little more scarce as compared to the other three days, but we would manage and have plenty to finish the hike.

You dirty dog, DW  :)

The last leg of the hike was a road walk to cross Red Bridge. It is straight and about a quarter of a mile or so. As we were walking, the other two ahead of me. I looked up, seeing some RVs heading towards us. In front of it an animal ran across the road and into the brush on our side. It was a fox. Xander had made his appearance. I was so happy, but neither of the other two saw it.

A view of the lake far away

We got back to the truck and heaved a sigh of relief. We had complet 47.3 miles an that was good enough for this adventure.

The original Red Bridge. (usually underwater)

We drove into Kane, a nearby town and started stocking up on real food and some beer. Next we headed over to Dilly's cousin's cabin where we would spend the next two nights before heading home. The adventure was continuing.

Day 5 Journal:
Hike Finish
1.  Date: Moonsday, Winterfilth 24 (M-10-14)
2.  Day 5
3.  Morning temp: 5
4.  Weather: calm, cold, clear 
5.  Time start: 0855
6.  Time stop and miles: 1313. 7.1 
7.  End point: Red Bridge
Log:
Up at 0730 after staying up late to listen to the Steelers game. We won. We took our time packing up and headed out just before 09. The day went pretty easy. The trail was good and we rested every 2 miles or so.  Water was a little scarce, but we easily made it to a camp area that had a creek to fill up for the final couple of miles. We eventually came to our last road walk to the truck and the end of the hike.  It was a long straight stretch. As we walked along, I fell behind taking a few final photos. A couple RVs were headed our way and as I looked up the road towards them, I saw an animal run across the road in between us and the RVs. It was a fox! Xander was with us.  The other two didn't see it or hear me yelling to them, but I know what I saw.

The hike ended up shorter than originally planned, but I'm ok with that. As I always say, the adventure will be as long as it needs to be.  47.5 miles was fine. The trail was great and we got to be Outsiders for a short time.  

We got to the truck and headed to Kane, a nearby small town where we bought lunch, some beer and some groceries for the next couple if days. The hike was done, but the adventure wasn't over yet. As we drove around, I started feeling exhausted and a little sick.  Sort of a crash.  But all was well when we got to Dilly's cousin's cabin.

Burgers and beers for dinner and a nice fire in the wood burner. We all hit the couches for a soft, warm night indoors. We were no longer Outsiders.

Flora: nettles
Fauna: fox
High: seeing Xander was with us
Low: being exhausted as we drove around
Hope: that we enjoy the day tomorrow

We got to the cabin, after picking up the car at Cherry Run and took our packs inside. We got a fire going inside, took much needed showers, changed into clean clothes and cooked some burgers on the stove.

Exhaustion took over and I was ready to fall asleep not long after dark. It was warm enough inside all night long that I didn't need to pull my quilt up all night.

The next day we made plans to visit Kinzua Bridge. It is an old railroad bridge that had eleven of its support structures toppled by a tornado in 2003. The bridge is now a state park and there is an observation area at the end of the still standing part of the bridge. It was very interesting. The wreckage has been left on the valley floor and is an impressive sight.

The bridge

The fallen supports

Photo op under the bridge

On our way to the bridge, we stopped by Kinzua Dam and a couple overlooks. The fall colors were in full subdued force and we had a great time being tourists.

Dam

Overlook

We came back to the cabin after a nice lunch at a bar and grill and built a fire outside. We cooked large sausages on the fire for dinner that we had picked up the day before in Kane.

Sausages, yum...

That night was October 15th which is the night for the Wave of Light an annual event for pregnancy and infant loss. We lit our candles at 1900 and sat by the fire, thinking about our grandson Xander Lee.

Wave of Light - Xander Lee, Our little fox.

Day 6 Journal:
KInzua Dam and Bridge
1.  Date: Treesday, Winterfilth 25 (T-10-15)
2.  Day 6
3.  Morning temp: 0
4.  Weather: calm, cold, light clouds
5.  Time start: 0900
6.  Time stop and miles: 1530. 0
7.  End point: Cabin
Log:
We were up around 07 after a warm night by the fireplace. We decided to go to Kinzua Bridge to check it out. It is an old railroad bridge that is very high over a valley. In 2003, a tornado took out a bunch of the support structure, leaving them twisted and broken on the valley floor, where they remain today.  The made the still stand part an observation deck and have a very nice visitors center which has lots of interesting historical exhibits.

On the way there we stopped at the dam to check it out and a few observation spots as the day warmed up and it became perfect.

After the bridge we found a nice place for lunch and a couple beers and then came back to the cabin, where we built a fire outside and cooked some delicious sausages. At 1900 LoGear and I lit candles around our Jizo statues and fox toy to take part in the Wave of Light in remembrance of pregnancy and infant loss. We honored our beautiful grandson Xander. Our little fox.

Tomorrow we head home.

Flora: autumn leaves
Fauna: deer by road
High: The bridge
Low: feeling sad as our candles burned 

The next day, we headed home. Still a little sore from the walking, but feeling good that we had returned to the woods and lived as Outsiders once again for a time. I always say: The adventure will always be as long as it has to be and sometimes the adventure takes you where you didn't expect to go, but that is what makes all the difference.


  

The Trail(er) Provides

Last Thursday, we loaded up the travel trailer that has basically been sitting in the driveway since March and headed north into PA.  We went back to my old A.T. Museum stomping grounds and had reserved site #6 in the Charcoal Hearth Campground in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  

My experience in towing has been limited to towing a car behind my 4Runner across country, transporting my father-in-law's boat down to the shore and towing a small flat bed trailer when we moved from Glen Burnie to Pasadena several years ago.  Towing a three ton, 28 foot trailer behind my new Ram 1500 was a new experience, so my stress level was a bit high.  But the best way to learn is to do, so that is what we did.

The agenda included two nights at the campground.  We had made our meal plan, stocked up the fridge and packed a few things that we would need for the three day trip.  It was not unlike preparing for a backpack trip, but weight was much less of a factor this time.  

The drive up started a little stressful as I worried about every strange noise or unexpected pull on the truck as we drove out of the neighborhood and entered the highway.  I wasn't sure what was supposed to be right.  I could tell the truck was making its own adjustments to all of a sudden having to pull this large box behind it.  Taking it slow and just moving along carefully was the rule of the day.  

I have been a little obsessed with trying to learn the best way to back the trailer into a site as that is what we were going to have to do.  I had been up by the Museum about a week or two ago, so I had been able to check out the site and saw that the backing wouldn't be too hard, but the road was one way, not too wide and there were trees.

I had watched every YouTube video I could find and read all kinds of tips and tricks on how to do it and I had practiced a little pulling into the driveway, but it was going to be crunch time (hopefully not literally) in just about two hours.  Just before we left, I had found a blog of a woman called Trailer Girl, who has a lot of good suggestions on storage and other things that an RV'er needs to know.  One of the stories she told was, after a long day of travelling, they arrived tired and needing to back into their site. Another nearby RV'er offered to help with the backing in as he was a retired truck driver.  This made the pull in very easy and stress free.  As we headed around the Baltimore Beltway, I fantasized on the possibility of that happening to us, but didn't have a lot of hope.  

Everything was going ok as we slowly made our way north, each road we turned on to being a little smaller then the last.  After exiting Rt 15 north of Gettysburg, we stopped at a truck stop to stretch our legs and shake off some of the stress.  Also to pee.

Continuing on we entered the foothills of South Mountain and started passing the large apple orchards that dominate the landscape of this part of PA.  Before too long we were traveling down Pine Grove road, passing the A.T. Museum and heading down the access road to the campground.  

We pulled next to a water faucet near the entrance as our site didn't have water and we needed to fill our tank.  In the site next to the faucet, there was a nice couple and their old dog sitting outside their coach.  We struck up a conversation as the tank was filling and we learned that they had been there all week, but were leaving soon.  One other tidbit I learned was that Tony was a previous truck driver....

After talking backing techniques for a few minutes, I mentioned that if you hear a lot of yelling coming from site #6, it would be us trying to figure it all out.  We proceeded on and approached our site.  After a first pass, I decided I needed to back up some and try to swoop in to better align the trailer as those trees were coming a lot closer to the truck than I was comfortable with.  As we were figuring out our next move, Tony came walking down the road and offered to help with the pull in.  

After a few instructions of turn left, go back, stop, now turn right, stop, straighten the wheel, now back... You get the gist.  We were nicely pulled in, perfectly in our spot.  He was an angel, there is no doubt.  We have a saying out on the trail, "The Trail Provides."  Its meaning is that no matter what happens out on the trail, things just seem to work out.  Sometimes in a mystical way.  This was certainly a case of things working out in that magical way.  We were eternally grateful for the help, but I just wasn't that surprised that it happened.  Just like when it happens out on the trail. It has happened so many times for me, it just seems natural now.   

We set up camp and decided to go for a short walk around the campground with Ginger.  As we passed site #29 where Tony and his wife were camped, the site was now empty, with no sign that it had recently had a large trailer, some chairs and a rug all set up.  It made us entertain the thought of "were they really there?"  

Even when you are not on the Trail, it still provides.  

Peace,
EarthTone and LoGear

Sleeping on Ice

For a while now, I have been wanting to do a winter overnight out on the trail somewhere.  To be an Outsider, you must be able to experience all forms of weather and figure out how to handle each.  When we go out on our long distance hikes, we must be ready to function in every way when Mother Nature throws curve balls.  Knowing what it is like to be outside in cold, snowy weather is a must in preparation.

So, with the three feet of snow that Jonas dumped on the East Coast, I had a good back drop for a quick stay in the woods.  I had some business to attend to up at the Museum and I made sure I brought my full pack ready to go.  As the day went by, I figured I could head up in the afternoon some time and maybe make it to a shelter area for the night.  

Even with the melting we had over the past week or so, there was still at least a foot of snow in the woods and therefore on the trail.  I had some slim hopes that the trail would have had some traffic on it and devised a way to use some of the old roads in the area (which used to be the AT) to get me up South Mountain and on my way to Toms Run Shelter.  As I always do, I had alternate plans to the main plan and would change as needed.  That change came pretty quick.

I came very close to chickening out once again after I visited the Inn Keepers at the Ironmasters Mansion (Mike and Mary), but some force made me turn onto Old Shippensburg Rd instead of crossing the street and returning to the Museum.  My back had gone out as I shoveled some snow in preparation for a maintenance visit the next day and the familiar pain was nagging me and my visit to the Mansion had delayed me some (but it was worth it. Had to sample some home brew).  I had almost decided to just stay at the Museum for the night, but after I made that turn, my mind changed and I kept hiking.  As I headed up the old road, which was clear, I figured I could always turn around and just make a nice practice walk out of it with a full pack (plan C).  

When I got to the end of the road, I had about an hour of daylight left.  I left the road and followed the little trail that goes to the AT.  I immediately started post holing.  When I got to the AT, there was one lonely set of prints and they were snow shoes.  I walked to the bridge over Toms Run and decided that plan B will work just fine for tonight.  There is a small (semi secret) spot near here, where I have camped before, so I headed there.  It wasn't a long hike, but I realized quickly that there was no way I would be able to get to Toms Run Shelter in the next hour.  This place would do fine for the night.  

Tent up, wood found.  Time for fire and dinner

I located the place and kicked off the snow that covered the fire ring.  I stomped out an area to put my little one man tent, set it up and did a quick walk around to gather a few pieces of wood, so I could have a little fire before bed.  

The day had been in the low 40s, which had softened the top of the snow, but the night was going to get into the low 20s or even upper teens.  I had what I needed to keep warm and dry.  My socks had gotten a little damp in the day as I shoveled the snow in my trail runners, but I tried out a technique where you put your feet in bread bags as a vapor barrier.  I had one bread bag and one Walmart shopping bag, but it really did the trick.  My feet felt warm and toasty up until bed time.  

I made a small fire and cooked my dinner with my stove.  The fire was for a little warmth and comfort.  I didn't really Need it, but I was glad to stare into its eyes for a short time.  The sun set as scheduled and my belly was full with warm food.  As darkness settled in and the fire burnt down, I decided to retire to the tent and read some.  It was still pretty early.

Hiker box Mountain House. mmmmm

I (wrongly) decided to keep my hiking clothes on, even keeping on my damp socks and not putting on the nice thick wool socks I bring for camp during cold times.  I still felt pretty warm from the hike up the mountain and figured my body heat would help dry the socks (which it did), but I probably should have put the thick socks on and maybe my dry base layer that I also carry in cold weather.  My puffy was standing by, but I didn't feel the need for it yet.  

Snow camp

I scampered into the small Eureka tent and once again realized, that this is really nothing more than a fancy bivy sack and not really a tent.  There isn't much room to do anything in there like change clothes and such, so I just lay down and got out my phone to fire up the Kindle app and do some reading.  Not too long after that, I was ready for a little nap.  This usually happens when I start reading in bed.  I was still feeling warm and comfortable, so I let sleep take me for a time.

If you check my FitBit sleep pattern for that night, you will see A Lot of awake time.  I did a lot of left side, flat on back, right side, flat on back, left side, repeat.  My back was still hurting some, so there's that, but I usually do a lot of tossing and turning when I first go into the bush.  My mattress was working fine, I didn't feel any cold coming up from the packed snow, but I was awake a lot.  I had forgotten to remove my hammock woobie under quilt from my pack before heading out and I used that as a ground cloth in the tent and my sleeping pad fits into a sleeve in my Big Agnes sleeping bag, which went on top of the woobie.  I also had my bag liner, which gives a few more degrees of warmth in my 30 degree bag.  Getting into that while in the small tent was fun.

After a few hours of doze/sleep, I felt just a little cold.  Not too bad, but I knew it was time to put the puffy on.  I usually use it as a pillow, so I replaced it with my clothes bag and struggled into the puffy.  I immediately felt very warm and would for the rest of the night (at least on my upper body).  As the night wore on, my feet began to feel cold.  My socks had indeed dried, but the darn tough socks just weren't as good as my thick wool socks.

As morning arrived, but not light (it is still the dead of winter, no matter if Phil sees his shadow or not), I lay in my bag, feeling warm and not wanting to face the freezing cold day.  I could see with my head lamp that a fine layer of ice now coated the tent walls from the vapor of my breath.  It had cooled off quite a bit during the night.  

Eventually I forced my arising by letting the air out of my sleeping pad.  The cold immediately came through, so it was get up or get cold.  Well, getting up also meant getting cold, but I had to get moving.  At first, I had planned to make some coffee and oatmeal before heading back, but as I started packing up, I realized, I could do that later in the semi-warmth of the Museum.  I needed to get moving.

I had the usual problems.  Try to pack something without gloves.  Hands get really fucking cold, stop and put on gloves for a while.  Try again.  My shoes had frozen solid in the night.  I was glad I had untied them the evening before, but I should have opened them up more.  I basically slammed them on my feet and tied the frozen strings as best I could.  Other than my feet and hands, I was not cold.  I estimated that the temperature had dropped to the low 20s overnight. (Later verified to be somewhere between 18 and 24)

As I was getting everything together, my feet started going numb from the toes back until about half of my feet felt like a block of ice.  I would stomp in place for a while to get the blood flowing a little, then get back to work.  Also, I guess I should have had a footprint below my tent as the woobie and the sleeve on the sleeping bag was wet and so was the pad somewhat.  I just shoved everything into the pack and rolled up the icy tent and put it on the outside of my pack.  I knew I would be in warm(ish) and dry space soon.  I would be "inside".  

Before too long, I was ready to go.  It was still plenty dark and I had done all the work by head lamp so far, even though the waning crescent moon was shining brightly from above.  I retraced my post hole steps to the road and started down the mountain.  After about 1/2 mile, my feet warmed up from the effort of walking, but before they were all toasty, they had some painful moments as the feeling started coming back into my toes and forefoot.

I turned out my head lamp for the walk down the road as the moon was providing all I needed to see the black, clear strip of gravel that was the road.  After a pleasant down hill walk I could see the Museum's light as a comforting beacon to me and shortly after that, I was inside.  The 55 degrees or so it was inside felt like heaven.  

I unpacked and dried out my gear with the little radiator heater and started my day.

Looking a little tired, but none the worse for wear

It was good to get a feel of sleeping, hiking and living in a cold environment.  It raises your respect for your gear (and Mother Nature) and gives you ideas where you can improve things.  Knowing that I was only a little over a mile from shelter felt good, but I can only imagine what the day would have been like if I had to travel all day and deal with still wet gear the next evening.  But that will be a test for another day.

Keep on hiking,
EarthTone