Dolly Sods Labor Day Backpacking

September 3 -

Celebrating the fruits of their labors in true NORSA style, Steven S and Marvin W did their second backpacking trip of 2012, this time with newcomers Joe D and Nathan M.

The crew headed out for a 2-night trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Mongahela National Forest over the holiday weekend, an area first explored by the original NORSA crew in 2001.

Dolly Sods was well populated with hikers and backpackers.  Its unique ecology and proximity to the metropolitan area make it a classic mid-atlantic destination.

The group hiked approximately 22 miles through high meadows, forest, and bogs.


Over the course of 2 days the trail passed through spruce trees, aspen, maple, wild blueberries, cranberry bogs, small waterfalls, and beaver dams.

There were intervals of rain throughout the weekend, including a heavy downpour on Sunday that put out any hopes of lighting a camp fire.





Despite those challenges, the camaraderie and experience of the group carried them through and it was a great trek for all.  A short hike in on Monday left enough time to return to civilization in style via a hibachi buffet.

A great way to end the summer in NORSA-rific fashion!

Purple Stride 5K

June 16 -

A sunny morning  greeted NORSA runners Emily and Steven S on the day of the Purple Stride 5K in downtown DC.  They rode their bikes into town for the race, arriving with plenty of time to meet friends from Team Papa Schorr and pick up t-shirts before the 8:30 a.m. start.

The race took the runners around the national mall and was a flat course ending on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of Freedom Plaza. The race was chip timed and the fellow who won was from Portland, Oregon. Steven S finished 27th out of a small field with a time of 20:29. The event raised over $500,000 to benefit pancreatic cancer research.

After the race, bananas, cookies, and a cover band could be found past the finish line - the usual post-race stuff.

The team watched everyone finish and then enjoyed brunch together.  In all, good fun for a good cause.