2012 TCT End-to-End Hike

Here is some important information for the May 12, 2012, Taconic Hiking Club’s Endurance Challenge – the End to End.

On Friday, May 11th at approximately 7PM there will be a meeting of all the entrants at the Berry Pond Campsites in the Pittsfield State Forest. This orientation will be conducted by Colin Campbell, THC trails chairman, who will go over the maps of the Taconic Crest Trail and will answer questions about the trail itself. No meals will be provided on Friday night.

Due to the early starting time (5:30AM) all are encouraged to camp at Berry Pond where drinking water and a latrine will be available even though the park is not opened to the public. Wake up will take place at 5:00AM and a hot breakfast will be served to all. Juice, tea and coffee will also be provided. The hikers will then be led out of the park by our official bagpipe starter at 5:30AM. Anyone who does not camp at Berry Pond should adhere to these times. Those coming later will be allowed to hike but will not be permitted to start after 6:30AM.

Participants are encouraged to bring another person to move their vehicles from Berry Pond to the end at Rt. 346 and to transport the weary hiker home. We feel that it is in the best interest of hiker safety that she/he not drive home after a grueling 29 mile hike. A list of participant names and contact information will be provided so that perhaps people can car pool.

As hikers progress north from Berry Pond, support sites along the Crest Trail will be at:
#1 Madden Road, Hancock, MA (5.3 miles)
#2 Mattison Hollow (12.8 miles)
#3 Petersburgh Pass (20.9 miles)

At these support sites THC members will have water available for the hikers. Any prepackaged small bags the entrants have prepared for themselves will be at sites #2 and #3. We recommend these contain dry socks, lunch, gorp, a flashlight and a jacket for the last site. These items should be packed in a plastic bag, not paper, and be clearly labeled. There is a maximum of two bags per hiker and please keep them light. Hikers are free to carry whatever they wish on the trail. The club recommends a beverage, whistle, compass or GPS, map handouts from the THC, rain gear if appropriate and comfortable, sturdy hiking boots. Most of the trail is wooded and there will be protection from the sun, but a hat is always useful as well as sunscreen. There is NO rain date for this event. If a hiker fails to show on May 12th the registration fee will NOT be refunded.

All hikers must clear the Petersburgh Pass site by 4:30PM to avoid problems caused by the remaining 8.35 miles of trail and oncoming darkness at approximately 8PM.

Lastly, the THC will schedule two trail work days, usually in the month prior to the End to End. All entrants are encouraged to participate in one or both of these dates to get familiar with the terrain and trail markings. If you are interested in attending please contact Colin Campbell at 518-438-9629 or Holesinhead@aol.com.

A trail map with waypoints that can be programmed to a GPS and a map to Berry Pond will be sent to entrants in April. I hope this information helps you plan a successful End to End hike. Feel free to contact me at pambailey22@yahoo.com or 39 Fane Court, Troy, NY 12182 if you need more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

A participant asked several questions that I thought everyone might like to hear the answers to:

1) How many years has this event been happening?

"existing as a scheduled event since 1966..."

2) What is the fastest and slowest times recorded for this hike?

We don't really keep track of times as we do not encourage it as a race, but as a personal endurance challenge. Someone recalled that we've recently had  two entrants (1 male, 1 female) complete the trail sections and finish somewhere around 1:30 or 2:00. Most people trickle across the finish at 346 starting around 4:00 pm and keep on coming until maybe 7:30 + or -.   Someone else said that in 2008 we had someone (or more than one) finish up at 8:50 with a head lamp.

3) Approximate trail miles for each waypoint would be helpful; do you happen to know them?

The trail guide says:

Berry Pond - Potter Mtn Rd parking 3.2

Potter Mtn Rd - Madden Rd parking 2.1

Madden Rd - Rounds Mtn - 1.65

Rounds Mtn - Mattison Hollow access - 6.28

Mattison Hollow access - SE Hollow access - 2.55

SE Hollow access -Berlin Mtn - 2.5

Berlin Mtn - Green Hollow access - 1.2

Green Hollow access - Petersburg Pass parking - 1.6

Petersburg Pass - Snow Hole - 2.75

Snow Hole - Pownal Overlook - .95

Pownal Overlook - Prosser Hollow access - 1.85

Prosser Hollow access - 346 - 2.1   

4) What is the driving distance and time from Berry Pond to Rt. 346?

34 miles and about 1 hour

 Directions will be available Friday May 11th or you can request that I e-mail them to you sooner.

5)  What does the finish on Rt 346 look like?  Is it a park, picnic area, trailhead parking lot?

HEAVEN!!! Just kidding. It is a small parking area where club members will be helping out at the finish. This is where your ride will pick you up to take you home. Although we can arrange to take you back to your vehicle, it's advisable after an endeavor like this to have someone else there to assist you.

6)  Does anything "official" happen at the finish; refreshments, finish board, etc.?

Applause, light refreshments, certificates and patches will be handed out. There is a Stewart's about 3 miles away with gas, restrooms, sandwiches and soup, etc.

Support for those running the event will not be guaranteed.

No dogs or other pets are allowed to participate.

Address to the entrance of the Pittsfield State Forest (Berry Pond) for camping Friday night and the start of the hike Saturday morning:

1041 Cascade St.

Pittsfield, MA 01201

End-to-End Registration Form

Please include a $30.00 registration fee.  This fee is non-refundable after March 31, 2012. Checks should be made payable to the Taconic Hiking Club and mailed to Pam Bailey, 39 Fane Court, Troy, NY 12182.

Completed registration forms will not be accepted until January 1, 2012. There will be a ceiling of 25 entrants for this event, with each application handled on a first received, first served basis. Additional entrants will be placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations. All applicants must be 18 years or older.

I, the undersigned, declare myself physically fit and able to participate in the above event.  I realize that hiking events such as this are physically strenuous and hereby agree to be solely responsible for my own safety during this 29-mile hike.

I also acknowledge, agree and release the Taconic Hiking Club and any and all of its volunteers from any and all liability claims, losses and/or damages for personal injuries or death which may occur while participating in this event.

Name_________________________________

Date______________________

Address_______________________________

            _______________________________

Phone _______________________________

E- mail_______________________________

Emergency Contact Name & Phone________________________________

Signature______________________________

Name and address of hometown newspaper for press release after the challenge

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