This is the Seventh year we are holding the Hydrostatic. The Hydrostatic Tees are all gone and occupying trails across the land. Not up for the 24 miles? Consider the 11 and 13 mile HalF HyDRoh ! All are welcome.
The HYDROSTATIC is inspired by the individual's spiritual relationship with the wild places and our desire to requite - to meet like with like. To match the ruggedness of the terrain and isolated serenity by moving with purpose and focus through nature. Just as water finds it's own level within the vessel that it occupies, you will occupy this trail as your spirit determines. The trail chosen for the HYDROSTATIC is such a trail. Miles of flow, hidden valleys of hemlocks, rocky hillside ramparts, fortress-like stone gardens betwixt serene high country ponds and cascading waters of some of the finest wilderness settings in Pennsylvania.
There is no charge for this event but all will honor the customary 2-beer tribute to the RD (rigidly enforced). This is a loosely organized event with minimal support which explains the minimal entry fee.
Plan on putting together your own drop bag (food, electrolytes, extra socks, etc) of whatever you will need at the half way point where we will have a car drop as a rest station with water and a cooler. The course is a lolli-pop with a four mile stick. The first participant to reach the end of the stick gets to chose if they want to travel clockwise or counter-clockwise around the 17 mile single track loop. All other participants will alternate directions. This makes for some “washing machine” fun as you will meet all the participants who went in the opposite direction at some point. Then it's back down the 4 mile stick to the start/finish line.
The pathway is clearly marked and well established but it is the individual's responsibility to get themselves to the start/finish point. People do this event to see how quickly they can complete the course when they're unencumbered by a large hiking group.
Course overview: flat gravel rail grade, 20%, and 80% single track. Some hills (some steep, some rocky, some gradual and smooth distance is roughly 24 miles (fair guess) elevation is not terribly significant at 3,100. By PA standards, this event is probably mid point of the intermediate range (that is probably meaningless to many so suffice to say...it's no monster. In fact, the course itself wants you to be successful! However, there are many to whom this will be new so I'm providing the following guidelines to assist you in determining whether this is suitable for you or not. People for whom this is appropriate: Mentally stable except for mildly self-delusional. Robust. People who "buy in" to the stuff above. Self actualized types without need for externally referenced validation. People who like a little external validation. Self-reliant types. People who like to show-off in their own quiet way. People for whom this is not appropriate: 9 out of 10 people on Meetup. People who say "hard core" or "dig deep" - neither of these has a measurable impact on success. Anyone viewing this event as a reason to get fit or as "training" or generally view this event as aspirational. Posers who sign up for events and never go. People who really want to do it but know 5 reasons why they won't - like rain...in May... People afraid of the dark/spiders. People that "recreate" aggressively on Friday nights. Hip/knee replacements/heart stent/valve replacements/dialysis/severe allergic reactions to anything. People who like animals more than people. People who like people more than animals. Unfortunates that have to work Saturdays. People who fall. I could go on...
