{"id":3676,"date":"2010-11-22T18:30:10","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T22:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/?p=3676"},"modified":"2011-01-17T21:41:39","modified_gmt":"2011-01-18T01:41:39","slug":"howlin-at-the-moon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/howlin-at-the-moon\/","title":{"rendered":"Howlin’ at the Moon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Warrenton<\/strong> Hikers Assault Old Rag Mountain<\/strong> at Night<\/strong><\/p>\n

For several days the weather forecast called for cloudy skies.\u00a0 Even the afternoon of the event it was ominously predicted that clouds with patches of fog would envelop the trampers.\u00a0 Not a bright idea to climb Old Rag Mountain in pitch darkness.<\/p>\n

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As the Sun Sets the Troops Assemble<\/p><\/div>\n

But, as the cars unloaded at the trailhead parking lot and the hikers noisily assembled in anticipation of a brisk walk up the slopes, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.<\/p>\n

Head\u2019em up\u2026move\u2019em out.<\/p>\n

Old Rag Mountain<\/span><\/a> is located in Madison County, not far from Sperryville, Virginia. It is one of the most popular hikes in the Mid-Atlantic Region, with spectacular views in all directions from its regal crown of boulders.\u00a0 It\u2019s also a strenuous hike, especially if a frontal assault up the Ridge Trail is taken rather than the easier ascent up the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. \u00a0Think jungle gym on steroids.<\/p>\n

Take a quick guess which route we chose.<\/p>\n

Our intrepid little band of fourteen hikers had been assembled by Jim Carson, an outdoor enthusiast, who over the last few years has built a loyal following of like-minded guys who love the mountains.\u00a0 Sorry ladies, you\u2019re going to have to form your own chapter; this crew is all testosterone wrapped in moisture wicking undergear.\u00a0 Opening an incoming email from Trapper Carson is an anticipated moment.\u00a0 Where is the dude taking us now?<\/p>\n

As we began to climb the trail, the moon glowed like a huge orange ball on the eastern horizon, slowly fading to milky white as it climbed higher in the sky.\u00a0 Flashlights were in sporadic use but not mandatory. \u201cBy the light of the silvery moon\u2026\u201d began to take on real meaning.<\/p>\n

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Jake & Jim Carson<\/p><\/div>\n

Then it hit us.\u00a0 The Wall.\u00a0 Ascending Old Rag via the Ridge Trail for the first ninety minutes is typical of any Shenandoah National Park hike; a well traveled and easy walkup.\u00a0 Then things begin to get interesting.\u00a0 It starts innocently enough with a sharp angled boulder, twenty yards in length, which reminds you of scampering up your roof to inspect a flapping shingle.\u00a0 Abruptly, the roof becomes two roofs jutting side-by-side vertically and you are trying to squeeze between them.\u00a0 Hmmm\u2026maybe I should take off my pack and throw it head of me.\u00a0 This is tight territory.<\/p>\n

The speedy pace of the early hike now slows to a grind.\u00a0 Certain sections need to be taken by sitting on your posterior and scooting up the sheer rock face backwards.\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t the park install handles here?\u00a0 Not a chance, pal.\u00a0 You are now in Old Rag country.\u00a0 Buck it up.<\/p>\n

My progress was slow but decent until the cramps kicked in. \u00a0Using all my strength to advance up and through narrow slits in the rocks my hamstrings started slowly murmuring, \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d\u00a0 Fortunately, my secret weapons kicked in: Jim and Andreas.\u00a0 They alternately extended much needed hands to pull me up the steepest rocks.\u00a0 Memo to file: stick these guys in my pack if I ever do this again.<\/p>\n

Finally, after more grunting than is heard at a county fair hog chase, all fourteen hikers were topside and congratulating themselves.\u00a0 Then a new phenomenon kicked in.\u00a0 This place is cold!\u00a0 With moisture dripping from every pore in our bodies and a stiff breeze blowing the frigid air around, damp clothing takes on a decidedly nasty feeling.\u00a0 Lets\u2019 get moving.<\/p>\n

And so we did.\u00a0 At a fast pace.\u00a0 The backside saddle trail connects to the easy fire road descent and the last hour of the hike was a constant chatter of conversation. As the last hiker walked into the parking lot, smiles and photo flashes where popping up all over the place.\u00a0 And clouds began to obscure our silver beacon in the sky.\u00a0 Perfect timing.<\/p>\n

The jaunt covered almost ten miles in about five hours.\u00a0 Not bad in dim light over a rocky footpath.<\/p>\n

Now for our reward. Where are we headed for the post hike libation?\u00a0 Uh, this is Sunday night at 10pm deep in rural country. \u00a0Ain\u2019t a place open that has a cold Corona for sale.<\/p>\n

Oh well, next time we\u2019ll do old Rag during the day.\u00a0 Hurtin\u2019 never felt so good.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n

\n
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Old Rag Mountain Vanquished<\/p><\/div>\n

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Warrenton Hikers Assault Old Rag Mountain at Night For several days the weather forecast called for cloudy skies.\u00a0 Even the afternoon of the event it was ominously predicted that clouds with patches of fog would envelop the trampers.\u00a0 Not a bright idea to climb Old Rag Mountain in pitch darkness. But, as the cars unloaded […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[5],"tags":[220,219,76],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n