Norvin Green 12-5-2009

[Keith Slicner]

I love when it snows on my birthday, cant abide it the rest of the time but on 12-5 I'll take it. I love to hike in snow on my birthday. I love to hike with Irina. So when we set out for Norvin Green under grey skys the stars were lining up just so. The snow started falling about the time we were pulling into the parking lot. We bought a trail map in the Weis ecology center and lit out. Within a half an hour the snow was coming down at a good clip as we made our way up the mountain. Reasonably rugged on the way up and a beautiful hike. Huge sections of exposed rocks looming up and veiled by the snow that was falling heavier and heavier. By the time we swithched to the red trail for the way back the ground was completely covered and every step was critical. On top of an exposed peak with the wind howling and the snow blowing sideways my cell phone rand and my Sisiter from Florida called and asked what we were doing. When told she asked, "and you think that's fun?" The answer was a resounding YES and then I subsequently walked under a tree branch that deposited a load of snow down the back of my neck. The yelp I let out led the Florida Sister to believe that a Jersey bear jumped out and shouted BOO! We broke for lunch as the snow continued to pile up and the hike back to the lot was slow and cautious. We both had a couple of slips and falls but fortunately no serious damage. We missed some of the scenic views and vistas from being rather socked in but the views we did get of the nearby ridges with the blowing snow in between were spectacular in their own right. I estimate we covered 3 - 3.5 miles and it took us 3 hour and 20 minutes to do it. All things considered , a great day and a great hike. We'll get back there in a different season and do it again but for today it was a great start to the winter hiking season and a great birthday. Happy trails.

[Daniela Wagstaff]

The pictures are spectacular. Now I regret that I chickened out and headed south today instead of north because of yesterday's snow. Then again, I am sure it is much more fun to be there while it is snowing rather than after when it has all frozen into ice. Happy Birthday!