Quoddy

I actually went back to the original post to make sure that it wasn't April 1st, and unfortunately it wasn't. The caches I did with you and Rose as well as the wonderful events, from the very first... each better than the last, will remain in my memory (at least until senility takes over). Thanks for the wonderful times you've given all of us.

Kevin... I know what the feeling you are suffering is. It's like a hole in your heart that can't be replaced. Right now Quoddy is, where he always is, at my feet. Someday I'll suffer the same pain you are right now, just as I did with my last dog. I read somewhere that we segment our memories into the time a particular dog was with us... how true. They are a part of us and our lives. My thoughts are with you now as I think back to the times we hiked trails with Bailey. Wonderful times that won't be forgotten.

TO: All you Jersey Girls including, but not limited to, Joisey Girl, Lakelady, Trowel32, Pokey, Mrs Avroair, and Deb (PBS). Just to let you know I'll be thinking of you from upstate New York this Valentines Day. (From the Satellite view zoom out 3 clicks... or more)

I'll be with you in mind and spirit, but unfortunately not in body. While you're caching and eating that wonderful food I'll be meditating at the nearby Rahob Dharma Center. I don't even need to wish you all a great time since that goes without saying at this event every year.

This cache, hands down, would have been the one to do. The initial part is/was a puzzle which gave the coordinates to Stage 1. My guess is that someone took the puzzle home in an attempt to figure it out and never returned it. Dan doesn't seem to be active in the caching world right now, so it may never be recreated. It's a shame, since this was my all-time favorite cache and I would have loved seeing a third attempt on it completed.

Congratulations from afar, Laura. I miss being able to do the occasional cache with you.

Congratulations to the FIRST geocacher that I ever met (that was back in April of 2003 while doing Dwayne of Beekman Lane). Many of your caches remain among my favorites of all time.

If the initial loacation ammo box/puzzle is in place, you might try FEAR. It certainly was the most challenging cache I've ever done and I know how you like puzzles and challenges. Another one, quite close to you, is Stokes State Forest Petroglyph Trail Challenge... a nice multi. I , too, agree that Aircrash 3 is an excellent virtual and a nice trek in.

Congratulations!

This past weekend DominoCT and I hiked into Squealy's Little Bit's at Little Pond in the Green Mountains of Vermont for an overnight stay. The snow held off until moments after we arrived, but continued for the following twelve hours. We woke up to a fantastic sunrise, but by the time we had breakfast and packed up it was near blizzard conditions. I'd done the cache previously, but DominoCT spent close to an hour with a long handled screw driver chipping the ice around the cache to no avail. Great way to spend a weekend. Quoddy arriving at Little Pond DominoCT a half hour after we arrived Almost a spoiler Sunrise over Little Pond

These hunts are common in North Jersey, and are usually not kills, but rather sterilization darting to control population. Still, I wouldn't want to be hit by one of those either.

I'll probably be carrying a SPOT Satellite Messenger and Tracker, not only for this trek, but also for my shorter hikes in the mountains of New York and Vermont. This allows family and friends to track progress on Google maps, allows for "I'm OK" type messages, an also a "Help" message for when the situation is not critical. Of course there is also the full emergency 911 feature. First reports on the "SPOT" are very good. As soon as I see a few more user reviews, I'll be buying one. Initial outlay is low, but it does require either a full annual or monthly (when in use) subscription.

Thanks John.... Message sent.

Equipment Questions for Northeast. Ok-Question Do you snowshoe? Yes, as often as possible. I switched to MSR Lightning Ascents when I moved to my present location... in snow country. It's snowing right now! Snow in forecast, do you snowshoe and at what depth do they become worthwhile ? Yes. Over 10" before donning the shoes. Do you posthole and at what depth do you stop ? Without snowshoes often up to crotch level. With snowshoes seldom to knee level. Do you stop hiking wintertime due to snow ? Not yet. Recommendations for snow hiking ? Besides a good gripping set of snowshoes, such as the MSR's, get a good set of snow gaiters. Right now I'm using Black Diamond GTX Frontpoint gaiters. I almost always take along the Kahtoola crampons since conditions change so often. Poles with snow baskets are a given.

Having had such a wonderful hike this past summer on the Long Trail, I thought I'd post my plan for the coming year now. Anyone wishing to join me is more than welcome and you would then have ample time to get organized. I'll be leaving the Canadian border in Glacier NP on the Continental Divide Trail in late June when the snow level will be manageable. Hiking through some the the most spectacular vistas of North America in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Right now I plan to hike at least to Yellowstone NP, and time permitting I'm going on to Grand Teton NP. My wife has said that if I keep on going to Mexico the house will be empty when I get back.

Unless this is something other than the norm, The DeLorme Challenge involves finding a cache in each block (or page) of the DeLorme map for the state involved. Obviously this will usually involve quite a few more caches than there are counties.

I've never noticed anything even close to what you're asking about. The natural grip is enough so that there's no slippage, but unless you really jam them down they don't go into ice, or even frozen ground, all that deep. BTW... the aluminum ones have 3/4" long teeth which are slightly thicker than the 1" teeth on the steel version. The steel will definitely dig into ice better and they also have a more aggressive angle on the front teeth. I've found that the aluminum pair have a slightly more natural feel than the steel, probaby due to the slight difference in design.

I used the Kahtoola 10 point crampon type all of last winter and found them to be excellent. I could hike and hardly noticed that they were on. They can be used with anything from running shoes to hiking boots. The aluminum model is lighter, but the steel are significantly better in heavy ice conditions, will hold up much better in the long run and require less sharpening.

For some reason I thought that this event was over and now have made plans for that weekend. Will be taking a newbee hiker deep into the Adirondack high peaks where we'll camp at about 4000' and should get a spectacular view of the ORIONID meteor showers. Maximum activity on October 20th and 21st.

A wholehearted CONGRATULATIONS to a true friend.

I met an couple that had done the AT last year just after they had begun the LT north of Killington (where thsy had split off last year). I saw them off and on for the next 60 miles before they reached the "tough" part. At that point after a few bad falls they left the trail saying, "This trail isn't for us". I think that tells you something about the LT. My main extended trail interest is the Pacific Crest Trail, but I think if I left for over five months to do it, I'd be coming home to an empty house... and no Quoddy.

A few notes I think might be of interest: I lost 17 pounds even though I was eating huge meals for two at beakfast and at dinner with many snacks in between. The energy output was just phenominal. I had no blisters on the entire hike, even though many days were spent walking in soaking wet shoes and socks. The Inov-8 trail shoes, Smartwool Adrenaline LT low socks, and the daily use of Hydropel did their job. The selected gear worked to a "T" but there were a few problems at the very end. The ultra lightweight carbon fiber pole upper shafts cracked at around 260 miles, but were still useable (being replaced by manufacturer). The 22 oz shoes were not designed to go much more than 300 miles and began losing a few lugs at around 225 miles. For anyone contemplating doing the Long Trail. The section from Lincoln Gap to Johnson (about 80 miles or so) is absolutely brutal and beyond my ability to describe. For an excellent new book written in great style check out a new backpacking adventure book about walking to Canada along Vermont's Long Trail by Jan Leitschuh called "The Ordinary Adventurer".

Reached "Journey's End" at 2:00pm today. What an adventure, but glad to be done. Hope you've benn following the Trail Journal.

Went over Camel's Hump today. I'm now in Jonesville with about 190 miles down and 88 to go. The trail is brutal and beating me up, but I'll make it. Last 3 days of the journal should be posted by tomorrow.

Thanks for your encouragement and kind words. I'll be heading for the start very early in the morning. Looks like good weather for the first week, but a bit hotter than I'd hoped. In the meantime I'm listening to Go the Distance, by Walter Trout.