SOAR (Society for Outdoor Adventure and Recreation)

Spread the word!!! New Climbers Day is this Saturday at Carderock. Join the Mountaineering Section of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for a great opportunity to try climbing rock for the first time. Feel free to bring family and friends. Sign up below to join.

PATC-MS | Potomac Mountain Club New Climber Day. Introduction of brand new or novice climbers to the basics of outdoor top roping. Included are proper tie-in technique, retracted figure-8, harness safety check, and the principles of

Need a 1cr. class this semester? Chek out intro to backpacking or recreational canoeing at NVCC!!

We need your help to support reasonable climbing management at Shenandoah National Park (SHEN).

The Park recently released a Rock Outcrop Management Plan (ROMP) to direct how it will allow access to the various rock outcrops within the Park. The Access Fund, Mid-Atlantic Climbers, and New River Alliance of Climbers reviewed the ROMP and are in support of the management direction in Alternative B, subject to a few concerns outlined below.

Rock outcrops compose only 2% (3,920 acres) of the SHEN’s entire 197,438 acres. It is important to emphasize that other activities, such as hiking, camping, and vista enjoyment draw far more people and cause far more impacts than climbers. As stated in the ROMP, Old Rag is visited by an estimated 50,000 people annually, but the number of climber use-days for all of SHEN is estimated at only 500.
While the ROMP provides general information about the impacts causing concern, more information should be provided about the specific impacts at each rock outcrop where restrictions are in place or being considered. For instance, climbing at Hawksbill is prohibited, but the concerns leading to the climbing ban are not fully explained. More detailed information should be provided to further explain the need for restrictions.
Because climbers make up only a small percentage of rock outcrops users, the Park should consider if some climbing access can be allowed (even if other user groups are restricted or otherwise more directly managed) before restricting access to specific rock outcrops (especially those on the “watch list”). Park planners should consider ways to protect the natural resources without prohibiting access to climbers completely.

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We need your help to support climbers’ interests at SHEN. Please take action by submitting your comments to the ROMP by this Saturday, January 12, 2013.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=274&projectID=19298&documentID=50505

http://www.accessfund.org/site/c.tmL5KhNWLrH/b.8506869/k.98E3/Action_Alert_Shenandoah_National_Park.htm

NPS PEPC - Rock Outcrop Management Plan Environmental Assessment / Assessment of Effect 2012 NPS PEPC - Rock Outcrop Management Plan Environmental Assessment / Assessment of Effect 2012

http://www.accessfund.org/site/c.tmL5KhNWLrH/b.8506869/k.98E3/Action_Alert_Shenandoah_National_Park.htm

Action Alert: Shenandoah National Park - Access Fund

Hi All, looking for an elective for the Spring Semester? Sign up for Recreational Backpacking and explore the Massanutten Mountains. Or learn to navigate the beautiful Shenandoah river with Introduction to Canoeing. Plenty of spots left in both classes!!

NOVA Spring 2013 Schedule of Classes

Looking for a new hiking spot??
http://www.brmconservancy.org/

Welcome to Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) - Bull Run Mountain Natural Area The Bull Run Mountains, as the most easterly chain in northen Virginia, protect unique ecosystems of forests and meadows, as well as the headwaters of three major watersheds, including the Occoquan. One hour's drive from Washington, D.C., the mountains are an important greenbelt around the nation's ...

A must read! Also check out Last Child in the Woods.

The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder Our society has developed such an outsized faith in technology that we have yet to fully realize or even adequately study how human capacities are enhanced through the power of nature. Supported by research, anecdotal evidence, and personal stories, Louv shows us how tapping into the restorative pow...

Canoeing class (RPK 171) starts tonight! Meets at Annandale's Campus CM-332 from 6-8:50. Remember to bring $45 check payable to Caroline Furnace, for use of life jackets, river shuttle and Saturday night lodging.

Hey climbers! Check it out. Great way to clean your ropes!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-clean-your-climbing-rope/?ALLSTEPS

How to clean your climbing rope! This is a project I made to clean my ever-growing number of climbing ropes, as well as the many ropes I use at my local Scout camp's climbing tower.Pr...

Great article by Patrick Weaver!

http://www.rockclimbing.com/Articles/Training_and_Technique/Safer_Rappelling_on_Multipitch_Climbs_999.html

Safer Rappelling on Multipitch Climbs | Rock Climbing Articles | Rockclimbing.com Safer Rappelling on Multipitch Climbs - Rockclimbing.com is a rock climbing community website where climbers can find information about rock climbing routes, gear, news, forums, photos, videos and more

ATTN STUDENTS: NVCC is offering a Canoeing class this summer taught by the wonderful Sean Tierney! It meets four times total (Tues. July 23, Thurs. July 25 from 6-8:50pm, Sat. July 28 & Sun. July 29) Two days in class, two days in water.
Don't miss this! Learn something new and get outside~ SIGN UP FOR RPK 171!!

We shall never achieve harmony with the land, anymore than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations the important thing is not to achieve but to strive.
-Aldo Leopold

Happy Earth Day! Go dance in the rain :)