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Friday Hikers: Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge, June 17

Collins Chew reporting

We had ideal weather for our 4.8-mile hike from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge and return and then another 0.5 mile (about) hike through the Rhododendron Gardens.  Along the AT, the rhododendrons were upstaged by a nearly continuous, beautiful display of flame azalea with many colors showing.  The rhododendrons were also very nice, particularly near the top of Grassy Ridge and in the Gardens.  There were many other wildflowers, including American Mountain Ash, Grays Lily, bluets, ragwort, and more.  Many others shared our enjoyment of the day.  There was the usual stop for peaches as well.  Hikers were:  Olin Babb, Lee Bockman, Anne Cosby, Carol and Dave Dunham, Judith Foster, Bob Harvey, Jerry Sluder, Judy and Bill Tindall, Lowell Toof, first timers Rikki Rhoton and Sharon Trumley, and Collins Chew.

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HA-1– Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Vic Hasler, Rental Equipment Coordinator (rental@tehcc.org)

A new type of equipment for the hiking club – trekking poles.  Based on discussion held at the March Lunch & Learn, a pair of Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Poles was purchased for $80 to allow members a chance to try them out before deciding to buy this type of equipment.  These three-section poles were selected due to the ease of adjustment within 29-55 inches using the FlickLocks feature.  Rental rate “D” ($4 weekend, $6 week-long) will be set for these poles.  If popular, then another pair of a different style may be purchased to allow comparison.

They will also be demonstrated at Ian Powell’s “Trekking Poles 101” Lunch & Learn on July 21st, so come learn how to properly use them – including those wrist loops.

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Friday Hikers: AT – Braemar to Shook Branch, June 10

Collins Chew reporting

We hiked from Braemar over Pond Mountain on the AT to Shook Branch to measure a new relocation near the top of Pond Mountain.  The relocation measured 1851 feet long and the entire section ended up 0.1 miles shorter than the guide book distance.  We walked about 7 miles including the mile on the blue-blaze trail from Braemar.  There were a fair number of wildflowers with Mountain Laurel the showiest.  I was also fascinated by the white and pink-flowered shrub at low elevations at both ends.  I guess it is Corymbed Spirea.  The flower spikes of Galax got the most comments.  Some flame azalea was still blooming.  Hikers were:  Bob Harvey, Lowell Toof, and Collins Chew.

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Fun Fest 2011 Moon Light Hike at Bays Mountain Park

Ian A. Powell Reporting

TEHCC needs your help. On Thursday July 21 the club is co-sponsoring a moon light hike at Bays Mountain Park. For those who haven’t attended or volunteered, it’s a fun 2.4 mile hike along [[BMP Lakeside Trail|Lakeside Trail]]. It kicks off at 8 o’clock and goes to about 10 PM. Previous community attendance has been in the 200’s.  The club needs people to help with head count and to help guide attendees through trail intersections. Volunteers should meet on the end of the dam closest to the visitors center at 7:30 PM. All that volunteers need to bring are a flashlight and insect repellant.  Please contact Tom Boyd at tomboyd@eastman.com or call 229-1395 if you would like to volunteer/help with the event. Please contact Tom if you plan to help out so that we can ensure we have enough people to support the event. Hope to see you there.

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July Club Meeting – Trekking Poles

Leader:  Ian Powell, ipowell@eastman.com

Never used a pair of trekking poles before?  Not exactly sure how they are supposed to be used?  Why do they have baskets on the bottom, it’s not going to snow in July?  Why are the pesky straps on the pole, should I cut them off?  Trekking poles can be intimidating and sometimes a big ticket item to purchase.  At this meeting we will go over the proper use, adjustment and maintenance of trekking poles.  We will touch on the different options that the industry includes in their pole designs.  This is your chance to try out a pair of poles and see it they are something you might be interested in.

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Nolichucky River Clean-up and Celebration, June 4

Debbie Briscoe reporting

We had record attendance at the cleanup this year!  But first let me say and I couldn’t have done it without the support of our club officers Jerry, Cheryl, Wes, Jeff and Scott.  Their assistance with organizing, getting the food, and picking up donations and TVA bags was a huge help!  At sign-in, we had an exciting and overwhelming period of giving out location assignments and organizing clean teams.  After getting everyone on their way to the specific focus points, I teamed up with a small band of merry volunteers and set off to the Saw Mill put in.  The weather was perfect and the water was wonderful! Continue reading “Nolichucky River Clean-up and Celebration, June 4”

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Friday Hikers: AT – Whitetop Mountain, June 3

Collins Chew reporting

We had a beautiful day for our 7-mile hike on the AT over Whitetop.  I have never seen the field so green.  There were many wildflowers including flame azalea.  Hikers were: Jack Aaron, Olin Babb, Lee Bockman, Kathy and Jerry Case, Andrew Cleland, Anne Cosby, Carol and Dave Dunham, first timer Irma Graf, who was scouting for the ATC meeting next month, Bob Harvey, John and Helen Hoover, Carol Idol, Heather Jacob, Larry Miller, Susie Seiler, Jerry Sluder, Lowell Toof, and Collins Chew.

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The Week Ahead – July 11th

Is it too hot for hiking? Would everyone prefer to be on the water instead? We have a lot of water events but only the reliable Colins Chew and his Friday Hikers doing a foot based event. We do rely on our members (any member) to organize and list events, so if you have an idea please email chair@tehcc.org and we’ll work with you to arrange it and get it on the calendar.

  • Paddle to the Grill on Thursday
  • Friday Hikers
  • NOC Canoe Club Challenge on Saturday
  • Explore the Holston River (flat-water series) on Saturday
  • Watauga Class I-II on Saturday
  • 2011 Nantahala Hometown Throwdown Event #4

As usual, get the details on the Schedule.

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Exploring the Holston, May 28

Deb Reynolds reporting

Memorial weekend was hot, but mid-day Saturday, the North Fork of the Holston River was calm, cool, and secluded, yet close to home.  We had 4 women for this trip, 2 of whom have never paddled before on their own.  The river is very quiet on this section with farmland, forest and some residential homes.  We saw more blue herons and large turtles than I have seen anywhere else and we were even paddling with the cows that had come down to drink and cool off.  There were trees for most of the section to provide shade with a nice breeze.  The water had a few shoals, but nothing more than a class I, if even that.  We had a short stop for a snack and were off the river in 2 hours with plans for all 4 of us to paddle together again.  I followed up with another paddle on the same section on Memorial Day; the river level had dropped about a foot in 2 days.  We had a few more shoals and dragged bottom a few times.  I would not recommend a composite material kayak at a lower level than this.  The drive for the shuttle was remarkably short and I will be doing this section quite often due to the location and scenery.  I can’t wait for the next sections of the Holston River to explore!   (Attending: Deb, Jaime, Dianne and Sarah on Day 1; Deb and Paul on Day 2).