Save the Date for the Fall MAHHA Hang! Oct. 18-20, 2013

**HappyCamper** · 07-03-2013, 13:47

OK folks, we have the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship near Harpers Ferry, WV reserved for the Fall MAHHA. It's the 3rd weekend in October. October 18-20, 2013. I've rented the area from noon Friday to noon Sunday (most people leave before then anyway).

Detailed information to follow but you can mark your calendars now!

**Cranky Bear** · 07-03-2013, 19:41

Thank you so very much for continuing to take this undertaking on. You are awesome HC, got this on my calendar.

**Yojimbo** · 07-03-2013, 20:12

Already saved the date. Of course its also a Scout Camporee that weekend but I have my priorities. Hammocks!

**lazy river road** · 07-03-2013, 20:15

Boy oohh boy oohh boy oohh boy I sure do hope I can make this hang. Thanks so much WV,HC and all those who helped

**MedicineMan** · 07-03-2013, 21:33

HC 'I've rented' means you paid money. Let us know if you want PayPal dontations to help cover.

**HappyCamper** · 07-04-2013, 06:37

Originally Posted by lazy river road

Boy oohh boy oohh boy oohh boy I sure do hope I can make this hang. Thanks so much WV,HC and all those who helped

Thanks! JD went to the Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival for the site visit when I broke my foot and couldn't make it. And ABHarris has been crucial in the change of venue. I wanted to keep it in the same general area and she took it before the board of directors and got the OK for us to hang on their trees.

The person I have spoken to at the center has been great but there will be a few rules that deal with the environmental aspect of the center. The big change is there will be no campfire back in the hang area because there are no fire rings back there. But we can have a communal fire up by the pavilion. We will need to bring wood for that because the center leaves all wood on the ground. It's one of their environmental policies. We can use camp stoves back in the hang area, but no grills, because they don't want charcoal dumped back there. Again everyone will need to practice leave no trace. Which isn't a big deal for us. 99% of our usual group camps this way anyway.

There are other rules and policies that I will post and that are listed on their website; they are rules that our hikers follow anyway. Again no big deal.

Another new aspect is since we are renting this venue from a non- profit organization, there is a form we all need to sign for liability purposes. That we're camping out and there are inherent dangers with that and if you get hurt on the property you won't sue. This will be part of our sign-up excel sheet. When you sign up on our sheet you are agreeing to the liability form that will be a page on the excel sheet.

The part I like is that we still need to backpack into the hang site. Like Gathland, less than a mile but enough that newbies will get a chance at packing their gear into a backpack. Plus there is a connector trail to the AT so people can do prehikes, post hikes, and day hikes on the AT.

We are a stone's throw from Harpers Ferry so people can bike the C&O Canal rail trail riding and camping before or after the event. Harpers Ferry has the rivers there for people who canoe or kayak. Plus there's the historic Harpers Ferry and the AT Headquarters if anyone needs maps. I seem to pick up a new map every time I'm in there.

There's also geochaching for the kids. Check the link here. Good place for birding as well. Check out the Birds of the Ridge Trail description. Plus . . . Families, hikers, birders and anyone interested in enjoying our beautiful setting is invited to stop by our office and check out a Birds of the Ridge Daypack. Equipped with the tools of a naturalist, each pack contains binoculars (suitable for children and adults), a field guide, trail map, suggested activities and sketching materials. We highly recommend using the Daypack while strolling along our Birds of a Feather Interpretive Trail. . . How cool is that for families.

It's going to be a great venue for us! Plenty of parking, a big pavilion, easy directions, and great access to various outdoor activities.

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

HC 'I've rented' means you paid money. Let us know if you want PayPal dontations to help cover.

The center was so cool. When I explained how we weren't a big organized group and how we raise the money for the hang from the raffle, she said we could send the check after. Mostly because of our connection with ABHarris.

We will have to rent port-a-potties for the back hang area, and I'm sure there will be an upfront cost on that. So I'll give an update once that part is worked out. Thanks MedicineMan.

**HappyCamper** · 07-04-2013, 06:54

Blue Ridge Center map here.

**Two Tents** · 07-04-2013, 07:16

Yea! Thanks to all who again are doing the thankless task of behind the scene organization for what looks to be an awesome site! Thanks to ABHarris for bringing it up that she had a secret site and was willing to share this treasure! I'm in for a post hike out of this one for sure.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-04-2013, 07:22

How far is the hike and what is the terrain? Gaithland was manageable for me until the last climb. If that's what we are dealing with it may still be too much.