Sierra Club  Woods & Wetlands Group Shawnee National Forest Exploratory Hike & Camp   Sign-Up
	For April, 2003

To sign up for this outing, please first read the description below. Then copy these questions into an e-mail and send them with your answers to me (Evan) at auk@interaccess.com :

1. How do you stay in shape?
2. Do you have camping trip experience? (Remote camping? )
3. Do you have a tent?
4. Do you have a backpack (big enough for your tent, sleeping bag, clothes, water, food, and stuff)?
5. Do you plan to travel to and from Carbondale by Amtrak? If not, describe your car (make, model, color, size).
6. Do you want to share a room with others at a Carbondale motel the night you arrive?
7. What is your home phone number? (Cell phones can be useful for rendezvous.)
8. May we list your initials and your phone number on the Roster webpage so that others can contact you for rental carpooling between Carbondale and the trailhead?
9. What is your address?
10. Do you have any special physical conditions that might affect your ability to complete this outing?
11. Do you have any special talents or skills that you might share with the group?
12. Do you have any special dietary needs?
13. Do you want to do the Thursday trip to the Cache before the overnight hike?
14. Can you swim?
15. Can you J-Stroke a canoe?

I will reply letting you know whether you are approved for the outing. See the Roster.

To hold your reservation, print and fill out this liability waiver (you'll need free Acrobat software), and send it to us with the fee (write check to Sierra Club). If you want quicker confirmation, e-mail me that you did.

Sierra Club Woods & Wetlands
POB 5012
Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Cancellations after the early bird date result in loss of deposit to cover trip costs. To discourage frivolous reservations and cancellations, the deposit will be transferred to wait-listed participants after the wait-list starts.

Then visit the Amtrak website (if that's what you intend to do) and make reservations for CHI to CDL and back departing around 4:00 p.m. (on trains 391 and 392). Be sure to check SAVINGS AND PROMOTIONS for new promotional codes.

Trip Rules:

1. Stay with the group.
2. Be courteous and helpful to others.
3. Observe minimum impact practices.
4. No firearms, audio players, or pets.

This particular trip also takes advantage of one of the few wilderness areas remaining in Illinois large enough to offer a true wilderness hiking adventure. While much of the hike will follow marked trails, this trip is EXPLORATORY, and there are unfamiliar segments that will require navigation using map and compass. We will also camp in a wilderness area that has not been prepared for camping. These conditions will present greater challenge, engender a greater awareness, and present possible unmarked hazards.

Evan is a Sierra Club trained trip leader and is certified in CPR and First Aid. He has backpacked in Texas, New Mexico and Michigan, and has canoed in Montana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Canada. He has hiked the areas where this outing originates and ends. There is a possibility that Sierra Club and other activists local to Shawnee will be available for assistance or simply to enjoy parts of the outing with us.

Millstone Bluff offers a large tree-covered Indian burial site with views of the surrounding area.

Jackson Holler is a steep walled valley rising from the creek inside limestone cliffs. The area is an Illinois Natural Area, and we will observe caution to avoid disturbing the unique plants that grow there.

Bell Smith Springs will feature a hike along a stream running on bare rock with delightful effects.

PROTOCOL

• Check in with the leader frequently.
• Avoid unnecessary risks.
• Help out with the various chores including cooking and cleaning up.
• Keep yourself well hydrated, don't wait to drink until you are thirsty.
• Know and avoid poison ivy and ticks.
• Practice minimum impact camping. The Sierra Club was created to protect our wild lands. Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.
• Follow good latrine practices by going at least 100 feet from the water and depositing your waste in a shallow hole which you then cover up. When you wash up, try to do so away from the river.

LOGISTICS

• Participants who take Amtrak or otherwise arrive in Carbondale on the night before their outing can travel together, and share a taxi from the station to the local motel.
• A block of rooms will be reserved by the leader to reduce the cost, but must be individually reserved by participants. The leader will arrange group rates according to the head count, and notify participants to make reservations after the early bird date. (Carbondale Best Inns: 618-529-4801). See the Roster.
• A number of rental cars will be reserved by the leader, but must be reserved by the participants. Again, the leader will arrange group rates according to the head count, and notify participants to make reservations after the early bird date.  Enterprise (618-549-6995), the only agency in town, offers attractive weekend rates, and will shuttle you to and from their lot. Carpooling is encouraged, but cannot be arranged by the Club leader. See the Roster. Remember to arrange room for your pack and yourself. 
• Arrive at Bell Smith Springs at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday 4/12/03. Leave a car at Bell Smith Springs and travel to Millstone Bluff trailhead. Outing officially begins.
• Hike to Bell Smith Springs by 1:00 on Sunday 4/13/03. Outing officially ends.
• Retrieve cars, return to Carbondale by 3:30 p.m., drop cars and catch 4:05 Amtrak.

REQUIRED GEAR

• Hiking boots or shoes with at least some degree of water resistance. To avoid blisters, try double socks. Wool works best against your skin. We'll be walking through wet plants and balancing across the stream on slippery logs. The locals wear rubber boots, but I'll wear leather.
• Camping clothes: 1 pair light long pants (synthetic dries fast), 1 long sleeve shirt (long, light color), warm-up shirt or fleece, rain gear (which doubles as a wind breaker), 2 pair tall enough socks to tuck pants into, a swimsuit and a small towel. Avoid blue jeans, and other heavy cotton fabrics that will not dry out quickly. Pack clothes in plastic bags.
• Hat, sunscreen. Eyeglass strap if you wear glasses. Sunglasses & lip balm suggested.
• Bug repellent, tweezers and small magnifying glass. Some people prefer screen headwear to avoid repellant.
• Cup, plate, utensils.
• Lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided. Lunch, snacks, and drinks are not provided. You may also want to bring some refreshments for socializing around the fire in the evening. NO GLASS CONTAINERS.
• 1.5 gallon of water per person for group and personal use in containers for use on the hike (plastic bottled-water bottles are fine).
• Flashlight with fresh batteries, some toilet paper with matches in a zip-lock bag.
• A compass (GPS use is discouraged.)
• Personal medicine. See question 13.
• Tent (or arrange to share), sleeping bag. Sleeping pad recommended.
• Money to pay for food on the train, shared gas and other expenses.
• If you intend to canoe on Thursday: river shoes that can be worn in the water. Old gym shoes are fine, but shoes specifically designed for this are readily available, and work great. Avoid Tevas - they provide insufficient protection from sharp underwater objects.

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