December 5, 2010

Rustic Cabin Camping 2010

December 3-5, 2010

Organized by Dan Trew

This cabin camping trip revisited the same cabin as last year in Black Moshannon State Park. The only difficulty of this trip was getting there as the ground was covered with snow and ice. It was not that cold, and it snowed very little during the actual weekend but had snowed the day before the trip. The cabin was in excellent condition and well maintained with large quantities of wood nearby. There is no running water in the cabin, a small inconvenience but not much more. Many board-games were played as well asa fun game of charades. Fun was had by all, no one died. The cabin is moderately priced and well maintained with ample game playing space.

November 24, 2010

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

November 19-24, 2010

Organized by: Emily Riddle


This Thanksgiving Break trip to the Great Smoky Mountains was a little more "intense" than the other trip that went out. The group average was 10 miles per day, but the work was worth it. The following is a recount of the events during the trip as told by Emily [when you see these I added a comment].

The very spooky night our last night in the backcountry. Extremely large amounts of mist/ fog that limited our visibility to approximately 10[!] feet. Felt like a scene from "The Mist'... seriously. We were all ready for a foreign animal [watch out for those immigrant bears] or zombie attack at any moment. Along with the mist, the extremely high winds blowing our tarps around all night made for about 10 hours with very little sleep.

Aside from the spooky night at Icewater shelter the trip was FABULOUS! Many great expansive vistas - Charlie's Bunion is just one. The 3rd day on the trail we hiked along the AT along the state line between TN and NC. We could see for miles and miles over the mountain ranges of both states - pretty awesome. Also, along the AT shelters, bear bag ropes, and outhouses are established in the backcountry.. yes it is very luxurious. [You needed Sherpas]

Oh.. and many many pudding packs were eaten during our short stint in the backcountry (8 by me alone... )[funny, considering you don't even eat cookies.].. delicious to say the least. [cookies everywhere are crying]

Use the bear bag ropes provided - bears are a known problem. [especially the foreign ones...]
Be prepared to hike with lots of elevation change - we were only hiking 8-11 mile days and were sufficiently tuckered out. One could easily hike for 3 to 8 hours.. uphill the entire time. However, the views and vistas are well well worth it.
Also, make sure you at least take a drive to the top of Clingman's Dome (6,643 ft). It is the 3rd highest peak east of the Mississippi River just short of Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft) and Mount Craig (6,647 ft).

One last thing.. Gatlinburg, TN is a crazy tourist town.. [I've been there] if anyone else does a similar trip, time budget for at least a bit of time to walk around the town.. it is filled with an upside-down house, a titanic replica thing [it's just as random as you'd think, considering TN is landlocked], castles, go carts, ski lifts over the town, Ripley's believe-it-or-not, hard rock cafe, and many more ridiculous attractions.

Get outside and explore!

Members in Attendance:
Greg Smith
Mike Collins
Catherine Hewlett
Emily Riddle

Neusiok Trail North Carolina-- Thanksgiving Break 2010

November 19-24, 2010

Organized by: Joe Moran

This relaxed trip to "the beach" took place over the 2010 Thanksgiving Break. The crew left a little later than expected due to a map confusion and a utter mistrust of GPS technology, however the group did eventually leave for the great Atlantic Ocean. Upon arrival the group decided to take a break and sleep for a few hours on the visitor center lawn. After the brief nap they spent the day on the beach, running around in the ocean, and playing with lacquered wood balls. The next few days were spent on the trial, or board walk, or road, or whatever the forest service calls the thing you hike on. Baring the occasional fly-over by Marine Harriers and the never-ending road, the group had an awesome time sleeping on the beach and in shelters. The super-chill nature of the trip provided adequate time for the group to bond, and friends were made all around. For more details ask one of the people who went, as the trip cannot be fully expressed in this trip report. Everyone had an awesome time and no one died, also Joe took great pictures.

Members in Attendance:
Joe Moran
Dan Trew
Dave Himes
Sean Meadows
Bethany Johns
Tom Johnston


November 14, 2010

Allegheny Front Trail

November 12-14
Organized by: Dan Trew

The semi-annual trip to the Allegheny Front Trail this year went out under a little fairer conditions than the last year. This time there was nothing but stars when the group set out for the south-half of the AFT. The group managed to not get lost at all and spent most of the day hiking along and enjoying the scenery. Much fun was had by and no one died. Also: there was a stellar presentation given on this trip, if you missed it then you are living an incomplete life.

Members in Attendance:
Greg Lilik
Daniel Gonzalez
John Groh
Jasmine Smith
Nathan Stevens
Dan Trew

November 6, 2010

SRU Fall Bouldering Bash

November 6, 2010


The Slippery Rock University Fall Bouldering Bash is one of the few actual competitions PSOC participates in. This year a number of patrons of PSOC went out and made us proud. This competition, and any other competition at Slippery Rock is highly recommended.  The people are very nice, the wall is great (Nicros natural wall), the routes can challenge any level of climber, and they always have great door prizes that everyone gets at the end of the competition.  Karen and Emily took second and third respectively in the women's division.  Everyone had fun and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Karen Bobkowski
Scott Campbell
Jackie Dougherty
Jason Gordon
John Groh
Dale McElhone
Ryan Mullins
Emily Riddle

October 24, 2010

Quehanna

October 22-24, 2010
Organized by: Ed Wilson-Ewing

This stunning conclusion to a trip that began over a year ago was an 'a' adjective that means really cool. The weather was nearly perfect for the hike. Only a small drizzle was experienced on the second day, and even that was only a few minutes. The moon provided illumination for the night-hiking that the group frequently participated in. The trail itself proved to be a bit of a challenge, with many ups and downs with a few miles thrown in for good measure. The group took this and turned it, making a great time with the perfect weather and lots of physical activity. The consumed meals were amazing, starting with a stop at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub for some pre-trip dinner and ending on home-made chili on tortillas. Much thanks to James, who is a pro. Wildlife sightings were plentiful on the road, mostly elk and a few dear, and rare on the trail, turkeys and a few pheasants. People should be aware that everyone had fun, and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Ed Wilson-Ewing
James Basham, Pro
Renee Fledderman
Joe Moran
Emily Riddle
Alie Treciak
Dan Trew

October 16, 2010

Adventure Racing (Tussey Ultramarathon)

October 16, 2010

Organized by: Emily Riddle


This competition full of crazy people is another of the few that PSOC actually does. The weather for the ultramarathon was perfect, "a beautiful blue sky amplified the peak fall foliage!" Memories from the trip include:

Witnessing a runner... who will very much be left unnamed.. receive a baton and (in a panicked state) run in the wrong direction.. e.g in the direction from which she just received the baton. It was an absolutely priceless moment... spreading smiles to many faces. =)

Also:
blue sky and peak fall foliage
rocking out to pump up music in the car between every checkpoint
very creative checkpoint hand-offs
running hills of death
crossing the finish line
BBQ chicken



So in case you didn't realize, we ran in the Tussey Ultramarathon... and it was a superb event! Lots of people frolicking through Rothrock forest for 50 miles. We ran two teams so we each person ran with a partner the entire time. Four girls per team... 50 miles split between us.. so essentially a half-marathon a piece. Anyhow, regardless of the distance, it was agreed by all that it was one of the best races any of us had ever ran. A really cool team event. Run this race. Enough said. It is amazing. No one died.

They finished in 7:48:27!

Members in Attendance:
Catherine Hewlett
Rachael Hoh
Jackie Dougherty
Kate Thompson
Emily Riddle

PA Grand Canyon

October 14-16, 2010
Organised by:  Paul DeVito
 
This backpacking trip to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (yes Grand Canyon), a fairly light trail with good vistas. The trail is not too difficult and is perfect for autumn, providing views of pine creek and much of the Allegheny Plateau. The first night out on the trail the group camped under the usual weather for PA, rain. The weather decided to be awesome otherwise. At some point the group encountered another group. This other group had fire, our group had ten strips of bacon. Our group used their group's fire to fry all of our bacon at once. A small piece of advice from the group: begin hiking before 11pm. Everyone had fun and no one died.


Members in Attendance:
Paul DeVito
Becca Baker
Julia Vadas
Niko Kovacevic
Sierra Chapin
Ryan Murphy
Vivek Yadev
Zack Stuber
Steve McKaveney
Tom Holt

October 10, 2010

Milton Rock Gym

October 10, 2010
Organized by:
Scott Campbell
Alie Treciak

This spirited adventure to the Milton Rock Gym is the first trip of the semester for those who prefer the vertical expeditions. The group began with some bouldering and top roping, and somehow free apples. At some point they went to get food at a nearby OIP. Pizza, eggplant parm, and cheesesteak that secretly longed to be eggplant parm but was not to be was had. Following the food more climbing was had, and then hanging out on the floor. The group definitely had a good time because they departed with sore fingers and had some coffee and donuts. Fun was had by all and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Scott Campbell
Alie Treciak
Justin Laskowski
Jason Gordon
John Groh
Renee Fledderman
Dale McElhone
Dale Anderson
Emily Riddle
Vivik Yadav
Theodore Present
Karen Bobkowski

Ricket's Glen

October  9-10, 2010

Organized by:
Darcy McKinley Lester

This car camping trip to Ricket's Glen, one of the most beautiful places in PA, went out over the best time of the year. The fall leaves were in full swing, colors abounded at every turn and the weather was classic fall. The Sun shone the entire trip and the temperatures stayed hospitable. The group stayed a local camp site, headed by none other than Robert Downy Jr. (or someone who looked like him). The days were spent hiking about the park admiring the awesome forces of nature and soil formation. The group was never lost, at least not on the trail. Much fun was had and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Darcy McKinley Lester
Dan Trew
Grace Cho
Sid Deshpande
Ben Huey
Steve McKaveney
Lyndsie Wszola
Aaron Clair

October 3, 2010

Old Logger's Path

October 1-3, 2010

Organized by: Cat Hewlett
Matt Schmidt

This backpacking trip to the far reaches of the Tiadaghton State Forrest went out under great weather and even better attitudes. The trail chosen for this adventurous group was the Old Logger's Path. Leaving late in the afternoon the group only got lost a few times on the way to the trial head, as the usual road to the trail was closed by a landslide. The group stayed the night at the trail head and departed in the morning for adventures unknown. The weather remained constantly amazing throughout the trip, only sunshine and smiles the whole way. Only two members of this intrepid group braved the cold and near flood levels to go swimming on the final day. As is with many trips that the outing club does, a phrase defines the weekend. This phrase was sensual. Don't ask. Everyone had fun, and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Cat Hewlett
Matt Schmidt
Dan Trew
John Groh
Lisa Hines
Sean Meadows
Sara Mueller
Jack Shepard

September 26, 2010

WILD

September 25-26,  2010
Organized by: Dan Trew
Emily Riddle 
Rachel Hoh

The Fall WILD event was an amazing time of learning, teaching, and naps lots of naps. Twelve people went out into the woods behind a mountain to practice and gain experience in teaching in the out of doors. All the participants know just about everything there is to know about leading a great trip for the Penn State Outing Club. The weather was just as awesome as the people, with nothing but sunny skies and smiles. Everyone had fun and no one died.

April 25, 2010

West Rim

April 23-25, 2010
Organized by: Zack Haas


This post-thesis adventure took place in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, not to be confused with the real Grand Canyon. After departing the Arby's parking lot the group first traveled South before turning around and going the right way to the West Rim. Further driving shenanigans occurred when the lead car signaled to turn around on a one-lane dirt road with a cliff to one side and a mountain on the other. Fortunately there was a suitable turn-around further up the road. The first night was spent roughly 200 yards from the cars and was 12 solid hours of sleep. Also, nubbins. The weather moved in as the group moved on. Many games were played involving clever questions and the occasional erroneous interpretation of Marilyn Monroe's historical importance and the essence of Han Solo being Han Solo. More nubbinical references and jokes were made, providing a small piece of humor for the group. The final day was spent trudging through the damp forest and culminated in a "short-cut" removing the largest downhill. The return home involved artful dodging of pot-holes and very large rocks as the GPS took the group through the backiest back-road in the whole back-woods. Fun was had by all and no one died.


Members in Attendance:
Greg Lilik
Asher Evans
Kelly McFadden
Kathleen Kerrigan
Tyler Haas
Dan Trew
Zack Haas


April 10, 2010

Spring Creek Cleanup

April 10, 2010
Organized by: Nick Clabbers


The annual spring creek cleanup was held on April 10 this year. Although there was no picnic and lime-green shirts this year, the same fun was still had. Every year PSOC flies down spring creek from TMO to Milesburg, picking trash from the banks and making everything cleaner overall. This year was a little chilly, starting temps were low 40s, but the bright sun warmed up the intrepid cleaners with great zeal. Great fun was had by all the participants, even those who went for a swim. One might even say they had the most fun, one might indeed. As per the usual strange things were recovered from the creek. The most notable items being a trike, stereo, several tires, and battery that unfortunately fell out of a canoe and now resides somewhere in the creek. This year's haul overall was less than last year's, meaning the creek may be getting cleaner. No one died, watch out for meth labs.


Members in Attendance:
Nick Clabbers 
Dan Trew
Frannie Root 
Steve Meckler 
Joe Sumereau 
Christina Ferry 
Kristin Garrity 
James Basham 
Sarah Luchner 
Greg Lilik 
Michelle Christensen 
Rachel Hoh 
Tyler Haas 
Mike Collins 
Kate Lalancette 
Becca Baker 
Julia Vadas

March 28, 2010

WILD

March 27-28, 2010
Organized by: Nick Clabbers
Dan Trew
Ryan Mullins
Rachel Hoh
James Basham

The spring WILD weekend was a great success. Fourteen people total went into the woods to learn the in and outs of organizing, planning, and running awesome PSOC trips.Much fun was had despite the surprisingly chilly weather, however it was all sun. Lots of fun in the sun, and no one died.

Red Moshannon Down River Race

March 28, 2010

In one of the few actual competitions PSOC participates in, a small contingent took part in the 43rd annual Red Mo Down River Race. The race is a 7.5 mile canoe and kayak race on Moshannon Creek. The group showed up early, and had a "good time." Overall there were about 200 competitors for the race, and only one bad accident towards the end of the race. It was fun, and no one died.

Members in Attendance:
Joe Sumereau 
Ben Winchester
Andrea Muller

March 14, 2010

Backpacking South Dakota

March 5 - 14, 2010
Organized by Rosemarie Scherzberg

This wild and wacky trip to the Black Hills Nation Forest and Badlands National Park took place over the '10 Spring Break. The first few days of the trip met awesome weather, allowing the group to follow PSOC fashion and get hopelessly lost somewhere only to find a beautiful views and have things work out in the end. The group then blew around the area hiking over ice flows, lakes, snowy fields, and through mud... lots of mud. The itinerary also included Mount Rushmore, Wall Drug, and a stay at Ann's Motel. All of which are entirely memorable, and no doubt will make it into the strange amalgamation of hilarious misadventures that is PSOC.

Members in Attendance:
Rosemarie Scherzberg
Doug Weinhold
Kaitlin Pope
Catherine Hewlett
Toma Zikatanov
Nick Clabbers

February 21, 2010

Blue Ridge Mountains

February 19-21, 2010
Organized by: Douglas Weinhold

This weekend excursion to the Blue Ridge Mountains took place in the dead of winter, though if you were to ask the group you need to be alive to plow through 2 feet of snow, uphill. The weather held off for the duration of the trip but there was already significant amounts of snow on the trail. The group prevailed against the white fluff of doom and enjoyed large 12 inch pancakes for breakfast and caught many wonder sights. Golden sunrises, twinkling stars, frozen waterfalls, fantastic vistas, burly boulders, and scotch pine are but a few of the sights taken in. Anyone thinking of reprising a trip to this area would do well to head the recommendations from the group: Do the Marbleyard as a Sunday Dayhike. Friday night, hike up to McAfee Knob from 311, camp, don't miss sunrise from the Knob!!!  Hike through to the tinker cliffs and camp around there Saturday night.  You will need cars at both ends for this though. Don't waste time with the "Helicopter Pad"; it is overgrown with scotch pine.  While the view is still fantastic, the tinker cliffs would be much better in my opinion. Crabtree falls is best viewed in early winter before any large snowfalls. This was definitely an awesome trip, and no one died.


Members in Attendance:
Douglas Weinhold
Rosemarie Scherzberg
Kathleen Kerrigan
Mike Covolus
Emily Riddle
Travis Salk
Asher Evans
Chris McCartney
Brian Goldman

February 14, 2010

Milton Rock Gym

February 14, 2010
Organized by: Alie Treciak, Darcy Mckinley Lester


This climbing event was held at the Milton Rock Gym in Milton PA, an indoor rock gym. Following the pattern of obvious statements, the weather wasn't really a factor however it was warm if a bit rainy. The entire group collaborated on bouldering problems enabling even beginners to try the harder challenges. The atmosphere was awesome and everyone climbed hard regardless of success. One group held the tradition OIP pizza-luncheon while another group practiced their free will and ate at Subway. Really? Subway over OIP and onion rings?


Members in Attendance:
Alie Treciak
Darcy Mckinley Lester
Nick Matone
Michael Meehan
Erinc Hizir
Alyssa Retzena
Josh Kremer
Scott Campbell
Kelly McFadden
Kara Kavala
Alissa Ott
Todd Ryan
Nate Bovard