Thanks to silentorpheus, kayak karl and silvrsurf, I'm now hooked on the Pine Barrens. And since I feel the need to torture test my gear before the Winter NEHHA and the NJ Winter Hang, I'm planning on one more hang for 2012. So if anyone is interested in hanging at the Lower Forge Site on Dec 22nd and 23rd post away.
We will see if I have recovered from this last weekend before I commit to that walk again(I am out of shape bad).
I'll keep this one on the radar ... not sure if the wife will let me out again so soon - and so close to Christmas. But I'll certainly try. This time I might hike in from the other direction, since it shaves a couple miles off the trip.
The first 4 miles were easy. The next 3 were what did me in, each day. I, too, am out of shape. :D
A month ago I was in shape hiking 16 miles in a day, but that 7.3 mile hike kicked my butt. Amazing how quickly you can get out of shape.Quote:
Originally Posted by silentorpheus
I'll keep this one on the radar too - need to test out my new HG 0* Incubator!
The scenery Batona-to-Lower Forge is, well, lacking. I would recommend Atsion-Lower Forge as more interesting. You get some good views of the Mullica River, and there's a big beaver pond that is quite nice. You could either go Atsion to Wilderness Camps connector trail for a hike of somewhere around 6 miles, or a shorter hike would be Atsion to Beaver Pond-Quaker Bridge connector trail for a hike around 5 miles.
I'd recommend either hike over Batona-Lower Forge. And you could take one route in, the other route out, or even do a through hike to Batsto (involves placing cars at beginning and end).
Well SS lets call it a challenge. I am not against it. You guys possibly can pace yourselves. Rugby can stay home. Have you considered another campsite a little closer to the parking lot?
Buttonwood is closer 4.6mi from lot on Batona trail or a 3.0 mile road walk.
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Originally Posted by njredneck
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Originally Posted by silentorpheus
Must have been all the food and drink from Saturday :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr
lower forge and mulica river are the only two wilderness sites. the other 7 you can car camp.
I was thinking exactly what SilvrSurfr said. Atsion to lower forge by way of beaver pond and Batona trail. Good solid 5 miles or so.
Guess I need to start sucking up to the wife now ...
Because you must camp in designated campsites in the Pine Barrens, options are limited. Like KK said, there's Buttonwood, but it's car camping (meaning you get car-camping riffraff; i.e., fully loaded coolers, boom boxes, and general rowdiness). As temps get colder, you have less concern about car-camping Pineys, but I'm still inclined to go to the wilderness campsites 'cause it's hard for Pineys to hike in a case of beer. Plus, you get exercise!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl
I will gladly sleep with Rugby, and he'll be toasty warm, as I will be. As long as the nails are trimmed, he can sleep with me! Heck, I'll even bring a double-layer tablecloth hammock so he can rip it to shreds if he wants. Dog insulation is the best.
Out of shape is out of shape - can't attribute it to food and drink. I felt as good hiking in as I did hiking out - which means I felt out of shape.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbait
I'm hoping to have my pups shot records by then and might bring him. But I think I have to work him a bit to get used to hiking and camping.
I'm going to see if my son would be interested in going. I'll wind up giving him his Christamas Gift a few days early, but I think it would be worth it.
that is the last weekend before the holidays and Father Christmas will be Buuuussssy <[:-)>
ill be hiking the Batona Trail SOBO between now and then. ill post when.
Russ and I might take this on. School is out. We can ring in the new age because the world is suppose to end 21 dec 2012. Bring on the zombie hoards!!!
And the Planetary Allignment, the Mysterious Rogue Planet and any other major Apocalyptic event :laugh: Maybe I should have called it "Not Quite the End of the World Hang"Quote:
Originally Posted by jerzybears
I'll be there. NASA said , "We have nothing to worry about."
I'll float this by the wife. Doubt it will happen, but it's worth a try.
Definites:
Fishbait
Ohoulihan
Maybes:
njredneck
silentorpheous
silvrsurfr
Wise Old Owl
jerzybears
iafte
Father Christmas:
Kayak Karl - Hiking the Batona SoBo (I'm Green with Envy)
Buttonwood or Mulica River Campsites are short hikes from Batsto Village
Count me and my 2 boys in.
I'd like to do this. We'll see.
are you hanging both nights or just the nite of 22nd.?
I can't speak for everyone but i think it's only the 22. I have to work monday morning
im going. ill be hiking in from the north starting at Rt. 72 if anyone is interested.
I can only hang the one night as well. My family starts it's Christmas Celebration on the 24th and goes on through Christmas.Quote:
Originally Posted by kayak karl
Definites:
Fishbait
Ohoulihan
Kayak Karl - Hiking the Batona SoBo (I'm still Green with Envy, I'm sure this is going to be a great hike)
Maybes:
njredneck
silentorpheous
silvrsurfr
Wise Old Owl
jerzybears
iafte
Bundy71
If I go, it will be just for Saturday night.
Sadly I forgot my Mother is coming into town that weekend. So, I'm a no go.
Looks like I'm out ... my wife was less then pleased when I brought up camping two days before Christmas. Don't want to cause any undue issues just before the holidays. :D
My girlfriend passed a remark about me going as well . She wanted to go see Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Rock.. So I pulled out two tickets for theQuote:
Originally Posted by silentorpheus
15th in Long Island.. All is good :)
Very, Very Smooth :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Ohoulihan
Lol yup.. She is good to me so I can't complain.. It cost me a weekend getaway when she picked us up in Greenwood in October :DQuote:
Originally Posted by fishbait
I'm gently trying work the idea in with my wife, so I'm a definite, probable maybe to be able to attend this one.
Definites:
Fishbait
Ohoulihan
Kayak Karl - Hiking the Batona SoBo (I'm still Green with Envy, I'm sure this is going to be a great hike)
Maple & Possibly Kaia
Maybes:
njredneck
silvrsurfr
Wise Old Owl
jerzybears
iafte
Bundy71
Dylan - definite, probable maybe
mortonkl - definite > maybe
Ohoulihan and I will be camping at Lower Forge
the trail was re-routed. no more road walk. got to take this chance to do it.
How's the parking at Route 72? And how far do you think it is to Lower Forge?Quote:
Originally Posted by kayak karl
parking is fine. there is a ranger station there in Brendan Byrne State Forest .5 miles off #72.Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr
72 to LF is 17-18 miles.
last hike was from Ong's to LF, but the new trail wasn't finished http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192556433
I might join you KK, if I can get in a little training between now and then. My previous max in a day was 16 miles, so I'm kind of interested in slackpacking. Maybe I could drop a car off at Batona, pick the gear up and hike in to Lower Forge?Quote:
Originally Posted by kayak karl
You could hide your gear at Batona camp and grap it as you hike by, but don't forget THIS hike goes up over Applepie Mountain and down the south face. Then through the Candy Cane Forest and around Gum Drop Mountain also :D
I'm a definite maybe, more to the definite side
Maple is hiking in from Batsto Saturday morn. She might be hiking with Kaia.
Me and my boys are heading out around 10 from Batsto Sat morning. Looking forward to a great night in the woods
Definites:
Fishbait
Ohoulihan
Kayak Karl - Hiking the Batona SoBo (I'm still Green with Envy, I'm sure this is going to be a great hike)
Maple & Possibly Kaia
njredneck & sons
Maybes:
silvrsurfr
Wise Old Owl
jerzybears
iafte
Bundy71
Dylan - definite, probable maybe
mortonkl - definite > maybe
If my Saturday plans fall through, Im IN for a night in the pines. Been looking to get in on a hang with some folks from the NJ area. I'm definitely making the Winter Hang.
Love to have you alongQuote:
Originally Posted by Fishfood
I'm gonna have to move to maybe status after a car accident. My knee is still pretty sore and swollen, but getting more flexible and more mobile every day.
trust me if you can't make it we'll understand. I saw the picture of the knee thought it was a grapefruit at first.Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr
Evening temps this weekend (according to Inaccuweather) are going to a Balmy 28 Degrees with a wind chill of 11 degrees. Should push the limits of my gear :thumbup:
I'm out, unfortunately. No hiking for me; doctor's orders. The orthopedist looked as me like I was stupid for asking. "You do know if you go hiking your knee will swell even more, right?" Um, yeah. I guess I knew that.
Have fun!
We'll see in January, rest up and have a safe holidayQuote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr
Sorry to hear that! Ice, Aleve, and Roxanne! will help...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr
I thought I posted out as well - can't make it.