CMC Weekly Hike News
12/08/04
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Looking Ahead....
All Day Saturday & Sunday
ALL DAY No. A0404-277 Dec. 12 Bent Creek Loop #2 8:30 AM Hike 9-10, Drive 20, 1600’ ascent, Rated A-A Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com P400 Note later starting time. A nice Bent Creek loop, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead. We’ll hike part of the MST, to the Lower Sidehill Trail, past Lake Powhatan. A great close-in, cool weather hike. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Skyland; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Half Day Sunday
HALF DAY No. H0404-102 Dec. 12 Coontree Loop 1:30 PM Hike 3.7, Drive 70, Rated C-C Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253 paularww@bellsouth.net P400 After a fairly steep up-hill climb, we will hike along a ridge on the Bennett Gap Trail, with some good views at this time of year. The down-hill portion goes along the side of a pretty creek. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station off Route 276 at 1:45 PM.
Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net and Pat Elias 828-281-3253 peliasy@aol.com . Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.
All Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-409 Dec. 15 Jones Gap/El Lieutenant loop 8:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 80, 1650 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Ann Gleason 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at the Cracker Barrel parking lot (north side) next to Upward Rd., at exit 53 of I 26, at 8:30 AM. Additional meeting place: Jones Gap St. Pk. At 9:00 AM. NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry. Starting at Jones Gap State Park, we will hike up the Jones Gap Trail along the Middle Saluda River, then the Bill Kimball Trail up through the boulders and forest, climbing over the granite face of El Lieutenant. From there, we continue on the Kimball Trail, walk a very short portion of US 276 to our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also trail map of Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-408 Dec. 8 South Mills River Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 30, rated A-C Greg Goodman 828-684-9703 P400 Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 8:30 AM. We take the South Mills River trail to Wolf Ford and on to Squirrel Gap and Horse Cove, then the trail to Funnel top Road and back to the cars.
Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, cowbonetail@yahoo.com . The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.
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Looking Back......
All Day Saturday & Sunday
ALL DAY No. A0404-076 Dec. 5 Craggy to Little Snowball 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 8.2, Drive 18, 2650’ ascent, Rated B-AADon Walton 828-298-5084 walt7258@bellsouth.net From Bee Tree Gap at Craggy Gardens, hike a short distance on the MST, and then the Snowball Trail over High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.) to the site of the Little Snowball Tower. The Tower was removed years ago and the trees cleared recently for great views of the mountains. If the BRP is closed, we will drive in from the Barnardsville end of the road. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also MST Profiles page 65
Post Hike Report: Twelve
outdoor enthusiasts, gathered at Bee Tree Gap to venture out to the new tower
site. I was very pleased to see a number of trail maintenance crew workers on
the hike. This is a step towards more cooperative communication between our two
missions, hiking and trail maintenance. It is unplanned and planned activities
like this that will make our club stronger. We easily climbed Snowball Mtn on
our way out to Hawkbill, our first great views. there we discussed the exact
location of the old Blackberry Inn and I still do not know the exact location. We
hiked on out to Little Snowball Tower Site where the CMC has removed most of the
trees on top of the site to bring back the 360' views. We had a long lunch there
trying to pinpoint the name and location of the important peaks around us. We
returned with more up hill then the coming out but all returned to the cars at
an early 2:30 time. Don Walton
ALL DAY No. A0404-400 Dec. 5 Ferrin Knob via Spencer Branch and Trace Ridge (moderate) 8:30 AM Hike 8-9, Drive 42, 1500’ ascent, Rated B-A Barbara Passmore 828-667-8684 bpsss354@netzero.com P400 Note later start time. Another moderate Ferrin Knob hikes, but designed to cover some seldom-hiked trails for P400 aspirants. We will hike past the Henderson-ville Reservoir, ascend on Spencer Branch and Spencer Gap Trails, to our lunch spot atop 4064’ Ferrin Knob, the former site of a fire tower. Return via the MST and the Trace Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge Trailhead at 9:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map of Pisgah Ranger District.
Post Hike Report: When Ruth, Jan, and I scouted the Dec. 5 hike, we tentatively concluded that the hike was more strenuous than moderate. Bruce, who planned the hike on paper, did not necessarily think so. But then he actually completed the hike on Sunday and concluded that instead of a moderate "B-A, 8.5 mile, 1500 feet of elevation hike" that the hikers had completed an "A-AA, 11 mile, 2200 feet of elevation" hike. We think that perhaps the "moderate" hike that we completed was more strenuous than the hike labeled as such, and we are very happy about that. A total of 4 hikers completed the varied hike, with lunch atop Ferrin Knob. We listened to rushing water, gained very steep inclines, survived downhills, dodged bikers, enjoyed each other's company and marveled about the beautiful weather. It was a happy experience.
Half Day Sunday
HALF-DAY No. H0404-392 Dec. 5 Christmount 1:30 PM Hike 4-5 miles, Drive 4, Rated C-B Tommie Boston 828-686-5029 (Cell phone for leader after 12:45 PM is 828-273-2638) Tambee2@aol.com This hike has two strenuous up-hill climbs, but a nice winter view atop Glade Mountain. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate at 12:45 and meet hike leader at 1:30 PM at McDonald’s in Black Mountain, Exit 64 off I-40 East.
Post Hike Report: Twelve outdoor enthusiasts, eight of them new to the club, explored the winter terrain of Christmount's private acreage near the town of Black Mountain. After a steep climb to Glade Mtn, we all had a thrilling slide down a leaf luge that might have been a trail before the foliage fell this fall. It was a beautiful hike on a beautiful day with a beautiful temperature. Tommie Boston
All Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-377 Dec. 1 Bent Creek Ramble to Sleepy Gap 9:00 AM Hike 7-8, Drive 20, Rated B-C Gerry McNabb, 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net P400 An easy hike from the Bent Creek Rd parking area on several trails in the Lake Powhatan area. If trail conditions allow, we’ll climb the Stambaugh Trail to Sleepy Gap at the Parkway and return in a loop.
Post Hike Report: If I do this hike 6-mile again, I would have it leaving at 9:30 instead of 9. After winding our way from the Hardtimes Trailhead Parking area, we found ourselves at Sleep Gap neither sleepy or hungry. It was only 11 a.m. But, we ate anyway, on the lee side of the grassy slope to escape the 24-35 mph winds that battered us throughout the morning. Rain had been predicted and only 12 were on the hike. As it turned out, the weather cleared that morning and it was a beautiful day after all. We had a cumulative elevation gain of some 1100 feet and returned to the cars at 1:30 p.m. Gerry
HikingNews....
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Christmas Day hike
What are you doing on Christmas Day? Let's start a new tradition. If you want to skip the relatives and the 4,000 calory meal, come hiking. Tom Bindrim is leading an 8 mile hike with about 1100 feet of altitude gain, suitable for everyone. We will meet at Westgate at 9 A.M. on Christmas morning. An early dinner afterwards, for those who want it. Please, if you are planning to come, let me know - Danny Bernstein (236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org
Linville Gorge Trail group Forms
I moderate a "Yahoo group Linvillegorge" and invite CMC members
with special interest in this enchanted Wilderness to join. This group is
focused exclusively on Linville. Members provide updates on trail and road
conditions, discuss USFS policies and management issues, Contribute to a GPS map
of unpublished trails, suggest NEW trails, report incidents such as fire, flood,
car break-in, vandalism, littering and unauthorized trail building. The group
intends to support the Adopt-a- trail program but is not affiliated with the
USFS. Photos and personal adventures are welcome. Go to Yahoo Groups:
Linvillegorge. Bob Underwood
Snow News is Good News!
Winter Trails® Day will be January 8, 2005 at more than 100 locations around the country. The event, now in its 10th year, offers people the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits with these easy-to-learn winter sports. Winter Trails is a program of American Hiking Society and SnowSports Industries America and is a part of SIA’s Winter Feels Good. Log on to www.WinterTrails.org to find an event near you!
Orange You Glad You Look Good in Orange?
We all enjoy walking off the holiday pie on a beautiful autumn hike when the air is crisp but do be aware that hunting season may now be open in your neck of the woods. Check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources or Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for specific dates.
Across much of our country rifle season opened after Thanksgiving, so be sure to wear “hunter orange” when hiking through wooded areas. Wearing an orange hat, vest, and/or pack cover can help alert hunters to your presence and increase your level of safety. Having that same orange item in your pack even when it’s not hunting season is helpful if you’re ever lost and need to get found or want to mark a tree when going off-trail for a spell. It doesn’t need to be high-tech; it doesn’t need to be expensive; it just needs to be high-visibility orange.
NYC and DC Adventure Travel Events
Just in time to kick off the new year and make those next adventure-travel vacation plans, American Hiking Society will be exhibiting at the Adventures in Travel Expos in both New York City and Washington, DC, to help you find one that’s just right for you. The New York show is the weekend of January 14-16 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Washington, D.C show is the weekend of January 28-30 and is at the Washington Convention Center. Public hours for both shows are Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 11-4.
The Expo’s 500 exhibitors will feature over 70 seminars, personal appearances and book signings by well-known adventurers and explorers, practical demonstrations by outfitters and leading photographers, and activities such as rock climbing walls and adventure courses.
Adventures in Travel is proud to support American Hiking and is offering our members a $5 discount on admission. To receive your discounted pass, please log onto www.adventureexpo.com , click on the show you wish to attend and then click on the REGISTER FOR TICKETS icon. Below your name enter the special American Hiking coupon code “NYAHS” for the NYC show or “DCAHS” for the DC show. (These codes go into effect 3-4 weeks prior to each show.) So don’t just sit there...lace up your boots and capture the adventure!
Joe Cirvello’s trip to Nepal, etc. Revised 12/05/04
Joe Cirvello is on an extended trip around the Orient, and has been sending occasional e-mails describing his trip. The following items are from his e-mails.
10-12 Departure from GSP to Kathmandu, Nepal, via Atlanta, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
e-mail of 11-5:
Hello everyone! Am now in hotel in Kathmandu. I finished my 15 day trek yesterday and took the world's most exciting plane ride to Kathmandu. It takes off downhill high in the mtns. on a short airstrip, and soars into space heading towards a mtn. like jumping off on a hang glider.
The trek in the Everest region (Khumbu) was much harder than I anticipated because of altitude. I wonder if Ray Sanow found it as difficult to hike at those altitudes as I did. I quickly learned that one must put one foot in front of the other in a very slow and deliberate manner. The body isn't getting adequate oxygen and you simply must go very slowly. And you don't get very far before you begin hearing and seeing the Rescue Helicopters taking away people with Acute Mtn. Sickness, which causes pulmonary or cerebral edema and can kill you if you don't descend . People were being affected at around 12000 ft. From then on, I was seeing the helicopters daily. It costs about $2000 for a rescue, and your normal health insurance doesn't cover it. I was lucky and had no altitude sickness, but I did get the common "Khumbu Cough" and still have it. Met trekkers from many countries, but not many from USA, and most are with groups.
The beauty of the mtns. and valleys takes your breath away, like the altitude, but everyone gets tired of going to sleep and waking up in a tiny, freezing cubicle; going to bathroom in a tiny freezing outhouse with a hole in the floor; wearing dirty, smelly clothes every day; and not having a shower for a couple of weeks (because of the cold). It gets old fast.
I'm glad I did it for the beauty, but there were many times when I could barely make my legs move up and up and up, and I kept wondering why I was doing it. But I made it up to 18,222 ft.!! And had spectacular views! And I must have seen a ton of Yak poop and pee along the trails. I should mention that the porters that most groups use are amazing in their ability to carry incredible loads, sometimes with only flip-flops on their feet, and they pass you with ease.........and they are just skinny little guys!
I was extremely fortunate to be in the mtns. during a major annual festival at a famous Buddhist monastery. I altered my plans in order to get there in time, and it was a lifetime experience.....hope my slides turn out!
Am now taking a few days to relax in Kathmandu..... among the hordes who want to sell me something. The hot shower was heavenly, I got my smelly clothes cleaned, and I am WARM! Next I will go to a different part of Nepal, where I hope I do not encounter the Maoists, and when I am ready, I will go to India and leave Bombay on Nov. 26 for Bangkok/Cambodia, then to Hong Kong, and will be back in NC Dec. 14.
e-mail of 11-6:
Yesterday i went to a famous place here in Kathmandu and watched human bodies being put on a funeral pyre and cremated along a sacred river that runs down into the Ganges. It is a strange experience that I cannot describe.
Tomorrow I am going to a city called Pokhara for a couple of days, then down into India where I expect to be hassled to death.
e-mail of 11-8:
Wednesday I am leaving Pokhara to go to India and my first stop will be the Taj Mahal....of course! Getting there from here is going to be a bit of an adventure, and am hoping all my connections work out. After that I’ll play it by ear.
e-mail of 11-14:
Hi........left Nepal a few days ago; two bumpy, crowded bus trips, a night in a mosquito-infested room (began taking Malaria med. prior to leaving Nepal) followed by the Train Ride From Hell, which lasted 15 hours. On the train you sleep on a plastic covered bench with no cover or pillow, and after dark it became surprisingly cold. Of course, locals brought blankets and pillows. So I had to wear everything I had left (mailed back most stuff after trekking) and try to improvise a pillow. Fortunately, I brought a padlock with me and there is a place under the bench to which you can lock your bag. The train was due to arrive in Agra, India at 5 a.m., and of course, it's up to you to wake up in time to get off the train.....and with all the noise, you cannot hear an alarm if you have one. If not for my earplugs, I would not have gotten ANY sleep. Met a nice guy from Nepal who offered to wake me in time to debark. Turned out that train didn't arrive until after 8a.m.
At station, Tourist Info Office closed. Outside, I was swamped by Rickshaw guys. Anyway, I got to a cheap hotel with a rooftop place to eat with terrific views of the Taj Mahal......my reason to be here. Spent a few hours there and it is exquisite!! Am learning the ropes here in India and enjoying it.....so far. Tomorrow I catch bus to Jaipur.
e-mail of 11-15:
Some things I wanted to mention but forgot........at the train station in India men are sleeping on the floor and cows are wandering around on the platform, since they are sacred they go where they want.....and plop where they want. Outside the station there was a place with open air urinals, no concealment at all. Here in Agra, in the old section where I am staying, cows are strolling on every street, with an occasional pig, and the streets are jammed with motorscooters, motorcycles, pedal rickshaws, motorized rickshaws, bicycles, you name it. They all drive like maniacs, and horns blow continuously.
I happen to be in Agra during a major festival called Diwali, which goes on for about 5 days, and the major purpose seems to be to explode as many kinds of fireworks as you can, every minute. And since there is apparently no law about fireworks, many of them sound like mortor shells exploding near your feet. Periodically, I check to see if my eardrums are bleeding. The people love it though, and last night when I got back to town after dark, the whole city was lit up just like an American town at Xmas (I mean with Xmas lights).
I have long ago learned the importance of always carrying toilet paper, and that the rolls with Chinese writing on them are nearly useless; also they have imitation perforations, which I didn't think possible, so they will NOT tear on the perforations. Also a good idea to carry a flashlight because the power is always going off.
One last thing, but a very nice one. Since the emperor built the Taj Mahal as a memorial to his love for his dead wife, someone described the Taj as: "A resplendent, immortal teardrop on the cheek of time."
e-mail of 11-18:
Am now in a village called Pushkar. Came here because the guidebook told of the annual "Camel Fair" here and called it one of the incredible sights of the world, which can only be seen here and on the correct date. By luck, or Karma, I happened to be in the area and so I got to see it this morning. First I hiked up a small mountain for a wonderful view of Pushkar and the lake it surrounds. Then went down and over to the camels. It is a gathering of hundreds of camels to be sold or traded. I walked into the middle of it and was the only Westerner, because it was still a little early for the tour groups. This part of India is desert, and so I was walking in sand. I tried talking to some of the camel owners/traders, but no English. So I just walked, stopped and watched, and walked some more. It was a fascinating experience!
Other tidbits: a couple of days after I left Kathmandu, the Maoist insurgents exploded their biggest bomb yet in that city! Soldiers boarded my bus a couple of times looking for Maoists. And while in Agra I debated going to New Delhi but decided to skip it cause of crowds/pollution etc. and then read that there was a stampede of people at the Delhi main railroad station because hordes of people were trying to get trains home for a holiday......3 or 4 people trampled to death.
Young Indians call me "Uncle" apparently due to my grey beard and age. I kind of enjoy it.
Indian food is terrific!!!!! Have been gaining weight since I stopped trekking, but really enjoying the different foods..........and am finding solace and comfort every day in chocolate.......
Just got my bus ticket and will leave for Udaipur tomorrow (Friday). Am enjoying hearing from those who feel like writing...........
e-mail of 11-25:
Have had difficulty finding any computers lately. Am now in Bangkok airport and will fly to Cambodia this afternoon. They are now trying to locate my checked bag! Been up since 1a.m. for a 5 a.m. flight from Bombay to here. In Cambodia will give another update, assuming a computer is available. Happy Thanksgiving? Lost track of all that....
e-mail of 12-5:
Shortly after arriving in Cambodia, on 11/26, I had a momentary lapse of caution and my travelers checks and credit cards were stolen. For the next 3 days I went nuts trying to deal with it. It's nearly impossible to accomplish anything here. Phones are terrible, internet is usually maddeningly slow or not working, and English is difficult . AmEx and MasterCard have collect phone nos. but Cambodia doesn't allow collect calls. And I could not find a way of reporting these thefts via AmEx or Mcard websites. Apparently, it must be done only by phone, and in a country where the phones don't work, like here, you're out of luck. After hours of trying, over a couple of days, I finally got credit card cancelled, and travelers checks stopped. However, contrary to AmEx claims, I won't be able to get reimbursed by them in Cambodia. And some of my monthly bills in the US are automatic-ally paid by credit card......which is now cancelled. By luck, the thief did not get my passport or plane tickets!
Now I have to mention something almost unbelievable. Three days after being robbed, I got into a conversation at my little hotel with a woman from the U.S. and when she heard that I was robbed she whipped out a $100 bill and insisted that I take it.....and she didn't even know my name! So there are still some good people around. And she isn't wealthy. I was stunned, and don't know if I would do the same in her place. And due to the fact that it just happened to occur over Thanksgiving weekend, I had to wait 4 days for money to arrive. My only reason to be here was to satisfy a dream of many years to see Angkor Wat (a few miles away) and I couldn't go there because I couldn't afford the entrance fee of $20 for one day......until Vicky loaned me the hundred, then I got a 7 day pass for $60, because there is an incredible amount to see in Angkor besides Angkor Wat.
So many things have happened since I last had a chance to email about the camel trading in India. If I can, and email is working, I'll tell you more. I will go to Bangkok Dec. 8 and and e-mail etc may be better (or worse!) there.