Thanks for the Memories

My first backpacking trip was over 18 years ago - more than half a lifetime away. I was green, and not in the sustainable sense; my friend Eric and I spent the evening on a side trail to the Appalachian Trail at an unknown campsite wondering exactly where we were. That night became fodder for my infamous Sasquatch story, told around many campfires. No time for that now or this post will get even longer than it has potential to be now.

Back then I bounced between two outfitters as I began to grow into a legitimate outdoor customer, Eastern Mountain Sports at the Park City Mall and The Wildernest at Regency Square. But, like many of our customers I have seen over the years, I'm not much of a "mall guy." I can take it for an hour before I break out in a cold sweat. I was drawn more and more to be a regular at the Wildernest, pulled in by the personal service I received and quality conversation.

It wasn't long until my close backpacking friends and I were gaining trail cred and bulking up our gear closets from the store. He'll buy the Pur (remember that name) filter and I'll buy the MSR stove and we'll be on our way. We headed out to the Black Forest Trail for a two and a half day blitz, one that became the yardstick for all future weekend adventures. In fact, those nonstop thousand foot climbs and descents had me blowing chunks the second night. Brian, I haven't forgotten that you ate all of the shells and cheese that evening...

The following summer led me to Baxter State Park with my pal Eric for some real adventure. All the while I was in and out of the store, picking up gear and clothes as needed; but as a strapped teenager, more often window shopping and looking for advice. My friends and I were extremely disappointed to find out at the time that the Wildernest was closing, but felt lucky to salvage a few items during the clearance sales. I was too naive at the time to understand that liquidation sales often meant a change of ownership, not knowing that the store's manager Shawn was now taking this baby under his wing. I was thrilled to see the store reopen and was back in to check it out in a hurry.

Some more serious hikes ensued. I ticked off the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail with my friend Brian. Not long after I decided a solo hike was in order as I prepared for my dream of heading out for a thru-hike on the AT. Four days on the 73-mile Quehanna Trail forced me to grapple with time alone in the woods while helping me realize what I was capable of in terms of trail mileage. The following spring, after graduating from college in December, I looked to get that thru-hike started in Springer Mountain, Georgia. More Wildernest shopping in order, and this time it was serious. Shawn led me to the Patagonia R2 fleece as a do-it-all jacket; it is still a staple of my trips thirteen years later. I was loading for bear (no, not literally) and all the while Shawn and I got to know each other better.

The summer of 2000 on the AT was a pivotal moment in my life, definitely something that has shaped me in numerous ways. As I came through PA I returned home for some friend and work commitments, and I was back at the Wildernest to join the throng of trekking pole users. After a hiatus at home I kept trekking north. I ended up descending Stratton Mountain, Vermont to return home with the trail unfinished, but that too is a story for another time. The trail itself makes for a rich narrative, and the return home was based mostly on work and the woman I currently call my wife, by my own volition and not her call.

Upon returning home I experienced some of the same societal re-acclimation that full thru-hikers experience, and where did I go for therapy? The Wildernest of course! At that time I was in the process of securing my full time job as a teacher, and I spent much time in revery at the thought of a summer job at the store. One day I approached Shawn, asking if he would need any summer help as I looked for a job to supplement my income and give me something to do. It's funny how you look for "something to do" at that age! His response was that he'd love to have me... and that was my interview. I was humbly blessed to have this opportunity, even more now in retrospect.

My first weeks and even months were spent learning about gear. I already knew quite a bit, but I had even more I had to learn. Clinics and time spent with Shawn and other employees (shout out to employee Eric!) sharpened my knowledge and brought me up to speed in the retail world, an area I had never worked before. One early lesson Shawn taught me was that my view of gear would change after working at the outfitter - I am still a miser with my money, but my taste for quality gear has distinctly improved!

Although my long trip on the AT was done, my thirst for backpacking wasn't satiated. Weekends off for "job training" had me out on the Loyalsock Trail, the Shenendoahs, the Thunder Swamp Trail, the West Rim Trail, the Catskills, back to the AT, the Dolly Sods, the Allegheny Front Trail, back to the AT, and much more... you get the idea. It was never a problem making sure I had off work for a trip, whether for a long weekend with the guys, a midweek adventure with friends, or an overnighter with my own boys.

All the while Shawn was the most flexible scheduling boss I ever had. When I was coaching, I'd take a two month leave and then be back on the schedule when I was ready. When baby one, then two, then three, and then four came... I was always able to adjust my availability. When I wanted to pick up more hours, they were nearly always open for me to grab. As I added the  third job of adjunct professor, one Saturday per month became the norm, and that was OK.

And the gear, oh how my gear collection has grown. Thanks to an understanding wife, it has its own small room in my basement, complete with a sleeping bag rack, pack wall, pack scale, and massive closet. Camping and backpacking is a family affair for us, and the Wildernest has been my provider over the years. I also have quite a bit of extra old gear taking up that space; I have had a passion for taking out first-time hikers and it's nice to have gear at their disposal.

While at the store I also had the privilege to meet many great customers and work with many great people. Dave (an AT thru-hiker and likely a triple-crowner by now) and Shawn (no, the other Shawn!) come to mind. These guys have become long-distance hiking warriors. In fact, Shawn has just broken, no, shattered, the unsupported speed record for the Colorado Trail. The hiking world is not one of celebrity, but I feel honored to have met and worked with these guys. Somehow I never left like these fellows, waging a constant war between responsible family guy and transient hiker. Now I am blessed to have the best of both worlds, married to a beautiful girl and father to four strong hiking boys (two soon to receive the KTA young hiker award!) while getting my backpacking kicks several weekends each year. I joked with Shawn that I may be the longest running employee the Wildernest has had - I'm getting old as an outfitter employee!

So if you haven't heard or haven't figured it out by now, the Wildernest is closing. I don't want to disappoint those of you who lack the naivete I had 15 years ago, but regretfully it isn't being reopened by one of us in the weeks to come. Although we faced mounting pressure from Internet sales and the economy was a bit slow at times, the main reason was difficult lease conditions. That story isn't the point here - you can look elsewhere for that.

I have many memories to reflect back upon and many things I'll miss. Discounts on gear - I can't deny it. Hanging snowflakes for the holidays with Josh - something I seemed to be stuck with for many years but somehow escaped in recent years. Having clinics with sales reps to see new gear - and get it cheap. Gaining a full knowledge of what equipment and technology was out there - not just what I had. Catching up with Shawn between shifts to see how our families were doing - we were both adding children from the time I started working. Organizing the back storage area with the other Shawn - only to find it in shambles in a few months! Getting paid to do something I would have done for free given the time - I may have reinvested much of it back into gear, but it filled my gas tank from time to time. But maybe most of all, and the main reason I started working - spending a day helping a customer plan a trip. Or having a new hiker come in and helping them get outfitted on their budget. We weren't commissioned, so we did our best to meet the customer's needs with what we had. It was a pleasure to introduce people to the world of backpacking or just converse and learn from customers in the store.

So Shawn, thanks for the memories. I am grateful for what I have learned at the store, and for the opportunities the job has provided. I hope my time away won't dull my knowledge, but I know it won't dull my sense of adventure. There will always be trips, and maybe someday another outfitter. Thanks for the experience Shawn.

Happy trails, from Chris at the Wildernest.

Gear Maintenance: Shoes

I just finished one of my most gratifying gear maintenance tasks: treating all of my shoes. Not just my hiking boots... we're talking my sandals, dress shoes, and some of my wife's shoes (including her high-top hikers I bought her when we were dating that she's rarely worn since... but that's another story).

This event is an annual process that takes probably 3-4 hours from beginning to end, and it includes fixing laces or doing any other minor repair my meager cobbling abilities will allow. It is a sight to see a row of clean, treated, supple shoes ready to be put to use. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that my row is a bit longer than expected, but I'd like to think that each pair is utilitarian; in addition I take pride in a proactive sale purchase that may save money in the long run.

So, I said "annual"... I suspect shoe maintenance is much like car maintenance - most people know it's supposed to be taken care of at some point, but many people neglect it at times because "it's just fine for now." Now I said annual, but if you check with hiking boot manufacturers you may find them saying every six months or so, and on some of the footwear care products you may find ranges as low as every two to four months. I'm not saying they make the interval so small to up their bottom line, but I have found that an annual treating makes it not so much of a chore and seems to do my shoes well. So why do it? A clean, treated shoe is a happy one that will have a longer life, which means saving you money and keeping your feet in better shape. Plus, waterproof boots can eventually wet out like a jacket; you need to waterproof the outer layer before water has a chance to soak in to the Gore-Tex layer and weight down your feet.

Now I treated all of my footwear, but for the balance of this post I'll focus on the outdoor shoes. There are numerous products out their to treat your dress and casual shoes and I'm sure you can find them with some research. I've just picked up some various polishes, etc. at local shops when I've needed them and they have gone a long way.

For my Birkenstocks I make sure I use Cork Life every year, otherwise your footbed could breakdown and crumble much faster. There are a few Cork Life knockoffs out there; perhaps I'll try one of them next year since my years-old bottle was struggling to make it through this year.

For sandals, whether you've got Chacos, Tevas, Merrells, or whatever, I'd recommend giving Nikwax's Sandal Wash a try. I gave it a chance this year and I like the results. Otherwise a careful dip in the clothes washer shouldn't hurt!

But the real fun comes in reconditioning your hiking shoes. There is quite a variety of fabric and leather combinations out there, and I'd recommend Nikwax for whatever shoe you have. Their Fabric/Leather treatment works well for most trail runners, while their Nubuck and Suede treatment will be great for those leathers. But I must admit that nothing gives me greater pleasure than polishing up a smooth leather with their Aqueous Wax. My Vasque Sundowners always look ready for a Sunday church service after they've been worked over! Some people still prefer mink oil, and I even have the remnants of an old can lying around, but why slay a mink when there are many comparable options consisting of beeswax, lanolin, and other materials.

So there you have it - get some goop and treat your shoes! I know I'll enjoy it on the next rainy hike when water beads up on boots like a freshly waxed car, and next year I'll be ready to do it all over again.

Minister Creek Trail

Well... it's been a while! I wish I could give a reason for lack of entries, but... it would really just be an excuse. Hopefully this summer will yield a few more, albeit potentially shorter, entries regarding gear, locations, and many other things camping/hiking/backpacking.

So, to it... Ever hear of the Minister Creek Trail? Okay, ever hear of the Allegheny National Forest? The Minister Creek Trail is a 6-8 (depending on your source or route) mile circuit in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest. If you are in the area or looking for something to do in Northwestern PA, I would definitely recommend this trail.

For most people this would make a nice day-hike. Elevation gain is generously sloped and the trip could be done within four hours pretty easily. However, a nice feature of this trail is the wealth of gorgeous campsites. I decided to make this an overnight backpack with my 8- and 6-year old sons. Since we are from Lancaster, PA in southcentral PA, why would we want to drive nearly 5 hours for an overnight backpack? Well, my wife asked the same question, but that's just how we (plural utilized without permission...) roll!

The boys and I actually stretched the trip into two evenings by driving up on a Friday night and staying at one of the National Forest's free dispersed campsites. It was a bit tricky to find after dark (and a bit nerve-wracking with two boys, especially looking along "Rt 666"), but we did find a nice campsite to tuck into right off the road.

The trail itself has two "camps," each of which contains multiple sites. We didn't veer down into Deer Lick Camp and decided to proceed past the crowd at the main camping area in order to set up our own little camp. We settled on a little used site right along the Minister Creek just before the trail veered away from the creek and up the hill side. A relaxing afternoon of creek stomping and playing turned into a cozy evening by the fire. It was nice to know we had more than half the trail done so we could get a jump on getting home in the morning.

The forest and creek were great, but the main feature of the trail is the glacier-deposited boulders. They had the boys in awe and made for some great scrambling moments. The Minister Creek View was a great punctuation for the final mile of our journey.

Overall, I'd recommend this trail for a nice day-hike, or if you are looking for a short backpacking trip or a kid-friendly backpacking endeavor, this would certainly fit the bill. Until later - hopefully soon - happy trails!

Tents II - Pitching Tips

When it comes to getting your tent set up in the woods, there are several simple tips that could make your life easier. The first piece of advice is obvious, yet often not heeded - set up your tent at home at least once before you go!

Once you have a campsite selected, look at your surroundings. First of all, are there any "widowmakers" (dead branches) above? If so, move! Which way is the prevailing wind? If the wind isn't blowing at the moment, then take a look at the trees - have they have a bend in one general direction? Does the ground show indications of where water lies or flows? You don't want to be in any area where water pools or flows.

Now that you have selected a spot out of the way of water and if possible sheltered by the wind, get your ground tarp or footprint out. Comb the area for sticks and moveable rocks, but refrain from digging up roots and rocks and mowing down the forest floor; you want to Leave No Trace. If you must be set up in the wind, position the most aerodynamically designed side of your tent into the wind. This may not have you facing the camp fire, but it could make for a more peaceful night of sleep.

Next is where there is some debate among the experts. The best advice is to stake out your tent at this point. Admittedly, I usually run my poles through next and then make some final position tweaks before staking, but staking first gives the tightest pitch. No matter when you do put in your stakes, you should not move around the tent in a circular pattern. Rather, pick one corner to stake, then go to the opposite corner, just like tightening the lug nuts on a wheel. This will ensure the most weatherproof pitch.

To finish, secure your fly to the tent body. This should definitely be done after staking and should also be done from corner to corner. If foul weather is on the way, most tents have guy lines that should be secured in order to add more stability to the structure. Now you're ready for a good night's sleep in the woods!

Tents I - what size?

So, you're looking for a new camping shelter - what size should you get?

Well, first of all, we should start looking at what type of camping you are doing and what other options are available. Alternate options include a backcountry shelter (or cabin), a hammock, or no tent at all. The latter option is OK with the right weather conditions - and certainty about those conditions holding. I wouldn't recommend this one for much more than an overnighter, but it certainly is a beautiful and refreshing way to stay out under the stars. As for a hammock, they are becoming more and more popular. These are more of a one-size-fits-one option, although you could certainly make up your own customized rig with a light nylon hammock, a lightweight tarp, and maybe some mosquito netting. The most standard names in camping hammocks would be Hennessy and Clark. When it comes to staying in an Adirondack-style shelter, you should first consider availability; some of these can be reserved along some trails.

Let's just say a tent is what you want. What will you be using it for? Backpacking? Car camping? A mix of the two? How many people?

If you're like me and others of us at the Wildernest and you've been camping regularly for years, then you may have a tent for each situation. That's not always feasible for everyone, but if you have a family of more than two kids and you are backpacking and car camping, then you will most likely find yourself eventually in the market for multiple tents.

When picking a backpacking tent, I have a personal rule of thumb for customers looking for a certain size of tent - 15 square feet per person is an around average room for a tent. Many times newer backpackers look at the size of the tent on the floor and think it looks small for two people, but when they see the size rolled up and the weight on their back they realize that space is still a function of packed size and weight. Someone whose primary goal is weight savings must be willing to consider looking at a tent that has less than 15 square feet per person, while someone who wants something larger must be willing to add weight. However, the square footage should only be an initial guideline; there are several other features that affect roominess and weight. For example, tents with a significant amount of mesh will be lighter. Tents with multiple doors will be heavier. Freestanding tents will be heavier. Single wall tents will be lighter. Maybe more on this later...

When looking at the size of a tent, one important feature to consider beyond the square footage is the volume and livability. Look for a tent with more vertical walls, especially at the entry. Not only will this provide more space to move, it will also help with moisture management when exiting and entering the tent in foul weather. Walls with extremely angled sides leave you with little corners, nooks, and crannies that you rarely find a good use for. Tent companies have not been releasing a cubic footage, but I don't see why that couldn't be an unreasonable endeavor for companies to do so in the coming years.We may end up being surprised at how some tents compare.

Outside of the realm of backpacking, the 15 square feet per person seems to be a reasonable number to use as a guideline for car camping and family camping. These camping adventures usually do not have the weight restrictions, so you can splurge a bit on size here. However, when car camping often one takes much more with them so that extra space ends up easily being filled.

Bottom line, regardless of the person capacity a tent lists, you will want to check the square footage, check the height, and if possible, see the tent set up so you can see how livable it will be and how vertical the walls are. If you are ever stuck hunkered down in the rain you'll be glad you did!

Standing Stone Trail Part II

Well, I made mention of the Standing Stone Trail in the initial post on this (so far occasional) blog just over a year ago. Last year I took I went with a group of friends and hiked the northern 20 miles of the trail; this year a friend and I put together a 3 night/day excursion that covered the middle 30 miles of the trail.

For a quick review, the Standing Stone Trail is a trail in central Pennsylvania that runs generally north to south and extends from Greenwood Furnace State Park to Cowans Gap State Park. It links the Mid-State Trail in the north to the Tuscarora Trail in the south. Thus, the former name of "Link Trail." The name change was to give the trail some identity in its own right; I would say that personally I probably pay more attention to a trail with a legit name other than the word "link" in it. Apparently "connector" trails are beneath me! The KTA has a nice map that shows the location of these trails.

So, this year's journey picked up at route 655 just northeast of Fousetown on April Fool's Eve. Rather than an early Friday start, some guys wanted to get up on the trail Thursday evening to reduce some of our Friday and Saturday miles. Hence we got on the road and didn't get vehicles situated and our feet on the trail until after 9PM. We got into it right away with a solid 3 mile climb to the top of the first mountain to the edge of Rothrock State Forest. It was a beautifully stark and dark evening with some views of valley lights, punctuated by two going on three inches of fresh snow. Bedding down close to midnight, we had a chilly night's sleep on the snow pack.

Friday morning came with continued snow, flurries, and chill - and that's no April Fool's joke! But, as we dropped down off of Jack's Mountain we began to realize that elevation was the demarcation between winter and a cold wet spring day. Halfway down the mountain the snow diminished and by the time we went down the Thousand Steps none was in sight. We stopped in Mapleton on a park pavilion for lunch where we spread out and hung most of our gear to air out and dry a bit. Apparently we were a town spectacle - quite a number of cars pulled into the park and pulled right out! A kind Mapleton resident filled up our water across the street before we headed out of town for another long pull back up Jack's mountain. We met at the top and then cruised down the ridge where we met up with three more friends to camp along Singer's Gap Run for a total of about 14 miles on the day.

 

Saturday brought a slight improvement in weather, although another snow squall blew in on our climb up to the Throne Room. We were looking to make Saturday a pretty short day but we kept struggling to find a decent campsite, so our day extended to around 11 miles. On the positive side, that made for a quick 3 mile jaunt on Sunday and a lunch run to Hoss's; on the negative side, it caused us to push into State Game Land to stealth camp - not something we planned on doing.

So, what's my overall take on this trail after completing a large portion of it? Well, the camping situation is definitely sketchy, thus our Saturday night botched campsite. The trail maintainers are calling it "premier," but I still debate that moniker and deem it a "hidden gem in central PA." It's good enough that I'll go back for those last 20 miles next year anyway.

I'm Cold!

So, are you a three-season camper who's eagerly awaiting spring's blossoms? Perhaps you are even waiting for the groundhog's forecast here in Pennsylvania next week. If so, you are not alone; but, I would encourage you to take the leap into a winter camping or backpacking trip. The downside... well, of course it's cold!

But let's talk about some potential upsides... For one thing, trails and campsites won't be crowded. Also, bugs won't be a concern. And finally, for those of us who like a challenge, you get the opportunity to test your mettle in the frigid weather.

So, how do you prepare? Whether you are backpacking or car camping, make sure you plan details in advance so that you are well informed of conditions and the needed gear. In the winter you will find many campgrounds and trails closed or allowing only limited access. For the novice, don't be afraid to reschedule if a blizzard rolls in and the three inches of snow you planned on backpacking through gets covered by a foot - and you don't have snowshoes. But, don't wimp out - reschedule!

For the car camper, you just need more of everything. More insulation, more firewood, more fuel/batteries (less daylight!), and in some cases more food and water. For the backpacker, that's the same, which means fewer miles on the trail. But, I should stress again - being prepared is essential. Don't go out in the winter without finding some more details beyond what's discussed here (disclaimer!).

I try to make it a point to get out one or more times each winter, but I haven't been afraid to change a trip if conditions were too much for me. Some memorable winter excursions for me...

- A pre-kid Thanksgiving (in the Mid-Atlantic I'd loosely consider "winter" anything from November to March) car-camp with my wife. A couple of inches of snow on the ground, steaks on the fire, and a massive pile of blankets in the tent.
- A one-child cabin trip to Cook Forest State Park in PA. Great family time in the outdoors.
- A one night backpack on the Laurel Highlands Trail with a friend when I was a little less experienced. We almost got lost without a tent in the snow and I burned up my shirt drying it over the fire, but... oh well.
- A March backpacking trip on the Chuck Keiper Trail without all that advance planning, only to find six inches of snow on the northern slopes!
- An annual Christmas backpacking trip to the West Rim Trail, Chuck Keiper Trail, Allegheny Front Trail, and other locales. That trip received less approval as the family grew and the gods of fate took over on the AFT when my friend's stove nearly exploded and we conceded to the cold and our wives' wishes by coming home early.

I've had several other trips, and in order to get my children involved, some of those trips have been to cabins with day hikes. In fact, as I think about it, that's the only think in the pipeline this winter. Am I getting soft? I am going to have to keep my eyes out for an open weekend!

Of course this has been only a basic primer on getting out in the winter. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at thewildernestchris@gmail.com. Don't fret too much about the cold, everyone stays warm while walking!