Laurel Highlands Extravaganza

OVERVIEW

Prepare yourselves for the club’s summer version of the annual NRGE (New River Gorge Extravaganza; held in the Fall; for more info: http://www.outdoorsatuva.org/members/adventure/read/2905).
As is the New River Gorge area, the Laurel Highlands is a geographic gem which rivals the NRG in terms of natural beauty and outdoor rec opportunities. I have only been to that corner of MD/PA/and WV a handful of times, but have recently fallen in love with it and want to get back there as much as possible. Come with me!

There is so much to explore in that region:
endless miles of hiking/biking trails
– http://www.laurelhighlands.org/outdoors/biking-hiking/biking-trails/
– http://wilderness-voyageurs.com/bike-ohiopyle.html

plenty of rock for climbing/bouldering
– http://www.laurelhighlands.org/outdoors/rock-climbing/
– http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_America/United_States/Pennsylvania/Southwestern_Region/Ohiopyle_State_Park/

And what the Laurel Highlands are best known for: White Water
– http://www.laurelhighlands.org/outdoors/water-sports/

My plan is still evolving, and so shall this trip (and hopefully, this tradition). At this point I am planning to head up to Friendsville, MD on Friday, 7/25 to hop on my aluminum steed and explore some of the bike trails. On Saturday I’ll be on the Upper Yough river for some advanced kayaking fun, followed by an intermediate run down the Lower Yough on Sunday to help with an intermediate skills clinic (see below).

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?
As you can see, there are numerous options. If you want to get a weekend away just to explore a wonderful part of our country on your own, cool, or we can work together to plan a particular adventure. You could bring a club bike and explore the trails solo, with me, and/or others. I could organize a commercial rafting trip if there is enough interest. You rock lovers could do your own research and pick a good looking crag to scale. Or those of you interested in becoming strong intermediate-advanced kayakers could get in on a skills clinic being taught by UVA alum and professional kayak instructor, Dave Kessmann.

So, WHAT YOU SHOULD DO for now if you are interested in checking out the Laurel Highlands: sign up for this trip and indicate what you want to do in the questionnaire. I will do my best to accommodate everyone. If appropriate, I will set up separate adventures to handle the logistics, etc. for each activity. Each activity will have it’s own cost associated with it, but for a base fee to help cover gas, food, and lodging I am putting $30 down as the trip fee.

**This trip description/information will periodically change so please check back occasionally as the trip draws near. Details to work out include, but not limited to: camping location(s), separate adventures, accurate adventure fee(s), carpooling/leave times, etc., my itinerary

Stay tuned…