This event is being held near the Mid Winter Geocaching
Get-Together 2015
http://coord.info/GC5H035
We will gather to discuss caching, winter camping, socialize, and sleep. What other event is it acceptable and encouraged that you sleep through the event? :-) You will need to either snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile to the leanto. Overnight attendees will need winter survival gear, including but not limited to warm, non cotton clothing, warm boots, a 4 season sleeping pad, a sleeping bag rated for the temperatures to be encountered, and a bivy sack or some form of wind and snow protection for your bag. Bring some high energy fatty snacks, and everything else you will need to be out in the cold all night long, including map, compass, headlamps. Make sure someone knows you are setting out on this 1.2 mile (from trailhead) night hike. You are welcome to set out early, but many of us may be in town having fun until late. Please post a will attend note if you are attending, and check back often before setting out on the hike. This event may be moved or canceled for safety reasons in the case of severe winter weather. When in town, please check in with me, GPS Guy. There is no firewood at the leanto. It can be gathered in the woods on shore. Please only gather dead, down, dry wood. Don't be a noob and break limbs off trees. Trail hikers, if you come to a leanto on the trail, you must turn left to the south west and find the leanto on the lake shore.
Here is a link to the topo map of the trail: TOPO Map
Weather in Long Lake, NY
NOAA Weather Forecast
Trailhead parking is on Tarbell Rd at N 43 59.063, W 074 23.866. Parking for sled trailers or skiers who choose to run the lake is at the Public Boat Launch - N43 58.710 W074 24.973 Remember, travel on ice is at your own risk. Check conditions with the locals. Snowmobiles not allowed on shore or foot trail. It is a wilderness area.
WARNING! Travel on ice can be dangerous! Check ice conditions before going out. Check with the locals. Ice travel is always at your own risk. Two known danger spots are anywhere near the highway bridge in town, and the spillway. There are river currents in the lake. Watch out for slushy spots. Other areas to watch are near stream inlets, and shallows near shore. I do not know the local conditions. I am not a local, although I may resemble one. Pedestrians on the lake at night should have lights on, so snowmobiles can see you. There is a foot path available on Tarbell Rd.
If you do not own the gear you need, you can rent it from an outfitter. Contact GPS Guy for details. You should reserve ahead of time, and examine the gear before leaving the store to be certain the package contains the right size, rating, etc. A tall guy does not fit well into a women's sleeping bag, even when alone. Believe me, I know.
