The Jewish Outdoors Club

OK everyone, here is the info for the Spring Awakening Hike. Sorry it’s so late – yom tov, taxes, work and all…

What: Spring Awakening Hike

Date: April 22, 2007

Where: We will be hiking in Harriman State Park, going up the back of The Timp.

Length of the hike: Approximately 7 miles

Duration of hike: Approximately 4 hours

Difficulty of hike: 6.5 out of 10 – not a beginner’s hike, but not Everest either.This is a hike for experienced hikers and/or anyone in decent shape. I would like to maintain a minimum speed of 2 miles an hour, so if you feel this would be too difficult for you, please don’t come.

Cost of hike: $2 (please have exact cash) + $9 for driver reimbursement.

NYC Meeting Location: In front of The Westmont - 730 Columbus Ave (between 95th St& 96th St).

Meeting Time: 8:50 AM. I would like the cars to depart at 9:00 AM, so please be there on time.

Distance to Trailhead: 40 miles – just about an hour with no traffic.

Clothes to wear: Please wear clothing that 1) afford you the mobility required to hike comfortably, 2) are appropriate for the weather and 3) you don’t mind getting dirty or possible damaged. Don’t wear formal-wear unless you want us all to laugh at you.

Footwear: Please wear footwear appropriate for hiking, climbing and overall outdoor activity. Appropriate: Hiking boots, trail shoes or sneakers. Not appropriate: Open toed sandals, flip-flops, or anything with a heel (i.e. pumps are out).

Food to bring: Please bring whatever food you will require to survive a day of moderately strenuous hiking. This will include lunch and snacks (preferably something with carbs for energy and salt/minerals to replace lost electrolytes). There will be no option of buying food at the trailhead and you can’t rely on other people having enough to share.

Drinks to bring: Please bring a minimum of 2 liters of water for the hike–this does not include whatever you may drink in the car on the way to the trailhead. Also, you may wish to bring sports drinks tohelpreplenish those electrolytes. Again – there will be no option of buying drinks at the trail head and the water there may not be turned on yet.

Gear to bring: Aside from the appropriate clothes and footwear, recommended items include – hat, sunglasses, rain gear/windbreaker, backpack, hiking poles, camera, binoculars, first aid kit (if you are trained in its use), sun screen, insect repellent, snow shovel.

Warning: I/we reserve the right to turn you away if you come inappropriately equipped. Not having the proper gear will at best be a burden/pain for the group, probably slow us down and be a downer for everyone. At worst, you can put the safety of the group in jeopardy. So please, dress properly (and warmly enough) with proper footwear, and bring the requested food and water.

Seriousness of warning: I am very serious.

How to register: Please send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it containing all of the following information:

1)   Your name (and the name of anyone else you are registering)

2)   Your telephone number (the best way for me to reach you -  both before and on the way to the hike) (and the number of anyone else you are registering)

3)   Your e-mail address (and the e-mail address of anyone else you are registering)

4)   Where you will be leaving from

5)   Can you provide transportation?

a.   If yes, how many can you transport in your vehicle

b.   Drivers helpin gout by coming into the city to pick up passengers will be given priority of having a full car (i.e. we’ll try to fill your car so you can get the max $)

6)     What you requested for an Afikomen present

a.    Did you get what you asked for?

If you do not provide the requested information, I cannot guarantee your registration.

Return time: While I cannot guarantee our return time, you will probably be back in the city by 6:00 PM (most probably earlier).

Number of hikers: I will be accepting registration for up to25 hikers on a first come-first served basis. Priority will be given to people who can provide transportation. 

Rain cancellation: Steady rain will cancel the hike; lightrain/drizzle/mist may not. Please check back later in the week and on the morning of the hike.

Obligatory Joke: As this e-mail has been uncharacteristically dry, I’ve added this joke to spice things up:

Q: Whats the difference between a homeless person and a thru-hiker?

A: Gortex!

Questions?: Please re-read the above info

Questions?: Please re-re-read the above info.

Still have questions: Please e-mail me at the above address. Please note –silly questions may be forwarded to the entire JOC list – everyone deserves a good laugh ;-)

To review: Spring Awakening Hike, April 22, Harriman State Park, Departing from theWestmont at 9:00 AM, return 6:00 PM, 7 mile moderately strenuous hike (6.5/10), appropriate clothes, footwear, food, beverages and gear required – seriously – all info needed for registration, 25 hikers, rain rain go away, funny joke, beware silly questions, review, goodbye.

Hope to see you on the 22^nd.