View Full Version : The Ruck
To start a slightly less antagonistic thread in this section of the forum, can someone relate the Ruck to the Gathering for me? I've meant to go for the past two years, but have always found an excuse not to go. I know the Ruck is smaller, but what really goes on at such an event?
Lone Wolf
10-21-2003, 14:11
Drinkin, pukin and homosexual sex.
Jack Tarlin
10-21-2003, 14:24
Thank you Wolf for that highly informative reply.
The Ruck is actually an annual hiker Gathering that's been going on the past few winters. We meet in January, using as a "basecamp" the large hiker hostel at Pine Grove Furnace Park in PA. Some hardy folks choose to tent, thos this past year, it was below zero that weekend.
While primarily a social gathering of friends, many of whom met on the at-l mailing list, in addition to this, there are several lectures/presentations on such things as lightweight hiking tips, general trip planning and preparation, etc. Sometimes, there are "guest" speakers, such as Nimblewill Nomad or the late Earl Shaffer. We also enjoy some great communal meals.
If you do a Google search (look up such things as "Ruck 2003" or "PA Ruck" and you'll find all sorts of info).
As it gets closer to January, you'll see more info here, or at the Ruck webpage, and also on at-l (see www.backcountry.net for more info on this list).
In any case, it's a fun event; perhaps we'll see you there
Jack Tarlin
10-21-2003, 14:27
For more information, see http://friends.backcountry.net/ruck/index.html
Lone Wolf
10-21-2003, 14:28
You legendary types are too serious. No sense of humor.
Although not its purpose, the RUCK is a way smaller scale than Traildays or even the Gathering. Last PA RUCK there were only about 40-50 people. So really its just a more intimate gathering where you can get to know the people fairly well.
and as jack stated, it was f@#king freezing for those of us who camped or ahem, tried to camp out at pinegrove.
Originally posted by L. Wolf
Drinkin, pukin and homosexual sex.
From what I've been reading, I thought that was an ALDHA thing! :-? :D
Originally posted by L. Wolf
Drinkin, pukin and homosexual sex.
That was the funniest thing I have read all day.
Actually, last year the head count was 90. The previous year was about 130. The original purpose was to expose next year's thruhikers to those who had "been there and done that" - kinda like a flu shot or a smallpox vaccination. It was designed to be small - no more than 20 or 30 people, but it "just grew." And yeah, it was "designed" to be on Super Bowl weekend.
For the last several years, there's been a southern Ruck as well. But it's on MLK day.
The Ruck is NOT an ATC or ALDHA function.
And yeah -
"Drinkin, pukin and homosexual sex. "
was the funniest thing I've read all day too. Thanks, I needed that LW.
Lone Wolf
10-21-2003, 18:49
Yay! I'm a ***n clown! Thanks kids.
Larry, are you and Mr. Tarlin on the outs? :rolleyes:
Lone Wolf
10-21-2003, 20:02
Whos Larry?
capehiker
10-21-2003, 21:36
I was wondering as well if the RUCK was for former thru-hikers only. I saw the website and realized it was for future hikers as well. I truly hope to make this years event as my hometown is a few miles away (Carlisle) and I havn't visited family in a while, but this damn military obligation kinda makes planning a little difficult. I'm chomping at the bit to thru-hike but realize it's gonna be another 8 more years, so I'm section hiking to keep me from going insane.
I'm definitely looking forward to some good tips. I finally started using an alcohol stove and have been kicking myself for waiting so long to try it. Hopefully I'll learn a few more hands on. Thanks.
smokymtnsteve
10-21-2003, 22:30
Originally posted by L. Wolf
Drinkin, pukin and homosexual sex.
does wingfoot atttend????:D
slabfoot
10-22-2003, 08:41
did not see him but met ed speer and bought his book. made the drive there worthit for me.
icemanat95
10-22-2003, 09:10
Folks, maybe we ought to tone down the personal slams here. Some of you may think it's all in good fun, but that kind of fun we can do without. It's utterly non-productive and gets in the way of transmitting the information, plus it fosters division in the community that we can definitely live without.
smokymtnsteve
10-22-2003, 09:28
Originally posted by L. Wolf
You legendary types are too serious. No sense of humor.
yep!
trailangelmary
12-05-2003, 14:53
When will some information be available for the 2004 Ruck? I was just at the link Baltimore Jack entered and there is only info on 2003 Ruck.
Thanks, Mary from Duncannon, Pa
Jack Tarlin
12-05-2003, 16:32
I have heard thru the grapevine that there will be a Ruck this year, probably at the end of January. Will post more information when I find out more.
Posted on at-l last Monday (1 Dec) .......................
Since we now have a quorum, the 2004 Ruck will be (and has been confirmed)
for Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2004 at the Ironmaster's Mansion at Pine Grove Furnace
State Park in Pennslvania, near the mid-point of the Appalachian Trail.
For those who don't know what a Ruck is, the link for the 2003 Ruck is -
http://friends.backcountry.net/ruck/
We'll see if we can get it updated.
If you want to stay at the hostel, then you need to call and make
reservations. There's lots of room right now, but for how long........ who
knows? The hostel phone number is 717-486-7575
Supposedly the hostel fees haven't changed since last year, nor have the
hostel rules. But check when you call to make sure you know what the rules
are. There will probably be a day use fee, whether or not you are staying
at the hostel. It's not much ($5) and it helps the hostel keeper stay fed
over the winter, so don't get cheap there.
Re: alcohol. NONE in the hostel. Period. That has always been the rule
there. It could get the hostel shut down. The State Park campground rules
say no alcohol. What you do there is between you and the Park Rangers. If
you get caught, we don't know who you are - you must be some shiftless bum
who just wandered in. There used to be a Nazi Ranger at the Park - we can
all hope he's not there, cause he lived for that kind of confrontation.
Nuff said.
For Pog - we'll really, really miss you. <G>
For now, I think that says it all. We'll get to organizing the food and
events later.
Is anyone else having problems getting the link to work that bunbun posted?
asmtroop3
12-07-2003, 08:59
Is anyone else having problems getting the link to work that bunbun posted?
I got in fine
Does anyone have any info on the Southern Ruck? I can't get up to Pa in Jan, but I might be able to get somewhere in the south... Everything is a long drive from Texas....
Does anyone have any info on the Southern Ruck? I can't get up to Pa in Jan, but I might be able to get somewhere in the south... Everything is a long drive from Texas....
From at-l ..........................
Pittsburgh responds:
The Southern RUCK (SORUCK) is on for Martin Luther King Weekend
(January 16-18, 2004) at Camp Thornwell in Northwest SC, hosted by
Sunny (AT '02). I have not posted much, nor have I set up the website
yet...
Directions: Open a map, find I-85 where it crosses from GA to SC, then
find where Route 11 heads north from I-85. Then follow Hwy 11 to the
Intersection of Hwy 178. Turn left on Hwy 178 coming UP the mountain.
The rest is not on any map: When you see "Bob's Place" we are 4.2 more
miles on Hwy 178. Take your first RIGHT onto SUGAR LIKKER ROAD. Go
ALLLLL the way to the end---thru the gates. This is Camp Thornwell...
If you are coming from another direction, I trust you can figure it
out. There will be directions from all locations when the website is
up...
Please call or email Sunny (864-878-0360, mtnmdn1225 at yahoo.com) for
immediate info. She is taking reservations for small bunkrooms, large
bunkhouses, tent sites, and RV parking. The costs are $30 (tenters
$20) the first night, $10 each additional night. She will accept
people arriving before Friday, and accept people leaving after
Sunday...
If you are coming Friday evening, bring your own meal...
I am looking for a volunteer to host/prepare Saturday breakfast...
Saturday lunch will be a soup/salad $3 fundraiser. Please bring a soup
or salad dish for this event...
Saturday dinner will be a pot luck affair. Everyone bring a main or
side item, or paper goods. There will be a signup list for this...
I am looking for a volunteer to host/prepare Sunday breakfast...
Sunday, after breakfast, chore cards will be out (cleaning, sweeping,
mopping, straightening), and everyone will be expected to choose a
chore...
We will have a room corner set up for a garage sale. Please bring your
hiking related items that you no longer need. These items will be
there to pick through and buy. Just grab an item and throw some money
in a jar...
All fundraising procedes (soup lunch, garage sale) will be given to
Sunny for use at the camp. Camp Thornwell is a camp for at-risk kids,
and I'm sure Sunny will find a proper need...
The camp has much welcoming outdoor space for parking, congregating and
walking. The indoor day facilities are welcoming and grand (big
kitchen, large dining/meeting area, large living-room-type space).
There are adequate restrooms. Table Rock State Park is within driving
distance, as is a wonderful waterfall. For those of you wishing to
hike in, there are a series of trails that get you from the AT to the
camp (almost). Gutsy husband posted this info a number of weeks ago.
If anyone can find the info, please repost...
Activities: This is a meet-and-greet weekend. No activities are
scheduled at this time. There can be slide shows (bring your own
projector and screen), video presentations (bring your own VCR, I'm
sure we will find a TV), talks, equipment demonstrations, or anything
else you can think of. If you want a scheduled time, we can do that,
otherwise just setup and have at it. All of this should be trail
related...
There has been a discussion about setting up a work crew to cleanup the
trail that rings Camp Thornwell. Weather permitting, this sounds like
a splendid idea...
Is anyone else having problems getting the link to work that bunbun posted?
The link has been flaky because the entire site has been intermittently down partly due to a persistent hacker, and lately due to hardware problems. It seems to be back up now, but if you have problems, just hang in there - y'all have lots of time.
Jack Tarlin
12-22-2003, 17:32
JIm---
Thanx for posting the Ruck info; please post more 2004 info when you have it, especially as regards schedule of events, things to bring (food, etc.) and anything else. I've received several personal E-Mails from folks seeking information about the 2004 event, but I can't really help them. Plus, when there is 2004 info posted on the Ruck website, please let us know here. Thanks!
trailangelmary
01-07-2004, 04:09
Thank you, BunBun for the info. It is a shame to me that I have to scroll through all the dumb**** to get to an honest reply. Thank you to my friend Baltimore Jack for the help in finding some info about the RUCK. I am not sure if I will be able to attend (because of my jobs) but will try to at least bring something for all to enjoy eating on Saturday evening. Yours TRULY, Mary from Duncannon, PA
For folks wanting current info on the Pennsylvania Ruck coming up next weekend (Jan. 30-Feb. 1), there's now an updated web page for it at:
http://www.artofthetrail.com/paruck.html
Last I heard, there's still plenty of room in the hostel and the campground. Everyone is welcome, old hikers, new hikers, wannabee hikers, friends and family of hikers. It's always a stimulating and fun event, right at the midpoint of the AT. Earl Shaffer usually attended the Ruck before his death. His brother, John Shaffer, is planning to attend this one.
You can phone Brad at 717-486-7575 to reserve a bunk at Ironmaster's Hostel. Other info, including a schedule, is on the website.
Spur
http://www.artofthetrail.com
Posted on at-l last Monday (1 Dec) .......................
Since we now have a quorum, the 2004 Ruck will be (and has been confirmed)
for Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2004 at the Ironmaster's Mansion at Pine Grove Furnace
State Park in Pennslvania, near the mid-point of the Appalachian Trail.
For those who don't know what a Ruck is, the link for the 2003 Ruck is -
http://friends.backcountry.net/ruck/
We'll see if we can get it updated....
StarLyte
02-26-2008, 14:10
I can't believe I actually found a thread on the 2004 Pa Ruck, I sure didn't want to start a new one just to announce some pictures I posted.
I found 2 photo CDs with tons of photos, but only a dozen worthy to post here.
Here's the link: click here (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/browseimages.php?do=member&imageuser=271)