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The AT Summer Series Through Maryland

November 21, 2014 by BoobOnARock

Last winter, as I sat in my comfy chair, cat on my lap, dog at my feet, and a cup of hot coffee within reach, I began to plan the AT Summer Series. Having completed the AT through Maryland twice, once in a series of day hikes and once as a backpack with fellow Trail Dames, I could think of no better way to pay it forward than to host a series of day hikes on AT from Harper’s Ferry, WVA to Pen Mar, MD!

We kicked off the trek north on June 7, 2014 in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Beginnings are so exciting, especially when it is the start of something big, like completing the AT through Maryland! We left most of our cars at Weverton, and then shuttled down to the ATC in Harper’s Ferry to begin our hike. It was a busy morning at the ATC but Python found a break in the action to take a picture of all of us embarking on this journey north!

The thing about walking through Harper’s Ferry is that there is SO much to see that it is hard to make yourself stop looking at stuff and continue to make forward progress! Good thing we are Dames who aren’t in any hurry and love to take time to enjoy the moment!

Wonderful day that left us all looking forward to the next section…which was RAINED out! Can you believe it?!! Weverton to Gathland State Park ended up at the end of the series.

So we reconvened a few weeks later for a hot and humid hike from Gathland State Park to South Mountain Inn (Old Rt. 40). One of the Dames making the trek with us on this section was Victoria. If you all haven’t had the pleasure of hiking with Victoria aka Queen V aka Bag Lady, then you are missing out!! After hiking up the first hill, which rises steeply leaving Gathland, we were already breaking a sweat. A few steps further brought us to the blue blazed trail down to the Crampton Gap shelter, the exact place where Victoria earned her trail name “Bag Lady” on another Trail Dame adventure. She was gracious enough to reenact that moment and had us doubled up, pains in our sides, laughing so hard we could barely catch a breath! Well, with a hike that starts like that…whew!

A few miles later we were taking in the hazy view from the rock outcropping at the top of Lambs Knoll, and then happily descended to the new Rocky Run Shelter for lunch. We met a thru hiker at the shelter who told us we should go down and check out the old shelter as it was his “favorite place on the AT so far”. Wow! That is an endorsement! So off we went to check it out. It was a beautiful spot with a spring flowing in full force right in front of the shelter…and (insert squeaky voice) there was a swing!!! Oh, it was lovely…thank goodness Dames are not in a hurry and enjoy being in the moment!

We finished off our hike together by grabbing ice cream at the South Mountain Creamery…every hike should end this way! Shortly, thereafter the skies opened up letting loose a slew of dangerous thunderstorms in the area. We timed that one just right!

Next trek was from South Mountain Inn (Old Rt. 40) to New Rt. 40. The Dames climbed South Mountain…did I say that loud enough? CLIMBED. It was hot, it was humid, we huffed and we puffed and we blew that mountain down! Or something like that…the thing about writing this in late October is that I hope the Dames have now forgotten any pain associated with the hard climbs and just feel victorious in the memory!

We took a break after reaching the Washington Monument at the summit. This is not the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C….just for clarification! Now, just so you know…you cannot hike the AT across Maryland with learning a little bit about the Civil War. Ground zero right here! So it was not a big surprise to find Civil War soldiers hanging out in the shade and taking in the view from the top of the monument! And what do Dames and Civil War Soldiers do when they get together? Take selfies, of course!

Well, I think we were all feeling mighty proud of ourselves at the end of this hike. We were now half way across Maryland…Bring on the rocks! The section from New Rt 40 to Wolfsville Road has a few places that give a beating to your feet! This section was a big, big change from the sections we had hiked thus far. We hiked the section from North to South starting at Wolfsville Road. Now coming from either side there is quite a climb, but the Dames took it at their own pace.

Hiking along the spine of the mountain it seemed like forever before we got to Pogo Campground! At the campground we gathered round a fire pit, sitting on nice stone seats, for lunch before heading up to Black Rock Cliffs and Annapolis Rocks. It was a lovely day to sit up on the cliffs overlooking the Middletown Valley.

Returning to our cars we knew we had done some HIKING! Around 9 miles with the side trips…wow, go Dames!!!

The next section was a short one from Wolfsville Road to Warner Gap, so we hiked it as an out and back hike. On this section we passed the Ensign Cowall Shelter and walked through a lovely field before entering the woods that would lead us downhill to a pleasant creek for lunch. Nothing better than to have a picnic and conversation in the woods with such great women!

And then the final stretch to the Pennsylvania line…Warner Gap to Pen Mar. This is a fun, fun, tough section of trail! And the rain was supposed to STOP! But did it? For most of the hike it drizzled, then poured, then drizzled…back and forth, back and forth. We had our ponchos and extra dry clothes!

Made a stop at Raven Rock Shelter for lunch…and what a happy surprise! A backpacker had a nice fire going! Extra nice! Sitting around eating lunch was great…but when we got chilly we knew it was time to get back on the trail! Mother Nature was very accommodating and stopped the rain for the rest of the hike…just in time for us to descend the rock pile down from High Rock! It was a long, wet day and everyone was tired as we dragged into Pen Mar. However, it ended triumphantly for us all as we celebrated Diana’s completion of the AT through MD!!!

Two weeks later we were celebrating again when we finished the AT series hiking from Weverton to Gathland State Park. Amy and Renate walked through the arch at Gathland State Park signaling their completion of the AT through MD…Huzzah!

Hike on!

Trip Report: Georgia and South Carolina Trail Dames at Table Rock State Park

November 19, 2014 by Rambling Hemlock

Women from both the Georgia and South Carolina chapters of Trail Dames met on a chilly fall weekend for camping, hiking, and bluegrass music at Table Rock State Park in South Carolina. It was the first joint trip between these two chapters, and it was so much fun I’m sure there will be more in the future.

Photobywendyfalkner — Dames goofing off. Photo by Wendy.

Wendy and Julie, who founded the South Carolina Trail Dames chapter at the beginning of this year, greeted everyone in the parking area. They direct us to the Owl Tree group campsite, only 1/4 mile down the trail and with a lovely view of the lake through the trees.

Jules and Donna show off their winter hammock setups.

After settling in, the sun set early, as it does this time of year, and we came together around the campfire. Women who have been with the Georgia Trail Dames chapter since its beginning (7 years ago!) were joined by a few who were brand new to the Dames. As happens so easily in the outdoors, everyone started sharing stories, exchanging tips, and telling about our past adventures. Laughter and conversations filled the night air, warming our hearts, even if our backsides remained chilly.

As the sun came up, women slowly emerged from tents and hammocks. The freezing temperatures had provided quite a challenge during the night. Some had stayed warm, but others hadn’t fared as well.

We began the day with a 1.8 mile hike on the Carrick Creek Trail. The fall colors were incredible! Waterfalls cascaded over rocks covered in brightly colored leaves. Fallen leaves crunched beneath our feet as we hiked.

Hopping across the rocks during the hike.

After the hike, some decided to go out to eat, while others grabbed a picnic lunch and then went to listen to traditional bluegrass music at the lodge in the park. A few Dames joined in the dancing in the aisles. What an experience!

Local musicians playing bluegrass music.

Our second morning, the early risers in the group took Pam’s suggestion to watch the sunrise over the lake. Morning fog rose dramatically over the water and provided a picturesque ending to a fun-filled weekend.

This post was contributed by Joan West, who has been a Georgia Trail Dame since 2009 and leads wildflower hikes and beginner backpacking trips. She writes about her hiking adventures on on her blog, Rambling Hemlock.

“8 Reasons Why Women Need to Go to the Mountains With Other Women” by Leslie Hittmeier

November 8, 2014 by Administrator

Leslie Hittmeier has given us permission to post this article on our blog. To learn more about Leslie Hittmeier, click here.

Most of my life I’ve been trying to keep up with the guys. I grew up with two older brothers who were bigger, faster, and stronger, so I think that’s where my mentality of “chase the men” began; I found myself wishing for their traits and doing everything I could to be just as strong as they were. And when I started really getting into climbing and backcountry skiing, it seemed like I could only find guys who would go with me, and teach me. And that wasn’t a bad thing, I think that men and women in the mountains are a fabulous thing; the love of my life, who is a man, taught me mostly everything I know and I have so much gratitude in my heart for that.

But that said, I’ve been getting out there with some powerful and badass women lately and it has really been amazing.. here’s why:

1. NO MORE EXCUSES

Because when you’re hangin’ with other chicks in the mountains, you no longer have the excuse of “being a girl.” You have to push it and be just as good as the strong ladies you chose to go out with that day. I don’t always try my hardest when I’m with a bunch of guys because I know I will never quite be as strong or as fast as them so I just work on pacing myself and staying safe. But when it’s all girls, we can be a little more competitive and push each other to do better.

2. GIRL BETA

Women generally have similar struggles in the mountains (being short, small, less powerful) so it’s great to be around chicks and figure out how to get up a rock route or how to ski a line together.

3. FEMININITY + STRENGTH

Celebrating and sharing the fantastic relationship and beauty of the way a women does things in the mountains. Whether it’s skiing, climbing, biking, or running, we just do things differently than the boys and it’s wonderful to share that.

4. SUMMIT GIGGLES

Guys just don’t giggle and shriek as much as us when they get to the top of a mountain. “Even though I don’t enjoy shopping and manicures, I’m still a girl and I get excited and giggly about things.” – Lila Scott

5. EPIC CONVERSATION
There’s nothing like getting together with a girlfriend and solving all the worlds problems while walking up a big hill. Also, connecting with other dirtbag ladies who love the outdoors is one of the greatest pleasures in life!

6. WE ALWAYS BRING THE BEST SNACKS

Real talk.

7. THOUGHTFULNESS

Those womanly characteristics like: nurturing, care, consideration, and patience really come in handy in the mountains. At least with backcountry skiing, sometimes I feel like dudes race to the top. Women seem to be less worried about submitting and more worried about the group as a whole. I know that it takes me a long time to get into my groove and I usually start off slow, and having a fellow chick right there with me keeps me motivated and feeling strong even though I’m in the back of the pack.

8. TOO MANY SELFIES

We just can’t even contain ourselves. I have no explanation.

“I slept at the feet of a giant last nite” by Michele Zehr

October 13, 2014 by Administrator

Michele Zehr is a member of the Trail Dames Board of Directors and she is also the head Dame of the Central Virginia Trail Dames.

Michele’s trail name is Certain and she finished her Appalachian Trail (AT) hike in 2008. It would be safe to say that Michele has one of the most popular Trail Journals of all time.

Michele has given us permission to post her journal entry from October 8, 2008 – the day she submitted Mt. Katahdin. She also has a wonderful video showing her final ascent.

I slept at the feet of a giant last nite

A giant that for so so long has reflected back to me
My fears and pain and disappointments
As well as the raw beauty of nature

As I lay there awake in the nite
Feeling its presence looking down upon me
I wondered if it was ready to receive what I had to offer to it

So before the sun shed its light on the morning sky, I rose
One last time
I exposed my bare skin to the frigid fall air
One last time
I packed the things that would keep me alive out here
One last time
I strapped my pack on my back
One last time
And I started walking north again
One last time

I passed a rushing stream with crystal clear pools
I stood next to a roaring waterfall with endless cascades

I struggled over boulders the size of buildings
And scaled the sides of rock faces that hung on the ends of the Earth

I finally made it to the shoulders of this giant
And walked across its cracked red surface

Then climbed one final time

I walked right to the top and looked this giant in the eye
And whispered
“Thank you, my friend…thank you”

And at that moment
The giant unfolded its bouldery arms
And cupped its rocky snow covered hands
And allowed me to place my fears and pain and disappointments into it

The giant took these things that I had offered
And folded them inside to be held forever
Leaving me with my joy
And a deep deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and this trail

So I turned south
And started walking away for good
And I suddenly felt choked
I stopped for a moment, stumbled and gasped
And my tears dropped to the ground beneath me

Then a surge came rushing through my nostrils
And into my lungs
And filled my veins and body with pure fresh air

I knew
At that moment
The giant had released me from its clutches

And I was free to breathe again.

“Where were all the curvy women” by Anna Huthmaker (aka Mud Butt)

September 17, 2014 by Administrator

I can remember where I was the first time I heard the words, “Appalachian Trail”. I remember buying my first A.T. book and subsequently reading everything I could get my hands on.

I remember being moved to tears by the likes of Cindy Ross, and Bill Erwin and, I remember getting my first “AT Journeys” in the mail. More than anything, I wanted to be a part of the magic, beauty and community of the A.T.

In 2003, I finally had the opportunity to attempt a thru-hike. I knew that I was going to take my place among the 2,000 milers of the world, and that I, too, would have a journey for the ages. One that would inspire and move others and one that would make me part of the history of this amazing trail.

I took six months off from work, hiked seven hundred miles, broke my foot and met more amazing people than I ever could have dreamed. I had my Polaroid taken at Mountain Crossings, ate breakfast at Miss Tillie’s Hostel, and sat in the wood-fired hot tub under the stars at Rusty’s Hard Time Hollow. Oh, and I hiked.

Like my fellow dreamers, I hiked through rain and shine, green tunnels and sunny fields. I did not become a 2,000 miler. Injury, lack of fitness and a hard, hard pull towards every blue blaze in sight changed my hike plan.

However, as I hiked along, I found my dreams give way to different thoughts. Like an itch I couldn’t scratch, something was bothering me.

Two hundred miles into Virginia, I realized that there were no women like me out there.

“Where were all the curvy women?”

There were plenty of big guys out there, but where were the ladies? I came home from the A.T. and begun asking questions of women everywhere.

”Do you hike?”
“Why not?”
“What are you afraid of?”

And my favorite…. “Do you know what it feels like to stand on top of a mountain? “

Slowly but surely, the answers came out.
“I am too slow”
“I don’t want my husband to see me struggle up the mountain”
“I can’t keep up”, and
“I am scared”

The questions and answers swirled around until the idea of a hiking club for women began to grow. In April of 2007, I printed up a few fliers and scheduled a meeting to see if anyone was interested in a hiking club for women.

A hiking club for curvy women, to be precise. A club where we could hike slowly, enjoying the beauty around us and the laughter of friends.

My goal was to have three women show up that day. We had nine. Nine of us talked about hiking, clothing, and whether or not to use poles.

Two weeks later our ranks had swelled to 20 and we were climbing Springer Mountain to celebrate the beginning of Trail Dames. If the women were confused as to why we were driving to the middle of nowhere, and traversing a long forest service road, only to climb .9 miles, they never said so.

I talked about Springer Mountain and its place in the heart of A.T. people everywhere. I told them that they were standing at the beginning of a 2,100 mile hike, and that a million dreamers had stood in their very steps. I told them that the only people that get to see the view off of Springer Mountain are the ones that did the work to get up there.

And then we did the “Dance of the Real Woman’ to celebrate the birth of Trail Dames.

Trail Dames began to grow faster than I had dreamed and as time went by, I noticed something. While I had created the group with curvy women in mind, women of all kinds were joining.

Curvy and thin, old and young, novice and experienced. It turns out that we all shared the same fears, and that we all experienced the same sense of joy when climbing a mountain.

Now, we have marathon runners hiking alongside complete beginners, and 2,000 milers sharing backpacking trips with first-timers. Trail Dames will always be a ‘hiking club for women of a curvy nature’, but it has become a place where all women are welcome. All they need is a sense of fun and the desire to put one foot in front of the other.

Seven of our chapters are within a two hour drive of the AT, and one thing that permeates the entire Trail Dames family is the love of this path.

Many of our Head Dames, (Chapter presidents), share that love. You could say that we are all a bit in love with the trail.

As of now, Trail Dames now has over 2,000 members in twelve chapters across the US. We are growing quickly and we joke that we are going to take over the world one trail at a time.

But our true goal is to make a place on the trail for all women. And while we love all trails, you have to forgive us if we have a special love for the A.T. It was where my dreams began and when we climb Springer Mountain every April to celebrate Trail Dames birthday, I can see the love of the A.T. take root in more and more women.