Ice Storm Updates - central VA and Shenandoah

[Lauriep]

Last week's ice storm brought down a lot of limbs and trees and crowns in areas from central Virginia through portions of Shenandoah National Park. Be aware that downed trees can create a variety of hazards. Ice storms can produce broken limbs and hanging crowns that can fall at any time, even when it is still, but especially when it's windy or after prolonged or heavy rains when wood becomes saturated and heavier. Use extra caution when selecting a campsite.

Until all areas have been assessed and cleared, be prepared to turn back or for your travel to be considerably slower (see whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/131243-Humpback-area-ice-damage and whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/131247-Trail-condition-James-River-footbridge-to-Punchbowl-shelter). Thanks to Kaptainkriz and Majortrauma for your postings and photos.

The Natural Bridge A.T. Club (responsible for 90 miles from Blackhorse Gap, just north of Roanoke, to the Tye River, 25 miles south of Shenandoah NP) has been assessing and starting to clear damage in their sections, but it could potentially take weeks to complete it all.

ATC has posted the information we have so far on our Trail Updates page at www.appalachiantrail.org/updates.

PATC just now provided a report that central and northern sections so far have no reports of significant ice damage, but the southern section has not yet been assessed because Skyline Drive is still closed.

If anyone has additional reports, please send them to [email protected].

Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope everyone has a chance to opt outside on Friday! (And tomorrow too).

Laurie P.
ATC

[Kaptainkriz]

Here are some more photos of the area between the area of Reeds Gap and Rockfish Gap. The pictures don't show how bad it really is. The trail is virtually impassible in many areas and requires substantial bushwhacking to get around many of the falls. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TJnYr9qWNkD2KLW48

Last week's ice storm brought down a lot of limbs and trees and crowns in areas from central Virginia through portions of Shenandoah National Park. Be aware that downed trees can create a variety of hazards. Ice storms can produce broken limbs and hanging crowns that can fall at any time, even when it is still, but especially when it's windy or after prolonged or heavy rains when wood becomes saturated and heavier. Use extra caution when selecting a campsite.

Until all areas have been assessed and cleared, be prepared to turn back or for your travel to be considerably slower (see whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/131243-Humpback-area-ice-damage and whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/131247-Trail-condition-James-River-footbridge-to-Punchbowl-shelter). Thanks to Kaptainkriz and Majortrauma for your postings and photos.

The Natural Bridge A.T. Club (responsible for 90 miles from Blackhorse Gap, just north of Roanoke, to the Tye River, 25 miles south of Shenandoah NP) has been assessing and starting to clear damage in their sections, but it could potentially take weeks to complete it all.

ATC has posted the information we have so far on our Trail Updates page at www.appalachiantrail.org/updates.

PATC just now provided a report that central and northern sections so far have no reports of significant ice damage, but the southern section has not yet been assessed because Skyline Drive is still closed.

If anyone has additional reports, please send them to [email protected].

Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope everyone has a chance to opt outside on Friday! (And tomorrow too).

Laurie P.
ATC

[illabelle]

Wow, that's a lot of sticks on the ground. Thanks for sharing these.

[Lauriep]

Great photos, KaptainKriz!

I talked to a southbounder yesterday afternoon who came off at Swift Run Gap before the storm (park rangers came to make sure he got out of the park) and waited it out at a hotel in Elton where park personnel were also staying. He said they told him it would be OK to walk the Skyline Drive even though it was closed.

He had just hiked the southern section of Skyline Drive from Swift Run Gap to Rockfish Gap the last two days. He said there were trees down about every 300 yards and it was very rough going. The biggest issue was finding a place to camp.

[Pastor Bryon]

Thanks for this update. Will be on the lookout to get up with my NBATC brethren to start the cleanup on our section!