2nd annual tristate solo group hike

I'll try to meet you there at 9am then. I have decided to add some stuff to my credit card to cut down on weight. I'll try not to slow ya down.

you won't slow me down, we have all day There are chances of scattered Thunderstorms tomorrow night, so be prepared. See you in the morning.

Well I couldn't go even if the weather and everything else cooperated. We have a kids fishing tournament this weekend and the boy scouts will also be camping here. We should be full by Thursday afternoon! More work for me! You guys have a great time and some one report to me the trail condiditons. Especially the un-adopted and the worst sections. When we do have weekends that the weather will cooperate with me I plan on doing some more trail clearing on the ERL.

So I've talked to mark on the phone and decided what I'm going to do. I'll probably hit Albert Pike around 3ish on Friday. I was going to just drive up to Little Mo and catch you all, but mark told me to quit being a panzy and finish the loop for once. So, keeping that in mind, I'm going to just start at Albert Pike and chase the group. I probably won't catch you until you stop for the night.

My pack lost some weight too, but I can't find anything to bring for insulation except my regular 3-season quilts. Looks like I'll have to carry them even though this weekend will probably be too warm for them.

Mark, I bought something today that I think you'll get a big kick out of. It'll have to be a surprise when I find you guys Friday night. Make sure to pack extra 'lytes, socks, food, sunscreen, and boil some extra coffee water for me so that I can keep my pack weight manageable.

-Nate

Nate,

Amanda is making me a special very thin quilt right now Also, if the night low is above 70, leave that under quilt at home, you will be fine. See you Friday night.

Just thought I would let you know, that Amanda has finished my new 10oz. quilt, and my 3 day pack with food, water, crocs, and raingear, just weighed in at 15.5 pounds. I am feeling great about this hike, see most of you on Friday.

Well, after all the planning on how to make it work I'm going to have to cancel after all.
Y'all have fun. I'll go next time when I can make the whole trip.

Mark

I'm not going to make it either guys. I've been out in this heat all week and I just can't see hiking in it and enjoying it.

Ya'll have a good hike.

ENJOY it? We're backpackers, not city yuppies at the park. If you find that you're enjoying the actual hiking in Arkansas in June, you're doing something wrong. You need to put some rocks in your socks or pinecones in your underwear or something.

I go despite how much hiking in the summer sucks because the company is just that good.

east_stingray wrote:ENJOY it? We're backpackers, not city yuppies at the park. If you find that you're enjoying the actual hiking in Arkansas in June, you're doing something wrong. You need to put some rocks in your socks or pinecones in your underwear or something.

I go despite how much hiking in the summer sucks because the company is just that good.

I don't know you, but you can bet I'm not gonna be enjoying your "company" on any hike soon.

I've worked outdoors for over 30 yrs, farming, construction and timber. I've had heat exhaustion more times than I can count. I don't know what you do for a living, but if you think your tougher than I'm so be it. Otherwise, watch what you say and stay out of my way.

I also have spent plenty of time out doors this time of the year. Mainly as a painting contractor. I have also come close several times to heat exhaustion/heat stroke. I have had several friends in the medical field that have told me to not take that chance again because I had come close to crossing the divide. I would love to go on this trip but I am a realistic person, that comes to living on this earth for 57 years, not in this heat.

Chill out, man. It's all in good fun. I wasn't trying to be condescending, so no need to whip out the creds. My point was that, yeah, it's going to suck because it's going to be hot. I probably wouldn't go hike the loop by myself in June, but the other folks who are going are such good people it makes it worth it to me.

I think the heat maybe got to him.

As a side note, I will note that none of the "original" Tristate Solo Group Hikers will be going this year (Trail Monkey, AR, Red Buffalo). Believe me, if it weren't for this wedding today I'd be there. Maybe we can all join up again next year? Heck, let's go ahead and plan it and I'll pencil in not to schedule a wedding?

Right 'O on the company - great guys.

As far as the heat, I'll be doing my ERL solo yo-yo starting next week. I know I'll need to plan my water consumption and hit the trail early. I'm pretty good at taking the heat and have hiked a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in June so I believe I'll be in good shape. I won't be winning any races out there, but "It's not a race, it's an adventure!"

Hope to read a trip report when you guys finish out.

Red,

I believe it is all about what you are prepared for. I am not prepared to hike the loop in the heat. I know my limitaitions. I wish all the best for the guys on the trail and I am now training, sort of, for the heat and hiking. I just got in from a aprox. four mile walk/hike thru the hills around our campground and Dierks dam/lake. I will be better prepared for the fall. Best of luck on your yo-yo and up coming JM hike!

You are right Tom. Two years back I took my brother on the ERL the first week of June and he was down the first day. Actually, it hit him on the first climb out of Albert Pike. He had ran out of water on our pre-hike a month earlier so he was conserving water, which I didn't know about, and he got heat stroke / exhaustion the first mile out. We walked the road to Winding Stairs TH and then got him down to the where the trail meets the Little Mo and camped there for three days. It took him most of that to recover. You gotta respect the heat.

I just got back today and we had a blast! I left Thursday morning at 5am and met up with Dave at 9am. We set right off up Brush Heap and Dave got his first dose of it He was a great trooper and hiked his own hike right along. We made it up Eagle Rock and even went out on the vista here:



We made it to the ABF, Viles Branch junction in no time and went on to the Winding Stair. We got to Winding Stair in no time and had fun swimming for a while:





On our way across the double crossing of the Little Mo, Dave spotted a little rainbow trout and managed to catch it with his hands!!!



He released the trout and we went up around the bend up to a campsite and set up camp for the night, and then went back to go swim for a few more hours. We really made good time, and it meant that we only had 3 miles to get to Albert Pike to meet the group by noon. Here are some pics of Dave's first night in a hammock and our camp on the Winding Stair Thursday night.





We woke up and took our time to get to Albert Pike, but we still made it to the top of the hill above Albert Pike soon enough:



We made it to Albert Pike at 10:30 and messed around in the river to cool off until the group showed up. They showed up and off we went again with Tenn, Auto, Rivae, Ben, Dave and I, plus 5 dogs. We had our spills but made it to the falls soon enough.



We continued on to the Upper Mo trail head and set up camp, most of us were tired and we surely sweated enough It was great to get into camp.









We woke up early and headed off, minus 2 people and 4 dogs. The rest of us headed up the hills and Dave and I only had 4 hills to get to our vehicles. We made it to them soon enough and when I got to my truck I had a flat My spare was flat, and my tire iron was back at home Luckily Dave offered to pick up the 2 left behind and take them to their vehicle at Albert Pike, plus me and my spare Glenwood to get it fixed I was so thankful to Dave for transporting me all around Glenwood that I bought him a Pizza at Little Italy in Glenwood (my new favorite pizza!!!) We got the stuffed Pizza and WOW



I got my tire fixed up, and made it home safely, a great trip!!!!

I would post some photos if I knew how...I don't have too many with people, but a lot of scenery.

FYI Dwight I am pilferring some of your photos for FB

Thanks for the report. Don't forget to order your patches!

Sounds like a great trip guys! Dwight check your spare before you leave!! Anyway I am glad you had Dave to help out I knew you guys would hit it off!!

I know, I know, I know, about the spare I made it home alright though

Dave, there is a Host an Image button on the top of the message box that I always use. I think you can also upload them to snapfish or photobucket, and then use the URL off of them using just the image button on the top. All of this posting stuff comes with time. Thanks again for your help and leading me to the good pizza, Amanda is already wanting me to take here there next time we are down.

That pie looks awesome - too bad they don't make one in Langley.

RedBuffalo wrote:That pie looks awesome - too bad they don't make one in Langley.

There is a store on the hwy at Langley that does make pizza. I haven't ever tried it but Trail Monkey has spoken highly of it here in the past.

Dwight,

Did you have to use insulation under you on this trip? Any idea what the night time temps were? If so what did you use?