5th E-mail Sent Before The Third Expedition
 

Date: April 6, 2000
 

Hello Adventurers !!!
 

This is the fifth e-mail (in a series) to help plan and prepare for the
3rd Annual Tuckerman Ravine Hiking/Skiing Expedition...
 

Nine days to go !!! Are we really really getting psyched or what ?!?!?!
We've added even more people to the expedition... now it looks like
we'll have a minimum of 16 and maybe close to 20 people... we may have
to hottub in shifts !!!

Thanks to all who participated in our first training hike along the
Patapsco River near Daniels last Sunday... based on the pace we held
(the fear of getting rained on didn't hurt) and the total absence of
problems/complaints I'd say you're all ready to go... Great Job !!!
 

Here's my first cut at a list of things to bring... let me know things
I've missed and I'll update it in the next e-mail...

THE LIST:
[obvious stuff]
    skis
    ski boots
    ski poles
    sunglasses or ski goggles
    backpack
    bungee cords  (for attaching skis to pack)
    water bottles (at least 2 quarts)
    food          (powerbars, granola bars, etc.)
[clothes]
    parka/jacket/shell
    gloves
    thick socks
    extra pair of socks
    hiking boots (waterproofed and broken in)
    hat
    "wicking" long underwear
    "layered" clothes (things you can add and subtract
                        as you get hot or cold)
[miscellaneous - optional but better safe than sorry]
    camera and film
    sunscreen
    moleskin
    first-aid kit
    swiss army knife or multi-tool
    cheapo emergency parka (if your outer shell clothing
                            isn't completely waterproof)
    mylar space blanket
    emergency whistle
    small flashlight
    lighter or matches
    cheapo plastic sled (I had to get this in here !)
    FRS 2-way radio     (and this too !!!)
    cell phone          (does anyone know if they work on
                         Mt. Washington ?)
 

I'm leading the final training hike this weekend for anyone in the
Baltimore/Washington area... it will be on Sunday April 9 at 1:00PM
and will be at Bob's Hill in the Cunningham Falls State Park north of
Frederick... here are directions to get to the trailhead but if you
plan on going RSVP me at 410-379-2022 so I can let you know if there
is any change of plans (it may rain this weekend)... skis, boots in
a pack, and poles are optional but recommended for "the full
experience"

to get to the "Bob's Hill/Cunningham Falls Manor Area" trailhead:

Drive to Frederick, MD via either Interstate 70 or Interstate 270
Get on Route 15 North towards Gettysburg, PA (drive about 10 miles)
Look for signs for the "Manor Area" of Cunningham Falls State Park
Turn left where the signs tell you to (you must cross the on-coming
    lane of the divided highway to do this)
Go through the "toll booth" and give the nice Maryland state
    employee some money ($3 I think)
Make your first left into the parking lot which is next to a
    playground and picnic area

Note: The "Manor Area" is basically the first state or national park
      area you encounter as you are driving north on Route 15... it's
      near (and across the road from) the Catoctin Zoo but I can't
      remember if it's a little before or a little after the zoo...
      it ISN'T where the "main" Cunningham Falls State Park area is
      and it also ISN'T where the Catoctin Mountains National Park
      visitor center is... if you get to Thurmont, you've passed it.

The hike is about 3 miles but it ascends and descends 1100+ vertical
feet... it's very steep and is quite similiar in it's physical demands
to the hike to/from Tuckerman Ravine... we'll attempt to do the hike
twice in succession but some people may have their fill after the first
try which is fine... there are two nice overlooks on opposite sides of
the mountain so bring your camera...
 

Following is a list where I've attempted to figure out who's going and
who's not... if I have you misclassified please let me know ASAP... if I
haven't heard from you in awhile please let me know what you're
planning... and if you've made reservations and are "100% go" let me
know that too... Thanks !!!

Note: All times are for Friday April 14 and at this point everyone is
      planning to stay at the Royalty Inn.

WILL BE THERE:
Allen Black         (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Bob Sagusti         (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Mark Miller         (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Stuart Miller       (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Laura Gabanski      (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Brian Skrenta       (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Greg Clark          (flying in at 1:30PM, at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Brian Vogel         (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
Barb Vogel          (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
Kim Vogel           (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
Kim Vogel's friend  (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
Anne-Marie Shipley  (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
C.T. Edwards        (driving            , at Royalty Inn by 4:30PM)
Bob Walker          (driving            , at Royalty Inn by 5:30PM)
Kathi Durning       (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)
John Vranich        (driving            , at Royalty Inn by ??????)

DEFINITE MAYBE:
Beth Goan                        (driving ???)
Carl Cherwek                     (driving ???)
Paul Gewirtz                     (driving ???)
Bud Cavanaugh "The Snowboarder"  (flying  ???)
Rich Vrabel                      (flying  ???)
Dave Strack & Sons               (flying  ???)
Lara ??? (from EMS in Annapolis) (flying  ???)

NOT THIS YEAR, MAYBE NEXT YEAR:
Michael Lutz
Carmen Lane
Darrell ??? (Carmen's friend)
Ilene Reilly
Aimee Newhall
Jeff Vogel
Mary Dunlay
 

O.K... I'm not kidding around anymore... who's gonna bring a cheapo
plastic sled ? (or two)... sledding is fun at Tuckermans !!! ... maybe
even more fun than hiking and skiing... and I've given up asking if
anyone has any of those FRS 2-way radios... I should be bringing four
radios with me (definitely two anyway)
 

One other thing: Don't forget to get your taxes done (or mostly done)
before the expedition... actually the deadline is Monday the 17th at
midnight...
 

If anyone knows of anyone else who'd be interested please forward this
e-mail to them and have them give me a call or an e-mail so they can get
in on the fun...

That's all for now... As always if if you have any questions feel free
to e-mail or call me... and don't forget to check out the website at

http://members.home.net/ablack/tucks3.html

for pictures, information, and links to relevant sites with even more
information (like travel reservations, weather, and avalance
forecasts)...
 

See Ya Soon,
Allen