Franconia Ridge Loop

Recently I helped take a group of Boy Scouts up and over the Franconia Ridge Loop. The Scoutmaster invited me to speak about Leave No Trace, and to accompany the boys. This way, we could talk more LNT on the way up, and I was also a backup adult in case of trouble.  Like the…

Flashback – AT99 – April 28

Thank you Thomas Smith, even though you were ‘colored’, you fought for our country. Managed to escape Pearisburg – or forced myself to leave.   Terrible weather + great church hostel w/ woodstove.   Pearisburg is an interesting place – this picture is from downtown. Only 7.3 today, at Rice Shelter.   Not To Worry…

Flashback – AT99 – Apr 24

Jenny Knob Shelter, N of Bland, VA.  17.3 today. Here with Dodger, who isn’t annoying at the moment.  Had a long, dusty day, but it wasn’t too bad – mostly flat.  VA is nice. Feet are bugging me, so I called in a Campmor order including some new Superfeet.   Also a smaller fuel bottle,…

Flashback – AT99 – April 18

Wise Shelter – Grayson Highlands Great day!   Cloudy and gloomy, with flurries.  Once I got past Mt Rogers (highest in VA) the trail entered a big heath, with few trees and a lot of big open spaces.  Very remote and desolate, it reminded me a little of northern England, or some of the more…

Flashback – AT99 – April 15

Damascus!   The promised land.    (note the picture is recent – there was a call out for money because the Place had been falling down, I think people raised something like $40K to fix it up!) Pulled 18 to get here, after waiting out the rain until 9:30am.  Why get wet?   Saw my…