Old Rag Mountain Hike

Sunday, July 19, 2009 - The NORSA summer hiking series is a sampler of local hikes in the Washington, DC area, this year including outings in the Monongahela National Forest, Shenanadoah National Park, Rock Creek Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Catoctin Mountain Park. In July the series kicked into full gear as Team NORSA members Matt, Nora, Leo, Laura, Steven S, and Emily headed to Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.  Old Rag is a staple hike in the Blue Ridge in northern Virginia.  This moderate, approximately 7 mile loop winds through switchbacks, boulders, and crags to reach a summit of 3291 feet (1003m) and near 360-degree vistas.  The event accidentally, but fortuitously, coincided with one of this summer's fee free weekends in the National Parks.   The mountain was surprisingly not crowded on a clear day during the free weekend.

Although arguably already a NORSA member, this event marks Laura's debut in a NORSA article.  Congratulations, Laura!

The Old Rag features a notorious section of rock scrambling, requiring upper body strength, teamwork, guts, and glory.  Tactical pants are recommended to allow for sliding on one's butt and to avoid scraping one's legs in the tough spots.

Overall the best advice for conquering the mountain was given by another group of hikers; "remember to breathe, it is good for your lungs."

The group made it to the top with only a slight hiccup which required some bushwacking.  Leo's beefy Hawaiian arm allowed the group to make up some time.  No doubt previous NORSA outings on the Billy Goat Trail and Duncan Knob ensured that all were prepared to "rock it out".
 

After enjoying lunch at the summit, the trip down to the parking area was relatively uneventful.  The trip back to DC was more eventful in that it involved a meal at Cracker Barrel.  Many hungry Americans were doing what hungry Americans do best.

Stay tuned for future NORSA summer hiking series action!

DITRT 2009 Recap

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, Steven L. completed his second Diamond in the Rough Triathlon, while proudly wearing his NORSA jersey. The DITRT is a compromised Olympic-distance Triathlon, consisting of a 1 mile (1600k) Swim, a 27 Mile (43.5k) Bike and a 5 Mile (8k) Run. Steven was able to cut about 8 ½ minutes from his 2008 race time, finishing in 2:47:15. Complete Results.

About 450 competitors met in Perryville, MD, located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. The swim was full of itchy grass and competitive athletes who weren’t afraid to push others out of their way. Yet again, Steven found himself lacking a wet suit, and hopes NORSA will obtain one for him in the next fiscal year. The bike took competitors through rolling countryside. Steven remembered this bike course from last year, so the mile-long hell-climb at mile 20 was no surprise to him. The run was a flat out-and-back along the river, which was accompanied by a steady breeze coming off the water.

Competitors were parked-in until roads re-opened, so the post-race party was large and fun. Your typical race fare was provided, including roast-beef and turkey sandwiches and fruit. Steven had a great time at this mid-summer race, and he hopes other NORSA members will sack-up and join him next year!

Matt White Actually Delivers on Promised NORSA Article (Also: Team NORSA Competes in 25th Annual Colonial Beach Triathlon)

On Saturday, July 11, Team NORSA competed in the 25th annual Colonial Beach Triathlon in Colonial Beach, VA. Undeterred by the possibility of contracting Vibrio from swimming in a tidal area of the Potomac River, returning NORSA triathletes Leo Weitzenhoff and Matt White teamed up with potential new NORSA members Mike Louis and Brian Barrett to compete in this event. The sprint-distance triathlon consisted of a 750 meter swim in the Potomac River, a 14 mile bike through backcountry roads in the Colonial Beach area, and a 5 kilometer run along the bank of the Potomac.

The swim course consisted of one loop around triangle of buoys in the river. Although Team NORSA encountered no major difficulties during the swim, returning triathletes Leo and Matt found the river in the Colonial Beach area to be, overall, saltier, nastier, and harder to see through than the upstream portions swam during the Nation's Triathlon in the Washington, D.C. area.

The bike course was flat and straight, but with a surprising twist - the road was not closed to vehicle traffic during the race. Although volunteers and county sheriff's deputies were directing traffic at a few of the intersections, the triathletes often found themselves sharing the 2 lane road with semis and tour buses going 55 mph. Although Matt finished the swim course 30 seconds ahead of Leo, Leo caught up on the bike portion and finished the bike course two-tenths of a second faster than Matt.

The run course was also flat and straight, with a few drunken neighborhood spectators cheering on the athletes (at 8:00 in the morning). Leo opened up his lead here, finishing the race with an overall time of 1:26:21, an improvement over his previous sprint time at the 2007 Sandman Triathlon in Virginia Beach. Matt also improved on his previous performance at the Sandman with an overall time of 1:29:14. First-time triathletes Mike and Brian also made Team NORSA proud with overall times of 1:39:57 and 1:45:01.

Following the race, Team NORSA joined other Colonial Beach triathletes for a healthy breakfast of pizza, beer, and cookies at the local American Legion post. Fun was had by all and Leo, Matt, Mike, and Brian report that they will soon compete in another triathlon (the Luray Sprint on Sunday, August 16).

Potomac River: Fun Due to Matt White's Absence

Due to the torrential downpour of three rain drops in the mid-morning Washington DC area, Team NORSA's impromptu initiation Potomac kayaking and canoeing tour for Justin Kahrl lost notorious slugabed and member-in-poor-standing Matt White to a case of chronic fatigue syndrome and agoraphobia. Nick Douglas ably stepped in and took photos on his iPhone...which is something Matt White does not own.

Veterans Steven L. and Tom gave Justin a useful primer on making a wet exit of a kayak despite the presence of a copperhead snake. Matt White would normally have started off the trip on a down note by calling into question the wisdom of boating in such waters. Good thing he was picking out pillows at Bed, Bath, & Beyond instead!

From there, Team NORSA proceeded down river, blissfully unburdened by White's somber mood and fun-last priorities. First stop: rope-swing. Douglas chose not to get wet in an effort to mimic White. The rest of us swam about in the rapids, chatting with the at-risk youth group that had built a small fire and appeared to be smoking marijuana. Good thing Matt White was eating crumpets and watching Wimbledon rather than saying something stupid to start a fight.

Next, Team NORSA stopped on an island that, being tall and white, might just have come to be known 'Matt Island' if only he were present. But thank heaven he wasn't, because he would totally have nixed the rock-skipping and firework lighting that followed.

In short, a good time was had by all because Matt White did not show up. Thank you Matt White.

James River 09 / Newest NORSA Films Production!

On Friday, July 3, 2009, NORSA members Steven L. and Adam D. left their respective homes in Maryland and North Carolina and converged in Richmond, Virginia - home of NORSA member Andrew Latimer and a NORSA paddling staple: The James River.

Although it had been paddled extensively by NORSA members in the past, a paddling trip had not been made to the James River in nearly three years. This trip proved to be as good as any of the prior, with an almost perfect water level, beautiful weather, plenty of bathing rednecks, and the traditional hot tub trip to Andrew's former apartment complex.

Rockville 8K Twilight Runfest

Remember to register for the Rockville 8K Twilight Runfest which will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2009. NORSA has had a presence at this race for at least 5 consecutive years. There is a massive party in the Rockville Town Center at the conclusion of this nighttime race.