St Mary’s Swimming and Camping

OVERVIEW

UPDATE: There is a good chance that we will meet up with Roland’s trip on Sunday at St Mary’s (they are changing venue).

Have you looked at the weather report? Do you think numbers that high should be test grades and not temperatures? Let’s get out of the heat and chill in a cooled river valley with a waterfall and multitude of swimming holes. All without that grueling climb out back to the parkway.

We will leave at 12 noon on Saturday, drive about an hour to Versuvius, walk up the river fording it multiple times, and find a campsite. Once we have set up our tents there are several options. We can check out the swimming holes, the waterfall, gather, build forts (akin to Roland’s survival shelter), fish (if you have a license and gear, I do not), hike, etc. We will eat something good for dinner, some s’mores, tell ghost stories, etc. In the morning we will eat breakfast, pick up camp, and hike toward the old mines and the pond where we will eat lunch. When we return to the river, another dip will be in store and head back to the cars.

The club does not provide food money in the summer so the fee will be $15. I will try to keep costs as low as possible.

You will need: backpack, backpack rain cover, tent, sleeping bag/pad, headlamp, swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, 2 water bottles

Club provides: any gear you don’t have, gas money + tips, shared gear, shared food

You provide: gear you have, food money, SNACKS, swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, >2 water bottles, river shoes, sturdy boots, gaiters if you have them.