Tales From The Wood Booger

Thursday, September 24, 2020

This Saturady Is Your Chance To Attend TCC Naturalist Rally...So Do It!

It is the end of September and that means it is time for the annual Naturist Rally presented by the Clinch Coalition (TCC). Usually, it would be this Saturday at the High Knob Recreation Area near Norton, VA. I have been going to the event since 2016. The last three years (2017, 2018 & 2019) I had worked the Naturalist Rally as I am on TCC Board.

So now to 2020, the year of the COVID pandemic and TCC wants to be responsible. That means plans changed and instead of an in person event the 14th annual Natrulist Rally will be virtual. This means if you have never been, to the Rally, because you don't live near Southwest Virginia this year is your chance. Because this year to attend the Rally all you need is a computer. So, if you want to attend the go to either the TCC website or the TCC Facebook page. Oh, it is free, so be there this Saturday!

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Wake Up People! We Have To Take Care of Places Like Max Patch...

I hate having to write a blog about this subject. However, what I hate more is people trashing the places, in the outdoors, I love, so let's begin. See the reason I am writing this blog is because of the story I read in the Asheville Citizen-Times (it is a must read) about the ridiculous amount of people camping and trashing the summit of Max Patch.

This picture left me speechless. Photo by Mike Wurman

I know with the COVID-19 Pandemic that since people haven't been traveling that camping has become a popular alternative to many. I have seen it first hand on my visit to Max Patch on the first of June and more so on a visit later in the month to Carvers Gap and the Roans. It was this visit to Roan Mountain that convinced me to avoid camping at extremely popular spots.

My visit to Max Patch...

...& the Roan Highlands both in June.

I kind of suspended that rule Labor Day Weekend at Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area and I saw a ton of people there, but nothing like what was at Max Patch. One reason for that is the area of Max Patch is much smaller than the Roans or Mt. Rogers so people can't spread out. But that excuse what I saw in that story about the numbers there.

Labor Day crowds at Mt. Rogers.

Still, that isn't the worst part it is the trashing of the place, that is even more egregious! I can't say I am surprised, I have hauled out my share of other peoples trash and have ranted on many occasions about that. But this is on a whole number level. Let me just say this and I am quite clear on the subject of Leave No Trace. If you can't haul out your trash properly dispose of your shit or carry out your gear then DON'T COME THE F**K OUT...PERIOD!

Some of the trash I have crossed this year.

Oh, and for that nutter in the article saying she saw no trash and the photo was doctored...just shut the f**k up. Whether it's climate change or the COVID crisis I have had it with material reality-denying cultists and nutters! So, what can be done? I think for Max Patch it might be time to close the summit to camping. We also need to fund the US Forest Service better so someone can enforce the laws that are there because taking money out of people's pockets might be the only way to get their attention. Because I love Max Patch and we need to take care of this and all of the other special places.

Monday, September 21, 2020

Cold, Wind Or The Frost Of Night Doesn't Slow Down THE Hiking Machine!

Pete the Hiking Machine here and I just got back from a backpack to Coldsprings Mountain...HELL YEAH!
We hiked from Jones Meadow up and over the views of Big Firescald Knob and to Jerry's Cabin Shelter (my favorite place to stay). Here we got water which I hauled up carrying the Lummox.
After setting up camp we watched the Sun go down and when it did it got cold, just how I like it. Not the Lummox he whined about being cold and windy all night.

In the morning it was brisk and there was a little frost. But by the way, the Lummox will tell it later it was a foot of snow. It was now that he informed me that we weren't staying another night because it was going to be cold and he was sore. This is why I am the Hiking Machine and he is the Hiking Lightweight...wuss! Still, I got to visit Blackstack and White Rock Cliffs. All-in it was some good shit and with that, I am out...BITCHES!

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Whitetop Mountain From....

Since my recent visit to Whitetop Mountain, I have decided to do a From....blog about one of Virginia's Twin Towers. As I said in my blog about my visit to Whitetop Mountain it is the second-highest mountain in Virginia at 5,518 feet. It is also the tallest road accessible peak in the Old Dominion. The top of the mountain is capped by an FAA Guidance Transmitter.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) use to go near the summit of the mountain until it was rerouted around the southside of the mountain. One of the features the AT cross is Buzzard Rock on the western side of Whitetop. So, with that said, here is Whitetop Mountain From....

....Whitetop Mountain

FAA Guidance Transmitter: September 6, 2020 (40 Yards)

Upper Parking Lot: September 6, 2020 (0.15 Miles)

Upper Parking Lot Vista: September 6, 2020 (0.15 Miles)

Old AT Upper Junction: September 6, 2020 (0.21 Miles)

Lovers Leap: September 6, 2020 (0.22 Miles)

Cell Tower: September 6, 2020 (0.25 Miles)

Vista Near Cell Tower: September 6, 2020 (0.25 Miles)

East Vista at Turn on Road: September 6, 2020 (0.26 Miles)

South Vista on Road: September 6, 2020 (0.38 Miles)

Old AT Lower Junction: September 6, 2020 (0.40 Miles)

Old AT Lower Junction Vista: September 6, 2020 (0.40 Miles)

Lower Parking Area: September 6, 2020 (0.53 Miles)

....AT

Just Leaving the Woods: September 6, 2020 (0.55 Miles)

....Buzzard Rock

Buzzard Rock: September 6, 2020 (0.67 Miles)

....Vista of Whitetop (0.67 Miles)

....North Vista: September 6, 2020 (0.67 Miles)

South Vista: September 6, 2020 (0.67 Miles)

....Raven Rocks

East Vista of Whitetop: September 6, 2020 (0.72 Miles)

Raven Rocks: September 6, 2020 (0.72 Miles)

....Main VistaL September 6, 2020 (0.72 Miles)

....Whitetop Mountain Road

....Whitetop Mountain Sign: September 6, 2020 (1.0 Mile)

....VA-600 Junction: September 6, 2020 (1.22 Miles)

....US-58

....Heading East: September 5, 2020 (1.44 Miles)

....Heading West: September 5, 2020 (2.35 Miles)

....Elk Garden

....Virginia Horse Trail: June 17, 2018 (1.55 Miles)

....AT:: September 6, 2020 (1.68 Miles)

....AT Elk Garden Ridge: June 16, 2018 (1.71 Miles)

AT Near Woods: March 24, 2017 (1.75 Miles)

,,,, Brier Ridge

....From West End: June 16, 2018 (3.11 Miles)

....Near Big Rock: March 24, 2017 (3.25 Miles)

....Wilburn Ridge, Mt. Rogers NRA

July 31, 2021: Saddle (5.16 Miles)

....Grassy Ridge Bald, Pisgah N.F.

June 22, 2021: Summit (45.26 Miles)

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Wildlife Of Summer '20

While Summer didn't do much to make 2020 any better one thing during the three-month period did....the animals that make up the Wildlife Blog.
Besides a lot of the animals, I usually find during Summer which sometimes even includes Black Bears (final photo). But, this Summer I got to see an animal I hadn't seen in the wild in 40 years...a Bobcat (cover photo & no that's not a Tiger)! Oh, I know dogs aren't technically wildlife, but they were just cool. So, here is the Wildlife of Summer Blog, enjoy....

Amphibians & Crustations: