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.
