MRATC Activities and Information, Week of March 20-26, 2022
MRATC TRAIL WORK:
The big trail project this week (March 26-27) will be the bog bridge E&H students will build north of Wise Shelter and the moving of the pit privy cabin over a new pit. Konnarock Crew leaders will help. Any club members interested in helping: email mratcinfo@gmail.com.
TRAINING FOR NEW SAWYERS: ATC is going to arrange a chainsaw certification class for new sawyers this spring. There will be a very limited number of spots available to us. Anyone interested in applying should send a mail to mratcinfo@gmail.com.
MRATC HIKES:
Note: Hikes can be scheduled on a week by week basis rather than listed in the club’s quarterly newsletter. If a club member wishes to lead a hike, reply to this email and it can be listed in the Sunday email and on the club’s website the week of the hike (www.mratc.org under the Sidebar, Current Week’s Information).
AT VISTA 2022, at SUNY NEW PALTZ, AUG. 5-8: Online registration has begun. Hikes, Excursions and workshops are listed on the website: https://atvista2022.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EVENTS AT TRAIL CENTER THIS SPRING
The Damascus Trail Center is searching for volunteers for the following dates. Please email Emily Mayo at emayo@appalachiantrail.org to sign up for a specific date and time. Also, volunteers will need to complete ATC's event registration found here https://volunteer.appalachiantrail.org/s/atc-project-details?c__recId=a0q1U000007TQ5x If you have previously completed the event listing please disregard it. Volunteers will help staff an information booth between the hours of 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
- May 6th
- May 7th
- May 8th
- May 9th
BEAR WARNING, South of Damascus: Due to reported aggressive bear activity and evidence of bear(s) entering campsites and taking food, the area around the Appalachian Trail between the Double Springs Shelter and the Backbone Rock side trail (mile marker 451 to approximately mile marker 464 is closed to camping until further notice.
Grayson Highlands St. Park and adjacent area map (Avenza maps app) free download available: https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/1204147/grayson-highlands-state-park.
Virginia AT license plates: $15 of the $25 annual fee goes to the ATC VA Regional Office to support the AT – including the new Damascus Trail Center. If you would like to order one, go to this section of the DMV website:
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#splates/category.asp?category=S
MRATC information is also posted on Facebook: Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC), on Twitter: twitter.com @Mt_rogersATC, and on Instagram.com: mountrogersATclub.
•Visit the ATC's website for information and hikes in AT Communities up and down the AT, listed by state.
In our area, the AT Communities are Damascus, Abingdon, and Marion/Smyth County.
https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/communities
TRAIL UPDATES
Grayson Highlands State Park Backpackers' pkg. lot reservations:https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/grayson-highlands-state-park/VA/140172/35528/campsite-booking
•The bridge at Comers Creek Falls has been removed as of 3/20/2021. Steps and stepstones have been installed so a low-water crossing can be made, and this section of the AT from Dickey Gap south has been re-opened. During times of suspected high water, hikers should plan to use the marked detour on Rte. 650.
Bears: In 2019, 2020, and 2021 there were fewer reports of bears taking hikers' food than in 2018, but bears could come back to try to get food from hikers, especially if they are cooking. Hikers are urged to carry a bear canister or to use the metal bear boxes for overnight food storage near Saunders Shelter, Lost Mtn. Shelter, Thomas Knob Shelter, near Rhododendron Gap, Wise Shelter, Old Orchard Shelter, the Scales, Hurricane Mtn. Shelter, and Trimpi Shelter.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.