NCTA Point Data Re-formatting Complete

I installed a new Bluetooth mouse and headset to my laptop. I didn't have Bluetooth until recently.

It's 8°F outside and the hygrometer on my desk is reading below 30%.  That's not good for my computer equipment. Right now, I'm wearing thermal boots with thick soles, hopefully I won't pass a static shock.

I had to unseat and re-seat my four port expansion USB 3.0 card today. I have a 7 port USB 3.0 hub connected to it and The Robot wasn't reading it. It does now. I double sticky taped the hub to the corner of my desk. The Robot isn't always convenient to get to.

While I disgarded points of interest, I completed the re-formatting and organizing of the NCTA's Point Data today.   What I can say about it is that from a logistical stand point for a thru hiker, the NCTA cateloged mostly campsites on governmental reservations. Most dispersed camping and commercial amenities are not present. The data also doesn't have much in the way of lodging.

But if I make up the difference, I think that the NCT will be the hike compliant. Stay tuned to these logs over the next couple months for that determination.

I'm currently working on a new form of storage.  The next step will be to alter the tracks. Mine started off from a copy downloaded years ago. In comparison with a newer download, I just need to make some "tweaks."

Next will probably be downloading and importing National Forest reservation polygons, along with campground, dispersed camp areas, trails and utility roads.

From there, it will be interesting to see what kind of GIS information that I get from the states?

NCTA Public Trail Data

For the last few days, I've been working on organizing and re-formating the NCTA Public Data.  I'm stripping out the points of interest and keeping the parking, camping and water data.  I don't exactly have a plan for this project.  And this project consists of projects within it.  What I'm really after is:

- NCTA's camping data

- Merged chapter tracks proofread and edited

- Expanded camping/ lodging data out to 3 - 4 miles from trail.

- Determine if state and local reservations have dispersed camping?

- Mile markers in 6 of 8 states by chapters, partners, affiliates and at-large areas.

- government and park reservation map overlays

- apply National Forest Service polygons

- Mock hike written simulation, both westbound and eastbound

Goal: predict true thru hiker's arrivals on Whipple and Road Fork Sections - Buckeye/ North Country Trail so that Adventurer's Project and the chapter that may result from it 

NCT Tracks Organized and Numbered

At this time, I either have the NCT tracks merged by chapter, or the the original baby tracks are organized in chapter folders and are numbered in the westbound direction.  The next step is to determine what direction the tracks are heading for 14 chapters, then reverse the east bounds.

All this data will be necessary for the new books that will be going in the shelters on The Wilderness Loop.  They will contain a mileage chart and of course, will cite the what materials were used to come to those conclusions.  For all you folks out there from the Buckeye, North Country and American Discovery, I am going to be busy this winter.

Chapter Ideas Dec 18, 2017

This is the cold days.  Since nothing grows, it's not much good for trail maintenance.  Therefore, that which can wait... does.  Most desk tasks do.  One of the things being considered now what if Adventurer's Project becomes a chapter?  And what it it do in the mean time that involves other volunteers?

If a chapter has lengthier meetings, the "weight" of everything going on my cause the chapter's overall progress to stall, or "spin it's wheels."  The meetings need to be about an hour long and have some continuity between them.  In theory, they could take place on-line with something that supports multiple feeds from webcams and microphones.  Otherwise, a multi-party phone call could be done with a small handful of other participants.  They could press a key on their phones when they wish to be recognized.  I recently purchased a copy of the "Robert's Rules of Order," which publishes meeting etiquette, efficiency and rules for procedure.  I'm already familiar with it somewhat and I'm thinking that an abridged version of it should be published for other chapter meetings on in the Buckeye Trail Association.

I don't want to dictate how the chapter will turn out.  In fact, I've been leaving somethings purposely unresolved until more people can weigh in on the matter.  What it's name is going to be for instance.  This is because if I want this chapter to last, it's best to have the input of the members in how it will be set up to run.  As for the charter members, this chapter needs to fit them as much "like a glove" as possible.  I really want them to function well, but like being in it.  I like to balance proactivity with reactivity.  They're opposites.  And it's healthier to be a bit of both.  Where it might be prudent to be proactive about something, on the other hand, you might be overcompensating for things which might not happen, or do it too often.  In the reactive, our unofficial span of the trail now is so remote and under developed (the areas hiking program), that I haven't had much cause to accommodate more mild mannered, or particularly sensitive people.  And my involvement in other BTA events is spotty.  In speculation, I think that this project and the creation of a chapter will altar things like this.  When and if the conditions work their way, we will compensate for it in due course.  Getting back to those personalities, I've been Whipple's supervisor for 3 years now and I've only started getting experience with it 6 months ago.  I need to be subjected to more. 

Whatever comes of Adventurer's Project will have to be efficient and probably aggressive.  And the reason being is that the latest "intelligence" on the area suggests that it's going to be an uphill struggle to promote the trail to reach Buckeye/ North Country's design parameters in the Caldwell, New Matamoras and Marietta areas... even if we promote in West Virginia.  And It's never been easy to recruit new volunteers in SE Ohio. 

I value audacity, but within bounds.  It's been necessary to dare to do certain things.  I've been thinking today that I should document all of the innovative ways that we use, or could use.

Buckeye chapter's are working with out officer lines currently.  I don't want to do that.  But I think that we could adopt a Galveston approach so that everyone has a specialty and they are the top "authority" on the matter.  They'll be responsible for forming their own teams, if they want one.  Elected among them will be the chapter chairman, who will tend to their own duties, set a meeting addenda and see that decorum is observed.  One of those chapter councilmen needs to be at least a Secretary/ Treasurer to record the minutes, report on them at the next meeting and tend to the chapter's finances.  They may have to send out dues notices for members of the NCTA and the American Discovery Trail Society who are not members of the BTA.  It will need a recreation councilman to oversee the chapter's commitment to having hiking, cycling and equestrian programs.

I'd wish that every trail adopter, section supervisor and state coordinator be members of the chapter.  If they live further away and can not readily attend meetings and functions, they'll have the right to appoint a representative.  Either they, or their representative have the right to veto any operation, or proposed operation of the chapter that falls under their jurisdiction.  But despite the egalitarian balance between the distance trails seeking to be covered, if one jurisdiction were vetoed, the council could continue in the other jurisdictions.  What matters with this is that they were offered, or given the same opportunities to begin with?

When we start out, we might be small.  We might only have to hold meetings quarterly.  If that's the case, I recommend that we meet on 5th Wednesdays.  In 2018, there are only four, but it's a regular day.  And all it would need is somebody's living room or basement.  But, I do happen to know where it could get something more commercial.  It just doesn't come with a kitchen.

Moving on to North Country Project

Yesterday, I finished my project in support of the Warrior Expedition on the Buckeye Trail.  There could be two ways to deploy it.  One is that a download link is already scheduled to be published on Adventurer's Project's website.  The other might be that since this is a special program paid into by the Buckeye Trail Association, that the makers of it's app on Android (so far) might be able to accommodate it?  That would make things much simpler for Warrior Expedition hikers.  Otherwise, I might have to perform chat support to help them upload the necessary files onto Locus (or make a video)?

My next project is a North Country Trail one.  I rediscovered that I have all of New York State properly merged.  In fact, everything is in order in the westbound direction until Michigan.  I got about half way done merging Michigan before I stopped months ago.  Wisconsin and Minnesota's baby tracks still need to be re-labled according to the chapter/ partner that they're routed in.

North Dakota has to be altered for the elimination of the Lonetree Chapter.  And then there are some missing segments that I'll have to transplant from the North Country Trail Association's GIS data and merge it all together.  That's unless of course that this all pertains to some bicycle right of way that's on Google Maps, in that case, that would be faster.

- The NCTA's waypoint data will have to be organized by type and then maybe state?  It already has some camping data that I need.

- Overlays where the image's source needs to be on the Internet so that when shared, all can see need to be done for every governmental agency that the trail is routed on or near.

- Camping/ lodging data beyond what the NCTA collected needs to be done.

- Mile markers for what the NCTA hasn't already been done have.  The the NCTA already started these and mine would need to be in the eastbound direction.  I'm not thrilled about this considering that most thru hikers travel westbound.

Once I have all of this, that will paint the most complete picture by which I can devise a "mock hiker," or a written simulation of a hike.  They usually pertain to entry level thru hikes and that is based on the trail's window of opportunity and what the NCT grassroots usually considers acceptable for a hike of about 4,600mi.

Assembled & Awaiting Reprogramming

The Robot is assembled and most of the cables (except my laser printer) are hooked up.  It powers on, but the monitors don't come on and it's sending out beep codes.  I reseated the memory chips, but that didn't alleviate it.  I'll leave that for tomorrow when I hopefully reprogram the computer.

I don't remember the expansion Wi-Fi card that I purchased today.  It claims that it can reach 1300 megabits per second on the internal network.  That should be about top speed for Wireless N and I do swap large files over it from time to time.  For my mapping, I'm going to need it.  I don't know how big my map repository is?  I try to keep anything that isn't going to be needed immediately out of the "My Places" in Google Earth. Having everything there slows down the the applications start up.  So, I just keep certain things on the hard disk.  My My Places alone in KML format is currently about 146MB, which is probably on the large size for an amateur?

The Robot, Desk and Warrior Expeditions

I don't think that blue ring was residue that seeped out of the middle of the MSI motherboard, but some aftermarket plastic, or gel cushion that I may have put there because I lost a piece of mounting hardware that protected it when the screw inserted through it.  The stock piece would have also coated around the screw between the motherboard layers.  Since the screw itself was not shielded from the motherboard, that could be it's problem?  And then again, the MSI being a cheaper motherboard could be?

I assembled the new Gigabyte motherboard and most components.  The problem is that this board is short one PCI port.  And it was either inserting the SATA RAID controller, or the Wi-Fi card?  The PCI port is 32-bit and that's why it's slowly being phased out (apparently).  What the motherboard also has are PCI Express slots, which are the modern 64-bit and I'll have to get a replacement Wi-Fi card.  That earns me another trip to my local Micro Center store.

Meanwhile, the bent desk that I built a roller platform for is in disarray.  There's cables all over it waiting to be routed through it's new channels.  The Robot needs to get working so that I can route and layer them correctly.  It will probably depend on what enters and exits the channels and where?

I'm hoping to complete my Buckeye Trail project for the Warrior Expedition.  To recap, I'm GPS mapping all relevant VFW's, American Legion's and Amvets posts.  The idea is that with my knowledge of the trail, I could create a map informing Warrior Expeditions hikers where to seek support from.  I think that the hiker needs to know what areas are more conspicuous.  And I know these hikers.  They want every mile they can justify those days days... and I won't be able to deliver.  But if I can get them enough foresight, it could make things better for both hiker and veterans support.

Post Mortum - The Robot's MSI Motherboard

Corrosion found on one of the mounts for The Robot's pieces of mounting hardware for the CPU's cooling coil on the other side of its MSI motherboard. The coil is a Zalman RDH902B.  IT's copper and circular, so I refer to it as "the ferris wheel."

The corrosion appears to be a blue gel like substance. I did not put it there and I'm thinking that it has come from the center layer of the motherboard. Looks like it ozed out and molded to the round plastic nut. I had to grip it with a pair of pliers in order to turn it, so those scratch marks are caused by me.

There is no scorching on the CPU.

New Motherboard Acquired

When I replaced my MSI motherboard last time with the extended warranty, I didn't get another extended warranty at Micro Center.  That means that I had to purchase a new motherboard out of pocket.  A new Gigabyte H270-HD3 motherboard was acquired for The Robot.  So far, everything checks out as being compatible with it's existing hardware.  And The Robot's had a Gigabyte motherboard in the past and I know that company to be good.

If anything in the MSI motherboard went bad, it's probably from one of the mounts for the CPU coil cooler?  I lost a rubber ring that inserts into one of the mounting holes.  Since then, I tightened to the motherboard itself.  It wasn't overly torqued, but that could have been the problem.  The other problem is that at $54, could be that this MSI motherboard was cheap had dubious reliability to begin with?

Sea Foam & Blown Motherboard

I poured a 16oz can of Sea Form in the gas tank of my 2008 Chevy HHR LS prior to 193,437 miles on the odometer to clean the fuel injectors.  It's due for routine maintenance soon.  I have the oil and parts, except for the air filter.  I got them from my local Walmart and I always forget that they never carry it.

Earlier, I purchased the remaining 3 - 6ft USB 2.0 extension cables.  I got back to the desk and found an extra chassis power button and wires.  So, I inserted them around power header cables on The Robot's motherboard.  I can now confirm that the motherboard is bad.  It is a cheap board and this is the second BT150 PC Mate by MSI that I have replaced in this chassis, probably within the last 12 months.  Replacing the motherboard will probably mean that I have to reinstall the operating system and every application on it.  Those three will probably 10 man hours. to complete.

Power and USB Extension Cords

Three new extension cords were procured for the desk's ability to roll.  It needed two new 15ft, 15Amp cords for the battery back-up and auxiliary power and one new 8ft cord for The Robot, which is stationary, to plug into to the battery back-up that is mounted to the roller platform.  I also went out shopping for 4 extension USB cables, but they were $33 a piece for USB 2.0 at Best Buy.  I thought that price was a little steep, so I only one purchased one.

This is Treeman's Adventures and Volunteerism.  The computer systems are necessary equipment for the said volunteerism.  It's like a cook stove is a piece of hiking equipment.  The title sets the parameters for what is discussed.  Like the US Post Office, if it fits, it ships.

The Desk and The Robot

My desk is coming along.  I built the platform that the 5" caster wheels mounted to out of 2x4 studs.  That raises the desk surface 8in.  I mounted my new battery backup to one of the studs using three thick 24in zip ties.  It has breathing gills on the sides, so I had to mount it standing vertically. 

The laptop in on a swing arm at the end of the desk.  A separate surge protector was mounted on the other side of it on a strut.  The only power cord that I ran through the electrical channel today was to reach the laptop and it's accessories.  So far, the channels look like their going to work well.  But I'm in need of 3 new extension cords capable of handling high heat because of the new arrangement.

I drove to Micro Center today to get The Robot's 1,200 watt power supply replaced.  Turns out that I didn't get an extended warranty, so I had to purchase a new one :-(.  And then I got the extended warranty for 3 years.  I don't know why I didn't do that in the first place?

So, I threw the old one way in the parking lot garbage can.  I have a power supply tester and it never powered on when I used it.  When I got back, I mounted the new one, but the system still wouldn't turn on.  So, I'm still in the middle of troubleshooting as I write this.

Other other channel on the desk is for data cables.  They and the electric need to be separated as much as possible to prevent "cross talk" through the cable and cord shieldings.  This is when stray bolts of energy in a power cable slip through a cord's shielding, then enter a data cable's shielding and disrupt communications because they use electricity, too, just lesser amounts.

The Robot is a "media center" computer.  It's built for movies and television shows.  But it's big and fast enough that it could be it's own server.  These days, I watch the same 700 episodes of television that I have been for the last 14 years.  What The Robot really is a glorified trail mapping machine.  And that needs a lot of power, too, considering what I do.

I'm an amateur GPS cartographer.  I've tracked out the 6,800 mile American Discovery Trail, merged together the 1,444mi Buckeye Trail and I have 4 of 7 states on the North Country Trail merged with Michigan in progress.  In order to do these, I had to display tracks for the Triple Crown  and the Great Western Trail (one trail at a time).

Since I have this data, I can make placemarks/ waypoints for items like Post Offices, libraries, hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, hostels, campsites, campgrounds and grocers just to name a few.  You need tracks in order to have a basis on where to search for these things.  I've got mile markers for the Buckeye, American Discovery's tracks are already set up to get them and North Country's are already provided by the NCTA.  Overlaying park maps was resource (computer) intensive.  I have a full library. for the Buckeye and American Discovery.

I'm getting The Robot repaired to do some mapping this winter.  But I've got to get it repaired to channel the data cables on the desk and in the correct order.  It has 21 USB ports with 1.1's in the front, mostly 3.0's and two 3.1's.  I like to prioritize them by device.  For instance, keyboards and mice don't need 3.1's.

American Discovery Trail Total Mileage: Washington County

As of the date of this log, the total mileage of the American Discovery Trail in Washington County is 30.6 miles.  The total of BT/NCT + ADT in Washington County combined is 87.9 miles.

Buckeye Trail Total Mileage: Washington County

As of the date of this log entry, the total mileage of the Buckeye/ North Country Trail in Washington County is 57.3 miles.

Trail Promotion, Geotagged Photos

Off-road trail segments often need maintenance 3 times annually. And 1/3rd of any segment needs to be reblazed in that time. When I was a trail adopter, at first, I lived 29 miles from my segment. It was pretty easy to get to. But after I moved, I was 65 miles from it then and found it to be much more difficult. It was still doable, but I wouldn't want to be much further. This is why in trail promotion, I use a 65 mile standard. In all thoroughness, my #1 goal is volunteer recruitment (instead of exposure and membership). So, I want to know how far I can possibly push it and I think that 65 miles is it.

In all of this GPS mapping that I've done, I've created a map with 130 mile corridor polygons. These are shapes with unlimited sides that has the trail's track running through the middle. I did mine "as the crow files" to save time, so a location on the edge of the polygon will still need to be checked and be within 65 miles driving distance. With that all being written, it creates a quick reference for me to determine if a event is worth promoting at.  

Unmanned promotion??? Well somebody has to put up a flier or lay brochures and cards down. This might not be as effective as a manned table or booth, so a volunteer would need to do these in great number. With a polygon like this, the post offices, libraries and another other opportunities could be mapped. And from there, routes can be devised. Of those other opportunities, I take "geotagged" photos of them with my Android based smartphone. To do this, the "Locater" needs to be enabled. This is the one that enables GPS navigation. Then in the camera app -> Settings (gear icon)-> Locater Tag needs to be set to "on." This is like a double safety. When your done geotagging photos, you might want to switch the "Locater Tag" to "off." This is something you might want to do if you could be followed in-person. The whole point of this is to snap the photo and go. By way of freeware (software that is free), those photos will tell you where a cork board (for instance) is and also how large it is. All those photos being taken in the zone will add to the trail promotion routes. What the freeware does is it extracts the geotag from the photo file and gives you the option to save embedded photos in a Google Earth KML File. How to share geotagged photos? Well, in Google Earth, they read as an embedded waypoint and the photo is the one stored on the hard drive. Everybody's "My Documents" directory is a little different. Sharing could be made easier if the photos that were geotagged were stored in a directory like "C:/(trail)/(section)." From there, other users would download everything from an e-mail attachment and be instructed to put it in this directory. That way everybody has the same file system. And no matter who's computer it's on, Google Earth will read everything.

Life Membership, Resupply Points and Thru Hiker Completion

I just received my life membership card for the Buckeye Trail Association about a week ago.  I may have mentioned in a previous log that I used money orders to make 10 installments of $60.  I was late sending it in due to the Thru Hiker Hurricane in September.

I downloaded GPS data that I generated over the past year today, got it organized in Google Earth.  It was uploaded to the cloud.  This past week, I attended a finale celebration for Mei Ling Liber's completion of the Buckeye Trail circuit in Milford of Clermont County.  Afterwards, I drove to Marietta.

Once out there, I drove from site to site and collected GPS waypoints on resupply areas.  We are prepared for the next thru hiker now.  After that, I drove through almost all of the roads, collecting information on which ones have utility poles.  Previously, my on-road blazing opportunity data only stated where it's could be possible (it didn't differentiate between surfaces)?

Buckeye Trail Thru Hiker 10/21/2017

I'm tracking the progress of Mei Ling Liber, who may become the 2nd person to complete a hike of the Buckeye Trail's circuit this year.  And I'm attempting to coordinate her completion day.  If memory serves me correctly, she'll be the first Asian to complete the trail.  As of tomorrow, she'll have 23 of 26 sections complete.

I'll be a coffee shop that's near the end point on the day of her completion doing any coordinating that might needed.  I might do some shuttling then?  But, I think that I even need to wait until it's closer to that day in order to make that firm?

Needs: Adventurer's Project Website

There are three items for the Adventurer's Project's Website that need in-person data collection.  They'll have to wait until I get there.  Pending that I'm not broke by the time that it all happens, the plan is that Mei Ling Liber is probably about 10 days away from finishing the Buckeye Trail at Milford.  And I really want to do down there.  So, I plan on renting a small car, swing by Cincinnati and then go to Whipple for a couple days.

Now and Need for an Annual Plan

Recent reviews on the Buckeye Trail have implied (based on my interpretation of them) that this is no longer the time for ideas.  This is the time to act.  It's not the time for excuses.  I know where I've been, but I know that I've run out of time. 

I'm living 160 miles from the Whipple Section. My car is dying.  It's putting puddles of something on the driveway cement.  I should be able to afford a rent-a-car for a couple days in November, March, April and May?  There's also a transit solution.  At that point, if I pay off my credit card debt aggressively enough, I should be able to buy a new vehicle and be down trail in June.  If I lease, I might be able to get one sooner?  I'm a disabled vet and I don't answer questions for most people about it.  But that in a nutshell is the game plan.  It doesn't make much sense to cut the off-road's brush until then anyways.

What Whipple and Adventurer's Project needs is an annual plan.  I can write those this winter.  Some thru hikers can be critics, but many of those have never had their feet in the trenches so to say. So, sometimes what they state seems reasonable to them.  If I execute an annual plan, I believe that it will demonstrate theory vs. application.  And then there's always these logs.

Resupply Boxes Estimate

I've got the numbers for the lockable resupply boxes on the Road Fork and Whipple Sections - Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  We need 4 of them at the moment in sets of 2.  Both sets of them can handle food resupply.  I'd have to go over the design to be more exact, but I think I can get each container to be about $96.  I also don't have clearance to use private property that one set would depend on.

Adventurer's Project Website, GIS/ GPS Depository and Community Action Bus Lines

The Adventurer's Project's website will use the BTA GIS/ GPS Depository for its various planning functions as consistent with a portion of it's agreement when "These data sets were developed to provide a digital depiction of the Buckeye Trail centerline in a usable and easily transferable format to assist the BT staff, agency partners, and land managers; to aid local planning agencies, telecommunications companies, and other groups with planning activities..."

The agreement is found here:

http://www.buckeyetrail.org/gis-gps-agreement.php.

I have my depository tracks split into sections.  Those terminators can only be found in the map & guides.  Normally, I don't like giving this out to the general public, but it describes which part of the trail the project covers.

I created two tracks for the Community Action Bus Lines pertaining to it's Route C East and Route Super C in Marietta.  These will be displayed on the project's website as a part of the areas transportation relevant to adventurer's.

Chapter in SE Ohio 10/13/2017

Adventurer's Project could result in a chapter with loyalties to the Buckeye, North Country and American Discovery Trails.  But I was reading through the Buckeye Trail Association's Bi-Laws and it states that one has to be a member of it in order to be a chapter officer.  This proposed chapter that I'm referring to would be under the BTA.  In order to be an officer in the proposed chapter, they will probably have to get annual memberships in 2 out of the 3.

But, we'll probably have to consider what the proposed members of the chapter have to think of that.  BTA's bi-laws were probably not written with our predicament in mind.  Either this chapter could get a dispensation, or we could explore going 3rd party?  Let me tell this audience that from what I hear, this could be a more lengthy, formal process with the IRS?

Adventurer's Project Upcoming Website

I'm still working on the transportation map for Adventurer's Project.  Since these are for planning purposes, all of it's maps are going to feature tracks from the BTA GIS/ GPS Depository.  I already have those split into sections.  And I might be able to make the maps themselves impossible to download with embedded data.  This data can be used for planning purposes.  But there's lots of things that I can I can give out.  Basically, if it isn't covered under the copyright of the map and guides, I can do it.  And I fully intend to.


(Currently, Adventurer's Project is covering Road Fork and Whipple Sections of the Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  As of this morning, I learned that Lyft's "Columbus Area" is now covering all of it.  I've been trying to get transportation from it's east end in the Marietta Unit of the Wayne NF for resupply for many years.  And since we lost our shuttle service, this is welcome news.)


Other than Lyft, other items I'd like to include are:

- Resupply locations
- Public Transit

- One item that I'd like to expound on is ride share locations.  Not everywhere on those sections has cellular service.  And if a ride, or rider is coming from out of the area and something happens, the other party would be in the dark.  So, I'll be devising rendezvous locations that have signal for most providers.

- Contact for resupply is a feature that the hiker should do well in advance of their hike.  This is where Adventurer's Project volunteers would have resupply waiting for hikers at the end of their day. 

- The "Surface Water Data" pertains to streams that aren't likely to be directly affected by mining activity.

- Annual Fall Foliage Tour map pertains to a two day event in October held by the Little Muskingum Watershed Association.  It's an automotive tour that takes place on OH-26 annually and passes through two small portions of the on-road trail.

- A link to the Marietta/ Washington Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  This part of the Buckeye Trail is one of the more difficult parts of the trail to get to for Ohio residents.  If they come to hike, they might like to explore Marietta?

- A vacant segment showcase.

- Weather Band Radio (channels and frequencies)

- GPS data on religious places along Road Fork and Whipple

West Virginia, Indiana ADT Segments, Water Resupply

I forgot to mention yesterday that I have GPS tracks for the American Discovery Trail. I completed them sometime in January or so. But some states weren't in segments as per their turn-by-turn guides. 

My next project will be to write a detailed document based on the minimum rate of progress needed to thru hike the trail.  Once I do that, I'll know when water is needed and where in the deserts.  If I can get that information, volunteers can camp in the desert and provide water resupply. Also, with the right volunteers and equipment, the ADTS could haul larger 65 gallons at a time .

However, in the case of both, they'll be restricting hikers to travel in a specific way in order to meet this resupply.  In other words, the lack of manpower will dictate how often this can be done. If you set the bar according to ADT's ability, it might be able to eek this out in succession for one pass of hikers, once a year.  Which could make their synchronizing with it tricky? But I don't know if there's enough manpower to do this once.

Weather Band Radio

I added weather band radio channel listings to Adventurer's Project's website draft.

Female Trail Safety and Adventurer's Project

Occasionally, the topic of trail safety for women comes up on the Buckeye Trail Association's Facebook group.  Also, getting more female hikers is of interest to the BTA anyways.  I've been in the area for two years and I'm glad to gotten some feedback on this subject.  I have a vested interest in it as well.

I just had a female solo hiker go through the Road Fork and Whipple Sections - Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  For those of you who do know it very well, it's rugged for Ohio, sparsely populated, in terms of cellular service, it's the most remote place in the state and the off-road trail was built to mimic some of the conditions that you might find on more minor portions of the Appalachian Trail.

The area at a thru hike rate takes about 9 days to pass through both sections.  In one capasity or another, I was her in-person water resupply there.  Without cellular communications, we had walkie talkies and I we were always at her day's end location by 7:30pm.  I was late, either one of us could get on the walkie talkies and make that known.  If she was late, I would retrace her steps, or start driving the on-road trail against her rate of progress, try to find her and see if something was wrong?

I even hiked 5 miles with her, took the prepositioned bicycle back about 4 miles, fetched the car and met her with her water resupply on one of those evenings.  I'm pleased to report that these sections are probably solo female friendly, with that especially being true in the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest.

I actually had four thru hikers this year.  It was a exercise of the Adventurer's Project, which is a limited protochapter on the Buckeye Trail that covers is Road Fork and Whipple Sections at the moment.  If it becomes a chapter, I hope that we extend and also cover about 3 counties of the nearby American Discovery Trail. I'm it's principal and sole volunteer at the moment.

From what I know, the on-road is pretty safe for women.  And due to the fact that anyone is unlikely to encounter anybody on most of the off-road, I'd put the odds of anything bad happening due to other people as being remote.

Last Thru Hiker, Patches and More

The last thru hiker of the 2017 Thru Hiker Hurricane, Mei Ling Liber completed the Whipple Section today.  Tomfoolery and Mei Ling were given patches for The Wilderness Loop.  They were for completing the trail when Road Fork and Whipple Sections are routed on OH-26, which is a total of 2,006ft.  This was on October 28th.  Road Fork and Whipple are about 117 miles combined, so it's the best we can do for now.

In the month of September in 2017, I assisted 2 day hikers, 1 multi-day and 3 thru hikers.

The BT use to publish the on and off-road footprint for the entire circuit.  As it's been changing a lot, it's hard for the map team to keep up with, but generally it's understood to be about 50%/ 50%.  However, what many don't understand is that the off-road number does include multi-purpose right-of-ways and towpaths.  Some of these can be paved.  It might also include sidewalks.  I state this because the maps do.  You might ask why include those?  The answer is that at some point, somebody will, or already has mentioned that the sidewalk is technically off-road.  And the BTA might have to cover itself from what I like to call "reverse harassment" and mention those in the numbers.  I've got the right GIS/GPS data that might do this project.  But doubt that I have access to the information concerning some surfaces?

My foot gear has never had a problem on-road.  I wear tactical boots.  In fact, I'm more efficient there.  But from what I've learned from the thru hikers these past 2 months, they're having a terrible time on the pavement.  My going theory is that it's either my infantry training, or these hiking shoes and boots aren't engineered with the roads in mind.  And I don't think that my BT colleagues and I have ever had reason to question it.  But to me it makes sense in how our gear is sold.  It always has darker colors that blend in, while here on the Buckeye and North Country Trails, we don't have the number of hikers that could be disturbed by lighter colors.  In fact, we have hunting here and I don't think that a blaze orange vest and hat is enough.  I think that our back packs need to be that color as well.

But they're not.  And that's because this equipment is designed for a different audience in a different place.  Take the Appalachian Trail for example... that's where the market it. BT and NCT... not so much.

My Own Resupply, Thru Hikers

Today, I resupplied myself and I filled up the gas tank.  I'm in St. Mary, WV. So, when I'm going up towards Road Fork Section at the top of The Wilderness Loop, I like having 2/3rd a tank of gasoline. But I can get away with having less on the Whipple Section side.

In case I haven't stated it before, there were obstructions in the Little Muskingum River Flats between the Whipple Section - Buckeye/ North Country National Scenic Trail that were impossible to get around when Preston Hudson came through on his thru hike. I was also under the impression that there was devestating erosion at the time.   Given that those were the conditions at the then, it my determination that this segment would have been a threat to the life, limb and eyesight of these hikers.

I am the current Section Supervisor of the Whipple Section. Under Buckeye Trail Association bi-laws, it does infer that I have jurisdiction over the section (if that helps).

I have then since fixed the area and Tomfoolery hiked through there.

If it comes into question, for thru hikers  Preston Hudson, Mei Ling Liber and Tomfoolery, I was their water resupply for eastern half of The Wilderness Loop. That took about 5 days each. I did this in locations that were convenient to park my car.  So, I did see them near a road, but I'm a distance hiker myself and each came though those days with the appropriate signs of exhaustion according to their water consumption and their abilities.  All that was right on par.

While the roads are shorter, apparently their footgear isn't designed for it. The BT is 50% on-road and the rest still consists of several towpaths and multi use right-of-ways.  I believe that their footgear was designed more for the Appalachian Trail, which frankly, isn't this one.

Buckeye Trail Talk and Thru Hiker Update 09/19/2017

Tomfoolery arrived in Marietta to give a presentation at the Buckeye Trail Talk, which was held on the second floor of the Marietta Adventure Company.  There were about 20 people there and the room was a perfect size.  Before today, I can count how many supporters were in this area on two hands.  Now, I probably need a third.  I'm trying to start a chapter here, so the more, the merrier.

I do know the location of Warrior Expedition #2.

Trail Angel: Female Hikers

With female hikers when I'm a trail angel on The Wilderness Loop - Buckeye Trail (North Country Trail partially concurrent), the practice that I think that I'm going to adopt is that when reporting their locations to anything other than their own profiles, I think I'm going to keep their locations vague?

Fliers Up In Marietta

I put up fliers for Tomfoolery's "Buckeye Trail Talk" on the 19th in Downtown Marietta and the east end lodging.  I'm afraid that I'm not very organized about it.  The thought of everything everything usually slows me down.  I'm not even sure what I'm doing tomorrow?

Trail Promotion - 09/11/2017

When posting to unattended trail promotion sites, there's a bunch of things going on.  And what need to be ascertained are places with limited hours, such as some country post offices. We're currently getting ready for the circuit hiker "Tomfoolery" to come in and perform a "Buckeye Trail Talk."  The circumstances are that Road Fork and Whipple Sections - Buckeye/ North Country Trail have never been fully developed.  We're unsure that there's an audience in this area.  Getting a following here in Marietta/ Parkersburg, WV is one of the reasons why I'm out here.

Under ordinary circumstances, lets say that we had a chapter in this area.  And we started having fliers in places like post offices and libraries year round.  When a special program like is scheduled to come into the area, all those cork boards will go from the general flier to the event's (not enough room for both).

I am here.  I am the man on the ground.  Tomfoolery isn't a volunteer here.  He's something extra.  On the Whipple Section, sometimes things just fall into your lap.  This is a good oman, so you'd be wise to ride this wave.  There's no promises about what's going to happen on the 19th.  But I'm pretty sure that if anything comes of it, it's going to leave us in better shape.  And I can comfortably say this because we should pick up more supporters, or just I'll know about more people.  Right now, we have 7 that I know of.  Three live in NE Ohio, four of them are maintainers, one is a volunteer.  Volunteer recruiting has priority, but we still need greater hiking numbers, too.  And there things that we can do with hikers with those latter interests only.  For those of you who don't know me, I'm very immersed in the internal side of the trails.  Internal vs External, I generally see both.

Adventurer's Project - Weather Band Radio Station - BT/NCT

The weather band radio station for Road Fork and Whipple Section - Buckeye/ North Country Trail is WNG734, transmitting on a frequency of 162.4MHz (Channel 2) out of Marietta.

Log 09/02/2017

- I just dropped off 14 gallons of spring water resupply to my personal Whipple storage depot.

- My tent needs some Scotch Guard. I've been in a hotel last night and tonight.

- The plan for tomorrow is to make sure that I have the chainsaw's side adjustment on correctly

- With a federal holiday being in two days, I suspect that the weed whacker won't be out of service until Tuesday afternoon. The technicians diagnosed it as having loose carburetor harware that necessatated it getting some new gaskets.

- I'm hoping to get Whipple 05 - 06 cleared and reblazed while I'm still at Lane Farm.  If I do, I should be able to get the Little Muskingum River Flats rigged for winter navigation.  The trail down there is like tracks in a record where Buckeye Trail "skips" parallel every now and then. In order for winter navigation to be possible, the blazing will have to keep a close account of every time it does this. That may be more frequent than more normal navigation requires.

Log 08/21/2017

- I'm preparing for a total of 4 thru and 1 circuit hikers to come through Road Fork and Whipple Sections through Noble, Monroe, Washington and Morgan Counties in September.  Road Fork's supervisor was called today.

- I found the patches that I'll give out to the first seven hikers that complete the Buckeye/ North Country Trail on OH-26.  Right now, that's as close as I can come currently to a completion patch for The Wilderness Loop.  For those of you who don't know, those OH-26 portions are very short.  But considering that it's already made and I didn't have to purchase them in 300 bulk, it made sense to get them.

DVI Y Cable

The Robot is a large computer that I use for distance trail mapping.  As it is a piece of equipment that I use in volunteerism, it's a part of this log.

I have three monitor computer system.  I have a VGA one as a document monitor, the other two are on a DVI "Y" cable.  If I plug in one of the monitors with the other one on, I'll get lines in the one that's already powered on.  To get rid of them, I just have to power the second DVI monitor on, and then maybe off for the lines to go away.

Cost Analysis for the Buckeye Trail (Without Transit) - August 2017

Specifications:

Average Thru Hike of 90 days entails generally 24 mile days in the west, north and east of the Buckeye Trail, where the south from present day Belle Valley 25 to Shawnee 26 is at generally 18 miles per day, but both do not take into account the actual locations of the trail's fixed amenities.

Reserve Mileage: 5.88mi WEN/ 3.6mi S

Spur Limit To Amenity: 4.0mi WEN/ 3.6mi S

All amenity spur lengths under 0.1mi are not counted

Total Combined Daily Mileage Limit: 29.88mi W, E & N/ 21.6 S

Penalty for exceeding 24.0/ 18.0 miles in a day on this document = Automatic Zero

Zero Frequency: roughly no more than every 21 days (excluding excessive mileage penalties)

Resupply frequency: no greater than every 4 days with exceptions

Time to complete the circuit at this rate: 97 days

Illegal stealth camping is not supported by this document.

Camping/ lodging costs were tabulated for July and August of 2017.  Those rates tend to cost more.

Estimated cost for an unsupported hiker to complete the circuit (all 26 sections): $2,487.95
Camping/ lodging cost per mile: $1.72

Legend
Ld = Lodging
C = Campsite
Cg - Campground
Dis C - Dispersed Camp
WEN - the west, east and north of the BT
S - the South of the BT

BEGIN GENERAL 24 MILE DAYS

D01. Loveland 00.0 to 22.2429
Total Distance: 22.2429mi
Overnight: C - Loveland (approx)
Rate: $0
Initial Resupply: @ Mi 00.0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Milford
Resupply Possible

D02. 22.2429 to 42.5616
Total Mileage: 20.3187
Overnight: C - Little Miami Canoe Rental
Rate: $23.00

D03. 42.5616 to Caesar Creek Section 15.5
Distance on trail: 18.8384
Distance from trail to C: 0.6mi
Overnight: C - Horseman's Group (Caesar Creek SP)
Rate: $18
Total Mileage: 19.4384mi

D04. 15.5 to 37.8
Distance from C to trail: 0.6mi
Distance on trail: 22.3mi
Overnight: Ld - Tecumseh Motel
Rate: $35
Total Mileage: 22.9mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute Spring Valley & Xenia (Walmart)

D05. 37.8 to Troy 02.58
Distance on trail: 20.58mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.1mi
Overnight: Ld - Red Roof Inn - Colonel Glenn Hwy/ Nutter Center
Rate: $74.99
Total Mileage: 21.38mi
Resupply PREFERRED

D06. 2.58 to 24.9
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.1mi
Distance on trail: 22.32
Distance from trail to C: 0.19
Overnight: C - Adventures on the Great Miami
Rate: $10
Total Mileage: 23.61mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Dayton, Huber Heights and Valdalia

D07. 24.9 to 45.1
Distance from C to trail: 0.19mi
Distance on trail: 20.2mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.1mi
Overnight: Ld - Red Roof Inn & Suites Piqua
Rate: $46.76
Total Mileage: 21.79mi
Resupply PREFERRED

D08. 45.1 to St. Marys 9.92
Total Mileage: 15.32mi
Overnight: C - Cole Shelter
Rate: $0

D09. 9.92 to 29.1
Total Mileage: 19.18mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible

D10. 29.1 to Delphos 4.51
Total Mileage: 20.71mi
Overnight: C - Old Acadia Park
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible

D11. 4.51 to 15.5925
Distance on trail: 11.0825mi
Distace from trail to C: 0.14mi
Overnight: C - Primative
Total Mileage: 11.2225mi
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible

D12. 15.5925 to 38.95
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.14mi
Distance on trail: 23.3575mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 2.9mi
Overnight: C - Grand Lake St. Marys SP
Rate: $23
Total Mileage: 26.3975mi
Resupply Possible

EXCESSIVE MILEAGE
D13. ZERO DAY
C - Grand Lake St. Marys SP
Rate: $23
Resupply Here

D14. 35.8 to Delphos 08.48
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.0mi
Distnace on trail: 17.98mi
Overnight: C - Shelter
Total Mileage: 18.98mi
Rate: $0

D15. Delphos 08.48 to 14.7823
Distance on trail: 6.3023mi
Distance from trail to C: 0.14mi
Overnight: C - Primative
Total Mileage: 6.4423mi
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible

D16. 14.7823 to 33.3
Distance from C to trail: 0.14mi
Distance on trail: 18.5177mi
Overnight: C - Hipps Lock
Total Mileage: 18.6177mi
Rate: $0

D17. 33.3 to Defiance 10.5
Distance on trail: 21.8008mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.7mi
Overnight: Super 8 Defiance
Rate: $66.99
Total Mileage: 23.5008mi
Resupply PREFERRED

D18. 10.5 to 30.5
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.7mi
Distance on trail: 20.0mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 0.7mi
Overnight: Ld - Napoleon Inn & Suites
Rate: $78.99
Total Mileage: 22.4mi
Resupply Possible

D19. 30.5 to 43.2
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.7mi
Distance on trail: 13.2mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 1.22mi
Overnight: Cg - Mary Jane Thurston SP
Rate: $20
Total Mileage: 16.12mi
Resupply LIMITED

D20. 43.2 to Pemberville 3.5
Distance from Cg to trail: 1.22
Distance on Trail: 14.8mi
Overnight: C - Phil & Julie Wenig
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 14.92mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Waterville

D21. 3.5 to 23.35
Distance on trail: 20.35mi
Distance from trail to C: 2.18mi
Overnight: C - Black Swamp Conservancy
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 22.53mi
Resupply Possible

D22. 23.35 to 45.5848
Distance from C to trail: 2.18mi
Distance on trail: 22.2348mi
Overnight: Ld - Bartlett's Old Orchard Motel
Rate: $52.00
Total Mileage: 22.71mi
Resupply Possible Walmart

D23. 45.5848 to Norwalk 10.2
Distance on trail: 20.8152mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 0.73mi
Overnight: Ld - Bellevue Hotel & Suites
Rate: $108.90
Total Mileage: 21.5452
Resupply Possible

D24. 10.2 to 24.9407
Distance from Ld to trail: 0.73mi
Distance on trail: 14.7407mi
Overnight: C - Ommert Historic Farm
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 15.4707mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Norwalk

D25. 24.9407 to 36.1
Distance on trail: 11.1593
Distance from trail to Cg: 2.4mi
Overnight: Cg - Schaun Acres
Rate: $27
Total Mileage: 13.3593mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Wakeman

D26. 36.1 to Medina CCW 54.7719
Distance from Cg to trail: 2.4mi
Distance on trail: 15.4281mi
Overnight: Cg - Findley SP
Total Mileage: 17.8281mi
RATE: $25.00

D27. CCW 54.7719 to CCW 45.5601
Distance on trail: 9.2118mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 0.61mi
Overnight: Cg - Sunset Lake Park
Rate: $27.00
Total Mileage: 9.8218mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Spencer

D28. CCW 45.5601 to CCW 25.2855
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.61mi
Distance on trail: 20.2746
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.22mi
Overnight: Ld - Motel 6 Cleveland - Medina
Rate: $46.99
Total Mileage: 22.1046mi
Resupply Possible

D29. ZERO DAY
Overnight: Ld - Motel 6 Cleveland - Medina
Rate: $46.99
Resupply Possible

D30. CCW 25.2855 to CCW 08.19
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.22mi
Distance on trail: 17.0955mi
Overnight: C - Richfield Heritage Preserve
$0
Permit Required
Total Mileage: 18.3155mi

D31. CCW 08.19 to Bedford 13.1
Distance on trail: 21.29mi
Distance from trail to Ld - 1.5mi
Overnight: Quality Inn & Suites Oakwood Village
Rate: $82
Total Mileage: 22.79mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Richfield, Bedford

D32. 13.1 to 32.45
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.5mi
Distance on trail: 19.35mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 2.5mi
Overnight: Ld - Comfort Inn Mayfield Heights East
Rate: $109.00
Total Mileage: 23.35mi
Resupply Possible Walmart

D33. 32.45 to 50.2
Distance from Ld to trail: 2.5mi
Distance on trail: 17.75mi
Overnight: C - Penitentiary Glenn LMP
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 20.25mi

D34. 50.2 to Burton 04.15
Total Mileage: 19.75mi
Overnight: Ld - Rider's Inn
Rate: $90
Resupply Possible

D35. 04.15 to 14.89
Total Distance: 10.74mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0

D36. 14.89 to 35.7
Distance on trail: 20.81mi
Overnight: C - Headwaters Park GPD
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Chardon (Walmart)

D37. 35.7 to 56.2224
Total Mileage: 20.5224mi
Overnight: C - Camp Ashbury
Rate: $0

D38. 56.2224 to Mogadore 19.5
Distance on trail: 20.3629mi
Distance from trail to C: 2.26mi
Overnight: C - West Branch SP
Rate: $24.00
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Ravenna

D39. 19.5 to 38.0172
Distance from trail to Ld: 2.26mi
Distance on trail: 18.5172mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 0.13mi
Overnight: Cg - Countryside
Rate: $25.00
Total Mileage: 20.9072mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Rootstown

D40. 38.0172 to Massillon 2.1
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.13mi
Distance on trail: 20.0799mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.0mi
Overnight: Ld - Comfort Suites (Hartville)
Rate: $108
Total Mileage: 21.2099mi
Resupply Possible

D41. 2.1 to 24.4292
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.0mi
Distance on trail: 22.3292mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 0.27mi
Overnight: Ld - Hampton Inn Massillon
Rate: $139
Total Mileage: 23.5992
Resupply Possible

D42. 24.4292 to 47.9
Distance from Ld to trail: 0.27mi
Distance on trail: 23.4708mi
Overnight: C - Camp Tuscazoar
Rate: $0
Total: 23.7408mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Massillon (Walmart), Navarre, Bolivar, Zoar

D43. 47.9 to Bowerston 11.9
Total Mileage: 18.6mi
Overnight: Cg - Leesville Lake
Rate: $25.00
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Sherrodsville,

D44. 11.9 to 28.7
Distance on trail: 16.8mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 1.3mi
Overnight: Cg - Tappan Lake Park
Total Mileage: 18.1mi
Rate: $28.00
Resupply Possible

D45. 28.7 to 52.04
Distance from Cg to trail: 1.3
Distance on trail: 23.34
Overnight: Cg - Piedmont Marina and Cg
Rate: $28
Total Mileage: 24.64mi

D46. EXCESSIVE MILEAGE
ZERO DAY
Cg - Piedmont Marina and Cg
Rate: $28

D47. 52.04 to Belle Valley 7.42
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.1mi
Distance on trail: 19.28mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 3.9mi
Overnight: Cg - Salt Fork CG - Main
Rate: $20.00
Total Distance: 23.28mi

D48. 7.42 to 22.6
Distance from Cg to trail: 3.9mi
Distance on trail: 15.18mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.1mi
Overnight: Ld - Pine Lakes Lodge
Rate: $189.28
Total Mileage: 20.18mi
Resupply Possible

D49. 22.6 to 45.3
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.1
Distance on trail: 22.7mi
Overnight: C - Wolf Run SP Youth
Rate: $20.00
Total Mileage: 23.8mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Senecaville
Resupply Possible

D50. 45.3 to 57.3mi
Total Mileage: 12.0mi
Overnight: Cg K - Bicentennial - AEP
Rate: $0
PERMIT AREA

BEGIN 18 MILE DAYS

D51. 57.3mi to Stockport 13.0
Distance on trail: 13.4mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 2.5mi
Overnight: Cg G - Maple Grove
Rate: $0
PERMIT AREA
Total Mileage: 15.9mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Reinersville

D52. 13.0 to 18.7
Distance from Cg to trail: 2.5mi
Distance on trail: 5.7mi
Overnight: C - Jay Stout Shelter
Rate $0
Total Mileage: 8.2mi

D53. 18.7 to 31.423
Total Mileage: 12.723
Overnight: Ld - The Hardware Inn of Stockport Bed and Breakfast
Rate: $89 (No Minimum Night Stay)
Resupply Possible

D54. 31.423 to 36.1
Distance on trail: 4.677mi
Distance from trail to C: 1.2mi
Overnight: C - Take Flight Retreat at Sunshine Hill Farm
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 6.877mi

D55. 36.1 to 53.4
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.2mi
Distance on trail: 17.3mi
Overnight: C - Shew's Orchard
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 18.5mi

D56. 44.4 to New Straitsville 6.25
Total Mileage: 11.85mi
Overnight: C - Burr Oak SP Boat Dock #3
Rate: $0

D57. 6.25 to 19.47
Total Mileage: 13.22mi
Overnight: Dis C
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Glouster

D58. 19.47 to 37.4
Total Mileage: 17.93mi
Overnight: Dis C
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Shawnee (Village of)

D59. 37.4 to 50.6
Distance on trail: 13.2mi
Distance from trail to Dis C: 0.5mi
Overnight: Dis C
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 13.7mi

D60. 50.6 to Old Man's Cave 06.55
Distance from Dis C to trail: 0.6mi
Distance on the trail: 17.65mi
Overnight: C - Fmr. OMC Supervisor
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 18.25mi

D61. 06.55 to 12.7
Total Mileage: 6.15mi
Overnight: Cg - Lake Logan
Rate: $24 (estimated based on $30 camper fee from 2015)

D62. 12.7 to 28.5
Total Mileage: 15.8mi
Overnight: Cg - Old Man's Cave
Rate: $26.00
Resupply Possible

D63. 28.5 to 42.8
Total Mileage: 14.3mi
Overnight: C - BTA S Lawn
Rate: $0

D64. 42.8 to Scioto Trail 4.62
Total Mileage: 12.93mi
Overnight: C - Fire Tower
Rates: $4

D65. 4.62 to 23.0
Distance on trail: 18.38mi
Distance from trail to Upub C: 2.5mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 20.88mi
Resupply Possible

EXCESSIVE MILEAGE
D66. ZERO DAY
Rate: $0
Resupply Here

D67. 23.0 to 35.0988
Distance from Upub C to trail: 2.5mi
Distance on trail: 12.0988mi
Overnight: Cg - Scioto Trail SP
Rate: $20.00
Total Mileage: 14.5988

D68. 35.0988 to 48.8
Total Mileage: 13.7012
Overnight: C - Mapleberry Farm
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Waverly

D69. 48.8 to Sinking Spring 4.1
Total Mileage: 18.0mi
Overnight: Cg - L B
Rate: $15

D70. 4.1 to 20.9
Distance on trail: 16.8mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 0.18mi
Overnight: Cg - Butler Springs Christian
Total Mileage: 16.19mi
Rate: $0

D71. 20.9 to 35.46
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.18mi
Distance on trail: 14.56mi
Overnight: C - Friends of Serpent Mount
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 14.74mi

D72. 35.46 to 43.2
Total Mileage: 7.74mi
Overnight: C - Good Seed Farms
Rate: $0

D73. 43.2 to Shawnee 07.0
Total Mileage: 17.6mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Peebles

D74. Shawnee 07.0 to 22.7
Total Mileage: 15.7mi
Overnight: Cg - Ben's Happy Trails
Rate: $15

D75. 22.7 to 32.9
Total Mileage: 10.2mi
Overnight: C#7 - Shawnee SF
Rate: $0

D76. 32.9 to West Union 04.0
Total Mileage: 17.5mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0

BEGIN 24 MILE DAYS

D77. 04.0 to 25.2
Total Mileage: 21.2mi
Ovenight: Ld - Hopewell Croft Cabin
Rate: $160

D78. 25.2 to 45.3
Distance on trail: 20.1mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 3.9mi
Overnight: Ld - Bailey House Bed & Breakfast
Total Mileage: 24.0mi
Rate: $70
Resupply Possible

D79. 45.3 to 62.1
Distance from Ld to trail: 3.9mi
Distance on trail: 16.8mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.05mi
Overnight: Ld - Green Crest Motel
Total Mileage: 21.75mi
Rate: $65
Resupply Possible

D80. 62.1 to Williamsburg 16.9
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.05mi
Distance on trail: 17.7mi
Overnight: C - Overnight Area #3
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 18.75mi

D81. 16.9 to 39.8
Distance on trail: 21.9mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 0.24mi
Overnight: Ld - 1861 Inn Bed & Breakfast
Rate: $149.00
Total Mileage: 22.14mi

D82. 39.8 to 51.7
Distance from Ld to trail: 0.24mi
Distance on trail: 11.9mi
Total Mileage: 12.14

END MAIN LOOP

BEGIN LITTLE LOOP
24 MILE DAYS

D01. Akron CCW 59 to 39.4
Distance on trail: 19.6mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.54mi
Overnight: Ld - Lakeside Motel
Rate: $42
Total Mileage - 21.14mi
Initial Resupply

D02. 39.4 to 27.3
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.54mi
Distance on trail: 12.1mi
Overnight: C - Greater Akron Motorcycle Club
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 13.64mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Akron

D03. 27.3 to 12.1
Distance on trail: 15.2mi
Distance from trail to C: 0.6mi
Overnight: C - Stanford House
Rate: $25.00
Total Mileage: 13.64mi

D04. 12.1 to Bedford 0.61
Distance from C to trail: 0.6mi
Distance on trail: 12.71mi
Overnight: C - Ottawa PA
Rate: $0
PERMIT REQUIRED
Total Mileage: 13.31mi
Resupply

D05. 0.61 to 18.0222
Distance on trail: 17.4122mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.8mi
Overnight: Ld - Solon Motel
Rate: $55
Total Mileage: 19.2122mi
Resupply

D06. 18.0222 to 36.4
Distance from Ld to trail: 0.6mi
Distance on trail: 18.3778mi
Distance from trail to Upub C: 3.3mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 22.2778mi

D07. 36.4 to 50.2
Distance from Upub C to trail: 3.3mi
Distance on trail: 13.8mi
Overnight: C - Penitentiary Glen LMP
Rate: $0
PERMIT AREA
Total Mileage: 17.1mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Chesterland

D08. 50.2 to Burton 4.15
Total Distance: 19.75mi
Overnight: Ld - Rider's Inn
Rate: $90
Resupply Possible

D09. 4.15 to 16.9
Distance on trail: 12.75mi
Overnight: Cg - Big Creek Park GPD
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Concord Township

D10. 16.9 to 40.0858
Total Distance: 23.1858mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Chardon (Walmart)

D11. 40.0858 to 56.2224
Total Mileage: 16.1366mi
Overnight: C - Camp Ashbury
Rate: $0

D12. 56.2224 to Mogadore 19.5
Distance on trail: 20.3629mi
Distance from trail to C: 2.26mi
Overnight: C - West Branch SP
Rate: $24.00
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Ravenna

D13. 19.5 to 38.0172
Distance from trail to Ld: 2.26mi
Distance on trail: 18.5172mi
Distance from trail to Cg: 0.13mi
Overnight: Cg - Countryside
Rate: $25.00
Total Mileage: 20.9072mi

D14. 38.0172 to Massillon 2.1
Distance from Cg to trail: 0.13mi
Distance on trail: 20.0799mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 1.0mi
Overnight: Ld - Comfort Suites (Hartville)
Rate: $108.00
Total Mileage: 21.2099mi
Resupply Possible

D15. 2.1 to 20.403
Distance from Ld to trail: 1.0mi
Distance on trail: 18.303mi
Total Mileage: 19.303mi

END OF LITTLE LOOP

BEGIN THE WILDERNESS LOOP
18 MILE DAYS

D01. Road Fork 0.0 to 03.54796
Distance on trail: 3.54796mi
Distance from trail to Ld: 2.38mi
Overnight: Ld - The Harkins House Inn Bed & Breakfast
Rate: $59.12
Initial Resupply

D02. 03.54796 to 19.1783
Distance from Ld to trail: 2.38mi
Distance on trail: 15.63034
Overnight: C - Shelter
Rate: $0
Total: 18.01034mi
Resupply Possible: Enroute, East Union
RESUPPLY - ADVENTUER'S PROJECT

EXCESSIVE MILEAGE
D03. ZERO DAY
Rate: $0
RESUPPLY - ADVENTURER'S PROJECT

D04. 19.1783 to 31.9606
Total Mileage: 12.7823mi
Overnight: Cg - Lamping Homested
Rate: $0
RESUPPLY - ADVENTUER'S PROJECT
Resupply Possible: Enroute, Whitacre's Store

D05. 31.9606 to 49.6
Total Mileage: 17.6394mi
Overnight: Dis C
Rate: $0
RESUPPLY - ADVENTUER'S PROJECT

D06. 49.6 to Whipple 6.3
Total Milage: 16.9mi
Overnight: Dis C
Rate: $0
RESUPPLY - ADVENTUER'S PROJECT

D07. 6.3 to 19.8309
Distance on trail: 13.5309mi
Distance on T Spur: 2.7mi (weekdays/ no holidays)
Overnight: Ld - Lafayette Hotel
Rate: $65
Total Mileage: 16.2309mi
RESUPPLY - 4 DAYS IN MARIETTA

D08. 19.8309 to 28.9
Distance from Dis C to trail on spur (white blazed): 0.6mi
Distance on trail: 9.0691mi
Ovenight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 13.4mi
RESUPPLY - WATER ONLY

D09. 28.9 to 47.2
Distance on trail: 18.3mi
Distance from trail to Upub C: 2.4mi
Overnight: Upub C
Rate: $0
Total Mileage: 20.4mi

GAP AREA

D10. 45.7 to Stockport CCW 18.7
Total Mileage: 14.4mi
Overnight: C - Jay Stout Shelter
Rate: $0

D11. CCW 18.7 to CCW 6.64
Total Mileage: 12.06mi
Overnight: C H - Woodgrove - AEP
Rate: $0
PERMIT AREA
Resupply HERE

D12. CCW 6.64 to Belle Valley CCW 48.0585
Total Mileage: 16.2815

END OF THE WILDERNESS LOOP

Cost Analysis - 9/10/2017

The latest layers in the cost analysis are resupply: grocers, outfitters, grocers and walmarts.  By layer, I'm referring certain facts being applied to the document one at a time.  In this case, they will determine where it's best to have a zero day and resupply.

Now because of my planning formula being geared towards not pushing entry level thru hikers too much and trying to encompass the abilities of everyone, there are a couple areas already with excessive mileages that automatically result in a zero day and it doesn't matter if it occurs at resupply location or not.  It's better to be relentless because when you put all this data to a map, you've got two track colors.  There's green and then there's yellow (excessive mileages) and red (one amenity gap area on the Whipple Section).  The cost analysis is also a mock hiker document that could be used as a diagnostic on the trail's logistical performance.  The way forward has to be done with some logic to it.  When it comes to beating the critics, it doesn't help if we're cheating ourselves.  You've got to embrace the bad news, know exactly where it is, why and fix it.

Cost Analysis - 8/9/2017

All the costs for my "Cost Analysis w/o Transit" as it is have been input except one on the Bowerston Section - Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  Until it comes in, I'm unable to add up everything around the circuit and average it.

Right now, I think the next step is to try and get some of those lodging prices down as much as I can before I fill in where the resupply opportunities are and tally those costs.

Hike Preparations - 08/07/2016

My boots aren't exactly shined, but they are sealed and probably ready for the rest of the year.  I just put in new Dr. Shoals CF340, cheap insoles and totally forgot that the boots need to have a partial break-in due to the additional ankle height.  Oh well.

I just ate a salad, but had an ice cream afterwards.  Tonight, I'll sleep without my 21mg Nicoderm CQ patch.  And I'll be going cold turkey tomorrow and hopefully that will keep my veins open?  If it doesn't, it could be a rough day?

Equipment Replacement 08/07/2017

The new side panel for my Poulan Wildcat came in.  Upon inspection, I can only deduce that the chain tore through the old one.

Communication With Appalachian Trail Hikers and Adventurer's Project 08/07/2017

The majority of the Buckeye Trail's (BT) hiking audience and probably volunteer corps is probably local. They're mostly short range (8 miles per day or less).  So, Buckeye "makes it money" on entry level hikers.  The Buckeye Trail Association has been in continuous operation since 1959.  At least one of it's founders hoped that it would become a side trail to the Appalachian Trail (AT).

But continuous contact wasn't maintained between the BT and Appalachian Trail Conference.  Over time, those two distance trail agencies evolved in isolation and probably for the most part. Using a night school program known as "English as a Second Language (ESOL)" as a basis for comparison, when hiker who's "first language" is the AT intents to hike the BT, they are sometimes not prepared for things to be different.

On the other hand, in my opinion, the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) doesn't know how to reach them in order to groom those hikers ahead of time.  There are no AWOL Guides for the Upper Midwest distance trails.  There's probably around 350 volunteers on the BT.  At least half of that are trail adopters that don't often cross over into general volunteerism.  Take the functions and programs that it's already running and pit that against the demands of a volunteer's life and you may start to see that there isn't much left over.

In volunteer logistics, there is the matter of can one do something.  But it's entirely another matter of whether they can keep it going indefinitely?  In order to combine all necessary materials for hikers into one convenient source (something new to the BT), a volunteer would have to commit indefinitely to the project.  The logistical problem is that they could easily become diverted by other volunteer functions in the BTA.

- On the American Discovery Trail, a more complete guide would not only have to be researched and compiled, but it would have to be "test driven," or thru hiked for accuracy to double check it.  At the moment, that would cost that volunteer about $12,000.  It's out of their pocket, but it would take an exceptionally long time for the ADTS to break even with that as it is.

I could probably write a webpage right now and have it indexed with the search engines in about 9 months.  And it could address these first language AT'ers.  The problem is the keywords which the search engines pick up on.  They're embedded into webpages behind the scenes.  If don't get those right, then my webpage won't be listed on the hits as relevant to them.  They might search a little differently than the listed keywords.  The point is that I don't know their experiences and expectations enough to do this correctly.

This is why I think that a volunteer "BT Ambassador to the AT" is necessary.  It needs somebody who is an enthusiast to both.  And this person has to know both trails and their subcultures in order to bridge them.  I'm just not qualified because I hardly know the AT side.

On somewhat of another note, by the BTA bi-laws, the chapter that may result from the Adventurer's Project needs to have a hiking program.  Since no BT/ AT club is probably going to form in Ohio, and since the new chapter has a particular interest in the AT, it can organize a van to carpool hikers from the Marietta, OH/ Parkersburg, WV area.

Health Issues and Thru Hikers

I've been sleeping with the Nicoderm CQ 21mg patch on.  Today, I forgot to change it.  The current patch is probably depleted, so there is some vascular improvement in my left wrist, but for the most part, not necessarily my right, yet.  If Monday morning, I remove the patch from the night before, the patch's residue would wear off when I sweat.

The whirlpool at my gym is being rebuilt and won't be available until the middle of this month.  I'll have to rely on stretching.

Aside from the vascular issues, I still have a lower back problem.  After I do anything strenuous, like about 6 miles of weed whacking (perhaps accumulative?), I have back pains on the morning after when I get out of bed and bending over.  This was from the 54 mile mixed mode hike/bike that I did 3 years ago on The Wilderness Loop of the Buckeye Trail.  But I'm not ready to heave over and die yet.

I really haven't complained much.  But something's going on with my body and I really don't know what it is?  I keep forgetting to make a doctors appointment.

Right now, the plan is to continue Whipple's Maintenance will probably be on, or maybe after the 17th.  I have Preston H. as possibly being 33 days from The Wilderness Loop with M L trailing him by about 24 hours currently, both those numbers are give and take.  What they'll actually be depends on monitoring them.  Preston is set for his hike on the Road Fork and Whipple Sections.  I think the only thing that I'll have to do is give him the location of grocers, the bar and restaurant.  Which means that it's just about time to plan for M L's resupply if she'll need it?

Nicoderm CQ and Vascular Concerns In Hiking and Trail Maintenance

I've been wearing a 21mg Nicoderm CQ patch and have been struggling to stop smoking for the last 2 years.  Recently, I noticed that the veins in my wrist have 65 - 80% smaller than they should be. This is vague, but sometime in the last 8 years, I think that this has happened before?  And when my veins were reduced, so was my stamina.

I'm planning a 17.2mi transit hike soon.  Considering the state of my body from other more recent matters, I'm concerned about it.  But I bet that when I take that hike without a patch, my veins will be more normal.  I can tell you this, my problem is not hydration.

New Maintenance Day Pack

I got my new maintenance pack today.  It's framed, but I think it's aluminum.  REI's site says steel, another one site says aluminum.  Why would a CamelBak make a bag for a weight contentious audience with a steel frame?  I guess I'll have to put a charge to it and find out.  If it's steel, I wonder, if I can cut it out and it'd still be good to use.  What I didn't notice about it before that I just found is that it has zipped pockets on the waist belt. That should come in handy sometime.

My chainsaw and weed eater tool kit is assembled.  The tools are in a pouch and are in the outside center pocket should I ever need to jettison them in a lightning storm.  But my med kit is missing a strap that I could use for a tourniquet.  I should have pieces of an old t-shirt around?  That might be strong enough?

As of now, I still have yet to sew in the mounting cord for the dual CamelBak water bladders.  I'm also not 100% sure if that compartment will hold dual 3L bladders when both are full?

The next piece to get is a road construction, or heavy grade poncho.  I'd prefer military surplus because I've been through after market rain gear and ponchos and they won't last through conditions.  I've finally become utterly dissatisfied with how Frog Troggs stands up to briers and prickers.  And even if hiking conditions on the Buckeye Trail ever becomes picture perfect, maintenance won't.

Omnibus Log 08/02/2017

I've been spouting off ideas for the last 7 years on the Buckeye Trail's Facebook group.  But I'm starting to see that this isn't the time for them anymore.  Whipple Section, maybe even the whole circuit needs actions to be taken.  I might have one after I get the cost analysis done.

The Wilderness Loops resupply strategy is set to be come a part of a protochapter known as "Adventurer's Project."  Well... my current trail promotion strategy is being reduced, we no longer have full control of The Wilderness Loop.  And that's bothering me at the moment.  I wasn't consulted regarding the change.  I had a 15 county area going up through Zanesville.  I'm just about about to execute an evolutionary process, the plan has to be changed.

A reduction in territory is good.  Changing the plan that already in motion is not.  I'm like this with just about anything.

A hiking program is required for Buckeye Trail chapters by the bi-laws. But in building a chapter in SE Ohio, I want it to be a lesser priority and focus more on the volunteer experience. I think that BT chapters haven't been established the right balance yet between what we want to do and what we need to do. What chapters and maintainers need to start doing is separate the maintainers from the rest of the active chapter's membership. That way, the promoters promote and the maintainers maintain. The main chapter keeps the manpower supply going and fills vacancies, while the maintainers ensure that the promoters have a trail worth promoting. Neither side can fail for long before the system breaks down.

Things came through today.  Money that was fraudulently taken from me has been restored.  But I'm going to have to sort through 29 Internet accounts and determine which ones need new financial information?  I have to doggy sit on the 9th.  About a dozen campgrounds and motels need to be called to get rates for my cost analysis.  Once I have those, I can put it down until September.  I have a chainsaw cover coming on the 5th.  The cover has the chain tensioner built into it.

Some kind of new backpack needs to be purchased.  I'd like it to be about 30L, but be able to carry a 4L water bladder.  It's going to become the maintenance bag.  I need to be able to jettison metal tools and gear quickly while being able to wait out a lightning storm.

BT Cost Analysis 7/29/2017

I've taken a day off from my Buckeye Trail cost analysis without transit.  It's been an unremarkable day.  The only thing that I've done that's noteworthy was I purchased a replacement clutch cover for my chainsaw and that it should arrive next week.

So far, I have Buckeye's main loop day count at 77, the Little Loop at 14 and The Wilderness Loop at 12.  But there might need to be another zero day added to the main loop?  As to how much this will all end up costing will depend on whether I can manipulate the routing to make the cost more favorable.  To do that, I'll have to ascertain how much it costs now and determine if there's practical ways to cut costs, or bypass higher cost areas be introducing another day into the count?  It's got another 8 days that I could add to it.

But it's got restrictions.  And I compare it to the first down chains in football.  Only every time, it's a new 10 yards after you move further up the map.  So over the circuit, I have to be contentiousness of where days start, end and make sure that I link up to the next sequence of days.

I started doing this because I needed to get it done according to lodging costs in the height of summer.  But, the transit hiking idea never took off and I also want to find out how much this thing really costs?  It turns out that we really don't have a big number of stealth campers.  It comes up on the BTA Facebook group every now and then.  And while I thought it was a larger number, I wanted to know what they're by-passing.  I thought it has to be cost?

The Buckeye Trail is growing.  And achieving the BTA's 10 mile campsite initiative sooner than much later is going to require more private camp hosts, which entails residential relations.  I don't see the BTA taking itself 720 more miles off-road by mostly acquiring properties happening anywhere in the near future.  So, I don't think it can add it's own campsites fast enough?  Which means that this needs to be done with more private camp hosts.

Smartphone GPS Basemap and Whipple Maintenance 07/24/2017

I continue to download a smartphone basemap for Ohio on Locus Maps.  This is big and is going to take a while, perhaps a month?

I weed whacked from Brooks by McCain Hill and Bean Ridge Roads and got just into the east side of the Little Muskingum River Flats.  That's where my trimmer needed a throttle adjustment and I don't know how to do that yet?  So, I got out of there.

With the DR Mower (Brush Hog), we usually attach a chainsaw to it with bungee cords and cut obstructing downed trees as we go.  But I don't have a DR and the chainsaw would be difficult to carry with the weed whacker.

So, I devised a new strategy.  An ax could be mounted to the trimmers shaft or be carried inside of my backpacks restraining straps.  A special canvas sleeve could be made for a 24" carpentry saw.  I can fit the bottom with the plastic that's used on the corners of some walls (maybe razor it down) to insert in the sleeve for the blade to grid up against when when I put it in, or take it out.  I could sew it to the bottom of my backpack and with the plastic angle, I should be able to re-insert with my backpack still on me?

I'm probably known for using a carpentry saw to remove obstructions.  It takes about 40 minutes to go through the sides of a 18-22" downed tree.  It's not like a chainsaw where you can just cut straight down.  This has to be done in "V" or "double V" (same thing, but upside down) cuts.  It's too easy to pinch the blade going straight down.

Sometimes, my cuts aren't spot on.  So when they get close, I start using the ax and I try to chop that pie cut out of there.  The chain saw would go there in minutes, but I'd rather cut them as I go because sometimes I encounter downed trees with the weed whacker and have to maneuver through them like a jungle gym.  I guess I could just take the chainsaw through and make two passes???

Trail Angel and Smartphone GPS Basemaps

I sent a lot of Buckeye Trail data to a supporter who's currently routing a thru hiker.  The thru hiker isn't using the BT's map & guides, instead he's being routed from the desk via phone calls, text and private messages on Facebook to his smartphone.  Everything should be more complete for them now.

When assisting another thru hiker about a month ago, we discovered something about smartphone GPS navigation.  The problem is off-line basemaps.  The easiest way to do it for the Buckeye Trail is to download everything for the entire State of Ohio at high resolution.  But, that's a huge file.  And the tile limits are 5,000 and 10,000.  I'm in the middle of it now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ties up my smartphone for the next 30 days.  Prospective thru hikers really don't have that kind of time.

I wish I could find basemaps that I could download to my desktop computer, then upload to my smartphone and work on my "Locus" app.  That could be faster for everyone involved.  And it would be preferred if it was USGS Topo.  That's a map that many are familiar with.

Blazing - 50 Yard Pace Count

I did a pace count in advance of reblazing the Duck Creek area on the Whipple Section - Buckeye Trail/ North Country Temporary Connector. It's something I leaned in the Army where you count every left step out to 50 meters.  You do it 3 times and average the count, than that's what you use.  I also understand that this is a Boy Scout method.

Because of conditions on-road, the blazing count will be mostly 50yds. Well, the stadium at Marietta College with a synthetic turf field and lines that are always painted isn't always open to the public.  But it's practice field had yard marker signs attached to its fence. So, I did my pace count on the other side and it worked out well. With a 36in inseam (I'm 6ft 6in) I have a 50yd pace count of 27.  And shorter folks will be more. But it's just an off-road measurement for blazes.

Sometimes, you could find yourself maintaining a new segment where the blazes are badly faded, or they weren't done right to begin with.  In this situation, an "initial" blazing has to be done. It's "initial" as if it was getting it for the first time.

The Heat Is On

The heat in on the Whipple Section - Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  The engine in my car is running like it should.  Thru hiker Andrew P is approaching the three way Buckeye Trail intersection in Belle Valley of Noble County tomorrow.  I still have a parking brake cable to install and I'd really like to pick him up and shuttle him to a campsite from about present day Road Fork Section, Pt. 06.

Between campsites, it's 19.9 miles from the one at Wolf Run SP to the camp shelter near present day RF 10.  This is in SE Ohio.  RF's roads are known to be the most strenuous on the circuit.  Aside from being a Whipple Section Supervisor, I wear another "hat" and that is being a trail promoter and it's organizer in SE Ohio (these are separate).  And getting a new private camp host NE of Caldwell of Noble County is on the list of things to do.

Car Maintenance 07/02/2017

I changed the spark plugs in my 2008 Chevy HHR LS at about 182,724 miles on the odometer.  The last time that I was on Whipple's maintenance, I was concerned about the engine performance and thought that it was getting weak.  Turns out, it was just the iridium spark plugs.  It's a relief because I anticipate this month as being intensive.

Merging GIS Tracks - Harbor Springs Chapter

For the last 3 days, I've been merging tracks for the Harbor Spring Chapter of the North Country Trail Association in Lower Peninsula Michigan with GPS Visualizer.  For North Country, it's about 63 miles, so it not a large span.  It's definitely shouldn't be that challenging for GPSVisualizer.  I've seen it twice that distance in to one track and get the elevation profile right.

This picture is a screen shot displaying the merged path/ track with some of it's original data and an elevation profile.  In that profile, the outline of the chart should be in solid red.  And look at those straight drops between Miles 40 and 50.  I've never been on this section before.  But that also looks like an error.  The original track elevation profiles work.  It's just that merged all 63 miles together three separate times and can't get the elevation profile working.  I'm going to move on to a different chapter.  If the errors show up there too, then I can probably say that GPSVisualizer is having a bad day.

Thru Hike Difficulties & Proposial - North Country Trail

The North Country Trail is 4,600 miles long.  And without having done a mock hiker document depicting the daily mileages of an average thru hiker, it's hard to tell if it could be routed to miss winter conditions on either end.  From what I'm told, the answer is "no."  If that's the case, then I believe that the NCTA and it's following needs to come up with a new plan.  From what I know here in Ohio, the vast majority of hikers don't like the winter.

So, I'm going to take the next week or so and finish merging the NCTA's GIS tracks into it's chapter's spans so I can write the mock hiker.  It's of interest to me as the section supervisor of the Whipple Section - Buckeye/ North Country Trail.  After I get that document written, I can then suggest a course of action if any is needed.

I ready know that SE Ohio needs a chapter for resupply reasons.  And that in NCT trail promotion, the Buckeye Trail takes up 83% of Distance Hiking Ohio.  The beneficiaries of it's trail promotion is self contained.  Meaning that it's not contributing to North Country's whole.  But North Country chapters work in such a way that they're trail promotion not only contributes to themselves, but elsewhere as well.  In Ohio, we're missing North Country trail promotion in 3 quarters of the state.  So, what Whipple is getting is probably anemic. The course of action that I can think of is to make this a chapter with multiple loyalties.

It needs to elevate the importance of the NCT - Ohio patch.  But what I think might need to happen probably won't take place with the NCTA.  In fact, I think it's very grass routes.  There are two audiences when it comes to thru hiking.  There's those who come immediately from the Appalachian Trail.  Some of them come with their minds made up of what hiking is and I doubt they'd be able to change their notions anytime soon.  But there's the internal, hikers that North Country already has and those that they get as a result of local trail promotion in the future.

They might need to legitimize a slight step down from thru hiking.  My idea is to complete 30 hiking days at a thru hike rate ahead of time, then hike the rest in mass using transportation to bypass what they already did.  If they did that, this hiker could miss winter conditions in Vermont, New York and North Dakota. The question that would have to be put to North Country's followers is are they going to support it?

I wouldn't really regard it as a full "2nd place."  It's more "1b." 1a is a full thru.  1b is

Whipple/ Road Fork Work Week 2017 - 06/13/2017

The following is copied from http://www.buckeyetrail.org/events.php on 06/13/2017. The event's area is concurrent with the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest.

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July 8-12, 2017

Whipple/Road Fork

Description: Trail maintenance of the Road Fork and Whipple Sections' off road areas. This will include chainsawing of downed trees, mowing, weed whacking, pruning, and possible freshening of blazes for a little over 30 miles in the heat of July. We will need all the help we can get. We will leave for work at 8:00am and quit at 3:00pm.

Camping: Camping will be at the Little Muskingum Watershed Association building, located at SR26 and Thomas Ridge Rd (T 88) Hot showers and flush toilets are available in the building. Donations to the LMWA for use of the facilities are appreciated. Camping GPS coordinates 39.54184, -81.22484

Meals: This is a chuck wagon event. Meals will be provided free (donations accepted) for the first 20 volunteers to sign up with Jay Holwick at holwick@columbus.rr.com by July 2, 2017. Please note: if you are arriving Friday, the Friday night meal is NOT included - please bring your own.

Mapping: See the location for this event in Google Maps

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For those wishing to attend the event itself, an RSVP is requested at https://www.meetup.com/BuckeyeTrailFriends/events/240768281/ (this link may be time sensitive).

This event was submitted today to the Marietta - Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau's calendar.  It is currently undergoing review.