Weather permitting, Dan (Tinkr) and I are planning doing a small section hike on the AT and we'll be ending up with a overnight hang at 501 shelter on Saturday.
The 501 shelter is located north of Bethel on the AT. It is a quick 100 yard hike in and we have a great spot for camping. All are welcome.
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
Thanks for the PM alert on this one. It is a possibility for me, but I don't know about the snow being gone. I still have an average of 6" in my yard and I am an hour South of the AT in this area. It could make for a tricky descent into Swatara Gap.
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. ... To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow." - Robert M. Pirsig
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Count me in for Saturday night. The hike sounds fun but I have a father daughter dance to go to Friday night.
I think you're right and there will still be some snow on the ground - planning on bringing the microspikes alongOriginally Posted by doogie
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
Excellent news! I'm looking forward to catching up with you!
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
Maybe, however if I can make it, I might need a loaner tarp as I just sent mine off for some mods. Weather depending on loaner.
Just in case someone is interested in joining the section hike, Dan and I will start at 501 on Friday afternoon and hike South to the William Penn Shelter (4 miles) to camp on Friday night. Saturday morning we'll be hiking to Swatara Gap (7 miles) and we'll shuttle back for the overnight hang at 501 shelter. Distance is being limited to accommodate that it is very probable that there will still be snow cover. Trail is mainly flat along Blue Mountain except for the descent from Blue Mt. into Swatara Gap (~ 1000' in 1 mile).
If anyone is interested in camping Friday feel free to join. you could walk in from 501 or if you can't get there till later in the day and want to cut some distance off you can park at Rte 645 (Waggoners Gap Rd) which makes it ~ 2 miles to William Penn Shelter.
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
In the process of clearing my schedule, so I should be able to make both the hike and hang.
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Sounds great!
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
Some logistics:
Getting there:
I-78 to exit 13 (Bethel). Take 501 North - go maybe 4 or 5 miles to the top of the mountain and there's a small parking area on the right side of the road.At the north end of the parking lot is a driveway, twenty yards up the driveway is a sign that says Private Drive, turn left on the blue blazed trail. Fifty yards and you will see the shelter. Turn left again and there are three camp sites on the right. We usually take the middle one but it is hard to fit everyone in there so plan on spreading out. There are a lot of dead trees around so pick spots carefully.
Misc:
We eat meat at these, it's not mandatory but as Dutch would say "you don't want to be the guy with ramen when everyone has angus prime".
I'll have a grill we can put over the fire to cook on Saturday unless we can coax Dutch to come out and play in which case he has an awesome (yes, I said awesome) titanium grill that he brings. IMHO there is nothing better than a steak with a tarp flyz brand
Because the parking lot is close, don't be afraid to bring extra gear to keep warm, it can be windy on the top of the mountain.
The 501 shelter is close for any ground dwellers that want to check out what the heck is going on with this "hammock thing"
Firewood is always needed.
A camp chair is always nice.
I'm told that Pizza can be delivered to the parking lot.
see you on the trail,
Mike
#optoutside
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