Buffalo National River planned hike December 4th - 7th

I had to abandon my chair in the middle of the night and went to the ground. There wasn't any trees in Erbie for me to hang from, but Oh the hammock is SOOOOOOO more comfortable than the ground. I was thinking about thruing the BRT on new years too Great minds do think alike.

Dwight

Colt,

I enjoyed your trip report. Nice photos also. I have done some hiking around in that area but it was way back in the 70's. Need to get back some day.

OH

Lew,

Yeah, we are thinking of doing the entire 36.5 miles like you guys did. We will probably do it in 4 days instead of three, because that 15 mile push may be a bit much for me on day two but we will see.

It was nice to just be by the fire all night. I played the song for my wife, and she didn't really appreciate it that much, but I did hahahaaha.

Singing a song?? Sounded like a special night for you and TM!!!

I downloaded the song too and added it to my iPhone. I will bring it with us on the BRT trip.

Just spoke with Preacha by phone and it looks like we will be all four (Preacha, a friend of his, Trail Monkey, and myself) leaving South Boxley Thursday morning. He will obviously have to do the trail in three days to get back for church on Sunday morning. Not sure if I will be able to do that or not in my current physical shape, but I am sure gonna try it. If not, then we can just break up in two groups and they can just blow us out and come on here and brag about it, like Preacha threatened.

I was thinking about that... we could leave Preacha's car at Erbie and take your truck to Boxley. That way, if we didn't make it in 3 days, Preacha could still get his car and head home. That would leave us with the shuttle fee, but that would be better than walking back. But, if we did make it in 3, it would cost us nothing.

Talking to Preacha, we thought it may work out if we went all the way to Ponca or a little further on day 1, then if we (I) are not feeling like making it all the way to Erbie, stop maybe around Cherry Grove Cemetary or something, and then finish it up the next day. Sorta play it by ear.

If your gonna go to Ponca Steel Creek is just another two miles... Just a thought.. It is a great trail remember the water situation..

Lew

Boxley to Steel Creek wouldn't be a bad day if you left early enough. I just talked to my wife and she kinda rolled her eyes at me, so I woud have to start begging again . I say park my car at Pruitt, and hike all the way, its only 2 mile from Ozark . Whichever way is good with me.

Boxley to Steel Creek is roughly 13 miles and if you start early (no later than 8:30), you shouldn't have too much trouble making it to camp by 4:00. This will depend on how heavy your packs are, but if you keep it pretty light, it shouldn't be bad. Steel Creek to Kyles Landing is the toughest part of the entire trip and can be a full day, but hey, you guys just kicked butt in the fitness challenge, so it shouldn't be any trouble at all. LOL!!!
The key to making the entire trip will be in getting out of camp early and taking frequent breaks (about 10 minutes every hour to hour and a half). This was Lew's and my approach to hiking it in October and it worked out good for us.
Great trip report, BTW.
UL

I made it from Dockery's Gap to about 5 miles past White Rock one day on the OHT, before I lost weight. I am not to worried about the BRT. But I do understand some other people's concerns. It is better to know your limitations and have fun, than ignore them and be miserable. I think it is more than doable, and most of us have our packs in the below 20 pound range anyway