Note - There is no online registration for this event
Please RSVP directly to Clint as indicated below
Alumni and Cornell in Washington students will climb Old Rag Mountain, near Sperryville, VA, for the 69th time in our semiannual trek into the Blue Ridge. This is one of the Washington area's most popular excursions, and we expect a large turnout (25-40 people) each time we go.
The first 1/3 of the strenuous, 9-mile hike (summit 3268 ft.; elevation gain 2300 ft.) is on an uphill trail through the trees, while the upper part is open and rocky. Bring lunch and water (two liters per person *minimum*) in a day-pack, and be sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. The total time needed for climbing, enjoying the view, eating, and descending is about 6 hours. We usually get back to D.C. around 7:00 pm. The National Park Service does not allow more hikers after the parking lot is full. Therefore, a prompt 7:45am start from the Cornell Center is needed for this full-day event.
Note: This is a very difficult hike. Those who have not hiked a trail like Old Rag's are strongly encouraged to e-mail or call Clint Brass, using the contact information below, if you would like to get more information before RSVPing.
Dress: Sports/Outdoor
Transportation/Directions: We rendezvous as a group in Sperryville, arriving before 9:45am, and then drive together as a group to the mountain parking lot.
For carpoolers (unless other arrangements are made), come to the Cornell Wolpe Center to meet your driver: 2148 O Street, NW Washington, DC. (Metro Dupont Circle (Red)) We will leave promptly at 7:45am.
For those driving a carpool from DC, arrive before 7:45am at: Cornell Wolpe Center 2148 O Street, NW Washington, DC. Most carpoolers will rendezvous there, unless other arrangements have been made.
For those driving directly to our Sperryville rendezvous point, make sure you get a PDF with directions from the organizer. Do not rely on phones: you will lose cell reception on the way, and roads are not always well marked.
Cars will be dispatched starting at 7:45am from the Cornell Wolpe Center or may drive directly to our rendezvous point in Sperryville, arriving absolutely no later than 9:45am (Sperryville Trading Cafe and Market, formerly the Emporium). At 9:45am, we drive in caravan, as a group, to the mountain parking lot. The rendezvous in Sperryville is necessary, if we wish to do the hike as a group.
When RSVPing, please indicate if you can give anyone a ride (if so, how many people), if you need a ride, or if you will meet us there. Directions will be available that morning at the Cornell Center or via e-mail in a PDF file.
Cost: Please plan ahead for paying fees; some cash may be necessary. Pricing has changed since past hikes to a flat $30/vehicle National Park Service (NPS) fee. Bring your portion of the $30 NPS fee, payable on location before we begin. Please bring cash in small bills. In case the NPS parking lot fills, it will be necessary to park on neighboring private property, where in the past they have charged an additional $10 fee (cash only). Carpoolers should plan to pay in cash a portion of the vehicle fee and contribution toward gas money (variable amount up to around $10).
To attend: RSVP by Wednesday, April 8th, to Clint Brass '90 (ctb14 *at* cornell.edu). Please provide your name, email address, a telephone number where you can be reached shortly before the hike (in the event of bad weather), and the number of people coming. Friends and family are welcome. In addition, we try to carpool; please indicate if you can give anyone a ride (if so, how many people), if you need a ride, or if you will meet us there. To comply with University policy, participants will be asked to sign a standard release form. In the event of a weather-related postponement, the hike will occur on our rain date of Saturday, April 25th.
Contact: Clint Brass ctb14 *at* cornell.edu (703-216-2035)
