Mountain has caretakers

During his eight hours on the mountainside in Shenandoah National Park that's deluged this time of year, the mountain guide and outdoor entrepreneur helped a hiker with a sprained ankle, chatted with hikers about adequate water and respecting nature along the trails, and found time to practice basic rescue techniques.

It was a typical Sunday for Nichols, who grew up hiking, rock-climbing and mountain biking--before it was actually called that--on the mountainsides near Sperryville.

It was also a typical day for the seven other Old Rag Mountain Stewards volunteering here, about 50 miles from Fredericksburg.

"Things had gotten so crowded, with some hikers damaging the trails and overlooks here, that the Park Service was being forced to think about limiting access in some spots," said Nichols, who runs a company called Teamlink out of Frederick, Md., which offers team development and classes ranging from kayaking to camping to wilderness survival.

"Some of us who care about Old Rag thought we might be able to prevent losing that access by volunteering to be here on peak days to teach visitors how to better respect this resource," said Nichols.

Since last spring, with the park services' blessing, volunteers coordinated and trained largely by Teamlink professionals have shown up on weekend days when hundreds--and sometimes, over a thousand--visitors hike Old Rag's rocky, picturesque trails.

Wearing bright orange T-shirts, the volunteers, who during the week are teachers, students or EMTs, work daylong shifts helping Old Rag and those who visit it.

"We're here to explain why it's kinder to the sensitive vegetation and safer to the hikers on the trails to give advice about having safe and enjoyable hikes and to help those who might need first aid or rescue," said Nichols, who's been up the mountain 35 times since April.

Some of the advice is simple but necessary on trails where unenlightened novices have been seen hiking in high heels or wingtips, with no water in the blazing heat or no flashlights in pitch-black darkness.

TIP 1: Don't short yourself on water--on any trail hike. "I never go up Old Rag with less than three quarts," said one steward. "Too much is never a problem." TIP 2: Park officials and stewards recommend having a hike plan that includes a trail map, food and water, places to meet if separated and word to someone back home about estimated start and finish times. TIP 3: "Sturdy shoes and hiking clothes seem a no-brainer," said one steward. But they've seen everything from bikinis to flip-flops. Sturdy shoes and clothing that generally covers are musts. TIP 4: Check the expected weather--all along the trail to be hiked--before packing and setting out. Tank tops or flip-flops will serve you poorly on a chilly day, and overly warm clothes can overheat you on a hot one. Extra heat means extra water. TIP 5: A flashlight, bug spray and food for a hike that lasts longer than expected are simple precautions each time out. TIP 6: "Grant yourself permission to enjoy your hike," said Nichols, meaning that you shouldn't push yourself to go farther or faster than you comfortably can. "Gradually work your way up to the really strenuous, long hike, and you'll enjoy it more."

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Date published: 11/12/2009