Most DCUL assistant organizers plan DCUL trips a month or so in advance. Some, like Michael M (“Uturn”), will post international trips a year in advance. Last weekend 10 DCULers hiked a Shenandoah National Park trip planned four years ago. Hope, dispointment, and—ultimately—redemption were the mile markers of this journey. I was a new DCULer... Continue Reading →

Our for this trip plan was to gather at Bootens Gap at 10:30am on Saturday morning. Six out of nine of us had arrived when Karan started getting texts. Google maps had routed Emily, Eileen, and Mark up an undrivable fire road. They each had to turn around and it would take them another hour... Continue Reading →

DCUL members Stephen G., Abhi Gautam, Rose, Sean Soby, WB, Yvette L., Chandler Sam, and event hosts Alexander and Mark R. met on Labor Day weekend for a circuit of the most-photographed highlights of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Virginia: McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and the Dragon's Tooth, plus the less-crowded North Mountain Trail.  We... Continue Reading →

It has been six years since my last trip to Haytack Knob. I have fond memories of camping up there but less endearing memories of the challenges we faced getting there. For this reason, I was sure to warn potential participants of the unmarked/unmaintained trails, long water carry, stinging nettles, and bushwhacking involved in this... Continue Reading →