Leonid Meteor Shower hike out of Damascus, Nov 14-17, '08?

[Rain Man]

[NOTE: Dates have been changed, pushed back by one day. Now hiking Sat-Tues.]


The Leonid Meteor shower should be full strength on the weekend of November 15-16. Backpacker magazine (Nov issue) recommends going to a wilderness mountain top in NC area to view the shooting stars. The AT in VA is close enough for me! Weather permitting, we should be able to see the shooting stars each and every night.

Anyone interested in a hike NOBO out of Damascus, perhaps starting Friday, Nov 14, and finishing up on Monday, the 17th? Ideally, I would come out at Dickey Gap/Troutdale on Monday mid-day, but am flexible on all details.

I have posted an invite on Nashville Backpackers MeetUp Group too, to see if I get any nibbles on driving over together on Thursday evening.

If you can't join me (us?), anyone interested in doing a shuttle on Monday?

RainMan

.

[mudhead]

Check your lunar data.

Might have to make do with a big ol' moon. Might not wash out all the streakers, tho.

[Rain Man]

Check your lunar data.

Might have to make do with a big ol' moon. Might not wash out all the streakers, tho.

I just love a bright moon! That will just determine what time during the night (or early morning) we have to be awake to watch the shooting stars.

The hike is the main thing. The Leonids are just icing o the cake, but not the cake.

RainMan

.

[jaywalke]

Anyone interested in a hike NOBO out of Damascus, perhaps starting Friday, Nov 14, and finishing up on Monday, the 17th?.

Wear all of your blaze orange. That's the beginning of rifle season.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting...tions/deer.asp

Personally, I stay home that weekend. Depending on the area, it can sound like a war zone. I find I develop a flinch as I walk along, and a lot of the fun goes out of it.

[Rain Man]

Wear all of your blaze orange. That's the beginning of rifle season. ....

I had planned to ask the local forest service, but thanks for the heads-up. Blaze orange it is!!!

There is a possibility I will shift this hike back one day, but still hike four days, as a Nashville hiker can't get off Friday, but can get off Tuesday. There is also a possibility about three high school foreign exchange students will tag along (one being my "son" this year from Egypt).

RainMan

.

[mtnkngxt]

I'd be up for it but could only stay sat and sunday.

[Rain Man]

I'd be up for it but could only stay sat and sunday.

That's cool. There are enough road crossings that anyone could join us for a day or two or three. I suppose it'll be a matter of staying in touch till final plans are made, and swapping cell phone numbers.

I've had one request to push the start date back from Friday to Saturday, but that's not decided yet.

RainMan

.

[Rain Man]

Two new hikers at last night's meeting of the Nashville Backpackers MeetUp Group said they want to go on this hike.

As I mentioned earlier, we might shift the date by one day to Sat-Tue, but nothing is settled.

Can anyone tell me the water situation from Damascus to Dickey Gap/Troutdale? Any other issues? I understand hunting season is starting, so we'll wear blaze orange. Also, can anyone tell me about shuttles to/from Troutdale, either shuttling hikers or vehicle?

Thanks!

RainMan

.

[jaywalke]

Also, can anyone tell me about shuttles to/from Troutdale, either shuttling hikers or vehicle?

I think Lone Wolf shuttles out of Damascus. You may want to PM him.

Maybe I'll catch you next time.

[Rain Man]

I'd be up for it but could only stay sat and sunday.

So, Mtn Kng, are you serious about joining just for Sat & Sun? If so, I'll count you as a serious "Yes" and will make sure you get our itinerary for those days, once we settle on the details (which, as always, will be subject to change on the ground). Also, we'll need to swap cell phone numbers.

Right now I have two definite "Yes's" from Nashville, plus three foreign exchange students (high school), including my own "son" from Egypt. There are one or two other "Maybes" from other locales.

RainMan

.

[Marta]

There were quite a few hunters out and about this past weekend. Lots of hikers, too, very few of whom were wearing blaze orange.

[Jim Adams]

Does anyone know what day and time the peak is to happen?

geek

[Marta]

Does anyone know what day and time the peak is to happen?

geek

http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/

Early morning Nov. 17th.

[Jim Adams]

Thanks Marta!

geek

[mudhead]

Check your moonrise/moonset ...

[Rain Man]

Check your moonrise/moonset ...

US Navy calendar of moon rise and moon set.

RainMan

.

[Lellers]

I'll be down in central VA mid week. Do you think there would be much of a meteor show on Wednesday/Thursday evenings? Weather forecast is iffy, though. It'll probably be too cloudy to see anything where I'll be. Is there a website listing optimum time/days for viewing?

[Mr. Parkay]

The Leonid Meteor shower should be full strength on the weekend of November 15-16. Backpacker magazine (Nov issue) recommends going to a wilderness mountain top in NC area to view the shooting stars. The AT in VA is close enough for me! Weather permitting, we should be able to see the shooting stars each and every night.

Anyone interested in a hike NOBO out of Damascus, perhaps starting Friday, Nov 14, and finishing up on Monday, the 17th? Ideally, I would come out at Dickey Gap/Troutdale on Monday mid-day, but am flexible on all details.

I have posted an invite on Nashville Backpackers MeetUp Group too, to see if I get any nibbles on driving over together on Thursday evening.

If you can't join me (us?), anyone interested in doing a shuttle on Monday?

RainMan

.

I live in Damascus, so feel free to send me a PM if you guys still need a shuttle.

[TOW]

We have canceled the meteor showers this year, sorry folks. If you would like to see it come back please send me a lot of money and I will think about it........

[Egads]

I saw a "falling star" meteor last night while soaking in my hot tub