Canaan loop + optional camp and 2nd day at Flagpole - VA/WV/MD/DC/Southern PA members

[trox_355]

Hotel Thursday night will probably be the way to go since you have a series of long days starting Friday.

Thanks for the not-so-subtle hint about the Friday morning meet-up. I read the initial post several times, but apparently missed that you were convening on Friday, not Thursday.

Yes, I'm still definitely good to meet on Friday morning. Will actually make my work schedule a little bit easier to deal with.

Not sure if I'll be meeting in Haymarket or getting up with you guys in Davis. I'll have a better idea once I leave for my work trip tomorrow.

We have any expectations of chow plans? For a one-night trip, I'm not planning anything too tricky. Perhaps just some dehydrated camp food or canned beans and what-not.

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Heh,

Being subtle is definitely not something I’m known for, but I have to say that in this case my note about Friday wasn’t intentional. Glad you realized it though, would’ve been a bummer if you’d have missed the trip.

Send me a heads-up once your work schedule firms up so we know whether to wait for you to caravan out of Haymarket or to link up with you in Davis.

Meal wise it’s every man for himself. For my part, I’m a basics kind of traveler. Mostly dried meat/cheese for lunch on the trail Friday. Brats on the fire Friday night with a healthy side of beer. Yogurt/granola and burning hot coffee for the frosty wake up on Saturday morning. More meat/cheese on the trail on Saturday at either Meadow Knob or Flagpole depending on our progress. Dinner on the road (or skipped on Saturday afternoon/evening. Hopefully that’s helpful...

Really looking forward to checking out your 315’s and hearing about how you approached the fit (BMC, etc.).

See you in a few days!!!

Thanks for the not-so-subtle hint about the Friday morning meet-up. I read the initial post several times, but apparently missed that you were convening on Friday, not Thursday.

Yes, I'm still definitely good to meet on Friday morning. Will actually make my work schedule a little bit easier to deal with.

Not sure if I'll be meeting in Haymarket or getting up with you guys in Davis. I'll have a better idea once I leave for my work trip tomorrow.

We have any expectations of chow plans? For a one-night trip, I'm not planning anything too tricky. Perhaps just some dehydrated camp food or canned beans and what-not.

 

[troopa4life]

[MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION]

My work schedule will probably prevent me from coming on Friday, however, I think Saturday is looking good. Where would I meet you guys if I want to run flagpole with the group?

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Hey there,

Glad to hear you might be able to join us for part of the trip.

Check out the first waypoint under “Day 2” here for coordinates on where we’re planning on camping.

In the interest of full disclosure, we won’t know if that camp site is actually available until we arrive on Friday afternoon, but we *will* be camping in that area regardless and there’s only one road in/out so we shouldn’t be tough to find if you’re coming out on Saturday morning.

Sun up should be around 0730, but more likely the cold will have us up and moving before then. I’m targeting ~0830 to roll out of camp so that we’re first on the trail. I’m not expecting too many other people out there due to the weather and time of year, but with the holiday and it being a Saturday we’ll be hedging bets so that we’re not behind a bunch of other trucks and can set our own pace.

Please let me know once you’re 100% and I’ll move you to the “confirmed” list and we’ll know whether or not to look for you on Saturday.

Also, let me know if you have a radio (and if it’s CB or HAM) and we’ll try to raise you if it’s after 0830 and we’re gearing up to roll out of camp.

Where would I meet you guys if I want to run flagpole with the group?

 

[troopa4life]

Thank you Carlos, I do have a CB and will be tuned to the channel you specified. I will let you know if I am confirmed by Thursday sir, thanks again.

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Ok awesome.

I’ll keep an eye out for your update and hope you can make it.

Looking forward to it!

Thank you Carlos, I do have a CB and will be tuned to the channel you specified. I will let you know if I am confirmed by Thursday sir, thanks again.

 

[trox_355]

Heh,
Send me a heads-up once your work schedule firms up so we know whether to wait for you to caravan out of Haymarket or to link up with you in Davis.

Really looking forward to checking out your 315’s and hearing about how you approached the fit (BMC, etc.).

Sitting up on Chincoteague Island right now for work, I've got my truck fully-packed and ready for a mid-Atlantic expedition to span the next several days. If work goes the way I plan, I'm strongly considering camping on Assateague Island tomorrow evening. Will be heading towards NOVA by Thursday afternoon. Definitely planning on joining you all for the entirety of the trip from Haymarket.

I'll definitely be happy to share what I've learned about life with bigger tires. You all will be sharing in my first time taking the rig offroad since the new shoes. Please keep the laughing to a minimum (or at least make sure you point at me while you're doing it).

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Ok excellent!

Hope the island is great if you end up camping and will look forward to meeting you on Friday morning in Haymarket. There will be at least three trucks rolling from there to Davis.

Safe travels West and see you then.

Sitting up on Chincoteague Island right now for work, I've got my truck fully-packed and ready for a mid-Atlantic expedition to span the next several days. If work goes the way I plan, I'm strongly considering camping on Assateague Island tomorrow evening. Will be heading towards NOVA by Thursday afternoon. Definitely planning on joining you all for the entirety of the trip from Haymarket.

I'll definitely be happy to share what I've learned about life with bigger tires. You all will be sharing in my first time taking the rig offroad since the new shoes. Please keep the laughing to a minimum (or at least make sure you point at me while you're doing it).

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Quick update for the folks on the confirmed and tentative list:

I called GWNF Ranger's Station and Blackwater SF HQ this morning to confirm gates are open. All looks good on this front.

I also wanted to send you all a heads-up that snow reports from local sources in Davis, WV are telling me there are 6-8in of snow on the ground out there.

I'm still planning to run the loop (or as much of it that's passable), but wanted to be sure that everyone knew what the conditions for Day 1 looked like.

You're all big boys, but I wanted to remind everyone that it will definitely be cold, wet, and slippery all day Friday (and chances are good that we’ll all get stuck at one point or another). Enough water, dry/warm clothes, food, recovery gear, and positive attitudes should be considered mandatory equipment on this one.

I'm loading out my truck today and will check back in tonight or tomorrow for final confirmations from everybody.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
[MENTION=174597]gfxcruncher[/MENTION]
[MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION]
[MENTION=138048]01100101[/MENTION]
[MENTION=153136]Dougthelurk[/MENTION]
[MENTION=170397]trox_355[/MENTION]
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[MENTION=135601]mgoblue[/MENTION]
[MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION]
[MENTION=54391]troopa4life[/MENTION]

 

[Hertz4R]

Hey AP,

I'm sadly not going to be able to make this trip, but thanks for the invite! Can't wait to see video and pics from the trails. Have fun and hope to see you on the next one.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

You're all big boys, but I wanted to remind everyone that it will definitely be cold, wet, and slippery all day Friday (and chances are good that we’ll all get stuck at one point or another). Enough water, dry/warm clothes, food, recovery gear, and positive attitudes should be considered mandatory equipment on this one.

No sir...I'm going with full-princess attitude :faint:

Bringing a snow shovel in addition to the garden-shovel-re-purposed-to-off-road shovel!

Recovery strap, kinetic rope, tred-pro's, hi-lift all coming along as well. Case of water, lots of beef-jerky

I may get princessy though if the camp-site is going to be cold and snow-bound, but I will face my fears one at a time.

Looking forward to the unknown challenges with the snow and how this group will band together to get us all through!

See you all in Haymarket Friday AM!

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Ahh... Bummer man. Too busy in retirement huh?

Well, hope you guys had a great holiday and will hope to catch up with you on the Spring trip.

I'm sadly not going to be able to make this trip, but thanks for the invite! Can't wait to see video and pics from the trails. Have fun and hope to see you on the next one.

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Ha! I'll make sure to pack my tiara

Good call on the snow shovel, I'm bringing one along too. Also glad you're loading up the recovery gear. I'll have a snatch strap, handful of shackles, winch, winch extension, tree strap, and snatch block. I also loaded up the chainsaw and extra fuel after our last unexpected road blockage on Dunkle Hollow this Spring.

Camp shouldn't be too snowy since we'll be on the Eastern side of the Shenandoah (vs. further West in the Allegheny), but it's going to be pretty chilly. I loaded a good amount of cut oak from earlier this year, so hopefully that will give us a few hours of a good hot burn for dinner/beers/story time.

See you in a day and a wakeup!

No sir...I'm going with full-princess attitude

Bringing a snow shovel in addition to the garden-shovel-re-purposed-to-off-road shovel!

Recovery strap, kinetic rope, tred-pro's, hi-lift all coming along as well. Case of water, lots of beef-jerky

I may get princessy though if the camp-site is going to be cold and snow-bound, but I will face my fears one at a time.

Looking forward to the unknown challenges with the snow and how this group will band together to get us all through!

See you all in Haymarket Friday AM!

 

[gfxcruncher]

I just got back from PA and will be loading up tomorrow, there's no way I am missing out on this one!

Went to the local sawmill and picked up a bunch of wood, along with everyone else's supply, we should be able to keep the stories and beers rolling in the evening.

Along with my miscellaneous tools, I have a garden "recovery" shovel and one of those travel snow shovels I'll bring.

Think I'm gonna swing by Harbor Freight tomorrow and get some "quality" recovery straps and gear just in case... I can't order anything in at this point.

Looking forward to seeing everyone out there!!

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Sounds good and thanks for grabbing some wood.

If you end up going to Harbor Freight, make sure that your straps are elastic (vs. static) and have loops on the ends vs. hooks.

See you soon!

I just got back from PA and will be loading up tomorrow, there's no way I am missing out on this one!

Went to the local sawmill and picked up a bunch of wood, along with everyone else's supply, we should be able to keep the stories and beers rolling in the evening.

Along with my miscellaneous tools, I have a garden "recovery" shovel and one of those travel snow shovels I'll bring.

Think I'm gonna swing by Harbor Freight tomorrow and get some "quality" recovery straps and gear just in case... I can't order anything in at this point.

Looking forward to seeing everyone out there!!

 

[gfxcruncher]

If you end up going to Harbor Freight, make sure that your straps are elastic (vs. static) and have loops on the ends vs. hooks.

Good point, now that I think about it, last time I looked at them I'm pretty sure they were labeled "tow straps" which I believe is considered static... I'll go look at the automotive aisle at Home Depot and Advance Auto and see if they have anything. Otherwise, I'll be running strapless.
I did at least get a Smittybuilt receiver shackle when I got my air compressor.

-- And, Because I'm not the freeloading type, I'm packing extra Face Plants for recovery rental... ;-)

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Good call on skipping the harbor freight stuff.

No slight intended to HF, but much like firearms, you don't want your recovery gear to fail when you need it most just because you wanted to save some cash when you bought or were in a rushed purchase situation...

We'll have you covered for recovery gear on this trip (as previously discussed). Would much rather do that and give you a chance to pick up some reliable equipment in the future. :thumbsup:

Good point, now that I think about it, last time I looked at them I'm pretty sure they were labeled "tow straps" which I believe is considered static... I'll go look at the automotive aisle at Home Depot and Advance Auto and see if they have anything. Otherwise, I'll be running strapless.
I did at least get a Smittybuilt receiver shackle when I got my air compressor.

-- And, Because I'm not the freeloading type, I'm packing extra Face Plants for recovery rental... ;-)

 

[Dougthelurk]

Guys, I have to bow out of this one. I've been battling a head cold and possible strep since Christmas. I was hoping to get past it enough to make the trip but I'm still doped up on meds...not even going to work.

I'll be looking out for pics to see what I missed. I really want to do this trail at some point.

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Hey Doug,

Sorry to hear you're not well and we'll definitely miss you. Will keep you in the loop for the next one and look forward to catching up for the April trip!

Guys, I have to bow out of this one. I've been battling a head cold and possible strep since Christmas. I was hoping to get past it enough to make the trip but I'm still doped up on meds...not even going to work.

I'll be looking out for pics to see what I missed. I really want to do this trail at some point.

 

[Pdft-T4R]

Thanks for sharing this trail location! I drove in each end yesterday morning and the fresh snow was beautiful! I turned around when I had to, but you'll have a great time.

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