A Balanced Trip

9-18-07

A balanced trip takes the right distance, the right amount of time, the right trail, and does not walk under this tree at the wrong time!

Hanging Out

Noticed this flowering jewelweed plant hanging out next to some nettles, roots, moss and a small falls on 8-28-07. As for the SMG crew, in the last several weeks we might have been found hanging out at any of the following places:

in a rain storm with GWU students

guiding climbers in the GW National forest

guiding climbers in SNP

guiding climbers at the Frederick Co., VA Sheriff's Camp

guiding hiking on various trails in SNP

climbing personally at Franklin, WV, the Red, the New, and the most dirty, loose cliffs in WV

swimming in a multitude of swimming holes.

Living the good life!



Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar hanging out near the trail on a guided hike.

Before and After

8 - 10 - 2007

If a picture's worth a thousand words then zoom in on these faces. Sometimes it feels like we have to drag ourselves kicking and screaming to make that hike, rappel off that edge, or slide that slide, but in the end the face says it all. It's totally worth it!

Boys in the Wood

Aug 4 - Aug 10, 2007
When we leave our comfort zone we stand to learn a lot about life. For seven days the ten of us learned through paddling, climbing and living out of a pack. Although everyone under 25 started the week having never spent a night in the woods, much is learned through thunderstorms, struggles, and six summer nights.

Hot and Cool

8 - 6 - 07
A hot and fast hike up the mountain was followed by a very cool day of climbing. After a few great climbs at the Skyline wall it was the beauty of the evening light, victory, and a cool breeze for chilling on the Old Rag summit. We made it back late, tired, and smiling.

8 - 3 - 07

Slippery Sods

Hanging from a slippery sloper in Dolly Sods, WV and doing a little water bouldering. I guess that's what you do when you've had enough river tromping, water sliding, rock jumping, and you're still looking for some more high adventure.

Ponderables

With the Nature Conservancy
7 - 25 - 07

When the goal is to discuss nature's conservation, how long is it appropriate just to enjoy nature? When will wolves again run free and American Chestnuts stand tall in Shenandoah National Park? If Adirondack National Park creates an invaluable source of fresh water for New York City, how do we show the world that parks are financially viable and fiscally responsible? If many species we see are invasive, The dominant tree (chestnut) and predators are gone, then what has been conserved? How can we think bigger and help more?

Zeb walks on water

July 16 - 20, 2007

The high adventure "Zeb" program spent much of their packed week in the water. From Shenandoah, VA to Dolly Sods, WV, canyons were descended. Caves and cliffs were also descended. A great week!

High Adventure

July 8 - 13, 2007

Camp Rock Enon's Zeb, high adventure program led by us (SMG) is just that. Whether climbing or rappelling a large cliff in VA or WV, swimming a hundred yards through frigid cave water, canyoneering, mountain biking, or just team building the adventures won't be forgotten.

Summer Vacation

June 28 - July 01, 2007

My Summer Vacation in Shenandoah was amazing! I saw many great views from the Skyline Drive. But the views were so much bigger from the Appalachian Trail, or from the top of the rocks I climbed. I saw lots of waterfalls. I jumped off rocks into crystal clear water. I slid a natural water slide. I liked the locals too; the Rattlesnake I stepped over was nice and didn't even rattle. I accidentally interrupted a Black Bear while he was eating a dinner of ants but he just turned and walked away. I hope he finished his meal after we passed though. I had fun and learned a lot, but the best part was hanging out with Dad.

Normal Rockwell

July, 1 - July, 6 2007

No it's not a Norman Rockwell painting you see above, just a normal view into Camp Rock Enon's Mountaineering Week. There were many Rockwell like scenes from the week. Those scenes include a group of boys enjoying hot drinks during a cool evening's sunset from one of four high cliffs where we sat in Shenandoah. Another scene is that of the same group trying to look 360 degrees at once so we wouldn't miss any fireworks exploding in the valleys all around. Perfect weather, a great week on the trail.

Enjoying the Va,IEWS

Enjoying Shenandoah Va views with us this week were folks from VA, MD, NC, NH, CO, S. Africa, Southern Living mag and probably a few more. Good times had by all.

What's better?

If anyone knows a better way to bring in the summer than going out with good folks and canyoneering, please let us know, we want to lead those trips, too.

Skunk in the Meadow with you

6-20-07
After Search and Rescue training a relaxed walk in the Meadow is sweet. Watch out for this family of five skunks, they might be cute but momma can spray you from 10 feet.

6 - 17 - 07

Spent some time looking at the wildflowers in the morning, saw this guy in the afternoon. It's amazing what you find when you're looking.

Fresh Air

A lot like this bear, we spent the day enjoying the fresh mountain air. We spent some quality time hanging out above a lot of that fresh air on the side of a hundred foot rock. Once finished climbing and rappelling with the group I decided to go bouldering alone. While I climbed, a bear lingered nearby. I'm not sure which one of us was more interested in the other, with me climbing rocks and the bear searching for grubs. But as with the earlier part of the day, I think everyone enjoyed the company.

Blue Ridge Bounty

June 7-9 07

Our second day hiking revealed Shenandoah’s diverse wildlife. First we watched Peregrine Falcons in flight then we headed to the water. In a pool near the first waterslide we watched this common water snake eat tadpoles as a frog enjoyed a dip. More waterslides, good company and rock climbing were also enjoyed.

Guides go Big

Before the summer rush a couple guides managed to slip out for vacation. It started with some deep water soloing in West Va. before hopping a plane for the Zion canyon lands in Utah and some rock climbing at Red Rocks Nevada.



The rock in Zion is incredible! The sheer walls of Zion form immense mountains of Navajo sandstone. Here are some pictures of the stone on a small scale.



The canyons we chose to descend were mostly technical and included rappelling, wet or dry suits and some canyoneering specific techniques. We descended Keyhole, Das Boot, The Subway, Kolob, part of the Narrows and Imlay.



Even in the above 90 degree temps it can be very cold while descending the beautiful but dark canyons. In the picture above Brian shivers in his dry suit while Jeremy starts a long chained rappel. The picture below shows one of us doing push-ups to warm up after a swim.



We rounded out the trip with some bouldering and some hot climbing in Red Rocks, the home of the Horned Lizard pictured below. It was an unforgettable trip.

Hanging in Shenandoah

A great couple of days with Cisco, Southern Living, and this guy, a Red Spotted Newt in the Eft Stage. Hanging next to waterfalls, on the porch of the lodge, in a forest covered with flowers, and off the side of Old Rag with new friends. This is the life.

Living Large

5-05-07

Cruising down the river or watching Eagles cruise overhead, you can't help but have a good time.

High Angle Rescue

The staff at Shenandoah Mountain Guides is delighted to announce our successful completion of the Eastern High Angle Rescue Course! The course was held April 23-27 at Shenandoah National Park.
A fully loaded week of the many skills learned and practiced included all the elements of several types of technical high angle rescue. From litter tending on wet vertical rock, to rigging hull systems, to ascending on the jungle penetrator into the park police's Eagle One helicopter the course was extremely educational. The fun wasn't limited to learning new search and rescue skills. We took joy in showing off our home park, night climbing with students and instructors on Old Rag and Stony Man mountains and teaching anchor systems.
New friends, a wealth of new knowledge and ultimately the preparedness to keep endangered lives alive. What an awesome week! Thanks to all our extremely competent instructors and to Shenandoah National Park for this opportunity.

Virginia's Waterfalls Weep

Life goes on in the Blue Ridge.
We start atop a mountain on what poses as a winter morning. The fog and cold accentuate a feeling left from Monday's tragedy. It unfolded not so many miles south of where we stand. Soon we are aware of the earliest signs of spring. The yellow buds of Spicebush with their lemon scent, and Redbud, which adorns the woods with Tech burgundy. We reach water and begin to follow it down. The stream weeps over smooth stone slabs, falls, narrow chutes, and flowers beginning to bloom. Trilliums, Chickweed, Spring-beauties, Buttercups, Bloodroot, Cutleaf Toothwart, Wild Geraniums, varied Violets, Bluets and many others are proof of renewed life. The blooms show us frailty, beauty, and change. All this alongside the power of the water and the permanence of rock. We are in awe of these creations. Like budding trees on a beautiful spring day we begin to heal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected.

Warmth

Bloodroot springs, from cold

Ice falls and crack climbs invite



New season, new joys

Winter Wonders

Along the AT

Nov 6 2006

A milkweed seed opens its chute and prepares to soar over the Shenandoah Valley.

A great hike on a beautiful day! Complete with views of ice in the shadows, fifty degree sunshine and hot chocolate on the roof of Shenandoah. Throw in some good company and a pinch of wildlife watching and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable day!

After a short break hikers prepare to move out.

A ROMP on Old Rag

A ROMP on Old Rag
Nov 4 2006


The group listens as park botanists speak.


Around 40 participants gathered amid the falling leaves for the park service led Rock Outcrop Management Project field trip. The very first arrivals were greeted with warm doughnuts and muffins from the Apple Hill Bakery. In the morning's freezing temps, the doughnuts cooled quickly but the donated coffee from Central Coffee Roasters stayed hot and everyone had their fill.

The morning treats brought by SMG were later used to coerce participants into carrying around trash bags all day. Maybe it was the coffee or maybe it was the cold but it was a quick trip up the mountain despite making new friends and chatting with old. Stops were made at various points of interest near the top of the mountain. The group discussed problems, solutions, and alternative solutions. The day got nicer, the ideas got brighter, the trash bags got filled. Some stayed around to climb the classic cracks. Some centered their attention on the trash-cluttered cracks at the summit. Most just had to head home.

One guide spent too much time looking for antique litter and ended up hiking down alone with a ripped trash bag. As the hole in the bag expanded, the bag moved from one hand, to two, to a bear hug position where the ragged rip could be eyed so no litter could fall back out. What could get out was the smell of the not-so-old sardine can. But if taking a large bag of trash off the top of the mountain doesn’t make it seem worth it, a doughnut, a cup of coffee and a country road will.

Buried in the clean-up and hoping that the jacket is ripstop.

In Between the Inns

Oct 23-24 2006

Stunning views of fall and all its glory dominated our Inn-to-Inn hike. The cool air and clear views transported us to somewhere much farther than Virginia. On day one we enjoyed the birds-eye perspective of a ridge hike on the AT and on day two we dropped into the forest for a closer look. We opted for the falls of the Rose River loop and were not let down. Then again sunlight shining through warm fall colors on a crisp autumn day seldom disappoints.


(Neither of the large falls seen on the loop, just fall)

Holes to Heaven

Oct 19, 2006

Driving out of a sea of valley fog into the peak color of the mountaintops at sunrise was perfect preparation for the day.
With the valley washed in white only the vibrant foliage at around 3500' could be seen as we hiked down to Lewis Falls (the third largest in the park). A picture is worth a thousand words.

Open Invitation

Open Invitation

(Old Rag summit area)

Hello friends,

As you all know, fall is here. The color is in at higher elevation, days are getting shorter, ice is forming not to far north, and the ROMP (Rock Outcrop Management Project) Old Rag field trip on Nov 4 is rapidly approaching. At Shenandoah Mountain Guides we are excited about this opportunity to work with other climbers and the park in developing a sustainable outcrop management plan for our best local climbing area.

Having spent countless trips climbing and hiking on the mountain we have, as you have, noticed many changes. One unfortunate detriment to the mountain is the large amount of trash piled up in the many cracks and fissures surrounding the summit area. We truly believe that most of this is not left due to heedless hikers, but rather, that the challenge and danger of removing carelessly lost items overcomes wilderness ethic. Enter climbers. We not only thrive on challenge and danger, but we love nothing better than squirming our bodies into and out of course granite cracks!

We are proposing a post ROMP field trip, summit area cleanup. We will bring hefty trash bags, gear, ropes and maybe a snack but we could use some more manpower. We will be spending a couple beautiful fall hours removing human impact from an area which has greatly impacted our lives.

Steve Bair, the Backcountry, Wilderness and Trails Manager for the park has given the cleanup the go ahead and would like to sign up the clean-up participants on-site as Park volunteers so volunteer hours and contributing personnel can be credited.

We look forward to the field trip, as well as the clean up and hope to see you all there!

(Come on out!)

Fall & Falls

Fall & Falls

with Evergreen Enterprises

Oct 14, 2006

Hikers enjoyed a stunning fall day on the Jones Run loop, watching the leaves and water fall over four cascades. Days like these leave one wanting to linger longer next to a falls, but as the leaves twirl down it seems the temperature follows and you realize the summer is gone.

A late bloomer enjoys the view.

Jones fall color