The Ruck

Bears Den Trail Center

Jan. 27, 28 & 29

Directions Schedule Meals Extra Stuff More Info

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Bears Den Trail Center
Nestled within the Blueridge Mountains and on the Appalachian Trail, lies historical Bears Den Lodge. Once a summer home for Washington physician Huron Lawson and his wife, opera singer, Francesca Kaspar, Bears Den is an enchanting stone lodge reminiscent of a European castle, complete with turrets and tower.

Built in 1933 by local stonemasons, the distinguished mansion is one of the most impressive hostels on the eastern region. Once used as Francesca's recital hall, the large common room boasts excellent acoustics and a magnificent stone fireplace. Among the forested acreage are several lawns and quiet escapes. A main attraction and only a short stroll down the trail, Bears Den Scenic Rock Overlook offers a stunning view of the Shenandoah Valley.

Hostel Rates

$15 per day, per person and $5.00 day usage fee: $40 for the entire weekend

 


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**Friday**

 

 

2:00 to 5:00 pm.

 

Meet and Greet- Rucksters arrive and check in at the hostel. If you have a dish, just bring it right on into the kitchen (best room in the house). Nametags and 2 sign-in sheets are at the front desk.

Any presenter’s will also check-in at this time; an additional sign-in sheet will be available at the front desk as well. Make yourself at home and have fun. Don’t be shy. Explore.

 

5:30 pm

 

Dinner- Pasta with meatballs and the works.

 

 

 

7:15 pm 8:45

 

Presentation – TBA

 

**Saturday**

 

 

7:00 am

 

Breakfast – You organize this yourself if you’d like. Or, make breakfast just for yourself. We don’t care just as long as you’re sociable. 

 

9:00 am

 

Hike to Raven Rocks along the AT (back about noon).

 

11am - 1pm

 

Lunch - This is a pay-as-you-go lunch with the proceeds going to the hostel. Bring your favorite pre-cooked soup, chili, bread, and luncheon platters. Don't be shy! It's a lot of fun! We are asking for quick volunteer clean up afterwards.

 

1:30pm - 2:30pm

 

TBA

 

3pm - 6pm

 

TUCKERIZATION - For those hardy (or foolish) souls who are willing to volunteer to have their packs lightened, this is a good time to find out what you DON'T NEED on the Trail. This can be funny, but it's not recommended for fragile egos. The Friar may not be there this year - but we're trying to convince Sister Tuck (Mara) to get'er done.

THRUHIKING BULL SESSION - Anyone want to talk about thruhiking? Anyone want to get his or her questions about thruhiking answered? Or maybe just listen to former thruhikers expound on how to do it - and how NOT to do it? All thru hikers welcome with any advice. Southbounders and flip floppers welcome

 

6pm - 8pm 

 

RUCK Feast - You know how it works - everyone brings a dish and everyone eats well - and we leave lots of food for the caretakers.

 

7:45pm - 8pm

 

VOLUNTEER KITCHEN CLEAN UP

 

8pm –

 

TBA

 

**Sunday**

 

 

7am - 9am

 

Breakfast – organize one, or breakfast on your own.

 

 

CLEANUP - Grab a broom or mop (or whatever) and help clean up the hostel. If we leave it dirty, we won't be as welcome next year. As the old saying goes - "I'm not your Momma, clean up after yourself." The caretaker really appreciates this and your efforts will be noticed!

 

   

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Meals are an organized potluck - Your participation is important

You, the Ruckster, bring all meals and utensils. Information on the menu, utensils and volunteer clean up is available to you on an interactive Google Spreadsheet..

User name is ATrailHiker@hotmail.com and the password is trail work. After you update the spreadsheet with your information click on save at the top right of the page.

We organize a Friday evening dinner and the Saturday evening RuckFeast.

We also organize a Saturday soup benefit. Bring a soup, chili; luncheon tray, breads and we all pay a donation to eat it. This lunch is important as all the money is directly given to the hostel for their years of allowing us to use this beautiful old historic place (did we mention the grand piano in the main common room?)

 The kitchen is complete with all appliances, pots, pans, metal utensils, all kitchenware and eating utensils. As for the Ruck utensils, we ask that you donate all eating utensils (defined below).

 Food donationsWe welcome all dishes!  Any dish should be precooked and kept cold. There are 2 refrigerators at the hostel and they fill up fast. Long cooking meats should be precooked as well. We welcome any dishes from your ethnic and cultural dishes to good old baked ham or fried chicken (hint). Your ideas, your creation…. it’s welcome here!  We ask that you use the interactive Google spreadsheet, click here.

 DessertsOne thing about a Ruck…you get to stare at the many desserts. Folks are real creative with desserts here, so bring your very best to just plain biscuits. We don’t care – we love it all, and we appreciate it all!  We once had a bake-off, you can organize one too.

 Eating utensils and paper productsThese are the items we are in need of: Paper plates (non-styro preferred), paper bowls, plastic forks, spoons, knives, napkins, paper cups, large and sturdy trash bags, foil, plastic wrap, large Ziplocs, paper towels.

 
Misc. Dishwashing liquid, brillo pads, scrubbies.

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CampfireHeld in the campground. Bring your firewood--it's been as low as zero at night there and we're always in need of more firewood. Please bring what you have. If you are able to drop off firewood ahead of time and no later than a FEW DAYS prior to the PA Ruck

 

 

 

Backpacking stove display & burn-off-  Would you like to display your stove(s)? Bring them to the Ruck! We'll have a table and display tags available for you to show off your favorite stove(s), any type, any year.

 

Tent Display-

 

Clean Up-  Bag O’ Tricks is the man in charge of volunteer efforts. For anyone interesting in clean-up and or volunteer work during the weekend, please click here to write your name on the volunteer column of the spreadsheet. Did I mention that you stand at the front of the Buffet lines for the volunteer clean up?

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Bears Den Trail Center
18393 Blueridge Mountain Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
540-554-8708

info@bearsdencenter.org

Scott & Marie Wheaton
Red Wing & Hopeful AT'06
Caretakers

 

Printable Brochure

Pa Ruck on Facebook

 

For more information – 

email Marsha with any questions, ideas or concerns.

 

 

Website hosted by Whiteblaze.net

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