Northville-Lake Placid Trail

[wyldeflower]

Edelweiss, Dick, Neil, Hakuna Matada, Judgeh, Peanut Butter, Redhawk, Skyclimber 2971w... and all, thanks so much for the welcome. So...Hawk is proposing stategy . I welcome that since I'm still fairly new to being a woodsperson - actually, maybe I'm a woodsprincess. So, yeah, NP trail anybody up for it? Dick and Joanne (also a Cranie?) cool! Peanut Butter and Son? Let's stay in touch about this, OK?

[Edelweiss]

Hi Wyldeflower (and fellow Cranie)-

Dick and I have wanted to thruhike the NP for some time now. Let's talk more about this. Maybe fvrwld could give us some more detailed suggestions since she hiked the trail last year. I like Hawk's idea for storing food caches which would work if we had two larger groups traveling from opposite directions. Our son Dan also hikes and backpacks. If his work schedule permits, I might be able to persuade him to join us for at least a portion of the trip.

[Dick]

So...Hawk is proposing stategy . I welcome that since I'm still fairly new to being a woodsperson - actually, maybe I'm a woodsprincess. So, yeah, NP trail anybody up for it?

We're definitely up for it. We've been hiking for some time, but I'd want to hear more about Redhawk's strategy, which I've heard about but never actually tried. Seems to me that both groups would have to be large enough so as to be able manage additional food for the first half of the trip, and both groups would have to travel a specified number of miles for a specified number of days in order to meet half-way. Does the overall terrain allow this (I've only section hiked it)? If there were an emergency of some sort in one group, that could put the other group in jeopardy. Redhawk, help me through my muddled thinking here.

Dick and Joanne (also a Cranie?) cool!

Edelweiss is the Cranie; guess I'm an "Eastmanie"

Dick

[redhawk]

We're definitely up for it. We've been hiking for some time, but I'd want to hear more about Redhawk's strategy, which I've heard about but never actually tried. Seems to me that both groups would have to be large enough so as to be able manage additional food for the first half of the trip, and both groups would have to travel a specified number of miles for a specified number of days in order to meet half-way. Does the overall terrain allow this (I've only section hiked it)? If there were an emergency of some sort in one group, that could put the other group in jeopardy. Redhawk, help me through my muddled thinking here.

Edelweiss is the Cranie; guess I'm an "Eastmanie"

Dick

First I think these posts should be moved to the trip plannibg section.

An no, you don't have to have a large party to carry the "extra" food for the other party. You forget, you are not carrying the food you will be eating for the second half because the other party is carrying that. Both groups are carrying the same amount of food they would if they were hiking normally.
Both groups are also losing twice as much food weight at each camp since they are eating a days food and caching a days food. At halfway, no one will be carrying any of the dinner food for the rest of the trip.

If one group starts South and the other north on the same day and hike at about the same speed, then they should meet half way. Allow one extra days food just in case. When the hike is planned, the camping spots for each group should be planned in advance (along with an alternate "just in case")
I figure they would meet somewhere in the Lake Durant Area.

You just need to be sure that one person in each group has a gps and make sure you have enough batteries.

[fvrwld]

First I think these posts should be moved to the trip plannibg section.

done

[fvrwld]

I would be nervous about leaving food for such a long time in the woods. And 5-6 days worth of food for 2 people is a lot to carry. Also, wouldn't it be more fun to hike with that person instead of meeting them halfway.

When I did the NPT my brother met me at Lake Durant campground with my food for the second half. He also brought me fresh clothes and a good dinner for that night. My suggestion would be to do that if at all possible. The trail goes right past the Piesco postoffice so you could mail yourself food there. They have wierd hours so check that out first.

I did it in 10 days but would suggest doing it in 11. Six days to lake Durant and 5 for the second half. Plan on going by Piesco on day 3, then the most you are ever carrying is 5 days worth of food. With a group sharing gear everyone could easily get in under 40 pounds.

Depending on when you do it I may be able to join you for a section. Maybe I could even bring you a food drop

Kim(rnc1968) at Back to the Basics may be able to help as well with food drops and shuttles.

[whitefoot]

northville-placid trail

is this a open group trip?if so , id like to go if there is room , i did the trail this past summer and would like to do it again next yr with a group.
Bryan

[dog]

food-drinks

I would supply food-drinks at points . But what, where and when ? Good luck anyway. RedHawk said, it's easier from LP ( up-down ) .

[whitefoot]

NPT trail

when i did the trail this summer i did it from N to S and it seemed like i was always going uphill, havent done the whole trail from S to N so i dont really know which way is easier, food drops i dont really think are neccesary but a nice hot cooked meal and some cold beers would be awsome, Kim@ back to basics tried to do just that for me last yr. at sagandaga river but missed me by a couple of hrs. i was very disapointed when i returned to her house and found that out.

[rnc1968]

Depending on your itinerary's, Kim will be more than happy to provide the drops, shuttles, and a real meal; just let me know?

[RC]

If the timing is right I would like to get in on this. I hiked from placid to blue mountain lake in a day and a half last fall.


RC

[Dick]

If the timing is right I would like to get in on this. I hiked from placid to blue mountain lake in a day and a half last fall.


RC

Isn't that almost half the trail?!? If so, that's not hiking, that's flying! No way I'm going that fast, even if I could, which I can't!

I'm thinking late July or early August, but we're flexible on that.

Dick

[RC]

I think it was 54 miles. We would have made better time, but we took a side trip on the old horse trail by duck pond to the old lean tos. The water was so low in cold river we walked almost 2 miles right down it to rejoin the ntp trail. The water was knee deep most of the way. We only had to get out of the river 3 or 4 times to avoid water that was hip deep. I was only carrying a 30lbs pack.


RC

[Boreal Chickadee]

So, if you carry ALL our packs will it slow you down enough for us to keep up with you??

54 miles in 1.5 days is 36 miles per day! Do you breathe? You know, air, like the rest of us?

[RC]

It was a pretty good time. We did it as a test hike for a planned 4 day non-supported thru hike for this coming spring or fall.I almost dropped my brother-in-law off in blue mountain and continued on alone, but I knew my wife would not have been too happy with me. I also knew the dangers of an unplanned hike of that lenght alone were not worth the danges involved.


RC