Wednesday, October 29, 2014


 

OLD RAG
MAY HAVE FIRST SNOW THIS WEEKEND


In honor of potential first snow check out Teton Gravity Research's 2014-2015 gnarly ski movie:
ALMOST ABLAZE


Here are some good Hunter S Thompson quotes to go with the spirit of TGR's Almost Ablaze:
  •  I have always loved blizzards, if only because of the driving experience - which is definitely an acquired taste.
  • There is no such thing as paranoia.   Your worst fears can come true at any moment.
  • The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.





 


TGR Almost Ablaze Trailer:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=036S6vboR_M




When there are still bright colored leaves on the trees and the snow falls you can get some great pictures.    See the this blog's Oct. 29, 2011 post.
 

NEXT WEEKEND
OLD RAG MAY HAVE SOME SNOW AND 
SUNSET WILL COME AN HOUR EARLIER ON SUNDAY 
 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

PATC TRAIL PATROL

ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING 
 
 
 
Saturday October 25, 2014 I provided Brian S. (https://www.facebook.com/hikingmegalopolis), One-On-One New Member Training  for  PATC's Trail Patrol on Old Rag.   It was the busiest  day for Old Rag that I have seen.   That said, Brian and I had a very productive and fun day. 
 
 

SUNSET FROM OLD RAG SUMMIT

 
 
 

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Peak Leaf Color Peak Crowds



OLD RAG FALL WEEKENDS
PEAK LEAF COLOR & GOOD WEATHER MAY MEAN 
CROWDS LINES AND WAIT TIMES

ALL PHOTOS FROM MID OCTOBER 2011
Double Click To Enlarge

 



 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Camping high on Old Rag had already been restricted in order to protect its rock outcrop areas.   The article below lists some new rock Shenandoah National Park outcrops where camping has just been restricted as well.



Rock outcrops tend to be:


  • popular for their views (high use)
  • fragile
  • islands in the sky with unique ecosystems
  • often have flora or fauna whose closest neighboring examples are hundreds of miles away

Shenandoah Closes Some Areas to Protect Outcrops

Posted: Oct 01, 2014 11:39 AM EDT Updated: Oct 01, 2014 11:42 AM EDT

Shenandoah National Park, photo courtesy of wikipedia.orgShenandoah National Park, photo courtesy of wikipedia.org



HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - Some campsites in Shenandoah National Park have been closed to protect rock outcrops that house rare plants and animals.

The closures are part of the park's new rock outcrop management plan. The plan prohibits access to the higher-altitude areas of several attractions, including Little Stony Man and areas of Overall Run Falls North and Mary's Rock.

Shenandoah spokeswoman Karen Beck-Herzog tells The Daily News-Record that the areas closed to camping were chosen because of their proximity to sensitive plant and animal populations.

Species considered at risk include Virginia pine, northern red oak and the Shenandoah salamander.

Beck-Herzog says park officials are monitoring areas closed to the public for regrowth and recovery.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Information from: Daily News-Record, http://www.dnronline.com