Gorge Rat Fall Infestation "Make Up Date" ?

**millergear** · 11-08-2010, 20:00

Originally Posted by hang um high

I guess I wasn't explicit enough.
I'm a GO

Or I was dense! Happy to have you, it just takes 2 to Tango. Hopefully more will join us. What days are you in for? We will have (at least) 2 vehicles so we can set one or more Sections to do.

Anyone else?

**Mister Dark** · 11-08-2010, 20:55

Work now has me scheduled for the 20th. I will try to get out of it, dangit.

...so, how often do you folks get out at the Gorge?

**hang um high** · 11-08-2010, 21:59

Originally Posted by millergear

Or I was dense! Happy to have you, it just takes 2 to Tango. Hopefully more will join us. What days are you in for? We will have (at least) 2 vehicles so we can set one or more Sections to do.

Anyone else?

I'm good for the dates you posted, November 19 -21. What section(s) and mileage are you thinking of? 12 miles in the mountains with a full pack is a good day for me and based on what I've heard of the gorge 7-8 miles per day may be as ambitious as I want to get.

**millergear** · 11-09-2010, 07:47

Thursday thru Sunday it is then. I can be there around noon on Thursday.

I typically do 10/12 miles a day, but I'm slow, rest a lot and take all day. In the Gorge tho Progress is better measured in hours. Can take 4 hours to cover 5 miles on the (often elusive) LGT.

Lots of options:

We will have time to do a loop, Table Rock south to the MST, wade the Linville River, up the MST to PU Leadmine connecting to the LGT and back up to the east side on Spence Ridge and back to Table Rock.

If others can join us but only for a shorter time (or it's freezing weather and a river crossing would be rough) we can do a two day hike end to end on the East rim and a 2 day West side hike, maybe Spence to Conely, Rock Jock to Kistler to Pinchin down to the LGT and back up Spence.

I'm open to any suggestions? But let's give others till say next Monday to commit before we finalize the plan.

**millergear** · 11-09-2010, 08:06

Big oops! Dang, I originally meant to set it up for the 18th to the 21st. I'll work with whatever days you folks are available.

**hang um high** · 11-09-2010, 15:56

Originally Posted by millergear

Big oops! Dang, I originally meant to set it up for the 18th to the 21st. I'll work with whatever days you folks are available.

Meeting on thursday is doable for me and doing two day hikes back to back actually sounds appealing. I can be flexible.

**millergear** · 11-09-2010, 17:58

Great! We can wait a few more days to see if anyone else is coming, and when, before finalizing plans.

I'm pumped, can't wait to get back to the Gorge!

**Mister Dark** · 11-09-2010, 21:53

So Millergear et al, I am guessing by now we should be considering early winter temps. Althought I am sure I can dig it out somewhere on here, its easier to just be a noob and ask - what do you carry for the 25 degree weather to be expected down in the gorge?

I am hoping to put together a "proper" TQ/UQ setup by the 19th, but may be stuck with my old ground rat setup. Which works fairly well, I suppose. As long as the wind dies down...

( I was there car camping a few weeks ago, it was purty cold by 10pm. And that was early october.)

**millergear** · 11-09-2010, 22:54

I've got a JRB Nest UQ, a JRB No Sniveler TQ and a Poppa Smurf Sock. The quilts are rated 20 but I'm a cold sleeper and they only get me down to 30. Hopefully the sock will get me to 20/25. But just in case I'll have a Neoair and a down coat. Plus LJ's, fleece pants and fleece pullover.

**Mister Dark** · 11-09-2010, 23:32

Nice setup! Kinda the direction I am leaning, but since all my cold weather camping has been in a bag on the ground, I am, ummm, looking forward to the next few weeks and months...

Well, my AMK heatsheet has saved me once already. I'll be sure to pack it again.