tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post7480786743729081352..comments2023-03-29T05:13:47.653-04:00Comments on Old Rag Mountain Hikes/Patrols by RSL: March 21, 2009 EquinoxBob Lookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08711623028263000283noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-68081785761309300132009-03-30T11:36:00.000-04:002009-03-30T11:36:00.000-04:00Oh I forgot to add that the invitation can include...Oh I forgot to add that the invitation can include your 4 yr old son or any other members of your group.Bob Lookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711623028263000283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-70280151617058714522009-03-30T11:32:00.000-04:002009-03-30T11:32:00.000-04:00I volunteer for both PATC Trail Patrol and ORMS. ...I volunteer for both PATC Trail Patrol and ORMS. PATC Trail Patrol is far more low key than ORMS but it still requires some training once you are trained you set your own times and agenda for PATC Trailpatrol. ORMS is a little more intense but one of its goals is too try and be inclusive. For example, I am sure if someone was not able to hike the trails we would find some very worthwhile ways for them to participate in ORMS. I think ORMS is going to be on the mountain twenty weekends this year and some members will only be on the mountain for a small number of those weekends. There is a link to the ORMS website on the top right side of this blog. Based on your interest I would encourage you to contact ORMS and see if it does not make sense to join and help in anyway that you can. I will be doing either a PATC Trailpatrol or an ORMS patrol on almost every weekend. Your always welcome to either arrange to meet me or just introduce yourself on the trail and I would be glad to share my patrol or just a part of my patrol with you. I am qualified to provide PATC Trail Patrol training for all its training requirements except CPR and Wilderness First Aid. (I need warning so I can prep if I am going to do this.) I can do informal introductions/mentoring about what ORMS does but you would need to coordinate with different ORMS members to get any official training. Also my email is rlook@msn.com if that is a better way to communicate for you.Bob Lookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711623028263000283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-25667255886039672962009-03-26T23:38:00.000-04:002009-03-26T23:38:00.000-04:00Well put. Spending my last 18-years as a deputy s...Well put. Spending my last 18-years as a deputy sheriff (Henrico), by nature I want to hunt the offenders down and throw the book at them. You have wisely demonstrated that there could be other reasons why foreign objects are left out in nature, from forgetfulness, to items misplaced, and perhaps out of necessity. It appears keeping an open mind is advantageous some times. I, on the other hand, tend to quickly draw conclusions, right or wrong. <BR/><BR/>The Stewards seem to be quite an admirable group. I just may give it some thought of joining, the major obstacle for me would be the distance required to travel there from Richmond's west end. Another obstacle which cannot be overlooked is helping to raise my 4-yr old boy. <BR/><BR/>I'll give it some thought.<BR/>Andy (hikermaniac.com)Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382513906368360432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-27755949942683120702009-03-26T09:52:00.000-04:002009-03-26T09:52:00.000-04:00Thanks for the comments. For anyone interested in...Thanks for the comments. <BR/><BR/>For anyone interested in Old Rag Mountain Stewards (ORMS) it is a very worthwhile newly formed endevour. There is a link to its site on the top right of my blog. There are also lots and lots of other groups who help with Old Rag, many of whom I am not even aware of. During the ORMS off-season I patrol for a PATC subgroup called the PATC Trail Patrol. PATC also has subgroups that do trail maintenance work on Old Rag(see earlier post). There is at least one Virginia Naturalist chapter doing an Old Rag project. I have run into other groups on the Mountain doing pick up days or service projects. I have come across web posting describing groups or individuals doing Old Rag service projects. I am sure that for every one of these I know about that there are many others I do not know about.<BR/><BR/>When I look back at my young teenage years I will have to admit that before I knew better I committed my own disrepectful acts. <BR/><BR/>Some of the trash is truly accidental. For example last year the ORMS volunteers reunited one bag with a $500 plus camera in it and another bag with the groups car keys in it with their thankful owners. I have picked up numerous unopened water bottles and food items not to mention finding expensive clothing or equipment.<BR/><BR/>There are many who just do not know any better.<BR/><BR/>There are some that know better but may have a good reason(survival). <BR/><BR/>There are some who know better and just do not care. And yes, there are probably some who purposely do it because it satisfies some warped appetite.<BR/><BR/>Obviously we will never completely eliminate litter but if we can educate a few to be better and enlist a few to pitch in with the pick up efforts then hopefully we can keep the NPS from needing to add regulations or restrictions.<BR/><BR/>Besides I am still hoping that some day I will be allowed to enjoy the thrill of hunting offenders with an environmentally friendly paint ball gun and Ghilley suit.Bob Lookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08711623028263000283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-4029019033441233072009-03-23T20:55:00.000-04:002009-03-23T20:55:00.000-04:00I just may, thanks. And yes, I have seen many time...I just may, thanks. And yes, I have seen many times, first hand what "day-users" leave behind. I won't call them hikers because hikers take more care and appreciate nature for what it is. <BR/><BR/>email me from my website: www.HikerMania.comAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382513906368360432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-6712934611494670362009-03-22T22:17:00.000-04:002009-03-22T22:17:00.000-04:00Andy,It is both amazing and disgusting..You would ...Andy,<BR/>It is both amazing and disgusting..You would be shocked to see what folks leave... and the quantity...<BR/>Why not join the Old Rag Mountain Stewards and help make a change?Shenandoah Mountain Guideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06988603576367620722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294467798390079933.post-12147840915027322862009-03-22T22:06:00.000-04:002009-03-22T22:06:00.000-04:00It makes me sick to think people are leaving that ...It makes me sick to think people are leaving that trash behind in the park. I am glad you are showing that pic and many thanks are owed to you for carrying that out. <BR/><BR/>There should be heavy fines if one is caught leaving trash behind, I'm talking a $5,000 fine. How hard is it to carry your own trash out of the woods?Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09382513906368360432noreply@blogger.com