Category: Outdoor Adventures

Hawksbill and Stony Man Hike

The group on top of Hawksbill, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park

This past Saturday mason students hiked 10 miles along the Appalachian Trail to the summits of Hawksbill and Stony Man mountains. The day started off raining but in the afternoon the sun came through making for an awesome hike. The students first summited Hawksbill, the highest peak in the Shenandoah’s, then continued to the summit of Stony Man where they stopped and ate lunch while enjoying the view. Although it was a little windy at the top, the view was great and it was a perfect place to chill before the descent down the mountain.

Brother raven flies high above the summit of Stony Man

OA Little Devil’s Stairs Hike

The group at end of the hike on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park

Some lucky students got to spend the nice weather the last weekend in February in Shenandoah National Park hiking on Little Devil’s Stairs. 7 miles of up and down hill made for a really awesome hike in the Park. We had a blast crossing the streams as the trail followed the waterfalls up the mountain. Lunch by the water made for good atmosphere to relax and chill before getting back to the steep uphill through the trees and stream crossings.

Going up Little Devil's Stairs — Going up Little Devil’s Stairs

Hiking along, up, and through one of the many small waterfalls on the hike.

OA Goes to White Grass

SATURDAY February 20th– Seven Mason students drove out to White Grass Ski Touring Center in Davis, West Virginia for a day of cross country skiing with Outdoor Adventures. The sun was shining and the temps were warm making for perfect spring skiing conditions where there was a good base. The warm temperatures also meant sections of White Grass’s 30 miles of trail criss-crossing Cabin Mountain, Roundtop, and Bald Knob, had turned back into dirt so hiking was required to access some of the better snow.

After a quick lesson and a warmup lap around the snowfarm the crew headed off for the 6 mile circumnavigation of Roundtop Mountain.

DCIM100GOPROG0022683. — Rahat heading down the Three Mile Trail

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0082. — Jon and Areeba practicing during lesson time

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0091. — Lunchtime with a White Grass local

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0102. — Hiking a thin snow section

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0104. — Snowperson found along the trail

DCIM100GOPROG0042756. — Yiqing on the home stretch

Adirondack Spring Break Trip

ADK

Do you like adventure? Do you like learning new skills? Do you want to learn how to be comfortable and have fun in cold snowy weather? Do you like taking absurd quantities of epic Instagram photos? The Adirondack Winter Skills Seminar is for you! This week-long program over Spring Break will include, winter camping, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, winter peak bagging and a beginner ice climbing course!

We will spend two nights in a backcountry cabin, one night in a backcountry campsite, and two nights tenting it in the front country. We will snowshoe, XC ski, summit peaks, ice climb, laugh, play games, and cook and eat good food. The trip is $450 for students/faculty/staff this includes all instruction, equipment, lodging, and food for the 5 days in the Adirondacks. Food on the two travel days is not included. For the complete itinerary CLICK HERE.