Trans-Supes hike, November 2nd-5th

[te_wa]

this hike starts at Miles trailhead and ends at First Water trailhead, 3 nights, 4 days. 50+ miles of Superstitions paradise.
day 1 is a 10 mile strenuous hike ending for a night at Reavis Ranch
day 2 is a 14-16 mile moderate hike ending at Dripping spring (Fraser canyon)
day 3 is a 10 mile moderate hike ending at Charlebois spring
day 4 is a moderate/easy 9 miles out to First Water

This hike will be physically demanding and is not for the inexperienced... Superstition Wilderness is rugged wild land and if you are up to the challenge of long days and sometimes strenuous hiking, get on in here. IF you have ANY doubts about your ability to finish this hike then you probably shouldnt attend. This is a serious commitment, 50 miles is a long, long way.

[tahoemike]

Nope, not giving up on the AZT, just not sure when it will happen. If the High Sierra gets normal or below snow this winter, then my personal Everest, the Pacific Crest Trail, is in play for 2008. But I don't see hiking 100s of miles of snow as a challenge, only misery. So big California snow this winter probably puts me back on the AZT in the spring doing a "normal" NOBO. Colorado Trail in the summer. Then hurry up and wait on the PCT for 2009. Well, maybe JMT or the Tahoe to Yosemite in early fall. I'm planning on 2008 being a trekking year!

There's just no room for that pesky work here...

[wallyfrack]

Wally’s 10 Hiking Rules

1.If you get blisters and you just bought new hiking shoes slap yourself very hard and save me the trouble.
2.If you have an abnormally weak bladder (no not the one you drink out of), wear a diaper so you can hike straight through.
3.If you faint please be sure to fall off to the side of the trail so you won’t be an obstacle to other hikers. If we like you we’ll get you on the way out.
4.If you fall and break your arm, just chew it off. With a few less pounds and having eaten some extra protein you should be caught up to the group in no time.
5.If you’re cold, tired, hungry or sore and want to whine about it bring a satellite phone to call someone in NC (Ryan) who may give a crap.
6.In case of an open flesh wound, I always carry duct tape. If you have hairy skin you’ll be ready for bikini season early.
7.If you are bit by a snake and don’t have a will, quick write down your last requests (I always carry a pen and paper) and drink a pint of whiskey. The whiskey won’t help the snake bite but at least you won’t care.
8.If you can’t keep up with the group, you’re a wuss and you have to wear a large “I’m a wuss” sign in camp that night. There could be more than one.
9.If we’re camping and you forget your sleeping bag, you’ll have to find a coyote to snuggle up to. Preferably the one who has just eaten a very big meal.
10.If this is your first time hiking in the Superstitions, please wear bright colors. It makes it much easier for SAR to locate the body later.

Any Questions?

[Hoffmaster]

Wally’s 10 Hiking Rules...
Any Questions?

Are you bringing the whiskey?
Will the "i'm a wuss" sign match my hiking pants?

Here's my scenario: My new shoes will give me blisters causing me to fall behind the group. While I ponder the fashion statement I will later make by wearing the "I'm a wuss" sign, I get bit on the ankle by a rattlesnake. I panic and end up falling and breaking my right arm so I can't write out my will. Bring extra whiskey.

[wallyfrack]

Are you bringing the whiskey?
Will the "i'm a wuss" sign match my hiking pants?

I'll bring some whiskey. What color are your pants? Will black & white match?

[DarthStiller]

I can almost guarantee you won't be hiking slower than me, Hoff, so don't worry. I may, however, have a "Kiss my pumpkin" sign.

I'll bring some slivovica, which should do as some non-aspirin pain reliever.

[wallyfrack]

I may, however, have a "Kiss my pumpkin" sign.

That would have worked well with the mountain biker.
Since this is Te-wa's event my rules don't really apply
but if I do set one up I'm ready.

[te_wa]

I'll bring some slivovica.

mmm... good ol' Serbian Plum Brandy.

[DarthStiller]

Well, this is the cheap Croatian stuff from Basha's. Dec. 22 I have a "shipment" coming in from the motherland. But this stuff is made from apricots. Too bad we're not doing the hike later...

[Desertroux]

5.If you’re cold, tired, hungry or sore and want to whine about it bring a satellite phone to call someone in NC (Ryan) who may give a crap.

I wont give a crap, but I would be more than happy to call them a wuss and tell them they should of packed their purse lighter.

[wallyfrack]

I wont give a crap, but I would be more than happy to call them a wuss and tell them they should of packed their purse lighter.

That's the right attitude. Dang it you should be here!

Next time....

[te_wa]

today I was dismayed to find that the output for Dripping Springs did not amount to much, it is now considered an unreliable source so we will have to check Randolf and/or Fraser canyons for pools. There is likely a decent pool in Randolf's red tank. If there is indeed water here, then we make camp. Dripping springs as a camp is probably not going to happen. So this could mean 2 things...
a) we camp at the intersection of Randolf and Red Tanks trail. Business as usual.
2) we have to add a bit to the hike by heading down/over to Reed's Water. There is a well there with plenty of agua.

by taking option 2, we cut off a nice segment and makes day 3 a lot easier, especially if we stop at LaBarge spring for the last night. Labarge has a good camp spot in almost total shade. After today's 93 degrees, Im all about shade!

[Hoffmaster]

today I was dismayed to find that the output for Dripping Springs did not amount to much, it is now considered an unreliable source.

I was expecting this. What if we gave Stiller a few gallons of water, and just fill up at his truck, which will be parked at Woodbury Trailhead...I think?
Hopefully the temps cool down a bit. I'm still looking forward to this!

[DarthStiller]

I'll leave my vehicle at Woodbury for sure. Let me know if you guys want me to stock it with water before Thurs. Just tell me what to buy (gallon jugs, case(s), etc) and you can reimburse me later rather than make an extra trip just for water.

[fairweather8588]

Well if there isnt any good water in Randolph Canyon (most likely there is) and we dont feel like trying to wait a few hours to fill the bottles at Dripping Springs, Reeds Water, about a mile away walking on compacted dirt/sand in a wash has plenty of water, and a large camp area, so I dont think we'd have to go back to the Woodbury TH just to fill up

[te_wa]

From Angel Basin we are going to short cut down Randolf canyon to camp near its intersection with Red Tanks trail. THis will shave a mile off the hike and avoid going up and over the hill @ Woodbury. Im awaiting a response from Arizonaheat about the red tank in Randolf that usually holds water. Going to Woodbury is even more of a trek than going over to Reeds Water, so depending on the "red tank" situation we will be able to use our open options, which might be the change of route to avoid Red Tanks trail (matt will like this) and make for a camp at Reeds windmill, then on to Charlebois.

basically, water in Randolf means travelling north on Red Tanks to Charlebois spring.
no water in Randolf means a trip to Reed's with a hike north to Charlebois (same distance)
Going over to Reed's would make day 2 a 16 mile day, but its all down hill from Reavis. 3 of us have to hike into Dripping Spring anyway to grab our food cache.

*new proposed route*
according to the great input Ive recieved from all of you's...
Day 1
chauffer shuttles us to Miles. (Andrew, Matt, Agendron, Tahoemike, myself)
hike to Reavis with a finish on the Fireline trail. at this point, Steve and Stiller will be out of water, eager to make it to Reevis... (follow them) total 10 miles exactly. side trip to Circlestone is optional.

day 2
from Reavis down to Angel Basin and JF trail with a side trip/shortcut through Randolf Canyon
provided we come across the expected water in Randolf, mileage will be 13.5 all downhill.*

day 3
easy sleazy 9 miles to Charlebois

day 4
hike out from Chalebois to First water, 9.5 miles

*no water in Randolf, tack on 2.5 miles to Reeds Water.
next day will still be easy 9 miles to Charlebois.

welcome all the new guys who are coming along. (Agendron, TahoeMike )

side note: yesterday was HOT, 96 reported from AJ.
temps are expected to drop back to normal. Reavis should be a nice mid 70's

[joebartels]

the red tank in Randolf that usually holds water

yummy!

[fairweather8588]

I'm out. And really f*@king pissed. I can miss one test (like I was going to) but I can't miss two, it's just not possible. Not really in the mood for ridicule right now.

[nonot]

*slightly modified route*

Day 1
chauffer shuttles us to Miles. (Andrew, Matt, Agendron, Tahoemike, myself)
- I was told there was room for Wally and myself, so someone has to cling to the roof...not it

Hike to Reavis with a finish on the Fireline trail. at this point, te-wa runs out of water after climbing up 2500 feet, down 1000 and back up 1500 and I laugh at him when he asks to borrow some extra, I take a side trip to Circlestone and possibly Mound Mountain peak. When we finally get to Reavis, we find te-wa dead of dehydration after failing to filter water through his dirty handkerchief.

Night 1

Split up te-wa's gear amongst ourselves, we eat his food

Day 2
Reavis down to Angel Basin and JF trail with a side trip/shortcut through Randolph Canyon, those who haven't seen the ruins will take a side trip in Rogers Canyon. Those that have seen it will probably take another look too
Provided we come across water in Randolph, mileage will be 13.5 all downhill.*

* really means: thousand foot climb over Tortilla Pass, followed by 3 miles of Bushwhacking Randolph Canyon, but I agree that hopefully we'll find water there

Stiller plans to meet us at approximately 3-4PM at intersection of Red Tanks and Randolph Canyon, hopefully he has brought in beer, if not, we sneak around him like we never knew him.

Night 2
Drink Stiller's beer, Stiller gets stuck in position of "mountain lion night sentry" if he didn't bring any and still manages to find us.

Day 3
Take Red Tanks all the way to Charlebois or LaBarge, even if I have to backtrack to take the Red Tanks from Reeds', if you want to go over Miner's Pass have a good time without me. If time allows, a sidetrip over to Peter's Canyon after setting up camp.

Night 3
Polish off the rest of the food, use a squirrel or other convienent small fuzzy animal as a washrag to get rid of the funk.

Day 4
hike out from Charlebois to First water, 9.5 miles


*Temps are supposed to drop 10-15 degrees, so it will be about 80-85 degree high or so most days, a little warm during the afternoon, but nights should be nice in the lower 40s. It will probably be a little cooler the first and second days, due to the higher elevation.

[nonot]

the red tank in Randolf that usually holds water

yummy!

Joe, I see you've done that loop.

Is the water going to be the nasty tastes-like spoiled mayo and dirt sandwich type of water?

[nonot]

I'm out. And really f*@king pissed. I can miss one test (like I was going to) but I can't miss two, it's just not possible. Not really in the mood for ridicule right now.

Sorry you can't make it, if you have a test on Friday, maybe you could join Stiller and still come on Saturday if you two could arrange something...

Else...I call first dibs on your cache!