The Motion Picture Event!

Welcome to the Adventure

I now present to you, Manventure '09: The Motion Picture, in all of its epic glory. Enjoy!

(enlarge to full screen for the best view)

And keep a watchful eye on the horizon: part III is still on its way!

Photo of the Week # 16

"Tim Bob & the Tooth"

November, 2009

Cove Mountain (Dragon's Tooth) in Roanoke, VA

Appalachian Trail

Considering he was the only one brave enough to actually climb that high, he has earned his rightful place among the photos of the week! You are welcome, Tim Bob. May we embark on many more adventures together!

Pilgrimage in the Mountains: Lessons from Virginia's "Triple Crown"

Part II

A Rocky Start...

Saturday, November 7, 2009

The mountains are alive with sounds: birds squawking, leaves rustling, branches swaying, and distant,

mysterious murmurings. Nature's alarm clock has no snooze button. We crawl from the toasty security of our goose down cocoons and throw open our tent flaps, emerging into the crisp, mountain atmosphere at 3,000 feet. Dragon's Tooth beams down on us, the early morning sun glimmering at its perforated edges. After lowering the bear bag, we indulge in a healthy breakfast of granola, oats, and dried fruit, fuel for the day's daunting task. But first thing's first: we must explore!

After a slithering climb up a large crack and a slippery slab of granite, we reach the top of Dragon's Tooth. From here, we enjoy a spectacular view of the terrain that still lies ahead. In the distance, we see a piece of McAfee Knob, our immediate destination. Even further, we see Tinker Cliffs, just visible through the morning haze. For a few years now, I've maintained the opinion that mountains are deliberately misleading. Often, when one is certain they have hiked a mile, they have only traveled a quarter the length. Distance and time in the mountains cannot be judged by the sweat on one's shirt or the time on their watch. The mountains are unpredictable and always - without fail - more dangerous than they appear. For this reason also, distance and time cannot be judged by sight. Time and time again, the mountains have demonstrated their knack for misleading hikers up meandering paths with one false summit after another and no end in sight. So naturally I have the audacity to say, "Oh, yeah. We can cover this in a day. No problem, guys."

Committed

Today, we will cover 12 miles. We will also have to contend with steeper terrain than expected, and one team member's increasing bout with the seasonal flu. Already at the start of our journey, Robbie is not feeling well, but he's determined to push through and give the venture his all. And since backpacking is much like "going all in," as with a game of poker, Robbie doesn't have too many alternatives. As soon as we've taken down camp and loaded our backpacks, we hit the trail, retracing our steps from last night's treacherous climb. The Appalachian Trail is steep and rocky here and covered with slippery leaves, so we move slowly, at first, albeit faster than we did going in the opposite direction. Surviving several slips and near-spills, we arrive at Lost Spectacles Gap and continue, northbound, on the AT. For the next 9 miles, Tim Bob will lead the way, since he is the only team member who has already hiked this stretch of the trail. He sets a moderate pace, taking us up a series of switchbacks through dimly lit forest. Coupled with our knee-blowing descent from the "Tooth," this climb marks the beginning of our epic voyage through the Virginia countryside. "And it only gets harder from here, gents," says Tim Bob.

Over the course of the day, we travel across a wide array of scenery: obscure outcroppings, random "windows" to the surrounding valley, views of red-tinged trees, soaring raptors, abandoned barns, and open pastures similar to those seen in the lands of Tolkien's "Middle Earth." I cannot help humming the "Fellowship" tune as we march across the open meadows of Beckner Gap. "This is where it gets rough," Tim Bob warns. Great, we say. Guess it wouldn't be worth doing if it wasn't challenging, though... Right? We cross a number of stiles laced with electric fences, and Sherwin gets fried like a squirrel nibbling on a power line. Just kidding, although we joke about the possibilities, and Sherwin retaliates with strong dosages of sarcastic and self-deprecating wit. We cross the stiles unscathed and begin the long and tiring ascent up a massive hill. Later, we dub it "The Hill of Death." When we finally reach the top, we are red-faced and out of breath. Robbie, weakened by his illness, can hardly breathe in the first place. Then and there, we say if he can make it to McAfee Knob, he will live in infamy as a true mountain man. Truthfully, it's his only option aside from digging his own grave beside the trail. There is no easy way out; we must all stay committed. Already, I am reminded of the meaning of adventure and of how quickly plans can change in the mountains...

Plan B

For the next several hours, we hike upon an undulating ridge line with frequent views of the adjacent valleys. These momentary glimpses remind us of what we're striving towards and embolden us to keep hiking, despite the difficulty. Regardless, by this point, we have made a group decision to not continue to McAfee Knob by nightfall. Since Robbie is ill and it has taken us longer to cover the mileage than expected, it would be unwise to "push it." Therefore, we'll stay at Johns Spring Shelter, just a couple miles beyond Route 311, and reach McAfee the following morning. This, everyone agrees, is more than suitable as a "Plan B."

The temperature drops, and shadows shift in the forest. It's almost 4 o'clock. We hear the low murmurs of an active highway and know we are close to 311. Moments later, we discover a wooden sign telling us we've traveled 9 miles since leaving Dragon's Tooth. The AT parking lot is crawling with hydrated hikers who stare at us forlornly, as we stagger out of the woods and stumble across the highway, rejoining the trail on the other side. To our shame, I wonder if we would have carried on had we left a car at this particular lot... Thankfully, though, for the sake of the enterprise and our reputations, our cars are miles away, and the only way there is by foot.

We have crossed several streams today and filtered enough water for the last few miles, but one major detail has slipped past me: Johns Spring Shelter has no water source. To find water, we must hike an additional mile (although, in the heat of the moment, we are so certain it is longer than that!) to Catawba Shelter. While an extra mile is not a terrible upset, considering how far we've already walked, it is a huge blow to our morale and Robbie's hope for survival. But we have no choice; our bottles are nearly empty. In the near-dark, we keep hiking. The AT winds steeply up Catawba Mountain. With a mile to go, Robbie, Daryl, Sherwin, and I lose sight of Tim Bob and Matt, who are - bone-dry - out of water and desperate to find a spring. The trail darkens before us, becoming a haunted 'night land' of unsettling quiet and eeriness. We are forced to retrieve our headlights. Now a funnel of light paves the way, and we 'up the pace,' anxious for the end.

At last, we catch up with our companions, who have also resorted to their headlights, and only

moments after rejoining them, we catch sight of Catawba Shelter, an old-fashioned lean-to, and another wooden sign, this one directing us to the spring! Everyone sighs in relief, and - as we reach the shelter - we drop our heavy packs and praise God for helping us through this trying day. Over the next hour, we filter enough water for a small army and drink most of it, too. Dinner consists of freeze dried ingredients and boiling water. Salt-saturated, meal-in-a-bags never tasted so good! We devour our dinners, topping the evening off with a fleeting fire, hot tea, and Japanese sake! Adding a little excitement to the evening, Matt - in his exhaustion, we'll say - manages to set a bowl of sake ablaze, nearly scorching his eyebrows, which leaves him with the well-deserved trail name, "Fire Water."

Later, we rest warm in our mummy bags, spread across the shelter floor. Reminiscing on the day's events is challenging, since we can only focus on the final day. We have traveled almost 15 miles since Friday night. Nine more await us... Robbie is rested, breathing adequately again, but understandably exhausted. We are sore, weak, and even afraid, but we are not defeated. We did not finish the day by our own strength, and it is the same strength that will see us through to the end of our pilgrimage in the mountains.

To Be Concluded...

Pilgrimage in the Mountains: Lessons from Virginia's "Triple Crown"

Part I

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean..."

~ John Muir ~

In Medias Res

We pass through a narrow, mountain corridor; the trail, barely visible under Autumn's crispy fronds, is laced with rows of fading grass blades that swish and sway against our thighs. Midday's harsh glare flares through the treetop canopy of chioanthus and draws the sweat from our pores like a leech to life blood. The forest rooftop glows radiant yellow as the sunlight spreads from one leaf to the next. We adjust our loads - tighten waist belts, yank on shoulder straps - and carry on through the ethereal mountain pass.

Welcome to the Appalachian Trail in Roanoke, Virginia. At 17 miles in, we are two men down and anxious to reach our destination. On this warm November day, my companions and I are backpacking across the "Triple Crown" of summits that border the Great Valley of Virginia in Roanoke. We have already been to Dragon's Tooth, a mighty rock monolith that reaches heavenward like a crippled, outstretched hand. McAfee Knob, renowned for "the anvil" rock outcropping that hangs some three-thousand feet above the valley surface, lies 2.5 miles behind us. The crowning achievement of our expedition, Tinker Cliffs - a half mile length of granite ledges overlooking the valley - is another 7 miles away. And we are already so tired.

Commence: Adventure

Friday, November 6, 2009

At 10 pm, the trail head is cold and vacant, a black hole to all who dare enter. We are six strong: Tim Bob, short but fearless; Matthew, eager to get underway; Sherwin, undaunted by the task at hand; Daryl, packing enough food to feed a small army; Robbie, his mighty "Moses" staff at the ready; and myself, anxious for adventure.

"Let's do this," mutters Tim Bob, his words oozing with concrete resolution. His L.E.D. headlight punches a funnel through the black of night, as he starts on the trail. We follow, in single file, up the Dragon's Tooth trail. Marked by rectangular, blue blazes every thirty yards, it is well maintained, and with our headlights illuminating the way, we have little trouble sticking to the path. In next to no time, we have arrived at the t-junction with the Appalachian Trail. "Where do we go from here?" someone asks. We go up.

From the intersection at "Lost Spectacles Gap," it is two and a half miles to the pointed peak of Cove Mountain, known to hikers as Dragon's Tooth. This section of the trail soon graduates from smooth to rocky, from gently sloped to precariously steep, from easy to strenuous in the same time it takes for our heart rates to surge and our blood to boil. We are no longer merely hiking, for the terrain before us demands our bodies' full attention. With each others' help, we jump over pitfalls, scale granite slabs, navigate hazardous ledges, clamber up rudimentary ladders hammered into the mountainside, and climb over one obstacle after another. Unhindered, we press on till midnight, when - at last - we approach the summit at 3,020 feet.

Ahead of us, the monolith rises to the star-splattered sky, its faint silhouette a sublime welcome to the great outdoors, our home and training ground for the next two days.


To Be Continued...

Photo of the Week # 15

"The Route"

Up to Dragon's Tooth... Down Dragon's Tooth... on to McAfee Knob and then Tinker Cliffs...

24 miles
(Click for Enhanced View)

Keep a watchful eye on the horizon... More to come.

Sir Evan's Top 10 Heroes of Movies and Television: Part II

Five More to Go... Thanks for Your Patience

(Remember, in no particular order...)

6) Frodo Baggins

This is a difficult one, simply because his portly companion, Samwise, is quite the hero himself, as is their bearded, pointed-hat adviser, Gandalf the White. But when it comes down to it, Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit from the imagination of writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, later translated to the screen by Peter Jackson, is the ultimate hero of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo, an unassuming simpleton with very few ties to the bigger world, takes it upon himself to deliver the One Ring to its fiery end in the pit of Mount Doom. No one forces him to shoulder this responsibility; he does it out of moral conscience. Over the course of his epic journey, Frodo (Elijah Wood) faces one life-threatening obstacle after another, and - by the story's end - he has given up practically everything but his very life, what little semblance of it remains... Frodo reminds us that heroism knows no greater definition than personal sacrifice.


7) Sir William Wallace

Speaking of personal sacrifice. How about giving your life? Sir William Wallace, portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film, Braveheart, is the ultimate "medieval hero," who leads his fellow Scotsmen in a rebellion against the tyrannical English during the Wars of Scottish Independence. A man who gives everything he has for the freedom of his country, Wallace is both a hero on screen as well as in reality. Whether wooing fair damsels or waging bloody combat on the battlefield, Wallace shows true passion, and he takes it with him to the film's tragic, yet heroic finale. You may not agree with all of my choices for best heroes, but you will never take "OUR FREEDOM!!!"


8) Luke Skywalker

As far as epic conflicts between good and evil go, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is my favorite good guy. Anxious for adventure, Luke is a young man at the start of his space odyssey. From the Star Wars saga's inception to its climactic conclusion, audiences witness young Luke emerge from his identity as a lonely farm boy to a brave and skillful hero of the Rebel Alliance. Unwavering in his quest to face the dark and mysterious Darth Vader, he embarks down the path of the Jedi Knight, learns to use the force, and confronts the Dark Lord of the Sith in a grueling lightsaber duel. Twice! And let's not forget he sort of saves the galaxy from the Dark Side and brings hope to humanity. Not bad for a whiny kid who just wanted to "go to the Toshi Station to pick up some power converters!"


9) John McClane

"Another basement, another elevator. How can the same sh** happen to the same guy twice?!" He's one of those guys who always happens to end up in the wrong place at the right time. The average cop with the mean streak and the independent fervor to kick some real a$$! With 4 movies under his belt (Die Hard, Die Harder, Die Hard with a Vengeance, & Live Free or Die Hard) and a potential fifth, Bruce Willis has proven that his hero, John McClane, is a good guy to have in a fight. A sort of cowboy or a loose cannon, he has a hard time restraining his aggressive impulses, but in the kinds of situations he often finds himself in (hijacked airport in a blizzard, hostage situation in a high-rise office building, etc.), these characteristics actually come in handy. And don't mess with his wife or kids; he's a family man.


10) Harry Potter

The ultimate kid hero, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) of J.K. Rowling's famous novels, has faced the evil and nearly immortal, Voldemort, on numerous occasions, and lived to fight another day. And he isn't done yet. Six films down, two to go. The 7th installment in the series will be split into two, for sheer magnitude of content. Sounds good to me! Over the course of the Harry Potter books and films, readers and audiences have seen the boy wizard develop in maturity and skill. He shows courage in the face of great adversity and bears a load far greater than most teenagers... It isn't every day a 14 year old must face a fire breathing dragon, combat traitorous wizards, and duel the cruelest sorcerer in the world. He wields a wand and sports a nifty lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Let's face it. Scars are cool. And there is this prophesy that says he's "the chosen one" who must defeat the evil lord... Talk about responsibility...


Welp, that's it for now, folks. Sir Evan's top 10 heroes of movies and television. There are obviously many others, but I had to narrow it down to my personal favorites. Feel free to agree or disagree! Let me know what you think! And thanks for reading!

There and Back Again...

Adventure in the Mountains

JUST how epic was Manventure '09, you ask?

THIS EPIC!

Yes, yes. This is me in a hospital bed. The full story is on the way, but for now I will say our time in the mountains challenged us in unexpected ways! The terrain was tougher than predicted; the weather was warmer than one would expect in November; and water was scarce. But it would not be an adventure if we always knew what to expect, now would it? As always, God helped us to push through, and He might have even sent a guardian angel or two to join us... I believe this Manventure will find its home in the annals of legend! Stay tuned for the complete story with photos and videos. For now, I leave you with this teaser...

Manventure '09 Has Arrived!

ADVENTURE RETURNS!

On this brisk November weekend, I'll be backpacking Virginia's "Triple Crown" of views along the Appalachian Trail. Joining me are good friends. Team Adventure consists of the following:

Tim Bob, aka. Sleepy Time

Robbie, aka. Moses

Sherwin, aka. Asian Thunder


Matt, aka. Silent Fox


Sir Evan, aka. Dodge


and Daryl, who needs a trail name!

We'll be hiking 24 miles, from Dragon's Tooth to McAfee Knob to Tinker Cliffs, in Roanoke, VA! Stay tuned for an update when we return!

Sir Evan's Top 10 Heroes of Movies and Television: Part I

Who doesn't like a hero?

Sure, the bad guys are pretty interesting too. Sometimes more than their do-good counterparts (The Dark Knight, for example? Eh?), but when the going gets tough, everyone roots for the hero. I also happen to believe most men secretly want to be heroes. It's a boyhood longing that never goes away, rooted in our natural circuitry. Another post! And, clearly, hero status is not reserved for men alone. Anyhow, for no particular reason other than feeling inspired recently by epic music and a little too much TV, here are my top 10 heroes of movies and television! In no particular order...


1) Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones

You all knew it was coming. With his trademark whip and fedora, archaeologist and grave robber, Indiana Jones (portrayed by Harrison Ford), is an every man who often finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. A world traveler and renowned academic, he is both rough and sophisticated. Whether he's slugging Nazis, searching for lost artifacts, or galloping on horseback, Indiana Jones always comes out on top, and he's also pretty good at rescuing the ladies. And why should anyone doubt him? After all, he did say, "Trust me."



2) The Man With No Name

Speaking of cool hats... Clint Eastwood as "The Man With No Name," of Sergio Leone's classic spaghetti westerns, "A Fistful of Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More," and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," is a man who walks the narrow line between light and dark. Brooding, mysterious, and skilled with a six-shooter, he is a force to be reckoned, especially if your name is Ramon... And whatever you do, don't hurt the ladies or insult his mule, or he will come for you with a vengeance! "I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. You see, my mule don't like people laughing..." Who else but Eastwood could pull off a line like that?



3) James Bond, 007

With 22 films and 12 novels under his belt, the world's most dependable secret agent is a given on any top 10 list, and if his track record so far says anything about his appeal, he won't be going anywhere any time soon... Created by British novelist, Ian Fleming, "Bond, James Bond," has been portrayed during various historical periods over the last half of the twentieth century and into the next decade. Sean Connery, the original Bond, set the bar for all Bonds to come, and Daniel Craig, the newest incarnation of 007, has put his own unique spin on the classic character. A larger than life character who always gets the job done, James Bond is the ultimate spy and a timeless hero.



4) MacGyver

Someone is bound to argue with me on this one, but who cares? MacGyver is awesome! A television hero of the 80s, Angus MacGyver is the chemistry-nerd/clever secret agent who can make a bomb with a toothpick, some chewing gum, and a Swiss Army Knife. He also hates guns and wears aviator shades. What is not to like? Oh, and he has a mullet... Portrayed by Richard Dean Anderson, MacGyver enjoyed a long run on television from 1985 to 1992, airing on ABC all seven seasons. Employed by "The Phoenix Foundation," MacGyver finds himself in one sticky situation after another, but he always manages to find a way out and save the day. For these reasons and more, he is the quintessential 80s hero.



5) Ellen Ripley

In "Alien," audiences are introduced to Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) when she becomes the sole survivor of an interstellar tragedy involving... you guessed it: an alien. One nasty alien, I might add. While she kicks some serious butt in this film, it pales in comparison to later butt-kicking... In "Aliens," the James Cameron directed follow up, moviegoers witness a whole new side to Ms. Ripley when she takes on an entire hive of acid-for-blood, life-sucking-and-parasitic-aliens! Hell hath no fury like a protective mother with deep scars... So that may not be the most politically correct statement, but when Ripley gets the chance to strike back at the creatures that killed her friends and robbed her of her daughter, stay clear of the flame throwers and pulse grenades!


Stay tuned for the last 5 heroes of movies and television!

And please comment! Disagree? Absolutely agree? Who are your favorite heroes? I want to hear from you!

Photo of the Week # 14

"Moore" Adventure ~ October, 2009

Dad and me at "Sugarland Overlook" in Grayson Highlands State Park!

Modern Day Explorer Comes to Winston-Salem!

Columbus, Magellan, Lewis & Clark... Meet Jon Bowermaster

I think most of us generally think of "explorers" in the past tense, as if there is nothing left on the planet to be discovered! How 'big' of us, right? I know I'm guilty as charged. There are still plenty of unexplored corners of the world, and tomorrow, October 26th, residents of Winston-Salem, NC, will have the opportunity to meet a modern day explorer. Jon Bowermaster is a National Geographic Explorer/Adventurer and award-winning writer and filmmaker. It has taken Bowermaster a decade to complete his film project, "OCEANS 8," and - tomorrow - he will present two slide shows, the first at Forsyth Country Day School, a local private school, and the second at Wake Forest University, on the effects of climate change in Antarctica.

For his "OCEANS 8" project, Bowermaster and his team explored bodies of water near the Aleutian Islands, Vietnam, French Polynesia, Chile/Argentina/Bolivia, Gabon, Croatia, Tasmania, and lastly, Antarctica, the focus of his slide shows and the capstone film to his project. "Terra Antarctica" is currently a finalist in the Blue Ocean Film Festival. View the trailer for some stunning footage of this arctic landscape:



The presentations are sponsored by National Geographic, Mountain Hardwear, and Great Outdoor Provision Co. Since the slide show at Forsyth Country Day School is limited to students and faculty, you should try to make it out to the one at Wake Forest (assuming you are a Winston resident...). It will be held at 7 pm in the Annenberg Forum in Carswell Hall.

Bear Grylls and How He's Changing Everything

Mission: Renaissance

Bear Grylls is mostly known for performing outrageous stunts and eating disgusting foods in his survival series, Man vs. Wild, which I frequently bring up on this blog. A while ago he suffered some weighty criticism when the media labeled him a fraud and blew the reality behind his show way out of proportion. While the negative media attention was pretty strong, Grylls handled it well and was honest with people about the "behind-the-scenes" life of filming an outdoor survival show. To make a long story short, it takes 12 days to film an hour's worth of adventure, and he generally spends 2 of those 12 days literally "surviving" in the wild. It is television, after all. There are liability concerns and logistics to deal with.

Luckily, he recovered from the conflict and so did Man vs. Wild, which continues to put out quality episodes on the Discovery Channel.When push comes to shove, the quarrels about authenticity and production techniques are really beside the point. The show is designed to entertain, and while he can't vouch for the television executives, Gryll's motivations are sound and noble. Bear Grylls is the real deal, a man concerned with the future of children across the world. His show has inspired hundreds upon hundreds of young people around the world to venture into the unknown again! And these days the "unknown" is as close as the backyard. Grylls, the new "Chief Scout" in the UK, is a role model for children (and some adults! can I get a show of hands??). It also seems, as time goes by, Grylls becomes ever more comfortable discussing his Christian faith, which you can witness in the video below. Here is a guy - incredibly famous - yet giving the glory to God... and on national television!



I will never forget the episode when he is stranded on a plateau somewhere in the wilderness of Patagonia, sheltered behind a rock. The stars are out; it is windy and nearly freezing; and he's got a fire going. Alone, he pulls out the hand held camera and talks about his faith in God and how nights like this one remind him how small he is while also revealing how big his God is... As he says on occasion, he "cherishes" these experiences and looks to God for his strength.

In the next video, Grylls talks about his new book series for young adults, which gets me very excited! Not that I intend to read them - although I wouldn't rule that out necessarily, because I imagine they are pretty fun! - but it so encouraging to hear him talk about these books, what they mean to him, to children, their focus, and what he hopes they will accomplish.



In this technology driven culture (exhibit A, right?) we need more people like Bear Grylls. We need to inspire optimism and activity. We need to get young people (and ourselves) outside, away from the computer screens (MUST-BLOG-LESS, UGHH) and into the fresh air. There is so much joy to be found in the simple things of this world.

Thanks, Bear, for reminding us.

Bear vs. Cougar

From "The Bear" (1988)

The other day at school, a co-worker sent out this video to show to our students. I ended up showing it to every student I had that day on the grounds that it is AWESOME! Exciting, educational, and really well made. If you have a minute, check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Photo(s) of the Week # 13

October, 2009

Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

Sugarland Overlook

(Note the massive Christmas tree farm!)

(Wild pony near Mt. Rogers)

Both photos by George Moore (Genesis Studio Photography)

Nor'easter on the Mountain!

This Just In.... 60 mph winds - Sir Evan Blown Off the Mountain!

Hyperbole is my claim to fame. Okay, so I wasn't blown off the mountain, but boy was the wind strong up there! My Dad and I didn't make it too far up Mount Rogers, but we did explore Massie's Gap, where this video takes place. Check it out!

There's a lot more to come, but since I don't have the time to write up a full article just yet, here are a few more photos from our adventure.

(Dad taking photos in the Virginia Highlands:
Note the mist creeping over the mountain...)

(The Aviators are no more *deep sigh* ~ Suppose these "Mountain Shades" will have to do...)

(Who wouldn't want a log cabin on the side of a mountain?!)

Sneak Peak: Early Autumn Adventure with Dad

Smell the Woodsmoke and Taste the Glory of the Mountains!

Sir Evan here! Just got back from an adventure with my Dad in Southwest Virginia, where we explored the backcountry near Abingdon and Damascus and also made our way to Grayson Highlands State Park. The weather was uncooperative initially but cleared up this morning, providing us with some spectacular views of the Virginia highlands. From the photo, you can see how the vegetation is further along at the higher altitudes. We were blown away by the vibrant colors. Anyhow, more to come soon, so keep your eye on the horizon!

(Sugarland Overlook, Grayson Highlands State Park, VA)

Over the Mountains and Through the Woods, to Good 'Ole Virginia I Go!

October is Hiking Season...

On Friday, October 9th, I'm heading to Mount Rogers to meet my friend, Dan Stevens, on the Appalachian Trail. Some of you might remember that I mentioned "Cancer Takes a Hike" a while back. Well, Dan is spearheading this 'expedition,' in memory of his brother, Andy Stevens, another friend from my Blue Ridge days and a fierce spirit who we all miss dearly. Andy was still with us during Cancer Takes a Hike '08. The hiking endeavor was his dream, and he worked tirelessly to make it happen, garnering support from major sponsors, such as Mountain Hardwear, Suunto, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, MSR, and Thermarest, among others.

(Andy "Chemosabe" Stevens)

In 2009, Andy is hiking alongside us in spirit! Many friends and fellow hikers will join Dan on his 165 mile backpacking journey, meeting up with him at random places along the trail. This year I am glad to be joining Dan for nearly 3 full days!, since I could only participate for one day last year. Others will be joining us from Friday night to Monday morning, including my old college roommate, Josh Brown!

(Cancer Takes A Hike '08)

Be sure to take a look at the Cancer Takes a Hike website (link above), as it details more information about Andy Stevens, his passion for the outdoors, and his determination to fight colon cancer. There you will also find a mileage calendar so you can track Dan's progress, a list of the '09 participants (which is not up-to-date just yet), and information on how to donate to the Colon Cancer Alliance if you feel so inclined.

Stay tuned for a full trip report in the coming weeks, and get outside, too, if you can. October is hiking season!

Photo(s) of the Week # 12

"Shadow Descending"

September, 2009
Hanging Rock State Park, NC

Hanging Rock and Wolf Rock viewed from House Rock at roughly 6:50 pm. Whew! Lot of rocks out there, apparently! Gotta taken 'em where you can get 'em, I 'spose. Reminds me of my favorite wisdom from Forrest Gump: "Sometimes, I guess there just aren't enough rocks." Well said, Forrest Gump. Well said.


Nearly got locked in the park because I stuck around for the sunset! Well, what glimpse of the sunset I could manage from the east side of the mountains... Here's to running a quarter mile down a mountain in 5 pound hiking boots!

Dragon's Tooth: The Motion Picture

Featuring... the Nightwalkers

Like the previous video, this 'motion picture' is compiled of photos from the Nightwalkers' annual backpacking adventure from December 30-31 in 2006. An article will come later with plenty of details, but Dragon's Tooth is a unique rock formation in the mountains of Roanoke, VA. A part of Cove Mountain, it was originally called 'Buzzard Rock,' but was eventually renamed the more apt, 'Dragon's Tooth.' Enjoy the movie!

Music by Steve Jablonsky

Photo of the Week # 11

December 31, 2006

"Smaug of the Appalachians"

Sitting atop "Dragon's Tooth" on the Appalachian Trail in Roanoke, VA, with friends, Jim Ed & Troy! Brisk and clear, it was a good day to be on the mountain and a great way to start the new year!


Original photo by Rich Wills. Graphic work done by George Moore.

After These Messages We'll Be Riiiiiiight Back!

Anyone Else a 90's Kid? If So, You Probably Recognized the Title! Gotta Love Saturday Morning Cartoons...

Just a heads up, and it actually has nothing to do with cartoons or the 90's, but there will be some exciting posts to look forward to over the next couple months!

1) Articles on two LEGENDARY adventures: Dragon's Tooth & Humpback Rocks!

2) Another "Motion Picture" with epic soundtrack

3) Some new movie reviews and movie "groupings," with opportunities for people to vote on their favorite films in specific categories or even suggest movies for others to see!

4) The chance to help me figure out where the heck I'm going hiking next summer for a couple weeks! (Somewhere out West I am hoping!)

5) A trip report on 2009's "Cancer Takes a Hike," sponsored by Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, Ice Breaker, Mountain Hardwear, and several other major benefactors. This trip is in memory of Andy "Chemosabe" Stevens, a good friend from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, who fought the good fight against cancer. I will be joining Dan "Pack Mule" Stevens (Andy's brother and a good friend) along with other Blue Ridge outdoors folk for a couple days in early October. More on this later!

6) An article/video on MANVENTURE '09, the 4th official "manventure" and our most exciting yet! We'll be hiking Virginia's "Triple Crown" near Roanoke, VA, on the Appalachian Trail. More details to come...

7) And of course more photos and cool videos!

And a special thanks to everyone who reads the blog. Thanks for your time, interest, and support! You guys are great!

Manventure: The Motion Picture

November, 2007

Shenandoah National Park, VA ~ the Appalachian Trail

Humpback Rocks

Music: "The Last of the Mohicans," original motion picture score by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman

Photo of the Week # 10

"Light on the Mountains"

January, 2009

Photo taken by Sir Evan from "Cook's Wall" in Hanging Rock State Park, NC. Friends and I came upon this view after a long day of hiking through the well-known park. It was a tremendous ending to a tiring day. Pilot Mountain, a distinctive monadnock among the Sauratown Mountains in western North Carolina, can be seen in the distance.

The Youngest Country in the World

NEW ZEALAND!

a.k.a. Middle Earth, home to Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves, per Peter Jackson, J.R.R. Tolkien, and company...

It is also a land apart from time, the youngest country in the world, as in the last major landmass to be discovered! It is a wild island country with massive mountain ranges and bodies of water. Who wouldn't want to go there??

The Legend of New Zealand



Adventure in New Zealand



One of these days, my friends. One of these days.

From Three Ridges to Spy Rock: A Backpacking Tale

Part IV

Our backpacks are frozen. We awake, hesitantly, to an icy, 17 degree morning, and can hardly believe our eyes as we stare through the semi-dark at our frost-bitten packs glued to the picnic table.

"Did it seem that cold to you?" I ask Sleepy Time, who yawns and shrugs.

It is day 4 on the Appalachian Trail in the George Washington National Forest. We are roughly 5 1/2 miles from our next and final destination. We spent our last night on the trail in good fashion: beside a toasty fire with steaming hot chocolate and stories to remember. Other nightly occurrences worth noting consist of the following:

1) Sleepy Time is haunted by a woodland creature, the only vestige of its existence a pair of glowing eyes, such a rare occurrence in the dark woods... Startled from time to time, he shines his light from one corner of the forest to the next. Alas, the mysterious beast alludes him!

2) Moses redeems himself by parting the Red Sea. Just kidding. Instead, he cooks our dinner, giving the traditional "shepherd" role new found meaning.


3) I nearly have my head taken off by a swinging bag full of food and compressed gas. In my effort to hang our "bear bag," I manage to create a pendulum of edible - slash - combustible destruction. Out of the dark, the bag rushes at me like a bat out of hell. A mere blur - my life story - flashes before my eyes, and I hit the dirt, the bag swooping overhead. I emerge, soot on my face, but reborn. This one, we soon decide, has the trappings of legend. TRAIL NAMED!

Our first order of business is clear to all. Time is against us, so we run up the trail, anxious to catch the sunrise from the Priest Mountain's exposed summit. We arrive to a pristine abyss of creeping clouds, the sun's lucent, neon glow soaking through the white horizon. Mountaintops emerge from the sea of clouds, rearing their rocky zeniths and ancient crowns. We stand in silence. It seems a fitting climax to our epic adventure, this sunrise of champions.

Now we ready our gear and prepare for the final leg of our journey. Spy Rock awaits. We gather near the shelter for a heroic photo, four mighty adventurers who have traveled over mountains and endured the harsh elements! We are tired and proud, but we are not home just yet... We stand from left to right: Sleepy Time, Moses, Hammerhead, and newly named in light of recent events, Dodge.

Eager to reach the last mountain, we embark down the trail, our boots crunching through half-thawed ice. Vapor issues from our mouths as we march through the cold. The first mile of our hike consists of mostly downhill terrain, and my knees begin throbbing like the day before, only severely multiplied. I lean on my trekking pole for support and try altering my gate, but the pain shooting through my knee caps is wrenching. Due to my unexpected handicap, it takes longer to reach the Crabtree Meadows fire road than expected. There, we meet Robbie's father, as planned. A history buff (and our shuttle back to our cars), he will hike the next 3.8 miles with us to Spy Rock, which received its name during the Civil War for the Confederate Troops that used its exposed summit as a lookout post. It is a mountain much revered in Virginia and one we have anxiously awaited.

By now I am concerned about the state of my knees, but I'm too prideful to sit this one out. I take some Aleve and wince through the pain, following my companions up the trail. It only gets worse, though, as we close in on the peak. I worry about the return journey, knowing for every southbound step I take on the Appalachian Trail, I will have to retrace just as many north. After what seems like a painfully long time, we ascend a splinter trail and climb the rocky slope to the top of Spy Rock. And it truly is a sight to behold, a 360 degree vista of the surrounding mountains and valleys. At first, we take it all in, impressed beyond our expectations. At an elevation of 3,701 feet, it is easy to see how the Rebel army would have utilized this spot as a lookout station; the valley lies in plain sight below. While the temperature has risen since daybreak, the winds are fierce on Spy Rock. Strong gusts whip our jackets and numb our faces. No one sits still for long, lest they freeze to the rock face.

It is finally time to leave. The view from Spy Rock is a fitting end to our trip, coupled with the morning's sunrise. But it is a long way to hike for an injured man. My knees are in terrible shape, grinding against the cartilage beneath my knee caps at every gesture. I feel weaker with each step. Like mini bursts of lightning, pain echoes through my joints. Something has got to give, and, today, it is my pride. After sharing my plight with the guys, they promise to get me back safely, and I trust them. They will bend over backwards to help me. Sure enough, the next hour and a half are some of the most painful in my recent memory. At times, it takes Sleepy Time holding me up on one side or Moses offering me his trusty staff so I'll have an extra 'leg' to lean on. With their help, I survive the ordeal.

Four days from the inception of our expedition, we arrive at Reed's Gap in the back of Mr. Heath's pickup truck, exhausted and dirty, but proud and accomplished. It has been a trying adventure. The Appalachian Trail has tested each of us in its own way. When we leave the powerful simplicity of the blue ridge mountains for the hustle and complexity of our modern society, we leave with more than just memories of mountain crests peering through the fog-laden floor of Heaven or ridges sprawling endlessly across the countryside. We leave with a deep appreciation and sense of belonging. These mountains were made for exploring.

And there are many more where they came from...


In case you missed the previous installments to this 4-part series!

Part I, Part II, & Part III