Mt Rogers Official Planning forum

[slowhike]

Well said WalksInDark.
Battery operated stuff & anything else I don't want freezing lives in an inside jacket or shirt pocket the whole weekend.
And they say about drying leather boots... "If it's to warm to hold your hand there, it's to warm for the leather boots. I've seen more than one pair of nice leather boots damaged, & probably more boot/shoe soles, trying to dry/warm them next to the fire.
They need to be dried slowly.
One good way to dry them might be by putting a hot water bottle inside each boot.

[MedicineMan]

in the craft section of chinamart they used (i'd guess still do) to have cans of dessicant (Silica gel, silicon dioxide)...you can buy a can, repackage into smaller pouches and put the pouches inside each boot at night--helps a lot if you put both boots in a plastic bag and zip it shut.
You can heat silica in the oven at home for reuse.

[stormcrow]

Never under estimate the slowest person in your hiking group….as may they be carrying all of the stuff that fell out of your pack as you sailed along the way.

um....Thanks again brother! Looking forward to seeing you again. I SHOULD be a little better prepared but knowing you are coming sets my mind at ease..

~sc

[JJJ]

I confess that I'm more of a trailrunner than a camping enthusiast but some of this info might be useful to help prepare for the hangout.

A group of 5 of us went up Sat morning to do the Highlands loop - Massie Gap - Scales - Rhododendron Gap - Massie Gap. About 12 miles.

Our rendezvous was the backpacker parking lot.
When we arrived the at the turnoff to this and the campground, there was a ROAD CLOSED sign.
There was no snow on the road that I could see, so I'm not sure why.
I'm presuming someone has obtained a permit for this group and the Ranger may allow is to drive to the campground parking(?)
We parked along the main road which about 2 miles from Wise.

There is still significant snow cover in most places under the trees and brush. This might change some this week with a few more warm days, but that snow has already been there well over a month.
There is mud/water everywhere else.

There were three people in Wise shelter at about 10:45 AM
There were 2 ponies watching closely for any possibility of a pack/foodbag to be left unattended I presume.

There are several treetops in the Spur Trail and the AT to Wise, somewhat fewer beyond.

Near the parking area, @9:30, the temp was about 35°, minimal wind, and overcast. When we arrived at the bald a mile from Scales, it was foggy, below freezing, with 35+ mph winds, and wide-scattered beauty.
Conditions returned to 35 and calm once we got off Wilburn Ridge, and lower than Massie Gap.

Without a vegetation corridor, the snow and general debris on the trail makes it easy to lose the trail in places.

A very short video at the head of the Pine Mt Trail 2 miles east of Rhododendron Gap.
Some photos

The trip took about 45 minutes longer than my slow estimate of 4 hours.

JJJ

[slowhike]

A group of 5 of us went up Sat morning to do the Highlands loop - Massie Gap - Scales - Rhododendron Gap - Massie Gap. About 12 miles.

Our rendezvous was the backpacker parking lot.
When we arrived the at the turnoff to this and the campground, there was a ROAD CLOSED sign.
There was no snow on the road that I could see, so I'm not sure why.
I'm presuming someone has obtained a permit for this group and the Ranger may allow is to drive to the campground parking(?)
We parked along the main road which about 2 miles from Wise.
JJJ

Thanks for that report! Good info!
I'm puzzled by the "Road Closed" sign though.
I'm going to try to call the state park today. If no answer there, I'll call the Rangers over that area.

[MacEntyre]

Video:

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Pictures:

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[JJJ]

Shucks. Sorry about the links.

[WalksInDark]

WANTED TO BORROW: PULKE


Given the great uncertainty as to where we will be hanging this weekend, I would love to borrow anyone’s extra pulke.

If I don’t hear from anyone by Thursday (and I will post that I did not), I guess then I will try my luck at making one.

Thanks!

Look Forward To Seeing Everyone There!

[slowhike]

WANTED TO BORROW: PULKE


Given the great uncertainty as to where we will be hanging this weekend, I would love to borrow anyone’s extra pulke.

If I don’t hear from anyone by Thursday (and I will post that I did not), I guess then I will try my luck at making one.

Thanks!

Look Forward To Seeing Everyone There!

See post 302 in this thread...
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...=10483&page=31

[RedBeardHanger]

Well said WalksInDark.
Battery operated stuff & anything else I don't want freezing lives in an inside jacket or shirt pocket the whole weekend.
And they say about drying leather boots... "If it's to warm to hold your hand there, it's to warm for the leather boots. I've seen more than one pair of nice leather boots damaged, & probably more boot/shoe soles, trying to dry/warm them next to the fire.
They need to be dried slowly.
One good way to dry them might be by putting a hot water bottle inside each boot.

I know this post is from 2 years ago but... I once learned that ya put your boots in a brown paper bag at night and they won’t freeze... I don’t know how it works but it does! Not saying they won’t be cold... just not frozen.