Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Oh Pisgah, My Pisgah!

For five days I had a third opportunity to travel with a group of 10 sophomores from my school and two excellent outdoor educator-leaders, Kelly and Yan, exploring some pristine sections of trail in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina.


Our fearless guides, Kelly and Yan consulting the trail map near Farlow Gap
If you are not already sold on being in the forest or in the mountains if even for a MINUTE, check out these photos. The views were EPIC, the temps perfect, and the terrain perfectly suited for hiking boots and trail running shoes..

We started at the Fish Hatchery in Brevard and hiked only about 2 miles to our first campsite. It was perfectly suited for this group of first-timers: water, many big facili-trees to choose from, and a cozy fire-ring in the middle of it all. That night, a steady rain fell, cleansing the air and our spirits. In the morning we awoke to fog and a slight nip in the air.

The second day, we hiked about 4 miles UPHILL to a second camp ground that had a gorgeous view of Davidson River. By the time we reached camp, the skies had cleared and the sun warmed us enough to play in the ice-cold swimming hole.


Davidson River

The third day would be our hardest yet. It was particularly difficult for those students not used to, well, being outside like this. We climbed from below 3000 feet to about 4500 feet on the Daniel Ridge Trail and Farlow Gap Trail , all with 40-70 pound packs. 

On the Daniel Ridge Trail

This year, I had poles and WHAT A DIFFERENCE THEY MADE! How did I ever do this without poles? I dunno...
Black Diamond Distance Z-Poles, Keen Hiking Boots, Osprey Pack, REI Hiking Pants

That night we stayed at a really sweet campground right under Pilot Mountain, near the Farlow Gap and Art Loeb Trail intersection. There were lots of laughs and teenage shenanigans that evening. Our amazing guides hiked all the way back down to where we had stopped for lunch to fill our Nalgenes with filtered stream water, and for their service the students prepared tuna melts on pita over the fire that they had started and kept burning, collecting firewood for hours. 

Young people can be so generous and awesome when it comes to service and humility. Please remember this! 

One of the many fires the students started and kept
That night, they bedded down in their tarps, I in my fancy Marmot tent and inflatable REI sleeping pad (because I am too old!) It's amazing how much sleep one gets in the forest. When there are no TVs, cellphones, tablets, or iPods allowed, a lot of restful sleep can happen.


My hotel-room like Marmot Tungsten 2P tent. Compared to a tarp, this baby is HEAVEN on earth.

Our last full day of hiking was exactly that, A FULL DAY of all uphills with the end goal being to summit Black Balsam Knob at 6214 feet. It was a slog, but a faster one. Stronger legs, better spirits, and a well-oiled team with student leadership was what was necessary in order for our group to persevere through a few thousand feet of elevation. The scenery changed constantly, from deciduous trees to conifers, to rocky outcroppings and bales with gorgeous views
View from Silvermine Bald on the Art Loeb Trail

to wildflower filled alpine meadows.
View from the intersection of the Flat Creek Trail and Sam Knob Trail, on our way to Black Balsam

The students posed for an east-facing photo before the sunset. I love this group!

We climbed up to Black Balsam Knob to watch the sunset after hastily throwing our packs down and donning our headlamps for what would be a dark descent. There aren't enough photos to capture the stunning sunset. I tried...

Our fearless guide, Kelly taking a breather from our energetic group.

No words.

It was cold and chilly up on the mountain. A group of Asheville hippies in tunics and colorful blankets serenaded everyone with Simon and Garfunkel turned Van Morrison and the Fray type ditties with the ukelele.

After we began to shiver and our bellies began to speak, we headed back down to where we would camp for the last night. We set up our tents in the deep forested dark, and cooked the last bit of our food on our camp stoves. It felt as if we were at Everest base camp, albeit without the snow and garbage.

Gluten free tuna mac never tasted so good!

We bedded down for one last night, this time up at 5800 feet. It was cold and white-noise windy. Sleep came in fits and starts, but still I felt rested and re-set in the early morning.

After packing up hastily and silently, we packed ourselves and our packs in the van and trailer that had been left for us in the parking lot, and watched the sunrise as we drove along Blue Ridge Parkway.







27 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous area! And lucky kids!

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    1. just saw you on ABC Nightly News and had to look you up! Love You for doing what you do!! I live in Black Mountain, so was tickled to hear about your trip beginning in Brevard!! Julie
      Keep doing what you do! Brought a smile to my face tonight!

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  2. The views are beautiful! I've never hiked before but between your posts and an associate of mine, it's on my list of things to do. Keep living life the way you, you're such an inspiration to people that you don't even know!

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    1. Let's do it LaTia! Hiking is one of the best things a person can do for the spirit. It feeds your mind, your body...everything. And thanks for the kudos!

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  3. Reading this made me tear up! Its so great hearing the stories from these students after they return and everyone I asked this morning, save one, said they would do it again. Quite a surprising answer from a group of students who would have never chosen to do something like this. Great pictures Mirna!

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    1. Thanks Gayle! Guess you need to do this again! Next year????

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    2. Love your story! saw it on the news.inspired me

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  4. What a neat trip! If I weren't so afraid of snakes, I would love to camp and hike the Blue Ridge, too. I applaud your bravery!

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    1. The Blue Ridge Mountains are stunning, and yes there are snakes--but we mostly saw garters, nothing too dangerous. I mean, they don't slither into your tent or anything... :)

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  5. You were in my neck of my favorite woods as a North Carolina gal!Black Balsam Knob mountain area and Art Loeb Trail are one of many favorite backpacking areas hubby, I, and our dogs love to do!! Thank you for sharing your awesome backpacking stories 😄

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    1. Thanks! This was my first time on both and I am SOLD!

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  6. If my schedule allows I shall be out at the javelina jundred to root you on.

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  7. Amazing views and I love your take on teenagers being generous. It's easy to forget that.

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  8. An awesome adventure for all! Well done!

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  9. A friend of mine shared a link to your NBC story on my Facebook wall and I was very impressed with your blog. I love seeing all your hard work and dedication. I've been running for a little less than a year now and started my own blog. I'm not nearly running as far as you are, at least not yet, but I do like sharing my experiences. I'm not here to advertise my blog on your comments so I won't put a link, I just wanted to ask if you have any objection to me sharing a link to your site. I'd like to share your story with the few people that read my blog.

    Thanks so much.

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  10. Mirna!! You are my hero!!! I admire you so very much!!!

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  11. Girl you are an inspiration! Praises and blessings for all you do!

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  12. Just saw you on Lester Holt NBC Nightly News! Keep up the great work. What a difference you are making in the world!

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  13. I absolutely love the Blue Ridge.....your trip sounds awesome.....saw the article on the news tonight. You are seriously an inspiration, and I want to continue following along with your journey. I had every Foxfire book a long time ago and to think you actually teach at Rabin Gap School is really incredible. Every time we go that way on our way to Cherokee, I want to explore the school. Thank you for being such a positive role model.

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  14. I absolutely love the Blue Ridge.....your trip sounds awesome.....saw the article on the news tonight. You are seriously an inspiration, and I want to continue following along with your journey. I had every Foxfire book a long time ago and to think you actually teach at Rabin Gap School is really incredible. Every time we go that way on our way to Cherokee, I want to explore the school. Thank you for being such a positive role model.

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  15. Thank you for being so inspiring! I saw your story on tv and it almost *almost* makes me want to go out and do things I hate (running) or just don't want to do (camping in the woods) because of the love you have for those things. It does encourage me to go do things that I want to do on my own terms! Aerial silks, anyone!? :-)

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  16. I saw you on the news tonight and looked up your blog. These are beautiful pictures and a beautiful story. You completely inspired me! Thank you for sharing! ~ Sue

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  17. I was so inspired by you as I watched you on TV.I have always, and I mean always wanted to run but was afraid after gaining weight and just thought Fat Girls do not run.You have changed my thoughts and my mind about I can do as a human being. Thanks for giving me hope!

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  18. Thanks for inspiring me! I would have never thought Fat Girls can run,but you proved everyone wrong even if it takes all day!

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