Alpine Climbing

Yes, it's already approaching that special time of year... time for the Massanutten Death March! After consulting Jen and a few others, I'm putting up this placeholder with dates, and more details can be added or amended later. To quote Michael: "DCUL's annual spring lap around Massanutten... is always a good test of your backpacking chops and your fitness coming out of the winter." To quote me, "You might cry. You might develop the largest blisters you ever had! Aaaaand... you might come back next year for more torture..." I'm sticking with the classic version. So, we'll do the trip clockwise, Elizabeth Furnace to Veach Gap on Thursday (roughly 10m), Veach Gap to Waterfall Mountain on Friday (24m). Waterfall to Edinburgh Gap on Saturday (21m), and then back to the Signal Knob Parking lot (15m). NOTE: These splits are copied from last year's event and they do not match the Caltopo below, partly because the Sat/Sun splits show camping at Mudhole Gap but I'm going with Edinburgh Gap. We can make an updated Caltopo later. And, I know not everyone likes the Edinburgh campsite, but I don't want to add an extra 5 miles to Mudhole Gap on Saturday. We'll tag a few volunteers to reserve spaces. If anyone would like to post a complementary Half-a-nutten (is that canonical language?) or LM trip for the same weekend, feel free! I'll start group size at 10 plus myself, as Michael did last year. But we may add more spots later. You should be a veteran member to undertake this! It's always a memorable weekend! Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/HNED

This 1 hour high intensity group training session will help you achieve your goals on the big wall. Expect many bodyweight exercises, unconventional methods of training, and some free weights and kettlebells.

Bring a friend, bring family, and bring that neighbor that you kinda know... Come one, come all for some free table tennis. Note: Because we have been playing regularly for years, members tend not to RSVP. If there are any questions, feel free to message.

**Seneca Creek - Backpacking** (Event will go rain-Shine or snow) A hiker’s paradise, Spruce Knob has amazing views and is home to one of the 5 best backpacking routes in the mid-Atlantic. **Seneca Creek** route is a 10 mile easy loop, almost flat ground whit no elevation hike located in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. On this trail you’ll get to experience a little bit of everything. There’s beautiful streams and waterfalls, high mountain meadows. We will move in as soon we arrive (mid day) getting to camp area around 3-4 pm, go for a swim to refresh and come back to eat something. With so many options, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Recreation Area can be as challenging or easy as you want, trails that zigzag all through the valley and along the mountaintop, and they have various lengths and degrees of difficulty. The trails that zigzag through the park below, some of which lead to this summit, venture through meadows, along mountainsides, into dense spruce forests, and along rocky ridges. Here, rhododendron and blueberry flourish, creating a colorful canvas through spring, and in the fall, the forest erupts in fiery hues in every direction. We will star our day at Seneca Creek lower parking lot and walk our way down to one of the most beautiful waterfall on the area where we will spend the rest of our first day on the wild arriving to this area between 4pm. Next day early in the morning we will star our way back arriving to our cars around mid day, from there we will drive for 30-45 minutes more or less to The Sinks of Gandy cave where we will walk thought whit the help of our headlamps. **Note:** First day we will walk slowly and appreciate what nature is offering us, second day we will double the pace mostly due that we have to visit another area (cave) which is 45 minutes driving distance away, so, do not be surprise if a few of you may have to jog to keep up. You have been warned. The **Sinks of Gandy** \- Day Hike cave is truly a diamond in the rough\, Sinks Gandy Creek travels some 3,000 feet through the sinks as it passes under a spur of Yokum Knob, a summit in the Allegheny Mountains. Its upstream entrance is about 30 feet wide and 15 feet high. The tunnel is principally a single long passage from 4 to 35 feet high with a few minor side-passages. The main passage averages 40 to 60 feet wide though in some places opens to nearly 100 feet wide. In many places the creek fills the entire floor of the passage and in others is confined to a narrow trench. Its downstream entrance is offset by about 100 feet to the east of the creek's channel, which exits through boulders. Water shoes are a must have. After exiting the cave we will head back home, this will take most of the day so be aware that arriving home late evening is a high provability, plan accordingly. **Meeting area:** We all will meet at Vienna Metro Station Friday at 7:30pm and soon be on the move so try to be there on time, **or** a camping area **Friday camp (or 9am Saturday)** Princess Snowbird Campground Walk in, no reservation require - Private paid area - Bring cash **Camping GPS exactly location:** 38.835594, -79.378526 **Seneca Creek trailhead GPS:** 38.711839, -79.549878 If driving to meet at the trail head, be there by 11am **NOTE:** No cellphone signal on the area. **Gear list:** 1.) Tent 2.) Sleeping bag 3.) Sleeping pad 4.) 2 pieces rain suit or poncho (Just in case) 5.) 2-3 Extra pair of socks. 6.) Backpacking stove + pot/cup/dish/spoon 7.) Dehydrate food for your self. 8.) Camel bag/bottle or similar for drinking water. 9.) Snacks/sandwich/power bars or equivalent, etc. 10.) Water - Saturday and Sunday we will refuel from a stream 11.) Head lamp + extra batteries 12.) Water shoes + small towel 13.) Bug spry 14.) Full extra set of cloths to change when we come out of the cave, we will be a bit dirty and somehow wet. 15.) 1-2 trash bags to put your muddle clothes on (This specially apply to car riders) [Youtube video created by @Praful, an attendant on this same event time ago.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gSvCdP6CLc) **CARPOOL:** Don't forget if you want a ride or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment, save money, and make friends by just posting a message!! **Have a ride:** Please post where you are coming from, what time, and how many spots you have. **Need a ride:** Post that you need a ride and contact any offers via e-mail for those that are offering rides. **NOTE:** Carpool is ***NOT free***, a gas share of $15 x person is encouraged to give to however is your driver as a token of appreciation.

It’s finally gorgeous weather for hiking! Let’s visit Billy Goat Trail! We’re going to rock scramble on Section A. This section is 1.75 miles and considered by National Park Service as technical and strenuous, with rugged terrain of the trail involving a 50ft steep cliff face ascension. Meeting Point: free parking lot near the trail, but NOTE this parking lot fills up very quickly very early https://maps.app.goo.gl/FisVVrYkULSRjzNf6?g_st=ic Pets: not allowed by NPS on this section Duration: 2-3 hours Attire: hiking shoes HIGHLY recommended \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

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.

**PLEASE NOTE:** This event does NOT guarantee your ticket to the event. This is an information only promotion. Come join the *Columbus Clippers* on Video Game Night at *Huntington Park* with *COGG* members showcasing their games! SATURDAY, APRIL 18: Video Game Day! Enjoy an appearance by the one and only *Sonic the Hedgehog*! [https://www.milb.com/columbus/tickets/single-game-tickets](https://www.milb.com/columbus/tickets/single-game-tickets)

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

Joins us for a 3 mile hike this Friday evening along the beautiful Alum Creek Trail. This fully paved trail is pretty flat and winds along Alum Creek. We will travel 1.5 miles south along the trail to a scenic bridge before turning around. Hope to see you Friday!

**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.

This trail is a meandering path through the woods. There will be some overlooks and a couple stops at the creek as well as time along a waterway. It will not be a fast paced hike. There is some elevation change and uneven terrain. I will be using poles just to be safe! Will aim to get in about three miles. Optional lunch after if there is an interest.