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Post by countryroads on Sept 30, 2015 19:13:26 GMT -5
Just a heads up. The Washington Backpackers Meetup Group's annual fall backpack to Roaring Plains area is this Fri, Sat, Sun. Last check was 45 people going, supposedly in 3 separate camps. Sounds like one is in the Spruces and another one is along South Prong Trail at the creek. So, if you are planning a hike in that area, you will have LOTS of company.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Sept 30, 2015 19:34:53 GMT -5
Hope they like water. It's supposed to rain every day for the next week.
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christopherrobin
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 1, 2015 7:11:51 GMT -5
What's the Whispering Spruce campsite they are talking about?
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Post by Admin on Oct 1, 2015 7:18:32 GMT -5
I think it's that campsite close to where we missed a turn returning from the first big vista when I aborted the hike.
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christopherrobin
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 1, 2015 7:26:48 GMT -5
That's what I was afraid of. Maybe the rain will keep the numbers down.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 1, 2015 7:56:17 GMT -5
I'm having a bit of an issue reconciling 3 groups of 45 people. Their site says three groups of 10 each (which would be within Wilderness rules) and something about other group sites. I hope they don't go over the 10 person limit. Personally, I never like seeing that many people. 2 or 3 are fine but any more and the wilderness setting seems to be lost. Could never be in a group that size myself. Oh, and like arf I hope they like rain - maybe a little snow mixed in up high. It's not too early.
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Post by aseege1 on Oct 1, 2015 8:01:18 GMT -5
Should we contact the rangers?
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Post by arfcomhkr on Oct 1, 2015 9:03:46 GMT -5
Why would you do that when the Forest Service lets the trail runners go through there by the hundreds?
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Post by aseege1 on Oct 1, 2015 9:30:21 GMT -5
Just wondering what we can do to deter them...
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Post by countryroads on Oct 1, 2015 16:27:04 GMT -5
I'm having a bit of an issue reconciling 3 groups of 45 people. Their site says three groups of 10 each (which would be within Wilderness rules) and something about other group sites. I hope they don't go over the 10 person limit. Personally, I never like seeing that many people. 2 or 3 are fine but any more and the wilderness setting seems to be lost. Could never be in a group that size myself. Oh, and like arf I hope they like rain - maybe a little snow mixed in up high. It's not too early. Agreed. Their numbers do not add up. I know there is another site in some spruces just off Tower Trail. Maybe that is the Whispering spruce campsite or maybe in the spruces not far up towards Haystack knob. Yes, large groups make me want to go home. Largest I have ever camped with in a wilderness was 8, and unfortunately that was first weekend in October of 2012 in Roaring Plains. Yes, there certainly were more than 10 people on their trip that year. Our rough count was more than 15. Our group size was accidental. We got out to the spruces and there were lots of people camped there. We noticed 2 hammock hangers on the canyon rim side; they were 2 hangers that we knew and we camped with them. I noticed that one of them noted that the stream for the "group" site was a step over. During heavy rain, I have seen that step over become chest deep and flooding the sites nearest the creek. Oh well. And Roaring plains trail can be a very deep "stream" hike in the rain. Hope they have no plans to stay even remotely dry. Temps will most likely be in the low 40's or into the 30's. I also hope the critter destroyed water cache that was at the campsite away from the rim was not theirs. If so, I guess they will have to filter the rain water. I carried out over 24 1/2 Liter animal damaged water bottles, 2 leaking propane cylinders (which is probably why animals had ravaged the cache, propane smells like food to scavengers) and 2 cans of pork and beans. Also removed the garbage from the fire ring. Oh well, I think I will do a DIY project this weekend and head out next week/weekend. Everyone stay dry!
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 1, 2015 17:05:15 GMT -5
I’ll be out on Monday probably but not anywhere that ever gets mentioned on forums.
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Post by jnk556 on Oct 1, 2015 18:43:38 GMT -5
One reason I avoid DS. although RP is nice, it is getting just as bad...
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christopherrobin
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 2, 2015 9:08:06 GMT -5
Unfortunately I think some of these groups get their ideas from this forum and Mike's website. I have read a good hike review on this site, and next thing you know that same hike is now on their schedule. But how do you inform the responsible individuals without letting these irresponsible groups know what trail conditions are?
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 2, 2015 9:34:31 GMT -5
That's always the problem. I remember an article in National Geographic magazine years ago about protecting the Grand Canyon versus loving it to death. In some ways I loathe websites that give out too much information. Nobody has to work at discovering things themselves anymore and they take places for granted. Sometimes the lowest common denominator shows up and ruins it for everyone. My sentiment is somewhat like what Colin Fletcher expressed about trail guides but the internet is exponently worse. The only solution I see is to keep some places private (secret if you will). There are places I go that I will never share on this forum or any others. Now, these aren't really secret but they aren't on the web either. You have to do research, put in your time and discover a little and you'll be rewarded with a place few know about but that is yet still known. A conundrum I know, but it exists. There are trails on the Mon that no one talks about that I'd rank right up there with the best on this site or any but I ain't saying where they are. Sorry, you got to work for them.
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Post by Admin on Oct 2, 2015 9:55:17 GMT -5
You guys are making me feel guilty.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Oct 2, 2015 10:07:40 GMT -5
Unfortunately I think some of these groups get their ideas from this forum and Mike's website. I have read a good hike review on this site, and next thing you know that same hike is now on their schedule. But how do you inform the responsible individuals without letting these irresponsible groups know what trail conditions are? There's just nothing that can be done about that and it's not new. This is the opening day of Spruce Knob Lake in 1953. Said to have been 15,000 people there that day.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 2, 2015 10:14:46 GMT -5
Well, something was done about that by doing away with fishing seasons in WV and creating a year round season. You don't see that here anymore. Now, people following the stocking truck - don't get me started.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Oct 2, 2015 10:46:50 GMT -5
Well, something was done about that by doing away with fishing seasons in WV and creating a year round season. You don't see that here anymore. Now, people following the stocking truck - don't get me started. You mean like this? I got stuck in that mess back in smoke hole this spring.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 2, 2015 11:45:12 GMT -5
Argh arf, now you gone and done it! Smokehole is where I had my "encounter". Nice day fishing the river. Stop for lunch setting on the tailgate of my truck. Here comes the stocking truck followed by a convoy of vehicles as it heads to the end of the road. We eat dust. 10 minutes later or so it comes back followed by the same convoy. We eat more dust and get disgusted. We pack up and leave. On the way out the truck is backed into the stream and there is a semi-circle of people in the stream with fishing rods. Disgusts me even typing it. My buddy and I thought - "why not just go buy them at the store" - nothing sporting about it at all. Since then I've tended to fish smaller waters devoid of yahoos. Did go back to Smokehole this year and avoided the crowds.
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ki0eh
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Post by ki0eh on Oct 2, 2015 18:03:31 GMT -5
There are many places in PA that need more people to go to them. Just over the PA/NY border a thru-hiker reported traversing the 550 mile Finger Lakes Trail with shelters every ~10 miles and encountered only one other backpacker. If the same old places are crowded maybe don't go to the same old places, there are plenty of other places to go. The real enemy is the screen and the couch. (Typing from the armchair of course...)
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