NORSA ICE 2015

January 30, 2015 - NORSA veterans Steven S, Steven L, Tom, Adam, Justin, the Neil, Eddie, and Aaron joined forces for one of the biggest NORSA ICE (Insane Cold-weather Excursion) trips in recent years, this time in the mountain state of West Virginia.  Fortunately the insanity was all under control thanks to top-notch planning meetings and Last of the Mohicans video clips viewed before the trip.  There would be no packing up in the middle of the night for this group.

The mission was simple.  Two cars would converge at a George Washington National Forest trailhead, hike about 6 miles in and 3 miles out with a 1300 ft elevation gain, make camp near White Rocks overlook, and maintain enough patriotism to be back on Sunday in time for the Super Bowl.

It was a brisk and windy morning when they hit the road west.   Things were quickly looking up, as all eight people were actually on time for the trip – a rare moment of NORSA ICE punctuality.  In just over two hours they were closing in on the trail.  Conditions were great until the last couple miles of a forest road, where Steven L had to put snow chains on his tires to navigate icy sections.  Adam helped install the chains and entertained the group by slipping on his arse, twice.

Everyone got loaded up and the hike started around noon.  Possibly distracted by many references to forgotten tent poles, Eddie left a glove behind, which was not recovered until the next day.  Fortunately it was warm enough without it as the Old Mail Path started a mile long ascent.  At the first turn onto the Racer Camp Hollow trail, they found a brief saddle and then climbed steadily for another 2 miles.  The snow pack varied from 4-6 inches, starting out firm with later powdery, deep, and steep sections.  A few pauses to remove layers and refuel kept morale high.

 Finally reaching the Tuscarora trail, the group got a break as the incline became more gradual.  They thought about carrying a chair, left in a hunter's camp, but were pretty well loaded already, including Aaron’s medical bag with skin stapler (not that that has ever been needed on a NORSA ICE before).  Just after reaching the apex, they found the turn toward the overlook and its large campsite.  The hike had taken just over 4 hours and there was still about an hour of daylight left.

 With eight people foraging, an adequate supply of firewood was gathered and Tom’s foil-packed Vaseline cotton balls were immediately effective.  The fire ring was barely big enough for eight people, but worked well except when Steven L felt the need to smother it.  Under a full moon, a trip out to the overlook was possible with no lights needed (although a surprising amount of city lights could be seen in the distance).  After a hot meal, a drink, commentary about Matt’s consistent absence, and a few cautionary tales from the urologist in the group, they settled in for the night. 

 Although it was one of the more snow-covered NORSA trips in a while, the temperature was pretty modest in the low 20s.  In the vicinity of the campsite there were a few sounds of animal movement and possibly an owl.   Overall though, everyone was reasonably warm and well-rested whether in tent or bivvy.

 The next morning's hike back to the cars was downhill and quick.  They got off the forest road with no trouble and then threw a slant to Roy Rogers’ for lunch.  Everyone enjoyed the sauce of the month and the really interesting debate at one end of the table on the marginal costs of driving.  They were back home by mid-afternoon, making the mission a complete success, despite what naysayers like Matt might have expected.

 



Kudos to Aaron for being in his first published NORSA trip and to Justin and Steven L for pictures so we don’t have to repeat Tom’s picture-less 2013 NORSA ICE post.