Get Up and Go Camping

Author: Andreas

  • Where to Camp

    Ask yourself what expectations, goals, and limits do you have for the outdoor activities you’re planning. Consider the same for everyone that will be joining the group. The trip may be a simple night of KOA car camping or five days of backpacking your local National Forest. Do your research on which wilderness areas are nearby and note what outdoor activities are allowed. Checkup on any fees, laws, policies, or paperwork that may be required. Not all locations will allow overnight parking without a permit. You may have to register your trip into the area with the local Park Service. The National Park Service provides a search engine for locating parks and information about them.

    Shade by the creek

    Car camping allows access to nature for individuals who might not be able to hike long distances such as children and seniors. The sites that are provided for vehicles are usually very near each other however it can vary for each campground. This can be good because it creates a neighborhood feeling where you can walk around meeting people while the kids play among the campsites. The luxuries of electricity, running water, and sewage are also usually provided as well as a level place for RVs, picnic tables, and fire pits.

    Backpacking requires more effort and you may not see other people on your trip however you’ll be visiting beautiful scenery that has a lighter footprint from humans. How much gear you can bring with is limited, so you must choose wisely. The emergency plan will have to take into account the distances needed to hike back to a vehicle or contact help. This may seem daunting but you’ll be rewarded with grand views of pristine wilderness, the peacefulness of nature, and a chance to witness its wildlife.

    Cover from the sun

    When picking the location you’ll want to be aware of what’s around the site that may be a hazard. Look out for dead or damaged branches in trees that could fall on someone. Are there any ledges, steep slopes, or loose rocks? Try to spot any ground hornet or paper wasp nests in the vicinity. Know what people in the group are allergic to and how to spot it. Water can be appealing to camp next to but be aware that temperatures can get low at night. Use the lay of the land to protect the camp from winds and secure tarps to shield against rain and sun.

  • Isolated Lookout in Buffalo Gap, VA

    Starting Up

    You can find Elliott Knob within the George Washington National Forest. It’s one of Virginia’s highest peaks with a wonderful view of the Shenandoah Valley. At this elevation there are species of trees usually found hundreds of miles to the north. Two groves of Red Spruce grow on the summit with dispersed campsites throughout them. This unique location has an old forest fire lookout that’s open to those that can make the hike. Two routes lead to the summit. The easier Falls Hollow Trail that is 8.3 miles or the gravel access that climbs 2,000 ft within 2.5 miles.

    Gravel road to the summit which is closed to public traffic

    The gravel logging road ascends with few switchbacks and does provide a challenge. Even if taking the hiking trail, part of reaching the summit is via the old gravel access.

    Walked past this one with him only retreating to the road edge

    Rabbits, deer, bobcats and black bears live in this lush mountain habitat. I spotted a bear cub before it quickly vanished off into the undergrowth. Oaks and Hickory primarily make up the woods but Maples and Birch trees can be found too. Ferns and Wild raspberry patches can be seen among the rhododendron understory.

    Man made pond near the springs below the summit
    The Falls Hollow Trail
    The final ascent to the top

    There are many trails to explore in the area, some more traveled then others. Technicians accessing the communications equipment at the peak traverse the gravel road daily. These towers and buildings are well labelled with keep out and no trespassing signs. Yet they don’t impose on the view too much and the AC units noise becomes trivial compared to sound of the wind.

    Old fire lookout surrounded by Black Raspberries

    Elliott Knob fire tower

    The view from a decommissioned forest service tower is thrilling. It will not disappoint even on days when visibility doesn’t allow a panoramic view. The clouds coming roweling up the side of the mountain and hit you like a fog bank. At night you can see the surrounding towns, cities and the cars traveling between them. These lights do not impede on the starlight and you can make out the milky way and many constellations. The weather was decent while I was here, moderate cloud cover and at times lifting for a better view.

    The view from the top is incredible
    On the walkway of the tower
    Inside the lookout

    Within the tower

    The fence for the tower was closed to the public but it seems they gave up on keeping people out and the gate is now open. However there are antennas and cables on the tower in operation, so it’s best to treat these things with respect. It would be a shame to give the forest service a reason to lock it up again. The building atop the tower is in decent shape. A few broken windows and mice that haven taken up residence. You can stay inside the structure, under the tower or one of the many surrounding campsite.

    The walls are covered in messages from past campers

    A location like this is very unique and must be treated similarly to how we tread lightly in nature. We can’t let this spot become damaged from our visits. Please don’t do anything that would damaged this structure, area or yourself. When it comes to safety, know your limits and don’t put yourself into a dangerous spot. We need to be watching out for each other and the environment when hiking and camping. Pack it in, pack it out. And don’t wantonly destroy plants and wildlife. Let’s keep things looking this good for future generations.

  • Why Go Camping?

    People strike out into the woods for different reasons. There are those that do it to get away from the bustle of the city, some folks seek a weekend retreat with friends and others because they grew up with the family tradition of camping. The activity is as old as the human race with roots reaching back to our origins as nomads. The skills involved have been passed on from generation to generation, be it for survival or entertainment. Whether it’s your daily way of life or just a weekend excursion; the basics are the same and these are water, shelter, fire and food. Perhaps you won’t be having any fires on your trip but you still prepare to be without it and pack accordingly. Obtaining these baselines in the outdoors can be a challenge but once the route is down, one can live in comfort and appreciation of their surrounding.

    There are a plethora of benefits from spending time outdoors. The exercise of just setting up is enough of a boost for most people without throwing hiking into the mix. The fact that camping takes place in spots where a decent cell signal might not always be possible, means you’re forced to seek interaction with your surrounds and the people in them. These are perfect times to foster strong connections with the people in your life. The physical activity and socialization aren’t the only things to improve with the outdoors; your immune system gets a boost from the expose to a variety of bacteria and organic compounds dispersed in the air from plants. The Japanese actively practice something called forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. It is the act of just being in nature, simply connecting to your surroundings through your senses. Spending time in natural areas can help prevent and treat diseases.

    So whether you’re camping in your backyard, RV at the lake or going for a multiple day backpacking adventure. Plan accordingly to the circumstances and forget about your worries for awhile and focus on soaking up all the details through your sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. You don’t need research to feel the difference but if you want more reading on the subject, I recommend this piece of news from the University of East Anglia on spending time outdoors.