Sunday, December 26, 2010

2010 Camping Year in Review

Although the DC area "Snowpocalypse" shut down the annual ICE, the year of 2010 still had its share of backpacking and camping adventures, with myself and other familiar NORSA faces.  Just back from my last trip of the year, it is time to recap them all.  NORSA camping is truly an event for all seasons:



Spring - one week solo (Steven S) in the George Washington National Forest, around Trout Run valley plus many side trails.  Highlights included Halfmoon Lookout,  Trout Pond, and Tibbet Knob.  Also a close encounter with a rattlesnake.  Watch out in the high grass on those forest roads!



Summer - canoe camping at Assateague Island (Steven S, Emily P, plus NORSA newcomers Cody & Jessica).  Highlights - all the pretty horses.  More than we bargained for - high winds, sunburn.




Fall - overnight trip to Kennedy Peak (Steven S, Emily P, Matt, Nora, plus NORSA newcomer Michael L).    Unfortunately, the peak itself was preempted by another group, but fun was had by all.  Highlights included fall foliage, seeing three bears, and not starting this forest fire.




Winter - Steven S did another solo trip in the GWNF, this time an 8.5 mile out and back to Halfmoon Lookout on Christmas Eve.  It snowed, but things were going well until a complaining knee turned the last six miles into an agonizing limp back to the parking lot.  Be careful out there and bring plenty of ibuprofen!





That's it for now.  Here's hoping that 2011 is another NORSA-rific year!

3 comments:

Steve-o said...

Nice!!!

Tom said...

Great job, Steve. We're definitely doing ICE in early 2011 ... well, I am. Hopefully, I'll convince people to join me.

Adam said...

Well done Steven. You are a indeed a raging, hardened NORSAlite.