greggammon

Im putting the word out to locals in the Bryan-College Station and surrounding area -----

What I am exploring right now is the possibility of forming a local group dedicated to backpackers, or wanna-be backpackers. I feel like there are many in our community who have interest, and this would be a way for all of us to connect, share ideas, experiences, tips, and possibly form group trips. Im thinking of the possibilities of doing monthly 1-2 night outings (realizing that within the group, members might only be able to catch 3-4 trips during the year) and then organizing 1-2 "expedition" hikes during the year -- week long trips. Paticiapation in the Lone-Star trail maintenance program for day-hikers is also a possiblity.

To get this going, I would like to get several people together to talk about this, see how strong the interest, and then of course the commitment, is and then go from there with some local publicity. I can see this group ranging from experts to wannabies. Im fully willing to take the lead and get this organized if it looks like it will succeed, and at some point possibly incorporate the group with dues paying members to give it longevity.

Hope we can go somewhere with this!

If you have interest...leave me a message.....

greggammon

Backpacking trip on the Lone Star Trail is scheduled for Thurs-Sun April 19-22...hitting the trail after work on Thursday...staying on the trail Friday and Saturday (10-15 miles per day) and coming back in Sunday afternoon. If you are interested in joining, contact me.

aggiehiker

I would really like to take part in this! Let me know when the next trip is.

greggammon

Hey there...just now got your note. I have been out the past two weeks...did a few days on the A.T. in North Carolina. Shoot me some contact info and I'll let you know when I get another trip together. Might do something in the Hill Country area in the summer....WAYYYY too hot to get out on the LST now. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Greg

FarPastGone

If ya'll do the Hill Country I would definitely be interested.

georgelearle

Greg;
Just found the Wild Texas site, although I have been a member of the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club for a couple of years. The LSHT group is mostly day hikers and I am interesting in connecting with bacpackers. I am retired, now living near New Waverly, and have the time and inclination. I have been a hiker/backpacker for many years and during the last year or so have begun refining my gear to fit the ultralight backpacking style. (I grew tired of carrying 55 pound packs - 30 pounds is much better.)
I am also a writer/photographer and would like to use those skills to document some interesting backpacking trips. Maybe we could generate some interest in a BCS (or Aggie) Backpacking group.
How was your spring trip along the LSHT? Have you planned any new trips? As we know, best time in this part of the state is before or after deer season, and after the humid-sweaty season. (LSHT has been swampy this early summer, but may dry up some in the fall.) Do you have any intrest in backpacking in Arkansas? (Ozark Highland or Ouachita? I've been on sections of Ouachita near Talimena, OK.)
Lets communicate. -- George

greggammon

George,
Thanks for the message. I never have managed to get any group together...few people interested but never panned out into anything. So I continue to do my hikes alone, which is Ok most of the time. I did a couple of just one-nighters on the LST. Most recent I had a few days to do a hike on the AT in North Carolina...did 40 miles. Im like you on the pack weight...when I started out Im sure I was carrying 65-70 lbs.....got better gear as time went on and Im probably around 35 lbs typical...I can get down to 20 for summer 2-3 day hikes.

Interesting you talk about the Ouichata trail...I ordered the guidebook a few months ago contemplating going up there, so I would love to do that. And like you, I am a photographer too....usually hauled my Mamiya 645 and a tripod with a couple of lenses....can't do that on long hauls anymore, just too dang heavy.

Holler back....hope we can do something.
Greg

georgelearle

Greg;
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear you were not able to get a BCS group organized. I mentioned the Ouachita trail because I thought that would be a good area to avoid the humidity of South Texas during mid-summer. Also, I would like to do some fly fishing on the Mountain Fork River near the Ouachita Trail.
I have gone to a digital camera to reduce pack weight. There are some pretty good, inexpensive and small digitals available and it is much easier to handle cards than rolls of film.
I would like to do a couple of one or two night backpacking trips to the LSHT this fall. (Probably in late Sept or Oct, before deer hunting season.) Maybe you can email me your personal email address and we can see if we can plan something. Later.
George

greggammon

George,
You (or anyone else interested) can contact me at ggammon@insitegroup.com. Im very interested in doing some trips on the LSHT in the fall.
Greg

aggiebug

I am a full time student at A&M and would love to go on some hikes in that area. I will be taking 20hrs in the fall so I know my time will be very limited but I would love to talk to you more about plans and such and see if we could maybe do some together.

greggammon

Im sure we can...have a couple of other people here we've gone out with so send me your information so we can meet sometime and figure out good dates in the fall. Probably wont hit the LST until later in the fall for better weather. -- Greg

joglekbsi

I am fairly new to the area and do not know much about the local backpacking scene. I have been out to Lake Sommerville SP, LSHT West Loops and the 4C trail. The latter are fairly decent, at least as flat, heavily forrested trails go. They are certainly better that not backpacking at all and I am always happy to be hiking instead of working. Having a decent job, wife and kids keeps me busier than I would like, but I find time to hike a handful of times each spring and fall. I sometimes get a little bored going alone and getting my old friends from San Antonio and Waco to block their schedules has become problematic. So I was looking for some folks who like to backpack for a long weekend here and there.

Jason
jogle@kbsi.com

joglekbsi

When I did the Ouachita Trail trip a few years ago, we took along Tim Ernst's paperback and it was right on the money. I am not sure how much the trail has changed since then, or if the book has been updated since 1996, but it was very helpful to have along. The written descriptions of the major trail markers helped us several times when the map was puzzling or the the trail markers were gone (parts of the forest on and near the trail are always being logged). It was a very memorable trip in a great region of the country and I am sure you will have a great time. And while you likely will not need bear cannisters, you might hang your packs off the ground and just outside of camp. We did have some black bear visits to our camps in the night. Very cool, but a little intimidating if you are not used to it or expecting it. Enjoy.

greggammon

Quick Update.... we have five people in the area now so its the start of a good group. Always need more so please contact me if interested. Will probably organize a group hike in early December or January on the Lone Star Trail. Happy Hiking! -- Greg

joglekbsi

Sweet! Let the games begin.

For us unfortunate souls that cannot make the Ouachita trip in November, I am hoping to head out a little nearer to home the weekend of November 7th or the 15th. I am up for a backpacking, kayakpacking or bikepacking trip anywhere within 3 hours (+/-) of B/CS, TX. It would be nice if the LSHT or 4C trails were open by then, but it does not look good at this point. Lake Somerville and Bastrop are always within range.

Let me know if anyone is interested.

Jason
979-324-2857

Whoop!!!!!!!