LNT TRAINERS CABIN COURSE SNP's Pinnacle Research Station BEAR September 19&20, 2015

 

CourtneyTrustee and I taught 7 new LNT Trainers

The LNT Trainers course teaches and trains students on the knowledge and skills needed to train others about Leave No Trace (LNT)

Below is a link to a recent article about the historic CCC building now used as the Pinnacles Research Station where the class was held.  While volunteer activity of all types is hosted at this building it is primarily used as a base station for scientist doing research in the park.   We enjoyed being able to share this facility with two scientists who are currently doing research in the park.   One scientist was doing research on the park on Wood Rats and the other does research in the park on Native Pollinators and gave a presentation on her field at Big Meadows on Saturday night.

  

http://www.dailyprogress.com/madisonnews/news/funds-being-raised-to-restore-snp-s-pinnacle-research-station/article_d816a154-aca6-11e4-bdb4-5b6af18b5500.html

Here is a little teaser about an SNP Facebook  pollinator posting if you like SNP check out its Facebook Postings

Shenandoah National Park

September 17 at 3:22pm ·

Pollination is a vital stage in the life cycle of all flowering plants.
When pollen is moved within a flower or carried from one flower to another of the same species it leads to fertilization. This transfer of pollen is necessary for healthy and productive native and agricultural ecosystems.
• About 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization.
...

• Most pollinators (about 200,000 species) are beneficial insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, and bees.
Shenandoah National Park is a wonderful place to observe pollinators!

See More

During Class We had a black bear visit us.

If you are interested in North America Bears the following organizations website is an excellent resource.

http://www.bear.org/website/

SNP 2014 LNT Master Educator Course

Pinnacles Research Station Sat. & Sun

Experiential  Learning What 200 Feet Is

Discussing The Route And Practicing Map Reading Skills

40 Acres

When asked about what the worst LNT transgression I had incurred was, I mentioned the fact that I had once started a 40 acre brush fire.    That got me a course handle of 40 Acres.    I liked the handle.  It produced a strong sense of acceptance, goodwill, and fellowship.  When it was used I found it made me laugh.   Somehow it provided a profound sense of comfort in the fellowship of sharing the humility of my own human imperfection.  

In addition, 40 Acres reminded me of the name of a song that has always resonated with me. 

THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT BY HEM:

 

Leaving An Appalachian Trail Viewpoint

Outdoor Educators

East/West OB/NOLS

One Of Our Hosts

He had just gotten back from his Big Bend NP rock climbing certification.

Luck Was With Us And We Were Challenged By Record Rains

 SNP LNT ME TRAINING 2014

 "Life Under The Tarp"

VOTED MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF GEAR

Gnarly Bear Bag Moves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp7_u0kcQRo

Once again....not too many miles from Walton's Mountain

"good-nights"

where heard echoing in the Appalachian mountains. 

Ours were tent-to-tent.

SNP Hazel-Country Hiker's Wayside With A View

The Wayside's View/Entertainment

Owl Puppet Used In Student Class Designed For Children Of All Ages

Instructor And Student Pondering Imponderables

How many raindrops in a torrent?  Do we really need gravity?

Socrates would approve.

Mound Fire Activity

Graduation

BE ON THE LOOK OUT GROUP SHOT

Can you spot the Master Educator?  (trick question)

WORLD HERE THEY COME...

LONG TIME SINCE LAST POST

Crazy me with a mountain cabin that I sometimes enjoy renting in the background.

A group of Trail Patrol trainees.

Robert Kim fresh back from Everest helping on National Trails day.

 

 

Louise, my better half, plant biologist, naturalist, lab manager, adjunct professor, .......



 

Mr. Copperhead.   I seldom see these during the day but see them quite often in the early evening as they begin to move about to hunt.

This is the same Copperhead a few seconds after the first shot.   Notice the tip of my hiking pole in the bottom right.   It is holding a leafy plant out of the way so as to expose a better picture of the well camouflaged Copperhead.

Mrs, Bear  just off Old Rag Saddle Trail had a cub with her but they  wandered out of sight before I could get a picture.

A hollow road leading to the cabin I like to rent.

Mountain Laurel in bloom.

Sunset and rain clouds.

Downpours over Nicholson hollow seen from Old Rag summit.

Rain falling into Weakley Hollow from Old Rag summit.

Enjoy the following pictures from Old Rag summit.   A kaleidoscope of changing views.    Over the changing seasons and changing moments I have been continually profoundly nourished,

 

 

 

Sat&Sun May 19&20, 2012 Old Rag Cottage

There are many commercially available houses, cottages, bed & breakfasts, hotel rooms, cabins and hostels available within a short drive of Shenandoah Natioal Park.    The one pictured below is within a mile of the Lower White Oak Canyon parking lot.

Jason S is one of the Rangers who is at the Old Rag Boundary Station this year.

Bluetts were plentiful especially along the Saddle Trail.

The Mountain Laurel was at its peak.

There are many trails on which hikers can no longer see Lady Slippers from the trail because hiker picked or tried to poach them.    We are very fortunate to stilll be able to see this rare flower from Old Rag's trails.  Please do not disturb any Lady Slippers you see in the future so that  future generations will be able to enjoy them!!!

My friend Louise was visiting from Texas.

We were blessed with a one of Old Rag's often wonderful sunsets.

The lights of Culpepper can be seen in the distance from one corner of the summit of Old Rag.

Not only does this cute little tree frog blend in to the bark of trees but his coloration blends pretty well with Old Rag Granite as well. 

If you are lucky you will get to see one of Shenandoah National Parks Black Bears.   If you are camping or having picnics in Shenandoah National Park you should read up and be smart about bear bags and protecting your food.    Bears that learn about human food are bound to become problem bears that may eventually need to be put down.  

The following link offers good information about North American bears:

http://www.bear.org/website/

 Ursus americanus

SAW MY FIRST FIREFLIES OF 2012!

Louise Casey Clukey Louis Casey Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey

Louise Casey Clukey Louis Casey Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey

Louise Casey Clukey Louis Casey Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey

Louise Casey Clukey Louis Casey Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey Louise Casey-Clukey