Hiking a Section of the AT in Virginia

Dudes! and Dudettes! The 'Mysterious One' and I took a 6 day backpacking excursion along the Appalachian Trail that began on the 20th and ended on the 26th, with about 13 miles on the Virginia Creeper returning us back to Damascus. The forest of middle Appalachia were magnificent, often crowded with Frazier Firs with the ground covered in various ferns. On several days we passed through dense patches of Blue Berries and Black Berries and feasted as we walked. Many flowers were still blooming including some rodo's.

Our walk began with a shuttle from Damascus piloted by "Just Bill" and "D-O-G", the drivers trail name and his furry friend who "Just Bill" says does not like to be referred to as a dog. He also told us that he was given his trail name during a conversation with author John Molloy several years ago.

We were extremely lucky with the weather, as for the first four days we heard thunder and saw rain often on distant mountains, and then it rained. The fifth day was saturated with rain and thunderstorms; sometimes dangerous, with frequent lighting and strong winds on ridge lines. We were careful not to hike along the tops of mountains or open fields during these storms. Met some good folks along the way including the "Handyman" from Wisconsin, and the "Mad-patter", from South Carolina.

The terrain was difficult at times though very doable for the fit hiker, with some great shelters through this section maintained, I believe, by the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club. All of the shelters we stayed in or near had privies. The Grayson Highlands were awesome! See the ponies in the picture? The 'Mysterious One', noticed that we were "probably gonna go over that mountain over there", pointing to what turned out a day later to be correct and was the highpoint in the Grayson's. Not far after the Highland's we came to a shelter, Thomas Knob, with an awesome view behind it looking south. What a deal folks, hiking with a friend. One I hope to continue soon. Peace

Rich Mountain Trail

This trail is one I hike often on afternoons like today when I have at least two hours to get up, and back, to campsite #5, which is about 2.3 mls oneway from the trailhead at Rich Mountain rd. Many of the photos of blooming wildflowers I've shown this year were taking along this route. Today as I neared the halfway point I heard some commotion off to my left and so I found a spot in the shade to stop and listen some more. About 2 minutes after I stopped I saw a bear approaching the trail and I realized I needed to move from where I was standing else it was gonna come out of the woods very close to me. I quietly moved up the trail without losing my fix on the bear and noted the direction of the slight breeze blowing at that time and space. I'd have the breeze in my favor until the bear(s) stepped out on the trail. Note the plural because I had heard what sounded like another animal moving from the same place I had heard the first and as I reviewed the area I spotted a much larger 2nd bear a minute or two later. Well as you can see this large bear; probably a male as it is mating season, did not "step" out of the woods. Rather he was probably alerted by the other ones behavior after it had stepped out onto the trail and had spotted me. As soon as the first bear saw me it quickly walked down the trail before disappearing into the woods and then this large bear lept out of the forest edge and crossed the trail. This second bear is mostly in the air, just about to land when this picture was taken. By the time that happened I had already identified it visually and was paying close attention to it as it waited to cross, crouched behind some brush literally on the edge of the path. I took some photos of this big bear as it waited to cross and could see it through my camera lens when I took it but so far I can't find it in the photos. Camouflage! These beautiful animals are another two reminders for me to consider my lack of power and human vulnerabilities. I am not as a human some supreme being in this world in which I walk, rather as Aldo Leopold suggested just a part of it. Peace

Amongst the Crowds

Dudes and Dudettes! What an awesome afternoon hike I got yesterday! I was able to walk a trail(WProng) close by my residence and found the trailhead parking empty of other vehicles and along the trail I was not having to step over a bunch of horseshit. There are days, like Sunday, when I choose to find another trail to hike because my first choice began with piles of horseshit and this takes away from the appreciation of other things when I am frequently reminded by the sight and smell of this stuff and that I need to watch where I step. Backcountry fees charged for the hiker should be less than half of what the charge for horse usage on these trails even if that means raising the cost for overnight stays involving horses or a daily fee for horses. If not for the threat of the entry of non-native species from the horseshit then charge more for the trail damage these equestrians cause. So, where was I...? Oh, right. Awesome peacefulness on this 4ml hike, lots of blooms still blooming, beautiful songs by the birds to listen to, relatively pleasant temperatures and a nice breeze. In one of these pictures you'll see where an animal has been digging into a rotting log for some grub. Peace

Bird

I volunteer at the GSMNP and have been asked by more than one traveler from afar, "where can I go to see all the birds", as if we have them, the birds, on call somewhere. I've even listened to visitors talk of how disappointed they were at not seeing all "the birds" they had heard about and not being a "birder" myself I can only ask like where they've tried, did they walk out of a parking lot into the woods, and what kind of birds they're looking for?. Mainly to be polite and figure out who I am gonna ask for assistance. Now I say that to say this... damn near each time I go walking in the woods I see or hear birds if I stop and listen. Pretty near every time I am in the woods if I shut down my thinker and open myself to the sounds around me I will hear and see many things close by. I'll admit that is not always easy; shutting up, shutting down, and listening, and initially it requires some effort on my part. This bird was fishing in the West Prong of the Little River on Thursday. Peace

'Shroom and Bloom

The rodo's are awesome as well as many other plants and blooms. The Bee Balm was seen along a walk I took OTG Thursday. This unmarked route was full of rodo's as well with thunder sounding off throughout the walk as scattered storms gathered.

This Just In!! Emerald insects of mass destruction are here!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials recently confirmed the presence of invasive emerald ash borer beetles in the park. Last week, beetles were discovered near Sugarlands Visitor Center and in the Greebrier area, on the Tennessee side of the park. The insects were recovered during routine inspection of traps and sent to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist for confirmation. The emerald ash borer was first discovered in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and has steadily spread from there, damaging millions of ash trees across the country. The ½ inch-long beetle lays eggs in bark crevices on all species of ash. Upon hatching, larvae burrow under the bark, creating feeding tunnels that interfere with the tree’s ability to translocate nutrients and fluids. The tree gradually starves and eventually dies. The park began trapping the beetles in 2008 as part of a broader effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Under APHIS guidance, traps were placed in a 100-mile-wide band outside the previously known infested area. At the time, the park was considered to be at high risk for new infestation because of the sizable number of visitors who reside in already infested counties. The spread of emerald ash borer beetles primarily results from transport of infested logs and firewood. A park-wide ban remains in effect for any firewood originating from a location for which a federal or state quarantine is in effect. A list of all quarantined areas may be found at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/quarantine-counties.htm. Park management is evaluating a range of options in regard to addressing the emerald ash borer’s presence in the park. “Protecting the park’s biodiversity is of the utmost importance,” says Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.” We will carefully consider all options available to us before determining the best course of action in dealing with this invasive species.”

Fire Flies are early this year!

This is what the biologist at the GSMNP have to say about the fire flies this year. They're Early!! (The following is from a recent park memo) The Bottom Line: The appearance and display of the synchronized fireflies this year is extremely early. Park biologists predict that while there may still be some activity during the weekend of June 2nd, the display will be past peak and may taper off to nothing well before the following weekend. Beginning Tuesday May 29th the Elkmont road will be closed each evening to all but registered campers (if the campground is not full, visitors will be permitted to proceed to the campground to register to camp). Trolleys shall run beginning June 2nd for ticketed Firefly Event reservation holders only. No additional information will be available by phone. Visitors can check the park website for any updated information on current activity levels. More Information: Like many seasonal events in nature, the annual timing of the appearance and display of synchronized fireflies is influenced by environmental conditions—mostly climate—which can be impossible to accurately predict well in advance. While the 2012 special firefly operational period was scheduled based upon the timing of firefly appearances in past years, this year the unusually warm spring has caused the appearance of the fireflies well earlier than that ever recorded in the past. We believe that the activity is currently at peak. Daily temperatures in the days ahead will affect the length and intensity of the firefly display making it difficult to predict exactly when the activity will taper off. Unfortunately, due to the popularity of the firefly event, requiring the availability and coordination of a large cadre of park staff and trolleys, we do not have the flexibility to shift event operations forwards or backwards to match current firefly activity and it is necessary to close access to the viewing area to protect resources and visitors.