NORSA Annual ICE to Signal Knob a Success

Despite our best efforts to bolster the numbers for the ICE, the final count of NORSA adventurers brave enough to make the trip amounted to the traditional and usual three only. Although five people had initially planned to come, two folks were unable to attend on account of conflicting plans. However, the ICE still advanced as planned with a hike and camp to Signal Knob by the remaining three NORSA members slated to go: Tom Saffell, Steven, and NORSA neophyte Steven Splitek, who joins with plenty of previous hiking experience including stints in New Mexico, California, Texas, and Washington State.

After some initial coordination and communication breakdowns which made the trio start out west on Rt. 66 later than anticipated and some terrible pre-hike Pizza Hut service, the hikers hit the trail from the Signal Knob trailhead at about 5:45 p.m. yesterday, February 9, 2008. When it was learned that expert camp-cooker Adam couldn't attend the ICE, the decision of bringing a gas stove was toyed with, then tossed out. Thus, their only provisions were three Nutri-grain bars, a dip-tin of powdered beef jerky, some sunflower seeds, and some cookies Steve's mom had baked, plus some American cheese singles, wheat bread, and trail mix that Steven Splitek had packed separately. So, adequately prepared for whatever challenges they may face, the three set off up the Massanutten Mountain range.

Darkness quickly settled on the George Washington National Forest, and, as the night before had been the end of the new moon, only a thin crescent rose to light the path for the NORSA expedition. For the duration of the 5.5 mile hike, no mishaps befell the party despite two lengthy and difficult boulder scrambles that were conducted almost entirely by feel. Additionally, although the party passed three other worthy campsites complete with fire rings, the decision was made each time to complete the full hike to the peak at Signal Knob. Among those campsites passed over were the Buzzard Rock Overlook, the Fort Valley Overlook, and a site at the intersection of the Meneka Peak Trail and the Signal Knob Trail.

Hard work paid off in the end as the three explorers came within view of the airway beacon that sits atop Signal Knob. Finding the exact same campsite as the 2003 NORSA expedition, the fearless threesome set up camp in the black night and began the search for combustible fuel. Once enough firewood was gathered, Tom was able to, despite the 40 mph wind, build a fire with no fire-starting materials using only 13 common wooden kitchen matches. The fire served as nature’s television while camp stories were told, malt liquor consumed, and general camaraderie enjoyed. While relaxing and reveling, the campers could look out in almost any direction and gaze at the either the city lights of Front Royal in the valley below or the beautiful skyline ridges of the Shenandoahs or the Massanuttens, not to mention the numerous stars above in an area less light-polluted the DC/Metro area from which they had come. Before retiring for the night, Steven Splitek provided the travel-hungry campers with some tasty, foil-prepared grilled cheese sandwiches.

To the surprise of the campers, despite the balmy, Indian summer weather of the night-hike before, the gusty wind had dumped a small coating of snow upon their campsite and the top of the Massanuttens. After watching the sunrise and striking camp, Tom and the Stevens consumed the Nutri-grain bars they had brought and set out for the return hike down the mountain. Successful navigation of the ice-covered rocks to the trail below the snowline did not save the trip from its one and only non-serious mishap, when Steven Splitek tripped over a rock and needed 9 staples for a head laceration at nearby Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal. Despite the profuse bleeding that head wounds always produce, Steven’s NORSA initiation was completed when he finished the final 2 miles hiking with Tom’s sock held against the wound with his baseball cap.

All-in-all, this year’s annual ICE was a huge success. It virtually mirrored the initial institution of the ICE as an annual event, involved below-freezing temperatures, and fostered a fondness for nature in all NORSA members present. In addition to lovely vistas of the Shenandoah Valley, the trip provided excellent exercise, entertainment, and general enjoyment of the outdoors. For those who were unable to attend this year’s ICE, fear not … there’s always next year!