Log 2015042301

- I attempted to reorganize the supply point, but I realized that I need to pack the car and trailer to do it and that won't get done until tomorrow.

- Since the photos files didn't transfer to the laptop, I am revising my maintenance stratedgy.  I plan to use the National Forest Service's "Lane Farm" Campground and begin working on Whipple Section, Pts. 05 - 06 in the counter clockwise direction. Now that I'm unable to determine which items are "priority," I'm going to start with my hardest hit area, which is in a low growth forest and along the Little Muskingum River.

- I now know that I need something different than the unit that I have to sharpen my ax. It's dull right now, but it's blunt force should suffice for what I need.

- Two days ago, I spoke to the post master in the unincorporated community of Whipple in Washington County about maildropping water.  And she informed me that it should be no problem as long as the bottle(s) are sealed by the factory.

- According to mine and OTHR's standard, the off-road trail on The Wilderness Loop is projected to be a 15 mile per day. Under that standard, no more than 3 miles is justifiable to come off trail to reach an amenity.  It's unfortunate because both the Scenic River Trail and it's on-road equivalent exceed that. I know this because I tracked it on the GPS yesterday. However, if T420, or an old remnant of it somehow intersects the Scenic River, it may still provide a more direct route that might just do the trick.

- I've got a full tank of gasoline in the car and more in the budget to spare.

- At the supply point, the weed eater didn't have much gasoline. And upon starting it, it didn't turn over with what it had, but it was promising. With the help of some mid grade gasoline, I think I can get it started.

Log 2015033101

This is advice to the hiking public...

All points mentioned are from the Whipple Section map and guide, October 2010 edition.

Whipple's maintenance was digitally cataloged and as per the most recent off-road inspection, and at the moment, I know exactly where we need work from the desk.  But as always, I'm open to receiving reports about its condition.  The following is just advice.. Overall in for the average speed to hike the section's roughly 15 miles of off-road from the trailhead at C9 to Brooks Road, Whipple scores about average at the moment. However, the advice is that for about the next two weeks (from March 31st, 2015). if you're on the Whipple Section - Buckeye Trail, I recommend that you hike faster between Pts. 02 - 03, which is 3.2 miles.  You might be able to sustain between 2.7 - 3.2MPH there.

I'm not sure that I've done this from Whipple's point of view yet.  But it regards public transit in the area.  In Washington County, we have the "Community Action Bus Lines," or just "CABL."  The Whipple Section of the Buckeye Trail (North Country Concurrent) has a New Matamoras/ Macksburg bus that runs on Thursdays only.  It's doesn't have enough of a schedule to be much good for lodging.  But it can help you resupply.

Now, the Village of New Matamoras is what I call "out of range" because it's more than 4.0 miles from BT/ NCT.  However, it is in range at Leith Run via the Scenic River Trail, and Archer's Fork Rd/ C14 & OH-07.  In this area, this bus runs along OH-07 and there are no formal stops, so you when you see something like a white Ford Econoline cut-a-way bus (they actually drive the GM equivalent), just waive your hand in the air and signal the on-coming driver that you'd like to board the vehicle.

From New Matamoras, this bus will make it's scheduled stop at the Washington County Courthouse in Marietta before turning north and going to Macksburg.  In Macksburg, there is a bus shelter on the west side of Main Street that's about 1/3rd of a mile north of the BT/ NCTC.  You have to board and disembark there because this bus uses I-77 on the coming to and from Marietta/ New Matamoras.

There might be a way to use transit in Macksburg to get to a camping amenity  If one hiked clockwise from Road Fork Section, they could overnight in the forest and meet the bus at Archer's Fork Rd near Pt. 2 the next morning on a Thursday and take it all the way to Macksburg.   From there on that day, begin hiking from near Whipple 18 heading counter clockwise (CCW).  Normally, it's only a 4 day hike to reach Archer's Fork Road again.   But this hike has to be precisely timed out and it needs 7 in order to catch the bus and take it back to Macksburg on the next Thursday for a clockwise (CW) hike to the Stockport Section, or take the short cut to the Village of Belle Valley in Noble County.

CABL also has daily fixed route bus routes.  It too is probably a cut-a-way type vehicle, but it runs a regular weekday schedule like a city amenity, except on holidays.  It's one of their Marietta City Routes and it terminates at the Social Security Administration on OH-26, which is about 3 miles away from Whipple 09.  This route can do both re-supply and lodging.  So if your unassisted and you've had your fill with dispersed camping in the forest and your looking forward to a pizza, Marietta awaits you ;-).