You will learn one advantage the goats have over the machine in restoring the grassy balds of Roan Mountain.

Learn how the goats create an advantage for the rare Grays Lily.

If you would like to be a part of this restoration project, download the Goad Adoption Form.

You can adopt a goat for the 2010 season. You get to name the goat and receive a certificate of adoption and a lock of your goats hair. Pretty cool.

But there are a limited number of goats for adoption.  Adopt yours today.

Check it out here:  Baa-tany Goat Project Adoption Form.pdf

And I hope to see you on the mountain.

Ken

ken@MountainTips.com

Here is a short video with Jamey Donaldson of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

[youtube width="425" height="344"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0XHl2Huwlk[/youtube]

Go here for the Baa-tany Goat Project

Go here for the Friends of Roan Mountain

If you have questions email me: ken@MountainTips.com

Instead of calling in to work to say the raods are too bad, we can go skiing!

Last weekend’s snow storm was another good time.

   It has been too long since I went cross-country skiing on top of Roan Mountain.

 The antique 1980′s cross-country skis that I still use, were noticed and commented on.

And don’t forget next weekend’s Winter Naturalist’s Rally, Saturday at Roan Mountain. Great Outdoor Education:  brochure,  registration

Registrater by Feburary 9.

Let’s go outside and do something!

If you have blown your recreation budget on lift tickets already, then I have a deal for you!

Saturday, February 13, The Friends of Roan Mountain Annual Winter Naturalists’ Rally

Jam packed into one day are: three speakers (INDOORS) and choice of two hikes (OUTDOORS)

Go here: Winter Rally Brochure

Go here: Registration

Kid friendly, and always a learning experience!

I hope to see you ON THE MOUNTAIN!

  Baa-tany Goat Project.

This is the second year of the Baa-tany Goat Project to restore the grassy balds on the Roan Highlands.  This is along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap, at the North Carolina – Tennessee state line to the slope of Grassy Ridge to the east.

Why? Because I see what will be lost in a few short years if nothing is done.  Jamey Donaldson is the research biologist in charge of the Baa-tany Goat Project.  He presented a pictorial record at one of the Naturalists’ Rallies.  You could see and compare the pictures for yourself.  Or, if you have hiked the grassy balds over  any length of time, you have seen for yourself the ever invasive blackberries growing where there used to be open grassy areas.  If you get a chance to see Jamey’s presentation, you will be stunned by how rapid the invasion really is.

 
So that is why I am interested in helping with the Baa-tany Goat Project.  By goat-sitting for a weekend, Jamey got to go off the mountain for a while.  I got to camp in the gap between Grassy Bald and Jane Bald. And do a little bit to help restore and preserve these wonders.

Saturday, August 1, Friends of Roan Mountain held their first Youth Naturalists’ Rally.

Listen to these enthusiastic kids after a full day on the mountain and ending their day with a 3 mile hike over the grassy balds: [display_podcast]

Register now for the 47th annual

Fall Naturalists’ Rally

coming September 11-13: Friends of Roan Mountain.

Schedule of activities here.

‘see you on the mountain.

Ken@MountainTips.com

http://www.MountainTips.com

Here is Ed Speer of Speer Hammocks discussing hammock camping with some AT hikers. Interested hikers were checking out the many subtle variations of hammock design and accessories.

In addition to hiking equipment vendors, there were hordes of food vendors and craft tents.
Deep fried Oreo cookies anyone?
You need to get your energy boosted for the inter-active parade at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

I don’t know who started it or when, but there is tradition of water balloons and squirt guns from both paraders and parade watchers.
It has usually been hikers in the parade versus the hikers not in the parade in the water-balloon and squirt gun battles.
But the excitement is contagious and cannot be contained.  Everyone, fire trucks, beauty queens and classic cars got at least sprinkled while parading through town.

The big battle was the hikers. I mean we are talking about massive roof top ambushes and pint-sized assaults from knee level.  I’m glad it was a warm and sunny day on Saturday.

This guy was an experienced Trail Days parader.

Why take a puny squirt gun for a parade all the way through town. You will empty it in the first block. Then you are just a target like everyone else.  Why not take five gallons in a pressurized long-range squirting banjo?

Mark your calendar and your Appalachian Trail maps for the 2010 Trail Days, Damascus VA.

Time for decision. There are so many really interesting “classes” to participate in and not enough time to do them all.

Which ones to choose?

Here they are.

Now check out this really cool site that has audio clips that identify frog sounds: Leaps.org

I think I recorded Spring Peeper and Upland Chorus frogs. What do you think?

Of course the Leaps identification page has recordings from Tennessee and my recordings were of Piedmont Virginia.  Regional dialects may apply.

This time I remembered them before the hike to top of Roan Mountain in January. Roan Mountain is on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, elevation 6,285 feet.

There had been snow the week before. There had been hikers and cross-country skiers on the Appalachian Trail too.  The snow had been packed down and partly melted and refrozen. The result was crushed ice.

Testing the conditions at the trail head I discovered that walking uphill on crushed ice was not easy. Each foot plant was unsure. Each push off was uncertain.  It made for some slower than expected going.

This is when I remembered the trekking poles.Trekking poles look similar to ski poles. They have a molded handle with wrist strap at one end and a sharp tip with a basket at the other end. The big difference is that the middle part is adjustable. I found this was really useful.

Compared to the gloves and multiple layers of clothing, the poles hardly weighed anything. These light aluminum poles are feather light. The molded cork grips are a natural fit to my gloved hand.

After some experimenting with the adjustable heights, I was on the trail.  Not exactly swiftly but surely.

Each foot was placed steadily and much more confidently.  The poles provided a sure balance and helped to check for ice hidden under the snow. I never fell. My foot did slip several times, but my stability was saved by the trekking poles. I never hit the ground.

I can now recommend these light, collapsible poles. They pack easily and they hardly weigh anything. They give excellent aid on the uncertain footing. Maybe I’ll move them to the day pack.

I’m still not convinced that they help take weight off of your feet while you are hiking, like the advertisements say, but when you are on a slippery slope they can sure save you from some painful souvenirs.