Over the Abyss

In Shenandoah we climb on the meta-basalt of an ancient volcano with one hundred feet of exposed lava from the ages long past under our feet. A sweeping vista of large green trees extends 3000 feet below. A cool breeze carrying a heavy fog flows up from the valley and the view goes from muted, to ghostly, to gone completely. The climbing then belongs only to the space directly adjacent to our hands and feet and limited field of vision. The abyss below is gone and the mind wonders whether fifty feet of stone have passed or was it five hundred? And then it's the top!
The climb was exhilarating and it feels like this...
 

If climbing over the abyss isn't for you, there are plenty of other things to see on the side of an ancient volcano.

 

 Climbing over the abyss West Virginia style.  So much fun.

 

One  more from the top of Shenandoah.

Things That Pop in the Rain and the Sun

 

There are many things to see in the mountains, not all of them belong to the sunny days.  Here's natures perfect chandelier glistening in its uniqueness.

 

From a step back you can see more of the Tall Meadow Rue plant which captured so much of the fog and rain and made the side of the trail shimmer.  

The Pink Lady Slipper Orchids pop from the side of the trail as well, although it might take a little hike to find them.

 But even form the roadside the views aren't bad.

Especially since the Azalea's are still blooming at the higher elevations.

Red Eft Newts love it when its wet so watch your step on the rainy days.

And if it does clear up...

... the scenery will still be there,

 

 the Scarlet Tanagers will be chirping,

 

the azaleas and ferns as well,

 

Mr. Chippy might even poke his head out as you walk by,

The bugs will be back as well,

This Bee Fly will go back to pollinating with his professional proboscis, 

 

and the other bugs will go back to doing whatever it is they do,

 

as will butterflies, (Mourning Cloak if you were wondering)

 

The No tailed Skinks will scurry out and try to be more cautious,

 

and the Blue Tailed Skinks will show them how its done,

 

and we will be out as well.  On the trail, in the boats, on the rock, in the boats on the way to the rock, we will be there. Hope to see you ... even if it's raining.

Last Summers Fun

Just got some pics in the mail from one of last summers great family trips and had to put one up because....

If this is you and your mom on summer vacation, then you are definitely the coolest kid in school. (notice the earring)...  Hands down coolest.

Balance in Motion

Whether dropping off the top of a boulder problem, climbing upward over wet rock, or negotiating the fog of a bureaucracy, there is balance in motion. In all of our pursuits I hope we are moving in the right direction.

Here's a couple more pictures of balance in motion on Old Rag mountain.

Forget the Camera

"in all excursions, when danger is realized, thought is quickened, common care buried, and pictures of wild, immortal beauty are pressed into the memory, to dwell forever." - John Muir

 On today's trip we saw a fat, happy, and venomous Copperhead. The guest from Colorado had just finished saying how it was better than seeing a bear. I agreed, stating that it was a lot more rare, and we stopped for a breather at a small picturesque waterfall. Just then we noticed the mother and her two cubs casually walking the hillside across the stream. Luck is always better when you forget the camera!

Spring Schmorgisbord

It's spring! Which means all kinds of craziness, including the weather. A couple days ago we received a few inches of snow here in the mountains and atop Mary's Rock many of the budding trees were covered in ice!



For the sixth year now Shenandoah Mountain Guides has been involved with the National Park Services Eastern High Angle Technical Rescue course (now BTR-E). At first we were students but for the past few years we have helped teach as part of the instructor cadre. This year Andy, Jeremy, and I(Chad) had the honor of being involved as lead instructors of our teams. Although this year was the largest student class to date, as usual, it was a safe and highly successful year!

One of our training venues the High Point state monument, as seen from the outside above, and inside below.

The kind of rangers you want coming to the rescue! Blue team, complete with a Turkey feather (below).

Below are a few pics from the Spring Smorgasbord, starting with a Sunfish.

Wild Azaleas blooming through the snow.

Man, the mountains and the dog, life is good!

Cool days, canoes and cormorants (birds on the rocks). Life is still good.

Boys on the summit with a Shenandoah valley fires' smoke beyond.

Canada goose eggs on the riverside. What a nice warm nest they make.

Dad enjoys a break below the waterfall while his son enjoys the view through the eyeglass.

Making sure the dog stays warm and the hot dogs get cooked later!

Wild Ginger blooming in a tree. The small purple flower grows right on the dirt and can be seen if you zoom in.

Butterflys and BTR-E

The beautiful Luna moth is one of the largest of North America's moths and although common is not seen very often.  They are more active at night and only have an adult life span of one week. Being able to capture one of them on a Dogwood in bloom is quite possibly the prettiest picture I've ever taken.

When I first saw these two butterflies I was sure one was a Tiger Swallowtail and the other a Black Swallowtail and that there was a multi-species relationship going on.  But after extensive research I learned that female Tiger Swallowtails "may be either yellow or black, making them dimorphic. The yellow morph is similar to the male, while the dark morph is almost completely black." It is actually a picture of two Tiger Swallowtails. Wow, bet you never thought you would learn that today!

A Zebra Swallowtail on a Garlic Mustard leaf.

My, what nice antenna you have, Spring Azure.

These guys are happy to be alive.  But just one picture of BTR-E (Basic Technical Rescue - East) for now cause I am only able to update with my cell phone pictures today. More will be forthcoming.

Missing the Spring

"Things that hurt, instruct" -Benjamin Franklin




The Old Rag Mountain Stewards are taking the spring off and I will truly miss the time spent with the volunteers and the friendly interactions with the other mountain users. Be careful up there, response can be painfully slow, hopefully the Stewards will be back to speeding things along in the fall.



After a great Steward get together and camp out last Saturday some of the Stewards took advantage of the free Sunday with hiking and climbing around the Maryland Heights area!





An Easter cross some hikers must have posted on top of Old Rag sometime over the weekend or Monday (when I saw it).






Redbud over a waterfall, what a beautiful time of year.