The North Dakota chapter the first Cold Weather hike out in the National Grasslands in Western North Dakota.  Will be a one day hike starting from the Magpie Road trailhead and hiking to the Ice Caves loop and back.  Should be 8-9 miles total.

Meet time will be at 10:00AM CST with the hike beginning at 10:30 on November 21st, Saturday

Maah Daah Hey Trail, Magpie Trailhead
Fairfield, ND 58627
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KeiHrEFpLtBRPooCA

Afterwards will meet up at a sit down restaurant in Watford City, or Killdeer.  We can decide after the hike.

Bring cold weather gear.  Layer up as its easier to layer down.  Bring extra clothes incase you sweet enough that its best to change out to drier gear.  

This will be a great opportunityto see what gear you have works the best in colder climates.

Its best to contact me here on Arf while I get an email account set up.

A thought I have is to maybe create a Badlands group to encompass Western South Dakota and Easter Wyoming and Montana.  We have a lot if areas to cover but sparsely spread out.

I'd also like to ask if I can advertise on American Contingency  of the met, and who and what American Pioneer Corps is.

Thank you.

Sunday is approaching.  Looking ag good weather.  Hope to see some out here.

Well, it was just me again, so i went as far as I could.  The trail has a detour thanks to a beaver dam making a creek crossing high.  I had to turn back 3.5 miles in (1.16 mile back track thanks to the high creek) due to what looked like a storm going through.

I had my pack with water, small rations, my jacket, radios, and extra mags.  Plus my ar and pistol on my drop leg.

https://flic.kr/p/2jJQjKR

https://flic.kr/p/2jJQjT6

End of my hike.

https://flic.kr/p/2jJR8cu

Western North Dakota might be a bit far from me. Looks fun though.

Looking at trying to start up another hike on the weekend of 17th-18th this month.  Might try the same place unless anyone knows a place that is firearms friendly in the middle of the state.  PM me or post here.

Update in OP for a hike in 11-21-2020

I know it is a bit late for a AAR, but I did do the hike and with a friend of mine.  

Pros:  I went out and got after it.  Saddled up with my ruck, rifle, and plate carrier.  My friend went lighter, begging me to do the same, but I was committed to keep in the spirit and in the regs of APC.

Cons: Aside from out of shape, my plantar fasciitis is a killer for me.  About 3 miles in it began to feel walking on nails with my heels.  I'm wearing 5.11 ATACs that I have had for years, but the trail and my PF, plus the weight I was caring was harsh.  We didn't make it to our destination mostly to that, but night fall comes quick up here fast, so we had to turn around about a half mile before we got to the Ice Caves.

It has made me really question myself with my PF of how far I can go now.  In my youth, and not so long ago before I had this problem, long walks and hikes weren't a problem.  Now they are.  What hurts is that I love and live to walk for excercise and stress relief.  

Before the pain:



Did about 7.5 miles in the Badlands.

Walking that far with a plate carrier and a 35lb+ ruck...well, it sucks.  The only thing I could do was tell myself to keep moving.  My friend was outpacing me at the last 4 miles.  My core felt good, but damn my heels.

Congrats on getting out there and moving!

I dont think i have PF, but my heels (especially my right) do hurt quite a bit, so i have a slight understanding.

Have you checked for any remedies or strategies to help? Maybe custom insoles or something?

I have, but nothing at times seem to help, not even stretching.   I'm looking to go see a foot doctor next month to get this weeded out.

Hope you're feeling better Mauser556.  

Anyone in western ND or eastern MT hit me up when you want to ruck!

Getting there.  I've got this weekend off and Sunday of next.  Weather has been decent.  Want to try something?

I have a few people interested here in the Black Hills. Just planning our first "qualifying" hike, TBD.

@mauser556

Yeah man, I think there will be a break in the wind.  I can't make Saturday but how about Sunday?  Same place as the turkey day hike?

If that works let's post it here and in the other ND hometown meet up thread and try to get some more guys there.

@adversor

When you get some details post it over here. If its workable maybe a few of us could come down.

Sadly my boss just changed my schedule around on me today and has me working Sunday, which means I think my Sunday next week is also blown.  Ugh.  I can never get a solid weekend.

@Lurk-king

@Lurk-king.

My weekend may be open for a hike next weekend.

@Mauser556

Let's do it. I have either day open at the moment but Saturday is best. I won't be available till about noon Sunday.

Also, let me know where you got in mind and I'll see if I can get a topo map in time so we can work on the land nav.

@Lurk-king

I tagged you in the ND hometown thread I started, where a member pointed out a trail, however, its insude the park.  Would like to go somewhere to hike with rifle that wouldn't attract to much attention with the way things are right now.  

The mah dee hey trail is long and has places to start and get to. Weather is going to be cold, so im looking at a bare maximum 4 or 6 miles.

Hike on the Wolf Trail just South of WatfordCityND

Starts at 10AM Saturday 1-23-2021.  Bring ruck, rifle, and cold weather gear.

Here is the pin drop for the start.

Maah Daah Hey Trail, Wolf Trailhead
18th St NW, Arnegard, ND 58835
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bM85HnsD34HeJCpL7

IN!

I'm interested, probably have a few buddies who would be too

After Action Report from Jan. 23 Hike.

Meet @Lurk-king a little late thanks to me rolling over and hitting the alarm just to pass back out again.  This is my first time meeting another Arf member for a hike, and hopefully the start of the North Dakota Battle Buddies chapter.  Our issue is that we are so spread out in the state, much less the region, plus everyone's busy scheudual.

But, thanks to the recommendations of @Springer09, the Wolf's Trailhead had some specatular views, and a good 600 foot ascent towards the Roosevelt North Unit park boundry.  Lurk-King set the pace with the map he got, and he did a superb job in measuring the distance, and map reading.  

When we set off it was 11 degrees F, but warmed to 23 when we returned.  Wind was slightly an issue, mostly on our way back, and up over the top of the buttes.  My critical oversight was my hose for my hydration pack froze.  Lurk-King had to retrieve my water battles from my pack.  Something to keep note.

We are going to try to make schedueled hikes possibly every 4th Saturday of the month, or try to do other activities. throughout.  I have a friend he went with me on my first hike and he has a lot of experience of horseback.  Something I have kicked around with him is if we are to do search and rescue, especially out here, the mounted search would be better.

Sadly,  meet heels ached when I got home.  At least they didn't cripple me like last time.

Anyways, photos Lurk-King took.

It was a great hike Mauser556. Looking forward to doing it again and get some shooting in too!

Took a few interested guys up a hill on Saturday. Three of us carried weight, sans rifle. Bear Butte in Sturgis is about 3mi round trip, but we didn't do it for time at a 1k' ascent (took us 50min up and 45min down - was pretty slippery). Just did it for the work and the company. I'm sure a crew could go plenty fast without snow.

Going to try for an official 6mi in March. Maybe something with less of a climb.

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This. is. AWESOME!