When one hare can’t f*ck things up sufficiently, use two.
Mexipad and Noah are hosting a “Landlubbers and River Rats” hash.
If this sounds like it will get you wet, you’re right. If the river doesn’t get you, the rain probably will. There is also a riverless (but not altogether dry) Landlubbers option. Samenumber of beer stops. Just different locations (and funding). (Also an all-river option if you want to explore Sycamore Island and not run at all.)
FOR MAXIMUM PLEASURE, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE END
The last “River Rats” leg is a 2-mile paddle on a (relatively) tame portion of the Allegheny River, with a beer stop roughly half way. Anyone wanting to do the water portion should either:
– Bring a kayak (and paddle, and PFD), or
– Team up with someone who is bringing a kayak
NOTE: Boaters should host JUST ONE “floater”. Tugging a floatie causes more drag than you might guess. Otherwise you will likely either run out of gas or arrive on shore sometime the next day. We are planning a “turkey take-out” so that those acting as tow boats can exit sooner. FLOATERS MUST WEAR PFD’s (life jackets). (“Safety Third” may make a great t-shirt. But it doesn’t play as well with the Fish & Game Commission, River Rescue, the Coast Guard or at the ED.)
We have at least 8 PFD’s available to floaters. If you can provide your own, please do. Kayakers, byo.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Travel on Route 28 around the Highland Park bridge is restricted to one lane in each direction. Additionally, the ramp from the Highland Park bridge onto Rt 28N is closed. You must take the first exit off the bridge onto Freeport Rd. and head north to the GetGo (intersection with Fox Chapel Rd. and Old Freeport Rd.) Take Old Freeport Rd. to FCYC. Traffic normally isn’t too bad on Sundays. (Famous last words) Allow yourself ample time.
Instructions for the start:
River Rats – If you are bringing a boat or a floatie, plan to drop it, along with your paddle and PFD, at the put-in on River Rd. in Blawnox ( opposite Fox Chapel Authority, green marker on map) no later than 1pm. You are looking for Boyd Rd. where it intersects Freeport Rd., turning toward the river. It is easy to miss. Watch carefully.
Drive back to the Fox Chapel Yacht Club (FCYC) parking lot (under two miles). NOTE: We need a volunteer to sit with the boats from 1pm until around 3:30pm, beer provided. This can be anyone who wants to do only the “Rats” leg, only the dry return, or no trail at all.
Landlubbers – If you plan to stay on shore, arrive at FCYC no later than 1:30. And bring a few bucks for the (optional) last beer stop.
ALL: BRING A LIGHT
Dogs: Probably not a good idea, especially if you are going on the river. Some portion of trail may be semi-heavy, uphill shiggy. The apres is planned to be aboard a boat, and we don’t want to give FCYC one additional reason to throw us out. If you bring a dog, please do not bring it on the docks.
ON OUT @2PM SHARP!