NATURE MATTERS.  LOOK UP!

 

As highpointers and participants in it's varied outdoor spin-offs, along the trails, one most know, say, moving heads down, what a dead squirrel looks like.  Live squirrels look different.  Try looking up now and then.  Have you noticed the skies? A normal bright blue sky or one with beautiful puffy-cloud skies can be taken for granted.  But what's that track-marked azure that is occurring regularly?  Everywhere.  They are not "jet contrails."  They're chem-trails, aka, "cloud seeding." No?  Look up, then look it up. In the name of global warming control, we're being rained on with a noxious concoction of harmful chemicals!  There's a long list of them and they're mostly not good - the opposite of healthful vitamins and minerals, for sure.  There's more going on here than most people know. From the pics posted, which sky would you prefer on an outdoor venture?  Or anytime?  Pull up YouTube and plug in "chem-trails." 
 

There was once a TV commercial that went, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature."  As well, "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature."  If the tracks turn out to be, indeed, "contrails," why is it ok for jet travel to haze up what might have been a beautiful blue sky anymore than it's not ok to throw trash out the car window, littering the roadsides?  The cloud cover causes green house effect, trapping ultraviolet-generated heat between the earth and the hazy moisture blanket.  A conspiracy theory, simultaneously overt and covert?  So be it.  Continue on then, heads down.  Still, what is that stuff, really?!

COUNTY HIGHPOINTING

When checking with Andy Martin, County High Pointing Guru, about plugging this activity here, he offered: "It's a nice hobby if you like maps, navigating, geography, getting outdoors, hiking, bushwacking, and sometimes talking to landowners." Hmm...hey, Andy, how's this: Dude, you have to be eccentric or bordering on insane/foolhardy to do this stuff!  Like reaching 3142 counties in all 50 states?  Yikes!  See link HAZARDS photos of what you might encounter while engaging in this outdoor endeavor. Links:  County Highpointers   COHP egroup   COHP HAZARDS

PARIS WAYMARK

On our return from our Moscow to St. Petersburg trip, via Volga River, we managed to swing 3 nights in Paris before returning to the US. Had a very nice, affordable stay at the Hotel la Bouronnaise on Avenue de la Bouronnaise less than a mile from the Eiffel Tower, walking distance. Per the time we had, we covered Paris rather well:  the Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre/D'Orsay museums - the Mona Lisa/Impressionist art resp, a Seine River on-off tour boat gig, the same for a double-deck tour-bus take of the city, shops of Rue Cler, and several hits on cutsy French sidewalk restaurants. The fare was expensive and 'ok.' Avoid the Paris Metro unless you like more walking than riding. We didn't make the Paris high point, "Rue du Telegraphe," but bagged a WayMark in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, one we had no idea of until we arrived there. This marker is aprx 50ft in front of the ND entrance. Once we learned it existed, we had to squirrel around till finally locating it amidst the huge crowd there. It's designated POINT ZERO/DES ROUTES DE PARIS, a.k.a. The Center of Paris or the city's street layout focal point on Ile da la Cite, an island in the Seine.

While our stay was time-compacted, we did it free-lance and enjoyed the challenge. In France, English is a 2nd language, we're told, but approaching the French, and others - foreign tourists as us, was a tad frustrating since they were as clueless as we.  At times it seems the French were playing dumb (often indifferent) in the midst of lucrative tourist revenue.  Links:  Paris   Ile da la Cite   Paris HP

LARGEST EUROPE LAKES

When on a river cruise on the Volga between Moscow and St. Petersburg, the prospects for bagging geo-extremes are few.  Just go along with the group and don't fall overboard trying to be different. This trip was made last summer with Grand Circle Travel.  The upper-right picture is from the dock on Kizhi Island with a far view of the Transfiguration Church, the island's historical, dominating structure.  Kizhi is located on Europe's 2nd largest lake, Onezhskoye (Onega). Continuing NE on our sail, Lake Laatokka (Ladoga) was next, The Big Kahuna, Europe's Number One.  It was nearing dusk and no dockings were made.  The bottom-right photo is the definitive geo-shot, then, including a spit of southern lakeshore and a "sailer" at the bow of trusty Russian river-cruiser, Rossia.  Again, the question is asked: Is there a future for Lake-Pointing?  Links:  L. Ladoga ;  L. Onega ; Europe Lakes

U.S. NORTHWESTERN-MOST POINT

Of the contig 48, i.e...


This GeoXtreme aquisition was part of our U.S. NW trip focused on attending the OR12 HP Konvention.  We landed in Portland in advance of the meet date then rental-car-rolled CW along the Pacific coast covering this site and Mt. St. Helens via Seattle.

Reaching Neah Bay fishing village via Rt112 and beyond bordered on rustic though super-scenic. Destination:  Cape Flattery, a.k.a., The Point.  The 3/4 mile trailhead had a nice parking area plus clean toilets.  The trail itself was too-cool:  a wonderful forested  path much of which was a neat, well-maintained winding "boardwalk."  Once arrived at The Point, we enjoyed a non-pariel view of the Pacific and it's rocky-gnarly edging. Follow Cape Flattery Road out of Neah Bay about 4 mi. to the traihead.

A tad below The Point is Cape Alava, the western-most point of the 48 contiguous. It's just slightly more west than CF. Reach Ozette, also, via Rt 112: turn left 5mi west of Seiki and follow Hoko Ozette Rd. 21 miles to the Cape Alava trailhead.  This 3 mi trail, too, consists of boardwalks which lead to the Pacific coastline.  Links:  Cape Flattery ; Cape Alava   Of course, Google for more info.

 

REVIVING "THE STOP"

 A new coat of paint, etc...

After a too-long-down-time, we're getting back in the groove with posts to this blog once again.  After 3+ years the archived articles have taken a beating:  lost FTP-stored text and graphics, expired links, and just plain outdated or passe, zzzzz..., topics.  The blog now has a different, more generic appearance which amounts to Blogger's own renovation with limited format offerings.  But it's easy to use and free to users so, hey.... We'll attempt to customize THE TREK STOP, including the struggle to tweak their HTML with little experience at it, with our own trimmings for the best unique look, just short of gauche, of course. A few somewhat recent items will be posted soonly.  Also, we'll be tending a tad toward WayMarking ventures based on all the incredibly interesting world-places there are to visit.  When describing where we've been, detailed nuts and bolts directions are offered as best can, often relatively superior to what we had to go on when venturing forth.  Check out:  WAYMARKING  Also, a Wikipedia link has been added at the bottom of the blog page.

ELBERT COUNTY HIGH POINT

 a.k.a. THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES

We're not county highpointers but this controversial site, as part of our recent Christmas/New Years, Down-South side-trip, turned out to be one of those (currently totaling 3142, though not all legally accessible, according to County HPer Guru Andy Martin).  We landed here on 4Jan.  Nice day; nice countryside.  But the "stones" were a tad spooky. This formidable granite Stonehenge-like monolith is composed of 4 vertical "tablets" plus capstone amounting to a not-quite 20ft. height.  Weight = 119 tons. Displayed are ten Moses-like engraved precepts for the world's inhabitants in 12 different languages.  The most provocative guideline recommends: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature."  These upright blocks, like Stonehenge, encompass astronomical aspects. Ordered and bought by mysterious Mr. "R.C.Christian" from the nearby Elberton Granite Finishing Corporation, it was unveiled on March 22, 1980.  Visible from the highway, it's located just off GA77 between Hartwell and Elberton in NE GA.  For more info, Google, YouTube, and Wikipedia will provide much.  Plug in Georgia Guidestones.
Note:  About a mile or so south of Nuberg, the "stones" have an actual address - 1065 Guidestones Road.  It wasn't recognized by our GPS but maybe yours.

LAKE TAHOE
Reno trip, cont.Is there a future for Lake-Pointing? Our Reno trip took us to beautiful, cold, clear Lake Tahoe. In our Chev Cobalt rental, now approaching 1500 added odometer miles, we circum-drove 80% of the lake, catching the essence of the area 100% while trying to ignore the commercialism/hype and the sight of expensive homes we could never afford (jealousy).

Lake Tahoe's geo-stats are impressive: deep, wide, long, etc., and a contender for the highest U.S. lake, or alpine lake, "of it's size" depending on which stats you read. At 6225ft at surface level, what are the possibilities for wet GeoXtremes?

Below are nitty-grittty info links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe
http://www.virtualtahoe.com/Community/TahoeFAQs.html
http://ceres.ca.gov/tcsf/tahoe-local/facts.html
http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/page.php?p=pkf&l=1

U.S. LOWEST POINT
Er, not really...

Bagging Boundary Peak, the highest point in the state of Nevada was a bust but not the country's lowest point...sort of. In Death Valley, there's a sign on the wooden tourist deck at Badwater which reads -282ft but, somewhere in all the DVNP literature, we read that Bw is the lowest point you can "drive" to. The actual lowest point can be reached by hiking several miles west into the basin. So, how low can you go there? -290ft? What?

I bought this (see pic) little pewter-looking USGS DV Lowest Point Bench Mark pin (because I wanted it to decorate my Death Valley cap...and it cost $4.95 and, no, it wasn't on sale and neither was the cap - $19.95 which I also wanted, both purchased in Furnace Creek).

Afterwards, w/an inquery, we stood in a long line at the FC Visitor Center info counter to ask Smokey the DVNP Ranger clerk where the actual marker could be located. He kinda brushed us off with something like, "There isn't one. Next!" We then gave way to a jabbering group of Germans - seemed like there were more foreigners than natives in these parts.

Anyway, we wandered west into Badwater basin about .2mi looking for a defining post or the marker that didn't exist and set the Magellan on the ground. It danced about an elevation reading of -282ft or so, close enough for tourists and purists. Somewhat disappointed, we took our pictures and moved on.

Death Valley is a quite worthwhile experience. Expect to spend big $$$ to lodge in FC, but dining is more reasonable. Campers and RVs are also accommodated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley

BOUNDARY PEAK (NOT!)
Get Lucky! Sharing lessons learned....

It was a matter of spending down many accumulated UA air miles. But, reserving too late meant enduring 4 flights to reach Reno from Harrisburg, PA. Ditto on the return. Aarrgghh...!

It was a 2-week trip, the focal point being to bag BP, but the lack of a crystal ball resulted in the unexpected - a cold weather aberration - 6 weeks early low temps for the west and southwest. When we finally spied it, the day before the planned climb, BP looked like a snow cone from Rt6. 7Oct was chosen as a climb date but the window couldn't have been wider to secure a laid-back, up/down Lanny Wexler day (see previous post).

Yeah, it's fair-weather climbing for this gang. We prepped as best we could here on the east coast then spent time at the 9-10Kft Whitney Portal, hiking to Lone Pine Lake as well. We have high regard for weather/trial conditions/elevation, and expect the pleasure of the questing experience, views, pics, etc., NOT more chest hair from macho-killer uphill struggles. Negotiating the airports to reach Reno was hair-raising enough.

Once back home, this blurb found on Peak Bagger said it all:

Get Lucky!!! - Mountain conditions
Just like any other desert peak, the conditions on Montgomery (Boundary) are difficult to determine. Many times lesser storms are trapped by the Sierra and fail to make it to the Whites, but use your head. This extreme northern end of the Whites is often beset with ferocious wind conditions, especially in the saddle and ridgeline areas. The nearest towns for web weather checks would include Bishop & Mammoth, CA, along with the modern ghost town of Montgomery Pass, NV.

Research, plan, prepare, train, spend, travel and then...get lucky! And, remember - the hills are alive. As for high point #43...maybe next year. Yo!

Pic: Boundary Peak, NV, 14140' (ctr); Montgomery Peak, CA, 14441 (rt).

A STATE LINE CURIOSTITY
And fickle history...

TTS was due for another Geo-Glitch posting like that odd arc at the top of Delaware and SE PA forming the state line.

Back in early New Castle, and obsession with possession and boundary lines, the Duke of York decided that the top of Delaware would be defined by a 12-mile arc projected from New Castle. So the DOY commissioned a team to procure a huge drawing compass and strike the arc. Originally, the compass point was placed at the old courthouse spire but later, it somehow happened that Broad Dyke, about 2 blocks northeast, was designated as the center of this unique line. As well, the arc is not a true circle segment, having been fudged to suit various boundary/land agendas over time.

The historical marker pictured is at 3rd & Chestnut & Wilmington Sts. where one can stand and muse over how that gigantic compass was hefted into place and rotated from the Delaware River to the Mason-Dixon Line. Also, visit all the other sites of interest in quaint New Castle. Rife with history, it was founded in 1640, the first state's capitol (1664). Here, in 1682, William Penn first set foot in America on the west bank of the Delaware River.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Castle,_Delaware
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAAN_BROAD_DYKE_DE_NC_22
http://www.howderfamily.com/blog/?p=475

Meanwhile, here's another: Keep busy and take a turn by Googling the "Southwig Jog," go there, then report back here w/pics and on-site story.

ANOTHER BOUNDARY PEAK SUCCESS
Long Island highpointer bags a new one...

On September 14, Lanny Wexler bagged his 42nd state high point - Nevada - certainly a desolate one. The drive from Rt 6 to the Queen's Mine parking and camping area is 7mi+ on a rustic dirt road. From here a 4WD is called for to cover an additional steeper and rougher 1 1/2 mi to the trailhead at 9.9Kft. His guide had recommended that Wexler leave some backpack contents in his rented car. So, off he climbed at 7AM, 10lbs lighter.

Lanny describes a trail that is well-defined and straightforward with a memorable 700ft steep section before glimpsing BP. Some suspicious clouds had gathered but proved to be nonthreatening and served to block the hot sun.

At 1045AM, summit was achieved though a cold wind was reason not to linger long and begin descent. A stop for lunch at Trail Saddle afforded a glimpse of wild horses, ancestors of those which escaped from Spaniards after being brought from Mexico in the 1500s.

The guide's truck at the trailhead was reached at 145PM. Total trail time: 6hrs, 45min. Wexler owes this achievement to losing the pack weight for light travel and fun as opposed to an uphill struggle. He also credits short stops, not breaking momentum, and pressure breathing.

Note: In the upper photo, that's Montgomery Peak in the background, the same as in the snowy May 17 post photo. MP is 13441' or 300' higher than BP. And, it's it California. The 2 peaks are under a mile apart and the CA/NV line passes though the saddle. Both can be bagged on the same trip. White Mtn., the 3rd highest in CA (14,252'), can be seen to the south as well as the Sierra range, more SW.

MORE T-SHIRT WISDOM
In time for Halloween?


Another shirt for the collection. Couldn't resist glomming onto this one on a recent trip to NV, CA, and, of course, Death Valley.

A BOUNDARY PEAK TRIP REPORT
Lois & Randall Horne #33....

The couple flew to Reno from New York, rented a car, then based themselves in Bishop before making the climb on 9May. Lois reports as follows:

Yesterday I got the photos from our Nevada trip developed so I thought I would share a few with you all. Nevada's highest peak is ranked 9th in elevation (13143ft.) and considered a strenuous hike. It took us 11.5 hours round trip and approximately 8 miles to reach the summit and return to camp. The weather was gorgeous. High's in the mid to upper 70's and low's in the low 40's. While we were in NV we were able to travel into CA to talk to the ranger's about Mount Whitney which is the highest in the continental US (14496ft.) and not far from Boundary Peak. Mount Whitney still had snow at 9000 feet and above. Fortunately for us, and despite what the rangers told us before we left for the West coast, there was very little snow on top of Boundary Peak.

Pic set: http://bilwe.jalbum.net/NVhp/

AL/GA/FL VISIT REPORT
Bug spray and boots recommended...

This tri-point trip report/update is provided compliments
of Jack Baker (35), long time Highpointers Club member ('89).

Following protocol for this one, Jack contacted land owner Ansely Whatley by e-mail and made arrangements to meet him on May 1st for a trek to the AL/GA/FL corner. Mr. Whatley, who lives in Dothan, AL, drove 30 miles to accommodate tri-pointer Jack (16). Since the heavily wooded access to be crossed was home to rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, chiggers, and skeeters, Whatley, a true Southern Gentleman, kindly provided Jack with bug spray and knee high rubber swamp boots before driving him to within 300 yds. of the marker. From here a bushwhack to the Chattahoochee River followed, and they trodded merrily to the recently erected sign atop a 15 ft tower which faces east, meant to be seen from the river.

It is important to understand that this tri-corner is on private property in a county with strict enforcement of trespassing laws. In that Whatley’s land is directly east of the Chattahoochee State Park, some have attempted to access the tri-point through the park. Mr. Larry Weaver, park ranger, strongly advises against this route. The owner of the land directly south of the FL line has erected a fence along his property line that prevents access by this previously suggested route described in Jack Parsell’s U.S. State Tri-Corners guide. Mr. Whatley is your only way in.

Ansely Whatley owns 700 acres of land dedicated as a nature preserve, 300 of which are set aside as a nature sanctuary. Hunting of deer and turkey is allowed on a limited basis. Whatley feels fortunate that he is able to warden this piece of paradise and feels obligated to share it with others. This particular area is rich in history including a goodly share of boundary issues. Tri-pointers are very welcome within the access window between the end of April and October 15th. Contact Ansely Whatley by e-mail well in advance of your travel schedule to arrange a visit: answat@aol.com

And, remember the above mentioned snakes and bugs to be dealt with here - just another example that tri-pointing is NOT FOR WUSSES!!!

Preceding post w/sign view: http://trekstop.blogspot.com/2009/03/algafl-tripoint-update-news-is-good.html

NC HIGHPOINT REVISIT
Finally, views from a hp mountain top...

This is HP #4 of 4 to take a look at the new "wheelchair accessible" tower. From Asheville, the Blue Ridge road that would ordinarily take us to Mt. Mitchell, was detoured. We agonized awhile over taking 1 1/2 hrs to reach it this route. Our pioneer spirit won out and, with gas at 2$/gal, what the hell...? And, the weather was in our favor for a change. Doing the detour turned out ok: a winding mountain road and, with little traffic this time of year, an enjoyable, cut-the-butter drive.

While we miss the original NC hp stone tower, this new mountain topper was quite nice, though more like an observation deck. The sky was clear and the views spectacular.

There were no original marker disks to be found. Before, one was centered in the floor of the tower and another on a close-by rock cropage which was, supposedly, the highest natural point. Excavation for the new masonary topage, it turns out, negated those. Based on the recent Four Corners fiasco, who knows where's what?

SC HIGHPOINT REVISIT
And, an encounter with an errant tree...

HP return #3 of 4. This visit was more an aside/country drive to take another look around the Sassafras Mountain high point site. We sloshed around in the rain and mud, and left the area satisfied that the tree in front of the Foothills Trail signage was the highest natural point here. The tree, with a white trail blaze, is 50 feet east of the brass disk/concrete post which seemed lower than it's surroundings as we recall from the first time here.

On the drive back down F. Van Clayton Hwy, within a half-mile of the hp parking area, the road was now obstructed by a small, live tree, tall enough to block the road. It's roots had given away to the wet ground and it tipped over. Of course, my backpack with folding saw was not in the car. Since we didn't expect "help" to arrive anytime soon, we managed to bare-handed break off the top branches until just enough by-pass clearance was made for the Honda. Driving off , we wondered if it was a sassafrass tree.


Revisit video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgL4vIxTLH8

CLINGMAN'S DOME REVISIT
Seems like it's always "smoky" up here...

This is # 2 of 4 recent hp returns for fine-tuning sake. The goal of this TN visit was to discover a concealed marker that was rumored to exist and most accurately identify the highest natural point: the top of the wheel-chair accessible tower is NOT that.

The rumor-marker was said to be located at the base of the tower and inside a door in the pedestal. We arrived there in the mist to discover...no door. Somewhat discouraged, we squirreled around a bit and did locate a door, but underneath the ramp abutment, not ordinarily visible. The steel door was actually wide open and led into a room that tapered darkly to zero.

Without a flashlight, we groped blindly in this confined space, finally deciding there was no brass disk in here, anyway. (Sour grapes?). Our GSMNP Clingman's Dome brochure did state that there was a marker "nearby." There are, according to the NGS Datasheet Point Radius Form web site, 2 marks near the parking lot - a survey disk and a horiz cont disk - not what we had in mind. The datasheet says the "mark" on summit is the tower, i.e., the center of the tower.

KY HIGHPOINT REVISIT
Questing for the true highest elevation...

The recent Le Conte trip offered an opportunity to accomplish SE 4 highpoint re-dos. This was the first stop:

Of the two highpointing guides we've used, Holmes and Wingers, each identify different sites for the KY high point on Black Mountain. Holmes version states, "The USGS marker is under the tower" (the fire tower). That's where I discovered it to be on two previous visits, at the SW footer of the tower. Later, I learned, according to Wingers, it was set in a big rock about 50 yds (more like half that in brush & small trees) east of the tower. Also, "There was some confusion about the exact location of the highpoint on this fairly flat site." Anyway, we're probably talking elev inches here twixt the rock and the tower site.

On this 3rd visit, the tower marker could not be found. Heavy trash had been deposited underneath, so the disk was either covered over or had been removed, perhaps leaving the "rock" site as the only option now. Anyway, we're covered, having now posed for summit photos at both markers. Highpointing as purists can sometimes be a PITA, yo!

Our south approach was again from Appalachia, VA, Rt60, a quite winding, kinda depressing uphill drive, mining in that area having left it's mark. You'll know when you've reached your turn west to the site, about 1 mile on a skinny blacktop. Just past the FAA comm cluster, park at the fork and head left around the gate.

If you go, remember to mail in the wavier beforehand. Download this from the HP Club site.

THE LE CONTE LODGE, TN
Highest-type hostel E. of the MS R.

Ahhh, at last...Le Conte. As regular travelers into the GSNP we've been aware of it for a long time and finally got around to 'get 'er done.'

We were two in a group of 33 (max. cap. 50) which included a small contingent of HPer Club members, always eccentric and always eager for such ventures. We hiked via the 5.5 mile Alum Cave Trail, the shortest of several foot routes trails to LC, somewhat independently based on individual and preferred paces/starting times on this Easter weekend. Variously then, we ascended in a cloud, got fairly soaked, but arrived alive for coffee and hot chocolate on top at the rustic/cutsey digs we envisioned. Damp clothing became our lodge wall hangings which dried well owing to the cabins' butane gas heaters.

Of the several trails that lead here, our route was not a "walk-in-the-park." 'Bout midway, cables anchored in rock-face came in handy on wet, gnarly footing plus some tricky snow/slushy patches. A goodly supper was provided, plentiful wine included, and everyone unwound, not to mention, got a bit goofy. The individual lodges are comfy, warm, a tad intimate-tight, but w/great beds/blankets. Waddaya want - Holiday Inn at 6593 ft? All supplies arrive here by occasional, expensive helicopters and routine llama tranport by another trail.

Prior to the Easter morning descent, a hearty pancake breakfast was served, Saturday's cloud was gone, temps were up, and the views were as clear as the blue Tennessee sky above.

If you go: Reserve well in advance, read the weather as best you can so's not to over-pack and, just in case, take a length of rope for stringing damp/wet articles inside to dry.

Before and after we stayed in and did Gatlinburg, including the Ober tram ride, the chair-lift, and the space needle for all the views since we're really into gettin' high!!!

Note: Le Conte is 3rd highest in TN, Clingman's Dome leads as numero uno. In between is Guyon. Google for more TN elevs. info. Pictured is the Le Conte summit cairn "wall." If you go, add a rock.

Check the links: http://www.leconte-lodge.com/
Click here: Southern Sixers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our own pics: http://bilwe.jalbum.net/LeConteLodge/