Thunder Swamp Trail (aka: Slug Fest '10)

**Knotty** · 06-20-2010, 12:14

Oh-No, JD and Knotty enjoyed three much needed days of nature therapy on Pennsylvania's Thunder Swamp Trail June 18-20. After setting up camp and discovering that slugs got onto and into everything we named the event 'Slug Fest'. Considering the German heritage shared by the three of us and the minimal distance covered, 'The Kraut Krawl' was also considered but the arrival of Ramblin Rev with his British Isle ancestry nixed that. Another British Isler, Knotty II (guess who's wife) joined us for the day on Friday before fleeing to civilization when darkness approached.

The trip was a testament to the ultra-lightweight backpacking philosophy with each hiker carrying a minimalist pack weighing 15lbs and less. Our wallets were also much lighter because Oh-no informed us that the PA camping permit was $100 per head. We hiked in 14 miles from the parking lot and established our gypsy camp. It wasn't until Rev arrived with his GPS on Saturday that we were informed of the "rounding error" in our calculations. His darned device with it's satellites and computers insisted the distance was 1.4 miles. As long as the truth is coming out our packs and permit numbers may be a little off as well.

None the less, a good time was had by all. The nearby stream provided good tasting drinking water and many opportunities for swimming and exploring. Oh-no did a fine job of catching water snakes and tormenting JD with them. Despite the Swamp moniker, the event was surprisingly bug free (except, of course, for the slugs).

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/a...hp?albumid=469
JD, Oh-No, Knotty

Knotty II

JD

Saw Creek

Knotty II & Knotty

Gypsy camp

RambinRev & JD

Swimming Hole

**pedro** · 06-20-2010, 12:27

Sounds like you folks had a lot of fun! Thanks for the report.

**Knotty** · 06-20-2010, 12:58

Too bad you couldn't join us Pedro. Next time.

**Triggerhpy** · 06-20-2010, 13:36

So a good time was had by all.

Are you kidding me $100.00 a head for a permit? What the money used for silk TP?

**Knotty** · 06-20-2010, 14:55

Triggerhpy, a number of the things in my report are running jokes from the trip. Oh-No kept trying to find ways to con us out of some cash. He got the permits for us and when we asked how much...

**Poppabear** · 06-20-2010, 15:07

Knotty, Thanks for the report and pictures. Looks like a good time was had by all. I grew up in the Pocono's and have many fond memories of backpacking and camping there. Although in those days I did not know any better and I was a pitiful ground dweller. I would be very interested in joining you all in the future. If any hangs are planned in the North East PA area. It would be really great to hike and camp once again in the old stomping grounds of my youth.

**Oh-No** · 06-20-2010, 20:57

Originally Posted by Knotty

Triggerhpy, a number of the things in my report are running jokes from the trip. Oh-No kept trying to find ways to con us out of some cash. He got the permits for us and when we asked how much...

I'll never make it as a con-artist. I didn't even take the two-bits left on the
fire ring by a previous camper. We could tell that quarter was cursed and none would touch it.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-20-2010, 22:05

Yeah.. I was rocking the kilt. It wasn't until I got home that I discovered the full extent of the slug invasion. That's right up there with the 15# packs and the $100 per head permit fee. But what really irked irked Oh-No was the fact that the rest of us finally determined that slugs don't really have discernible heads so they could not be charged the permit fee. Never mind the fact they maintained a permanent residency there and so could not properly be considered campers.