2nd Season - Training/Endurance Hike #4(24.6 Mi/8200 Ft Gain) + Half Presi Hike

(See below for details on #1 Half Presi Training Hike also listed for January 5. Sorry for the late entry.)

This is a training hike for the extreme day hikes:

Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains, NH
20+ miles 9000 elevation gain (May 2013)
Great Range Traverse in the Adirondacks, New York
20+ miles 9000 elevation gain (TBD)
Devils Path in the Catskills, NY
24+ miles 9000 elevation gain (TBD)

This hike is modeled after training hike #1 except we are adding on Old Rag and Robertson Mountains and bypassing Hawksbill Summit. We will start going up Cedar Run, head over to Old Rag Mountain, then to Robertson Mountain, and finish by going down White Oak Canyon. How many miles you ask? Mileage is just a number, but about 25. Elevation gain? Dave's expert topo-map-making tells me 8200'. However, I can say you will get waterfalls, rock scrambling, amazing views, then even more views, and finish with even more waterfalls....now that is what I am talking about! This one is not for the faint of heart and if you have not been on a training hike before, don't even think about it without prior leader permission. We may cut off one loop for those doing the Half Presi...or if you can't keep up, which will be the leader's perogative. I always do Old Rag in Winter, and always look forward to those killer views, winter wind, and a great time, so just throwing it all into one....just for fun! See you there and don't be square!

When we do the Presi and other extreme dayhikes, we always start before daylight. We will do the same for this hike to get accustomed to doing so. There is still a good chance we will finish this hike in the dark so you need your headlamp for both the start and the finish of this hike.

Who Can Participate in this Event?

You must either have participated in Training Hike #3 held on Dec 15 or be approved by one of the event hosts. The event hosts will verify each participant meets this requirement and if a question arises, you will be contacted privately to confirm your qualification. Understand that this requirement is both for your safety and for the benefit of the other participants.

Transportation Details

We will meet at the Centreville Park & Ride at 4:00am and head from there to the White Oak Canyon parking area (38.53860 -78.34736). The goal will be to begin the hike at 5:30am sharp!

Event participants that normally rely on Metro will need to make other arrangements. Others who are driving from the DC area please assist those without vehicles and pick them up if possible before heading to the Centreville Park & Ride. Use the event comments list to coordinate this transportation assistance.

Equipment Requirements

Headlamp - REQUIRED with extra batteries

Water - Recommend that you start with at least 2 liters.

Trail Food - Enough to get you through a 25 mile 8200 feet elevation gain hike. It is better to have a little too much than too little.

Clothing - Layered clothing to 1) allow delayering in order to limit sweating and 2) layers that can be added to retain body warmth when at the summits in the wind. Hat and gloves. Spare socks are also recommended.

Other - Additional clothing/equipment depending upon the conditions. Rain shell, microspikes, snowshoes, etc. Specific additional requirements will be posted prior to the hike if conditions require them.

Map - Print the route map and instructions and bring this with you to the hike. Click the following link to open the map file.

CedarRunOldRagRobertsonMountainWhiteOakCanyon.pdf (click this link) (http://files.meetup.com/317560/CedarRunOldRagRobertsonMountainWhiteOakCanyon.pdf)

Questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to either post a comment or to send your question to one of the event hosts in a private email.

HALF PRESI - TRAINING HIKE - Strenuous Hike - Lead by Kirsten

Who can come: Same as above

Start Time: 9:00 a.m. at White Oak Canyon parking area at the end of SR643 (38.53860 -78.34736). Car Pooling is on your own. Fee (self pay) for Parking lot - $10 per car or national park pass.

Distance: Approximately 11 miles, elevation gain approximately 3475 ft.

Time: Approximately 6 hours, the snow may slow us down some.

What to bring: Same as above except as there will be melting snow, some type of microspikes/Yak Tracs will be needed to traverse the slippery sections of the trail. No snowshoes needed. I will distribute maps for this trip at the White Oak parking lot. (Up Cedar Run trail to Hawksbill Mountain and return on White Oak Canyon trail)

Finish: Meal/drinks at Molly's Irish Pub, 36 Main St. Warrenton, VA 20186, phone 540-349-5300. Website here: http://mollysirishpub.com/