GGG lV a huge success

Chris, thanks. My main concern was the bug shelter. I ordered a Serenity from MLD and was hoping that wasn't it. Thing looks huge.

Whoa! I gotta ask who was rocking the Ikea pack? I've always contemplated building one out of the ubiquitous, blue, and extremely durable Swedish $2 gem. Details! Thanks!!

Sounds like you guys cranked the awesome up to 11 this year!

I'm so bummed that I had to bail out last minute. From the photos it's evident that everyone had a blast, how could you not with such a great group of people.

That pack belongs to James DeMonaco. It was a big hit.

Thanks Jason. I'll work on my posts, maybe;)

I enjoyed meeting so many fellow backpackers and seeing all the cool gear. Manfred let me try on his Zpack Exo–thank you Manfred.

I asked Peter Vacco to show me his McHale (never having seen one before) and ended up having a delightful thirty minute conversation. Peter, you're a wonderful character, sweet actually under all that extensive knowledge. And quite the impressive adventurer too.

I got to know Jim when we hiked in together Friday night, and Rick, his friend. And Matt seemed like just another guy till I realized from his conversation that he's a triple crowner. Wow! Quite a group of amazing people we had there.

Thank you Ken, and Ken, and all the other helpers, for putting it all together. It all went smoothly and made it easy for the rest of us.

Doug Coe (like the park…)

Thanks to the the Ken's and everyone else who made this such a great event. I'm glad I finally got to attend once again.

Jacob,

Missed seeing you there….you would have been impressed by the number of cameras that people had there.

Eric's shoots were from his Sony Nex5, which turned out great.

I saw a few DSLRs there and one with a huge lens on it.

I started to get a small camera complex walking around there…LOL.

Was a great gathering this year with weather that was about perfect- best weather yet.

Now….I just have to crank out some more photos and I need to learn how to use Lightroom in the future.

Using my old slow way for now because it is faster for me, but I have to learn the new software.

-Tony

Right on people! It is awesome how grassroots this thing is and that people from all over the country converged for the fun despite Doug not attending. I am bummed I couldn't be there. Hopefully next year.

I had a great trip, but the poison oak I picked up is going NUTS!!

My tick and I are getting along well, though.

David,
This will be the last time that I let Jack lead me astray! (Well, maybe not.) I have Poison Oak all over my legs since I was stupid and wore shorts on a bushwack.

But, I had a great time again this year hanging out with all of you west coasters. I learned a lot this year:
1) Unmaintained means unmaintained.
2) Bobcats eat chickens.
3) Milk bone dog biscuits are great hiking food.

Thanks to everyone especially Ken and Ken and all the folks that pulled this together. I look forward to hiking with you guys (and gals) again.

PS. Much to my surprise I thought the kids added a whole new dimension to the festivities. Hope this and spousal participation increases next year.

On my butt. Nuff said.

Looks like a fun time and a chance to look at everyone's gear. Thanks for the pics.

Man… women get no rest.

"On my butt. Nuff said."

That's what you get for listening to Clelland! ;-)

Kat, When and how did you ever get Poison Oak on your buttock's?

Edited, too much info.

I went pee and made a mistake. I feel lucky, considering..

So better toilet facilities are on the list for next year.

"So better toilet facilities are on the list for next year."

They were fine the first day.

Apparently women's pee is difficult for some reason. They have their own spot to pee in at a composting toilet. Those things are weird. The ones I saw were chock full. Chock full.

Kat,You should of used the two bathrooms-only flies and spiders there– but nature calls.

Janitors. Volunteers? Someone's mother perhaps?

Won't have that problem again. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

I am very glad to have missed poison oak on anything, but especially the buttocks.

Oh, I'm sure there's one more thing you'd rather not have poison oak on…. :D

If you go to this address and scroll down you can find some notes about the trip.
http://winterland76.blogspot.com/2012/02/henry-coe-state-park-feb-18-19-2012.html

My daughter Phoebe and I had a great time again this year. I want to thank all those that engaged in conversation with her. It helps keep her excited about going backpacking with Dad. :-)

No problem with the rest room facilities for us. She wouldn't use the wooden pit toilet near camp. We walked up the road to the top of the hill and used the nicer pit toilet. (It's all relative)

On the way home, just as we were leaving the park, we watched a bob cat walk across the road. Nice end to the trip.