All posts by Katja Luxem

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Big Fall Trip 2016

Hey dudes!

The PUMC is putting together a Big Fall Trip to the Catskill Mountains at the end of the month (9/30 – 10/2) , and we want you to join us!

What’s the plan? We’ll head up Friday bafternoon and set up camp in a big field near a place called Colgate Lake. On Saturday, we’ll split up and do big exciting hikes all over the mountains, then return to camp to swap stories and cook up a delicious meal. On Sunday, we’ll do some shorter hikes and return to Princeton in the evening: exhausted, grubby, with loads of new friends and utterly, utterly psyched to get out into the woods again!!

Is this trip for me? We’ll split into groups for the hiking part of this trip – some will do adventures that are relaxed and chill, some will do adventures that are intense and hard-core. If you’ve hiked before (even a little bit), you have your own boots and you want to see some sweet mountains and meet some cool people, then this tripis for you! If you’ve never hiked before and you’re feeling adventurous, this trip may be for you, too! If you’ve never hiked before and you’re feeling cautious, you might want to wait for the day hikes that we’ll be organizing in October.

What do I need? We’ll coordinate on things like cars, stoves and tents (let us know if you have any to share!). There are a few things that everyone will need – good boots, a sleeping bag/mat, decent non-cotton clothing, etc. A complete gear list can be found at the end of this email. Don’t let lack of gear hold you back though! People on the PUMC list tend to be very generous about lending things out, and it’s also possible to rent from OA and the local EMS.

I still have questions! We’ll be having an TRIP ORIENTATION MEETING on Tuesday, September 27th at 7:30 pm in the Campus Club – please do your best to come to this meeting, and email Katja (kluxem@princeton.edu) if you won’t be able to make it.

Sounds great! How do I sign up? Sign up here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduoSpOobeOQR867WaCZTKlsGIQLpz5rp-jbc_gOguqwdUYTA/viewform) by SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25th, confirming that you can join us! Space may be limited due to our camping permit – if that happens, spots will go first to new grad students. On September 27th at 7:30 pm in the Campus Club, we’ll have a meeting to sort out cars and tents and timing and such.

Psyched to see you all there!

~PUMC

_____________________________________________________________

Gear List:

List #1: Stuff you absolutely, positively need to come to the Catskills and have a good time
* Sturdy boots
* Warm wool or synthetic socks
~ no cotton
* Non-cotton shirts and pants
~ no jeans
* Warm layers
~ Fleeces are good, cotton sweatshirts are bad
* Waterproof raincoat w. hood
* Water bottles
~ At least two liters worth. Old soda bottles work well
* Nice, comfy pack to carry this stuff in
~ Ideally, this would have a padded hip-belt and adjustable straps
* Flashlight
* Something to eat out of
~ A bowl and spoon will probably cut it
* Sleeping bag
* Sleeping pad
~ Thermarest-style or foam
* Sense of adventure and enthusiasm for life

List #2: Stuff that’s nice to have, but you could get by without
* Hat for the sun
~ Baseball caps are good; Indiana Jones’ style are better
* Sunglasses
* Hat for the cold
* Gloves
* Non-cotton underwear
~ chafing is no fun…
* Trekking poles
~ These will help keep your knees happy
* Something waterproof to put over your pack
~ Black plastic trash bags are good; fancy pack-covers are better

List #3: Bring it if you have it
* Playing cards
* Camp-happy musical instruments
* Compass
* Knife
* Water purification
* Matches
* First-Aid kit
* Tent
* Car

Social, Welcome

Start of the Year Social, Friday September 16th!

Hi everyone!

Welcome to a new year of PUMC!!!  We’re thrilled that there are so many new people excited to get out and about this year!! 
 
With that in mind, we hope you come to our Start-of-the-Year-Social!  It will be this Friday, going from 6 pm until ~10 pm!  We’ll be hanging out at Campus Club (https://www.princeton.edu/campusclub/) in the Den, a cozy little space with lots of chairs and sofas. This will be a great time to talk about trips you’ve done and loved, trips you want to do, trips that are currently in the works – and meet other people interested in the outdoors too!  You’ll need to use your prox to get into the building, and the Den is downstairs, on the left from the bottom of the stairs. If you can’t get into the building or find the Den, give me a call at 603-866-9041!  Feel free to come by for a few minutes or stay all night!  
 
Around 7 pm, we’ll have a short “official” meeting to check in about club officers, upcoming events, and ideas people have for the year.
After the short meeting, we’ll also start screening “A Walk in the Woods,” a comedy adventure movie about two estranged elderly friends that decide to hike the Appalachian Trail together.
We hope you can stop by for a bit!

Katja

P.S. The map!!

campus-club-directions

Explore!, Hike!, Social

Upcoming Vermont Trip (space limited!)

Hi folks,

September 23-25. Let’s head up to Vermont to camp, hike, and tour the Ben and Jerry’s DELICIOUS ICE CREAM factory, which is a mere 6 miles away from the campsite. We’ll leave from Wawa at 9 AM on Friday, returning Sunday evening. If you’re interested, please read the detailed information below, and reply to let me know you’re coming by Sunday, September 18.
Highlights: Two hikes, a nice campground by a swimmable lake, the chance to visit the adorable town of Waterbury, home to the B&J factory, and — if we’re lucky — some early New England fall foliage…
Schedule: On Friday at 9 AM, we’ll depart from Wawa. If traffic isn’t terrible, we should arrive at Little River State Park by 4. After settling in, we have the option of exploring Waterbury, checking out the lake, taking a night hike, or just hanging out. On Saturday, we’ll hike either the Mt. Hunger Waterbury Trail or Mount Worcester (based on group vote), and tour the Ben & Jerry’s factory later in the day. On Sunday morning, early risers can take a short hike to see some cool waterfalls, and we’ll depart around 10 AM to return to campus by dinnertime. I’ve never been to Vermont before, so I’m open to suggestions for other fun activities 🙂
What to bring: Bring a pair of boots or sturdy shoes. One of the proposed hikes involves clambering over rocks — you’ll want traction for this. Please bring a good sleeping bag and plan to dress warmly. Although highs will probably be in the 60s/70s, and lows in the 40s, it could still drop below freezing at night. Other things: sunscreen, a headlamp or flashlight for night hiking/camp business, swimwear (it may or may not be warm enough to take a dip), bug spray (for wusses), a sleeping pad, and whatever other stuff you’d like. We’ll be car camping, so we can load up on gear.
Food and water: Please plan to bring your own food, i.e., enough for 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and 3 lunches, plus snacks. NOTE: I don’t have a camp stove, bowls, utensils, or anything, and plan to eat trail mix and jerky with my hands like a caveman for every meal. If you want to cook, you’ll need to bring supplies (sorry!). Drinking water is available at the campground. I’ll be heading to Wegman’s on the Thursday afternoon before we leave to grab food for myself, as well as lots of snacks for the group. You are welcome to join me — text me at 240-315-6168 if you need a ride.
Costs: Plan on tossing me $30 to cover all camping fees, gas, and the factory tour. You may also want to bring some extra cash in case we decide to stop at any stores/restaurants in town or during the car rides.
*********** !! Important !! *********** 
 
Space is limited! My car seats 4 passengers. If more than 4 people sign on, we’ll need a second car. The campsite has enough room for 8 people. Therefore, I will be limiting the size of my group to the first 7 individuals who respond to this email. If more than 7 people are interested, they’ll be responsible for reserving a second campsite and arranging transportation to it.
If you are interested in this trip, please reply to this email no later than Sunday, September 18. Let me know if you have a car and would be willing to drive.
 
If you have any questions (or suggestions for things to do!), you can reach me via email (akriete@princeton.edu).
Cheers,
Alexis