Alpine Climbing

Hey, everyone! I’m going to cycle through some regional classics in the coming months as I come back from plantar fasciitis. So this is Ramsay’s Draft, a roughly 16-18 mile circuit described in my book under the Wild Oak chapter. In a nutshell, we’ll meet up Saturday morning at Vienna, rationalize cars, and drive out. We’ll hike along ridge line in the afternoon before reaching Hiner Springs, one of the higher campsites we routinely use in our area (it could be cool). Sunday, we’ll wake early and descend the draft, which will involve many, many water crossings before we regain the cars. Dry clothes. Pub. Home. I can take 10. The trip is ideal for new people. I will need a gear list, though. Join me. U-Turn 571-225-6763

This event is NOT for beginners please. If you can't make it, please try to sign out at least 5 hours before the event starts. Thank you!

Join us for our very first group hike! This is a relaxed, beginner-friendly outing focused on getting outside, meeting new people, and enjoying some fresh air together. I'm limiting this one to about 10 spots so it doesn't get too crowded, so RSVP soon! Afterwards, join us across the street at the Old Angler's Inn for brunch (optional) at noon. It's located near the trail and parking areas, so there's no need to drive to get there. **UPDATE 4/4: We are going to do Billy Goat Trail Section A instead of Section B.** Section A is the most iconic part of the the trail which includes some rock scrambling. It's a little more difficult, but also lots of fun and I'm confident that everyone will have fun with it together. Location: Billy Goat Trail Section A - C & O Canal National Historic Park https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/billy-goat-loop-trail Distance: 3.6 miles Difficulty: Moderate Duration: \~2 hours What to Bring: * Comfortable hiking shoes * Weather-appropriate clothing * Water (1-2 liters)

Save the date! For our April meet up we’ll be headed to the new Atlas location in the Bridge District. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of great brews and adult coloring. We’ll have some adult themed coloring books available to choose from as well as colored pencils. These are to enjoy *at the event*, not to take home with you. However if you fall in love with a particular page please feel free to tear it out. 🤗

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The History of Plastic Surgery,”** with Dr. Wendy Chen, plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgeon and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-plastic-surgery](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-plastic-surgery) .] Most people misunderstand plastic surgery as vain and aesthetic, but the origins of this fascinating specialty are much deeper than that. Come gain a rich understanding of the roots, medical impact, and current wide reach of a life-altering medical specialty with Dr. Wendy Chen, a leading educator on plastic and reconstructive surgery who has won awards for her work in clinical, basic science and education research. She’ll talk about how reconstructive surgery has been around for thousands of years, with evidence of it having been practiced in ancient Egypt and India, and has made advancements in the course of major wars. Those who practice it have been innovators in medicine, playing a major role in breakthroughs and winning the Nobel prize for kidney transplantation. The need for plastic and reconstructive surgery has stemmed largely from how much our appearance influences how we navigate our worlds and how others regard us. There was a time, in fact, when people in American prisons were offered plastic surgery as an intervention against recidivism. Yet reconstructive surgery also has faced opposition, such as religious bans on its practice stemming from the belief that physical differences are a manifestation of spiritual sin. Fast forward to now when plastic surgeons treat patients of every age for every kind of ailment, from congenital differences to trauma to cancer. Yes, some plastic and reconstructive surgery is to help people conform to tabloid- and social media-driven narratives of what defines beauty, but the field involves a lot more than injecting Botox and shaping buttocks. ( Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Reconstructive facial surgery as illustrated by Jean Baptiste Marc Bourgery in the late 1840s (Wellcome Collection / public domain).

**Details** **You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.** **Read the Liability Disclaimer:** [https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf) \*\*\*PLEASE BE SURE TO ACCEPT THE WAIVER\*\*\* The Northern Virginia Hiking Club has an annual member appreciation event as well as an annual hike leader appreciation event. This is neither one of those. Join us for a Club social where we can all gather and get to know one another. The Club does not subsidize or cover any costs for the socials; all participants are responsible for their own expenses. Every attempt will be made to rotate venues around the DMV to make it more accessible, depending on where you live. This time we will be at **Sudhouse DC**, located near the U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo metro station in Washington, DC. **PARKING** is available at parking garages located at 14th and U Streets ([https://maps.app.goo.gl/uPjaDb5zA14GKvEm8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uPjaDb5zA14GKvEm8) and [https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3kFczLVViBhX1xQ6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3kFczLVViBhX1xQ6)) Street parking is available, as well. **FOOD** — They have a variety of options, seen here: [https://sudhousedc.com/food824.pdf](https://sudhousedc.com/food824.pdf) **DOGS**: From the venue —> Dogs are welcome on the main floor/mezzanine only. **INDIVIDUAL TABS** — everyone will be able to maintain their own tabs. Hope to see you there!

[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46073614](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46073614) 18.4 miles. Toilets are at the beginning, middle, and end of the trail. **Picnic stop will be in Meadowbrook Local Park at 12.5 miles.** Celebrate (Mother) Earth Day! This route was originally conceived as part of the Takoma Park Earth Day celebration in April 2024. We are happy to ride again for this year's Celebration. We will e-bike from Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park through Takoma Park, and then on to the Sligo Creek Trail. From Sligo Creek we head west past Holy Cross Hospital and through the Forest Glen neighborhood. We then turn south on to Rock Creek Trail. Earth Day Festivities with occur in Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, approximately 6 miles into the ride. Face painting, snow cones, art activities and exhibits promoting a variety of environmental and sustainability causes will be there! The picnic stop is at Meadowbrook Local Park, 12.5 miles into the ride. **Please charge your batteries. The ride is on asphalt and often flat but we will encounter some hills. As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.** Bring snacks, lunch and plenty of water. Pump tires, check brakes and charge your battery. Consider packing a spare tire tube. Check weather and dress appropriately. As always, this is a self-guided event. **We recommend you download the Ride with GPS route.** [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46073614](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46073614) The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be 18.4 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day. For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun. **Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers** Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership: https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN **More information about using GPS files:** https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/ **More information about e-bike ranges:** https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/ **DISCLAIMER** LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, RICHARD CAMER, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS. See for full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer

**PATC Map 10 / Trailhead hike- NO BUS Meet at 10 AM.** *$5 plus SNP fee or park pass. Long hike: 10½ mi., 1500 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 8½ mi., 1000 ft. elevation gain.* This hike explores one of the few areas in Shenandoah National Park where the older trees were not displaced by farmland. From the Meadow Springs parking area, all hikers will go along the Hazel Mountain Trail and then take a loop using the White Rocks and Hazel River Trails, then return via the Hazel Mountain Trail. Long hikers will take an additional shorter loop via the Hazel River and Catlett Spur Trails. *** RESERVATIONS Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number. FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace. LIABILITY By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)** The parking area at Meadow Springs is limited -- it holds only about 15 cars comfortably. If necessary, we will set up a shuttle from Hazel Mountain Overlook, which is about 1/2 mile away. Carpooling is encouraged to minimize the number of cars to account for. Also, be prepared for a challenging stream crossing through the Hazel River about 4 miles into the hike. Hiking poles are recommended. Water shoes are not necessary, but they would be decidedly useful.

Over time I'm hoping to organize a hike to all the Franklin County Metro Parks. This is the first one so if you're interested jump in! We'll start with the Canopy Walk, a cool feature of this park. Climb 100 stairs to the top - or take the elevator if stairs aren't your thing. At the top there are a bunch of things to play on - a rope bridge, a fireman pole that we can slide down - and more! About fifteen minutes there and we'll head to the natural trail, Buttonbush, Maple and Beech Trail for 2.2 miles then do a 1.7 mile loop on the paved Greenway Trail. We'll be passing our cars as we transition if you only want to do the first loop, or the second loop. Pace of around 3.5 mph but no one left behind. If there is an interest we can grab lunch nearby afterward.

**Caller: Kim Thompson** **Band: Full Moon Country Dance Orchestra** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Let’s walk the gardens and enjoy what has spring has on display.

**Caller: Richard Ades** **Band: The McKenzies** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.