Hi followers,
I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for following my site, it means a lot to me and I really appreciate it. If you would like to see more of my published work outside of Wood River Rock, please click on the link to my Wix page to see my professional portfolio. Have a wonderful day!
Alex
This weekend offers an exciting opportunity for backpackers, hikers, environmentalists, and those who love the woods and trails of southeastern Ohio to support environmental conservation and outdoor recreation. The Buckeye Trail Fest 2014 begins Thursday, April 24 and runs through Sunday, April 27. Offering an array of challenging, learning-oriented, and just plain fun events, Trail Fest has something for everyone, and the events just keep coming throughout the its 4 days.
Camp Akita, in the scenic Hocking Hills, provides the setting for Trail Fest. Offering cabins and a main lodge, registration and many activities are centered here. Hiking trails are readily accessible. Centrally located, Camp Akita is only a 35-minute drive from Columbus, and equally as close for those coming from Athens, Logan, or many southeastern Ohio communities.
Camp Akita employee Danita Wolfe is looking forward to having the event at the camp this weekend. “This is our first time hosting the Buckeye Trail Fest. Its my understanding that they try and host the event in a different location around Ohio each year. It is a 3 night event they arrive on a Thursday and leave Sunday. We have up to 165 this weekend they have people hiking in who left on Saturday and will arrive tomorrow and I believe it was a 24-mile hike.”
This year, those who wanted to completely immerse themselves in challenging and scenic backpacking experiences as a prelude to Trail Fest had their choice of two different “Lead-In Hikes.” Beginning a week to 10 days before the opening of Trail Fest, one lead-in hike originated in Burr Oak State Park and covered some 60 miles from Wildcat Hollow to Camp Akita, while the second lead-in hike originated at Tar Hollow State Park and covered 150 plus miles from Peebles, OH to Camp Akita.
Trail Fest Coordinator John Knouse worked very hard to have a multitude of opportunities that participants could be involved in . “Well workshops are pretty diverse; some have to do with camping and hiking. Trail maintenance, there’s one about quilting, I tried to set up a rappelling and rock climbing workshop but ran up against the academic calendar.”
An array of activities provide a chance to meet and get to know other people who love and value nature. Bicycling on the Hocking Adena Bikeway provides unparalleled view of the river and the wildflowers that adorn the bikeway and riverbanks. If you’d rather not bike, you can take a sign-making workshop, where you will rout and paint your own wooden sign.
Matt Volser, an Ohio University Recreation Doctoral Student is conducting a survival workshop at 1 pm on Friday. “I’m really excited, we get to talk about survival and backpacking, enjoy the outdoors’s, it’s a great time!”
A hospitality hour offers an opportunity for refreshment and meeting new people or re-engaging with old friends, and this is followed by a sumptuous supper in the Lodge. In case you are seeking more learning and excitement, you can take the “Haunted Hocking Tour” at Ash Cave, where you will look for spirits, or you can take the “Hocking Hills Geology Hike,” where you can become more knowledgeable about the Rock Stalls and black hand sandstone in the area.
Every day brings different things to try and se at Trail Fest. You can learn to make simple gourmet backpacking meals, Dutch oven cooking outdoors, the art of car camping, and how to make at least 20 knots with skill that will “dazzle your friends.” As if that wasn’t enough, you can learn to “Start a Fire in a Mud Puddle with a Wet Match,” and that is impressive even to consider!
On a more serious note, Trail Fest offers a one-hour workshop on the healing and therapeutic value of hiking after loss. The weekend is focused on reminding participants of the importance of caring for the environment and appreciating the enjoyment it brings to our lives. The guides, workshop providers, musicians, and all those who work so diligently to bring people together for Trail Fest are talented and dedicated people. Trail Fest attendance and the silent auction of donated items help to raise funds for the Buckeye Trail Association that is used toward the maintenance of Ohio’s hiking trails.
A map of the Buckeye Trail. Click the map to see the Google Maps page that will show you the names of the different areas that the trail run’s through.
Hikers enjoy a rainy 12 mile hike Friday morning.
A Thursday afternoon shot of the Hocking Hills, Old Man’s Cave section of the Buckeye Trail.
A second view of the Old Man’s Cave area, part of the Buckeye Trail.
After recently writing about the clean-up efforts for the Monday Creek Watershed, it was exciting to learn about the return of the orangethroat darter to Sunday Creek as result of clean-up work in the Sunday Creek Watershed. This colorful little fish nearly disappeared entirely from Sunday Creek, a 27 mile long stream that runs south through Perry County to Chauncey and into the Hocking River.
This past Saturday, April 12, the 4th Annual Dash for the Darter 5K Trail Run served as a fundraiser, as well as a celebration of the fish’s reappearance in Sunday Creek. The Trail Run raised funds that the non-profit Rural Action uses for restoration efforts in the Sunday Creek Watershed area. Beginning at Burr Oak State Park Lodge and Conference Center, participants ran the trails and helped fund environmental clean-up at the same time.
Michelle Shively, the Watershed Coordinator for Sunday Creek was pleased with the turnout of the event. “We had our 4th Annual Dash for the Darter Trail Run at Bur Oak State Park. There were about 45 runners, and we were able to have sponsors. The runners themselves made close to 1,000 dollars to support the watershed and its actions. Burr Oak is actually in the watershed area, so you’re able to be surrounded by this beautiful area and support it while running.” Because they are more sensitive to the pollution from the coal mines that dot the Monday Creek Watershed than some other species, the orangethroat darters were casualties of the poor water quality from acid mine drainage, improperly treated wastewater, and illegal dumping that preceded mine cleanup regulations. “But we get really excited because the darters mean that the water is becoming cleaner, and we’re seeing lots of different fish too,” said Shively. So, if you want to celebrate the darter’s return and support the watershed cleanup, visit the Rural Action website to see how you can become involved in their projects.
If you love competitive marathon running or you simply want to team up with friends and family members to walk for charity, Athens, OH is the place and April 26 is the date.
The 3rd Annual Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital Race for a Reason will bring together what may be the largest groups of race/walk participants ever in Athens. Even better, you can choose between four different events, each offering different opportunities and challenges.
With goal of raising $100,000 for charity and more than 1,000 participants expected, race organizers are excited by the attention and interest the race is drawing. Carey Goodman, the Recruiting Coordinator for Ohio University’s Center for Sports Administration is helping to coordinate this year’s event. “The premise of the race is to support a charity of the participants choice. We have 70 charities; we have organizations that worked with us in the past, as well as a lot of new organizations like fraternities and sororities that are working with us. This year we’ve really tried to put a lot of effort into finding more organizations to work with and support.”
Hosted by Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital, the Ohio University Sports Administration Program, and Athletes in Action, the Race for a Reason truly offers something for everyone. Here is a breakdown of the events that you can choose from and what each one involves:
Athletes in Action Triathlon & Duathlon – This event is really two events, each with a different format. It is offered by the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Competitors can run this race individually, with friends and family as a team or in three-person relays for the different components of the triathlon or duathlon.
Triathlon competitor Eddith Dashiell, Associate Professor of Journalism, competed in the race last year and is returning to compete this year. As a first year competitor in 2013, Dr. Dashiell says that her motivation to compete was to push herself. “The main reason was to see if I could do it, and find a difficult way that I could exercise. It’s a nice change of pace. I would see other people doing the Triathlon and think, well I can do that.”
Swimming is followed by a 25k bike race, closing with a 5k run. Goodman says that the event draws quite the crowd. “As of right now we have about 150 people registered for the Triathlon.”
34th OU HCOM Medicine Run 5K –This is a traditional 5k run that follows a path through the OU campus, meeting and following the Hocking Adena Bike Path as it parallels the Hocking River. It is offered by Quidel. This race represents tradition in every way.
The Rocky Military Mud Run is offered by the OU ROTC. This less than traditional 4k run is not for the faint of heart. Beginning in TailGreat Park, participants will cross the Richland Avenue Bridge to the Richland Avenue Park and then down Dairy Lane until they turn off for the ROTC Challenge course in the Ridges. Participants face obstacles as they navigate the course and, finally, reach a slip-n-slide finish line.
AMVETS Diabetes 3K Walk – Offered by Humana, this walk along the Hocking Adena Bike Path offers great scenery, while contributing to your favorite charity. There is no need for high stress here, as the focus is on cooperating instead of competing.
While the races start at different locations around the OU campus, they all finish at the TailGreat Park, where race officials, family, friends, supporters, and sponsors will be on hand for metals, congratulations, and hugs for all of the dedicated participants.
See my Storify story too: https://storify.com/LorayR/o-bleness-athletes-in-action-triathlon
As the spring weather warms, a multitude of great marathons reappear on calendars nationwide. Those who love running and competing rejoice, and trails, courses, and roads abound with runners. Whether you are a once a year marathoner or a marathon junkie, there is a new marathon on the block that is gaining some attention—the North Pole Marathon. While it has actually been around for several years, interest in this challenging marathon is growing.
Before you grab your running shoes and log on to sign up, there are a few things to consider.
This year’s North Pole Marathon takes place on Wednesday, April 9, and it literally takes place at the Geographical North Pole. It takes 9 laps to complete the 26.2 mile course, but there are guards to keep the polar bears away. Sadly, it is too late to run in this year’s race. However, if you are intrigued, you have some time to plan for participating in 2015.
This is no kid’s play marathon—there is extreme cold, running on ice and snow, and the danger of polar bear attacks. You have to helicoptered in (can’t drive and park your car!), and you need some warm, high-quality running gear and about $20,000 to pay for the marathon package. Did I mention that the 12,000 ft. Artic Ocean is 6 to 12 feet beneath the running trail?
So, if you are interested, start your training and saving now. This race lives up to its nickname as the “coolest marathon.”
Sleeping outside can mean a solid night of sleep, or a night of discomfort and sleeplessness, and the difference may lie in your sleeping bag choice. With the huge strides in outdoor gear quality and comfort that have occurred in the last decade, anyone can be comfortably snuggled down when they sleep outside.
For starters, choosing the right sleeping bag to keep you warm and comfortable, no matter the weather, is critically important. Sleeping bags come in a variety of styles, weights, and warmth levels. Here are some general ideas of what you should look for when buying a sleeping bag.
1.) Temperature
The lowest temperature for which a bag will provide adequate warmth is indicated on the tag of new sleeping bags. So, if you have a 15-degree bag, then it will provide sufficient warmth when it is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Many bags have the degree ratings in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
2.) Material
It is often wise to buy a sleeping bag with a synthetic exterior. All kinds of gear can get wet year round, so you want to protect yourself. Cotton fabrics retain water and take longer to dry, whereas synthetic fabrics are made to wick and repel water. But, it’s not just the outside of the bag that’s important. The filling of your sleeping bag is typically either a synthetic or down. Both fillings have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider where and when you will be using the bag before you buy. For example, synthetic bags tend to be harder to compress, making them bulkier to carry, but down does poorly in wet conditions.
3.) Weight
Any time you go camping, it’s crucial to remember to pack as lightly as possible. You don’t want to avoid purchasing a sleeping bag that will weigh you down, making it tortuous to hike with your pack. Try walking around in the store different weight bags to see how they feel.
4.) Get information
Don’t be shy about asking questions. It’s your back, your sleep, and your money.
Sleep well campers.
My dog Alice checking out my new 15-degree Mountain Hardware bag.
Lifeguarding may seem like a stereotypically easy summer job, but have you ever thought about what it takes to make it to that guard chair? Over this weekend and the following one, the Ohio University Aquatic Center is running a Life Guard Certification course. The Life Guard Certification class started this past Friday with a swim and skills test to see if participants qualified to take the class. Participants had to complete a 300-meter swim in less than ten minutes, tread water, and retrieve a diving brick from the bottom of the Aquatic Center diving well to participate in the course.
Those passing the initial assessment will spend the two weekends learning and demonstrating a variety of skills that include CPR, first aid, water rescues, back boarding (on land and in water), surveillance skills, and emergency management. Skills are taught in and out of the water through classroom time and pool practice. These are not short classes. Typically, an average day for a Life Guard class lasts from 9 AM to 6:30 PM.
After the two weekends of training, participants must pass several final skill tests before being certified as Life Guards. These include a written final for CPR and First Aid and a final practical test of life-saving skills in the water.
So, the next time you look at that individual in the life guarding chair, be conscious of the skill and dedication that it took to get there.
Like any sport, rock climbing can put your body through a lot of wear and tear. Blisters on your hands and fingers are common minor injuries. Every climber wants to have tough hands with lots of calluses, but what happens when you push yourself too hard and end up with open blisters?
Dr. Laura Hocter-Ousley of Ohio University’s Campus Care has some general tips for how to help your blisters heal, enabling a faster return to the rocks. “If you can take time off, it’s always better, but depending on the size of the blister, they generally take maybe a week at the most to heal.”
Still, how you handle the blister problem is important, and she offered some recommendations:
So, if you push yourself too hard at the crag or gym and pay the price with blisters, take some time off and care for your hands. Within a week, you should be climbing strong once again.
This Saturday, moms and their OU students will participate in the 14th annual Mom’s Walk For The Cure at Ohio University’s Ping Center. The event’s proceeds will go to the Susan G. Koman foundation and draw awareness to finding a cure for breast cancer. The 5k walk also features performances by OU’s very own Title 9. New Chords On The Block, and ABCD before the walk starts at 10 am, and is then followed by the start of the walk at 10:45 am. This year the event was put together by the University Program Council and Student Senate, as is seen as a great way to get students and their moms active during the weekend. Last year the event raised over 13 thousand dollars, and has high hopes to meet that goal for this year’s walk. Chloe Colton, a Senior in Bachelor Studies who participated in the walk last year, said “We all know someone that has been affected in some way by breast cancer, so this is a great way to show our support.”
According to the Susan G. Koman Foundation website, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. However, the foundation also supports that although it is rare, breast cancer can occur in men as well. The local Susan G. Koman Columbus branch is hosting their own race in a few weeks, on Saturday, May 17th. Ohio University alumni Nicolle Racey serves as Koman Columbu’s Director Of Communications. She says that local events such as the Mom’s Wald For The Cure not only help support the foundation, but the proceeds go directly to funding beast cancer research. “It’s so important because the need is so high (for beast cancer support), and we wish we had more money to help even more women, and that’s why events like the mom’s weekend are so important.” In fact, 75 percent of money raised goes to fundraising community health programs, like the Healthy Adult project program at Ohio Universities Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
In Ohio alone, walks, races, and other Koman events have helped to service 30 counties in central and southeastern Ohio. Not only that, but there have been over 21 grant programs to underserved women and children of southeaster Ohio. This year there has been roughly 1.4 billion dollars in community funding. Racey also said that “the race was formed after Nancy Koman made a promise to her sister, because over 30 years ago you couldn’t even say the word breast. And helping the race, it helps bring the conversation to the forefront. The next step is education people”.
Can you identify Saturn’s rings? What constellation is seen in the nighttime April sky? All of these questions are likely to be answered on April 4th and 5th for those attending a special stargazing event during Mom’s Weekend at Ohio University. In addition to providing a myriad of other interesting events, moms and their OU student sons and daughters have the opportunity for stargazing at the Ridges.
Now owned by Ohio University, the Ridges are surrounded by open areas that offer unobstructed views of the night sky. The stargazing is led by astronomer George Eberts, who shares his impressive knowledge of the night sky. He guides participants in locating constellations and planets through a telescope, making an evening of star gazing exciting and learning-oriented.
“Rising right now is Jupiter, and so when we finish the hike ill have a telescope set up, and we can have a look at Jupiter then. And working with outdoor pursuits is really cool, the people are really great and they really want to be there”.
The stargazing takes place in a historic and storied setting. Located in the hills on the outskirts of town, the Ridges are a complex of historic buildings surrounded by several acres of woodland and sloping hillsides. For over a century, it was the location of a mental hospital that housed many patients, most of whom worked within the institution to grow their own food and create a self-sustaining environment.
“We start off in a walk through the cemeteries and it exposes people. A lot of time people think it’s scary and so the whole venue is a chance to talk about mental health.”
Wood River Rock 