VA>Grayson Highlands State Park>January 17-19, 2014>Mt. Rogers Winter Hang

[slowhike]

Looks like they got down to 6 degrees F last night.
http://weather.graysonfriends.org/
13 F as of now.

[smopoim86]

We had thermometer readings between 2 and 5 last night. It was 5 at 7am this morning. Got 1-3 inches of powder overnight too.

I came home today because I didn't stay hydrated well last night. This morning I got up and felt alright but nearly passed out on the way to my car to get my water.

After about 15-20 min in a car and a couple bottles of water, I started to feel better. I don't think it can be stressed enough to stay properly hydrated and to not go out solo in winter conditions. It easily could have been a much worse situation if someone wouldn't have been close by when I got light headed.

[bonsaihiker]

Just got home and had a hot shower. Great hang! Pictures and more later. Tired. Need sleep.

[Doctari]

Home, mostly unpacked. Am sure I have some of Rob's stuff & he mine, Oh well!
I think this was the best one yet! Almost felt bad about leaving PM Sat, but following our "gut feelings" all of this trip has made for a great trip, so why buck the trend. Both Rob & I felt it was time to leave (On a high note so to speak) so we did!

Thanks to all who came & to those who tried!
I"m glad smopoim86 is doing well, that was scary.
The raffle went well, thanks to all who donated & played along! we met expenses AND are able to donate almost $300.00 to the Friends of Grayson highlands. (I'll have the exact number later today. Dutch told me, but that was 9 hours ago. )
And, as always, the folks at the park were FANTASTIC!!! With special thanks to Marci who was a great hostess!


For those who like to plan well in advance, the MRHO is the 3rd weekend in January, so mark your calendars!

OK, off to shower & bed for me.

Thanks again all!

Gary.

[WV]

A great time, interesting weather, as usual. Trip reports go in the trip report thread. Let's hear about some of those day hikes and see some pics.

[visionarylion]

Home safe will post trip report and pix tomorrow after work

[JJJ]

Hey Travelers,

Saturday night, having finally gotten my feet warm, I slept much better. And temps not being as cold probably helped too.

Made it back across the mountain to the truck in about 5 hours to the minute. Not much more snow up on the crest than down at the GHCG, just whipped around by the wind more. Met several people on the trail. Up at Scales I stepped on a 16d nail sticking pointy end up out of a 1x4 buried under the snow. Who wudda thunk??? Caught myself just as it was breaking skin. I pried the board out of the frozen ground and leaned it against the corral fence. Other than that, it was a nice walk. I still stand by my trailrunners though. I might should think about getting some of those Neos for at least standing around in winter camp.

Chewin' the fat at the campfire
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_0783.jpg

Up on the crest looking back down toward the butt end of Wilburn Ridge.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_0805.jpg

Just down into the fir thicket on far side of the mountain.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_0808.jpg

Had a runny nose problems about all weekend
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_0816.jpg


stay warm if ya can't think of nothin' better to do.
catch ya later

[Home Run]

Just want to say a big thanks to all who came to enjoy the best of wintertime with us. Gray Jay and Hammike got some snowy pics of the furry ponies. Doc had a great hike and came back smiling. Dutch had me cracking up most of the weekend. WV gave us a preview of a most interesting hammock he's working on. 2Q proved once again the innovator with his pulk/table. JJ hiked in to camp with his good ole skunk skin cap, but his real olfactory gift was the ghost pepper hot sauce! Taste buds ain't quite the same either, but it was mighty good on the beans. (Glad your foot's ok.)
Had so much good food! Dutch made pancakes and french toast. 2Q brought chili, WV made Chicken Marsel, Doc brought the Scotch eggs, Gray Jay made pulled pork sandwiches, and lots more. (Hickery, we had pickled okra in the beans!)
The winds blew the snow around so much inside the tarp it was like a little snowstorm. Sadly we avoided the sub-zero temps as the lowest recorded was just 1.8F
Mountnman, Slowhike, Hickery, we sure missed ya.
Marcia, thanks again for your hospitality and taking good care of us.
Looking forward to some pics ya'll.