18-mile MT Marshall loop hike

 

I joined 3 friends to hike MT Marshall loop in the national park for 18 miles with 3300 feet elevation gain. We started from 35°f (2°c) and finished around 45°f (7°c). We did the same hike in October 2022 for the foliage, and today just to get exercise before the new year. 

 

We stopped by Costco on the way back, and I finally got the famous $5 whole chicken. It was pretty heavy and delicious. What a great deal!

 

I ran 2 miles in the dark after shopping to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Friday hot pot party

 

Friday hot pot party at a friend’s house, and played with the family’s parrots. The hot pot had two soup bases: one hot and spicy 麻辣and the other tomato 番茄.

I prepared the Taiwanese snack soup package 淡水魚羮for tasting, but it was a little too fishy for my friends from mainland China. Two of them are not into ginger in the soup.

Chrismas eve dinner

 I visited my high school classmate in Bethesda Maryland for Christmas Eve dinner. Her family and other guests were photo shy, so I only posted food photos. BTW, my first time prepared Taiwanese rice noodles 台式米粉were a success.

Bear Church Rock 13.8 mile hike

 

I joined a meetup hike of 13.8 miles and about 3,100 feet of elevation gain with spectacular view from Bear Church Rock along the beautiful Staunton River trail. The leaves covered trail was slippery downhill and scary for me, especially after I broke one hiking pole.

Some of us stopped by the winery after hike. The hike was far out so I got back to Reston too late to run. I ran 6.2 miles on Monday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

K-pot hot pot buffet

Six of us tried K-pot hot pot buffet at falls church for lunch today. I even ran into the friend (who told me about this place) by accident. The Szechuan spicy soup base was very hot, that I coughed bad at the beginning. I will take only half the soup to mix with water the next time. $20 is a great value for the quality and quantity of the food.

I was swamped with work then finally ran 6.25 miles in the dark. I ran 13.75 miles on Saturday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal. My car is still in the repair shop, so no hiking for me this weekend.

14 miles with 4100 feet hike in SNP

 

I took a meetup hike for 14 miles with 4100 feet elevation gain over Pine Hill Gap, Catlett Mountain, Pinnacles Overlook today. Another pleasant cool dry hiking day! The only issue was the slippery leaves on the trail that caused people fell but nobody injured.

As usual, some of us stopped by the winery after hike. It was dark after grocery shopping, but I still ran 5 miles to almost complete my weekend 20 hike/run miles goal, because I was too hungry. Since it will rain on Sunday, I will run that one mile on Monday.

12.5 miles Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow

 

I took a meetup hike Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road for 12.5 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain. It was an easy hike in spring like weather. I tested my new 32 degrees brand ultra light down jacket, and it worked very well. It was on sale for only $24. Go check it out!

We stopped by the winery after hike. I tasted the sweetest wine they have: 2022 late harvest Petit Manseng with 8% residual sugar, and I loved it. Almost like the famous ice wine but cheaper 

It was dark after my grocery shopping, and I exhausted my will power just to run 6 miles, since I was too hungry. I will make up 1.5 miles run later to meet my 20 hike/run mile weekend goal.

Alumni Association Potluck & 15.4 miles Roller Coaster hike

 

I took a meetup hike today Roller Coaster: Rt 7 Snickers Gap parking lot south out and back for total 18 miles, but I turned around early so only hiked 15.4 miles with ~ 4600 feet elevation gain. I turned back early so I had time to take photos and a lunch break without delaying the group. It was cool and windy today, yet stayed dry until I got back to town. I skipped running because it was raining and dark when I got home. I was swamped with work on Monday, so I run 4.6 miles in cool wind on Thursday to meet the 20 hike/run miles goal.

I still felt sluggish from yesterday Tsing Hua Alumni Association 華府新竹清華校友會 Thanksgiving Potluck 感恩節暨迎新活動 which was fun.