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