The Jewish Outdoors Club

I was sitting at home the other day when I heard that sound again.

“Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…”

It was just my Season-Alarm-Clock.

So, like my regular alarm clock, I hit snooze again.

Then, to my shock, I looked at the calendar...

“WHAT?!?!?! IT’S THE END OF MAY ALREADY?!?!?!?! I SNOOZED ALL THE WAY FROM APRIL?!? NEXT WEEK IS MEMORIAL DAY AND I’M STILL IN HIBERNATION?!?!?! ALL OF OUR JOC MEMBERS ARE WAITING FOR LOTS OF HIKES AND I STILL HAVE MY BUNNY SLIPPERS ON!!! I NEED TO LEAD A HIKE ASAP!!!

So without any further ado, the JOC and Moshe Lehmann present:

Post Hibernation – Memorial Weekend Hike!!!

And now, all the hike information you need, presented in the wonderful format you love:

What: Post Hibernation – Memorial Weekend Hike

When: Sunday May 30, 2010

Where: Harriman State Park

Length of the Hike: About 6 miles

Duration of Hike: About 4 - 6 hours

Why the Uncertainty: It depends on how fast everyone hikes and how long we break for lunch

Difficulty of Hike: about 6 out of 10. This will be a moderate hike. This is not a difficult hike but it isn't a walk down Fifth Avenue either. We will be hiking *up* and *down* mountains/hills with some elevation gain/loss. The trail is not flat and it may be steep in places. It is doable for people in decent shape. If you have difficulty with hills or have problems with your knees/legs/ankles/hips/toes/etc I would advise sitting this one out.

Cost of Hike: $3 (please have exact cash)

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 anything expensive unless it is insured.

Footwear: Please wear footwear appropriate for hiking and overall outdoor activity. Appropriate: Hiking boots, trail shoes or sneakers. Not appropriate: Open toed or backed shoes and sandals, flip-flops, Crocks or anything with a heel.

Footwear Addendum: Depending on time, there may be an opportunity to wade/stand in some water, so sandals, flip-flops, etc may be brought *IN ADDITION* to the appropriate hiking footwear. Let me repeat – *in addition to the appropriate footwear*. If you show up without the appropriate footwear, you will not be allowed to join the hike.

Food to Bring: Please bring whatever food you will require to survive a day of physical activity. This will include lunch and snacks (preferably something with carbs for energy and salt/minerals to replace lost electrolytes). Do not rely on other people having enough to share.

Drinks to Bring: You must bring a minimum of 2 liters of water for the hike - this does not include whatever you may drink on the way to the trailhead. Additionally, you may wish to ALSO bring sports drinks to help replenish those electrolytes in addition to the 2 liters of water. If you feel that you will need more water, please bring more. Even if you feel that you do not need it, DO NOT BRING LESS THAN 2 LITERS OF WATER. If you do, you will not be allowed to come on the hike. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the few people who I had to turn away from my hike on JOC Day for not bringing enough water.    

Necessary Gear: Backpack to carry your stuff, hands free.

Other Gear to Bring: Aside from the appropriate clothes, footwear and backpack, recommended items include - hat, sunglasses, rain gear/windbreaker, hiking poles, camera, binoculars, first aid kit (if you are trained in its use), sun screen, insect repellant, harpoon gun (in case we run into the great white whale)

Transportation to/from Hike: As the hike is about a week away, there is not enough time to arrange cars, so the main mode of transportation will be the train. (Drivers – read below)

Main Meeting Location: NY Penn Station (exact location will be sent to attendees later in the week).

New Jersey Meeting Location: There will also be a meeting location in a NJ train station. Information will be sent to attendees later in the week.

Cost of Train: About $20 round trip

Meeting Time: 9:00 AM Sharp! If you miss the train, you miss the hike.

Return Time: If we make decent time on the trail, expect to be back in NY Penn Station a little after 5:30PM. If things go slower, we’ll be back just before 8:00 PM.

Driving/Rides: If you want to drive, you are welcome to do so. I will send you driving directions later in the week. Please note: unless the driver states otherwise at the time of registration, all driver contact information will be put into a spreadsheet and sent to attendees later in the week. Attendees can then contact the drivers if they want to ride along and not join the group on the train. Passengers are to reimburse their drivers $12 for the round trip ride. Drive time from the UWS about 1 hour. Arrive before 10:30.

Reservations: To reserve a spot, please navigate to the URL:  http://posthibernationhike2010.eventbrite.com click on the “Register” button and fill out the registration information.

Please note – the eventbrite system will send a e-mail confirming that your registration information was accepted. THIS IS NOT ATTENDANCE CONFIRMATION. I will be sending a personal e-mail to confirm if you have been accepted to the hike.

Number of Hikers: I will be accepting registration for up to 30 hikers ONLY on a first come-first served basis. Please only register if you are really planning on coming. Last minute cancelations and no-shows (without a really good reason) will be added to our Deadbeat list, which may affect your eligibility to register for future JOC hikes and events.

Rain Cancellation: while rain may cancel the hike, heavy snowfall definitely will. Please check back later in the week and on the morning of the hike.

Questions?: Please read and re-read the above info. Search for the information you seek. You may find that it is already there.

Still Have Questions: Please e-mail me at joc_hike AT mlehmann DOT com, but beware - if I think that your question was already answered above, I will snooze-button your e-mail.

To review: Its May!!! and time for a hike!!!, Sunday May 30, 2010, Harriman, 6 miles, 4-6 hours, 6/10 difficulty, 9:00 AM Penn Station, drivers welcome, bring water ≥ 2L, food, gear, $3 for JOC, About $20 for NJ Transit, http://posthibernationhike2010.eventbrite.com to register, 30 hikers, re-read before sending me questions.

So shake off those winter blues, lace up your hiking shoes and join us as we kick off the 2010 Summer season the JOC way.

Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz…Buzzz...

Where's my bat...