Write-up: Greg Sipp

Leader: Greg Sipp

Co-Leader: Paul Sirtoli

Fourteen signed up for the 3^rd attempt at the Vly, four backed out.  Even on the schedule to co-lead, the Sirtoli name rings reluctance with many, not knowing that many of us are students of his “improved hiking” teachings.  Today, instead of his 20% addition rule to distance, it was a modest 10%.

We started off the hike with Tom spilling the tea, and not the metaphor, he really spilled the tea.  Opening his trunk, tea was all over everything.  Not the way to start a hike. 

The trail to Hurrell Brook was muddy.  Once at the brook, the two feet of water had us recalculate the route.  Dave bushwhacked a detour around the water, getting us back to the trail on the other side.  Another couple of miles on the trail, it was time to veer off and make our way to the Vly. We got there despite the boggy, wet conditions.  

At the Vly, the cool, sunny turned into a brief snow shower, making it picturesque.  On the way out we took another detour at the brook, over a mtn. and that is where it got interesting.  A member of the group thought it was a good idea to go up a little further. Totally my fault.  A couple of minutes later, it got real.  We lost them.  Yelling and whistling got no response. We spread out, making our way to the trail.  Everyone was nervous.  We found them on the trail which was a great relief. They used their GPS to make their way to the trail.  SAR’s was about 10 minutes from receiving a satellite text message. The day ended well, putting in 12 miles.  A reminder to always stay with the group and carry a GPS, map and compass.

Guess who got lost in the woods?