Assault on Black Rock III

I was searching for local events on Active.com.  I came across ''Assault on Black Rock III'' and thought it was the coolest name.  It benefited the Community Table, a hunger-relief group in Sylva, NC.  This was a roughly seven-mile trail race.  I would go picking a difficult trail race for my first mountain race. The elevation increase was over 2000 feet, with the peak sitting at around 5000. My race bib was stamped when I made it up there. It says ''I swear I made it to the top.'' I took a quick look at the view, then got moving, as I was trying to make time. I refused to look at my watch...no need to depress myself. It took just over three hours. Those who did it in 101 minutes got a belt buckle.  I ran some, walked plenty. At some points, running wasn't practical or safe. I had planned to wear boots and hike, but decided to stick with my Asics. I wanted to have the option of running. It wasn't that rooty, but I did have to watch out for rocks. With the summit as high as it was, there was still some ice near the top. I made it okay going up, but slipped going down. I went slightly off the side of the trail. I let out a little scream, but quickly got moving again. I was quite dirty when I got done. Fortunately, I had a towel in the car (lesson learned). Someone came along shortly after I slipped and confirmed that it was me. It was kind of like doing a marathon; really hard, but I would do it all over again. And I got a cool lime green shirt out of it.    :)  

At 5,000+ feet!

Polar Plunge!

Haywood Waterways Association sponsored a polar plunge at Lake Junaluska.  IT WAS IN FEBRUARY!! This is the only time that you can legally get in the lake.  I thought, why not? I got a shirt out of it, as well as bragging rights.  I also won a great door prize: a one-month pass to the Waynesville Recreation Center.  I wore a swimsuit, cape, knee-high athletic socks and a tutu.  Thankfully, I have water shoes and didn't have to mess up my running shoes.  The event got some great media coverage. 

HWA has a program called ''Kids in the Creek,'' which this event benefited.  The program works with 8th graders in the classroom and then takes them out to the creek.  A neat fact about Haywood County is that all of our water originates here.  It's particularly important to take care of our water because of that. 

http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/p/taking-the-plunge/966945
If you look to the right of the guy in the white top and red pants, I'm behind that person.  You'll see a little blur of red, which was my tutu. 

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130225003 
I'm two people to the right of the same guy in the white top and red pants.  I'm also the first person out of that craziness.   

http://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/9915-taking-the-polar-plunge
I'm not sure if I made it in here. 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v77ajnja7a2nhdr/bxSv_Oa0b7
This is the photographers site.  There are quite a few, so you may not see me.  You will, however, be entertained. 

Thomas Divide Hike

Thomas Divide is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This was in Swain County (Bryson City).  This was harder than my previous hikes, but still a really good one.  We saw a waterfall called Indian Creek Falls.  This is 35-feet high.  Visitors are allowed in the water and tubes can be rented nearby.  I look forward to enjoying the pure mountain water and waterfalls in warmer weather (some falls have swimming holes beneath them). 

 

 

Little East Fork Hike

This hike was in the Pisgah National Forest.  We entered the area through a scout camp.  It ranked up there with Shining Fork in terms of difficulty.  We enjoyed a mild day and having a view of the water.  We were able to see the water for most of the hike.  There were also some adventures crossing the water! Talk about teamwork.  This was a short drive and a fairly short day.  I was wiped out after a few nights of skiing and then heading into the woods. 

This pictures are from the camera of Randy, a fellow group member.