Christmas Dinner after 10-m freezing hike

I had a windy and freezing (20sf) Christmas Day hike with three other hikers for 10 miles with 1800 ft elevation gain in the state park. Some sections of the trail were icy yet manageable without micro-spikes. After the hike, I attended a cosy mini Christmas gathering with three hikers with great food and fun games (my 1st playing Uno and Sequence).

 

I was planning to take a long hike on Saturday but dropped off to take care of certain overseas financial matters. Ran 10 miles in 40sf on Sunday, while people were playing soccer.

20-m weekend run on high school track

 Due to concerns of refrozen snow and black ice in the mountains, I skipped hiking and ran 10 miles on the nearby high school track. I ran another 10 miles in the sun on Sunday afternoon.

50f sunny winder hike Panorama-Marys Rock-Buck Hollow/Ridge

Hiked 13 miles with 3750 feet elevation gain Panorama-Marys Rock-Buck Hollow/Ridge in the Shenandoah National Park on 50f sunny winder Saturday, then stopped by a winery after the hike. I saw a hiking couple taking wedding photos on Mary’s Rock, and a cool antique car on the way back. 

I forced myself to run 7 miles on Sunday to meet my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal, but my app only recorded 5 miles because I was busy setting up a personal safety alarm. I bought the alarm in 2019 for my trip to south India but did not use it. I took it out today due to three recent assault cases in nearby town. Safety 1st.

A Christmas Truck way back from Signal Knob hike

 I took a 13 mile 2800 feet elevation gain hike to Signal Knob in George Washington National Forest with a group on Saturday. It was very windy on the tops and the trails were rocky. Although there wasn’t hot soup as wished by everyone, kind Wanda Cruz treated us delicious and healthy homemade banana bread at the end of hike. BTW, I saw a Christmas Truck on the way back with the driver dressed like Santa Claus, so I waved my hand at him, and he waved back. On Sunday, I ran 7 miles to finish my 20 run/hike miles weekend goal. The soundproofing wall along the Fairfax country parkway trail helped to block some wind.

Thanksgiving week friend hike 2

Thanksgiving week friend hike 2: Robertson Mountain - Corbin Cabin - Nickerson Hollow loop. It is a 11 mile hike with 2,700 ft of elevation gain. I probably finished the 1.5-mile long 1500 feet gain Robertson hill around 1 hour. Sunnier than yesterday, and we ran into a group 30-mile trail running raciers at the trailhead.

Thanksgiving weekend hike 1

Thanksgiving weekend hike 1: along Appalachian Trail between Panorama and Cave Falls for 12 miles with 3000 feet elevation gain. We did a fun birthday wish video in four languages for a hiker’s friend. BTW, the sunrise was like a giant fireball.

Application Trail Trumbo Hollow section passing by Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

 Four friends (including a new yet speedy hiker) hiked on Application Trail Trumbo Hollow section for 16.7 miles with 3100 feet elevation gain in 6 hrs. We stopped by the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter that has porch, privy, spring, shower, covered picnic table, fireplace, etc., i.e., a Ritz-Carlton accommodation for AT hikers. Good workout and fair weather although not much sunshine. At the end of the hike, we passed by a barn, which turns out to be a part of Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists. The SCBI facility in Front Royal, Virginia, is open to the public once a year for the annual Conservation Discovery Day (formerly known as the Autumn Conservation Festival). Have to visit it next fall!!! https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation