Quick run to Coops

Sitting around all day doing course work can really be a drag, thats why my friend Brian and myself love to make these quick trips to our favorite local crag, Coopers Rock. Let it be known that Coopers Rock is a gem of a climbing area for the east coast, the "gritstone" rock quality is topnotch!

We arrived and Brian showed me a sort of new area I had not been to before near the overlook. The purpose of our visit was multi-facteted, Brian studying for an exam and me doing work on my laptop as well as a bit of bouldering (I most just bouldered (-; ).


We got on an overhanging problem that had some nice sort of slopey pockets and really committing topout, I might rate in the low Vs.

Thats all for now!

Colorful Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks

After many months of deliberation and silly excuses, the ladyfriend and myself made it down to Spruce Knob, WV. We actually killed a few birds with one stone by visiting Seneca Rocks as well- for it was Madison's first time to see it (amazingly enough!). We were absolutely thrilled by the fall colors exhibited down there right now, it was clear they would be in their peak within the week! I must apologize, unfortunately, at the start of the trip my camera ran out of batteries and put the kabash (sp?) on any Kodak moments. However, those in Morgantown can look to yesterdays (Monday, Oct. 6) Daily Atheneum for a sunset shot from up on top of Spruce Knob.

A few short facts about Spruce Knob; it is the tallest point in West Virginia and part of a unique high red spruce ecosystem. All of the high areas were logged and subsequently burned from the slash about 100 years ago, and it is clear the forest is still recovering. These days however, it is quite pleasant to look upon the vast expanse of nearly never-ending forest from Spruce Knob and wonder how it once looked as virgin forest and desolation after logging.

We backpacked in along the scenic Seneca Creek trail right below Spruce Knob and stayed one night. It was delightfully cold that night with temperatures nearing the mid-30's, almost a frost! Aside from running out of stove fuel (always bring full canisters!), we had a flawless campout.

Seneca Rocks was magnificent as ever, in a previous post I mentioned I am a beginner trad climber, we watched and climbers leaving for the day and I was pretty envious (but I know that will soon be me (-: ). The air was so clear we could see for many miles. It was most interesting to hike up the trail and see the subtle vegetation changes as we neared the top of the rocks. It was pretty windy up top and the sheer drop down was exciting, it reminded me of Yosemite I had seen in photos and videos. Well, I am back to paperwork, look forward to a post about my impending trip to the Red River Gorge of Kentucky for this weekend's Red River Ruckus!

Got a Job!

Every now and again a professor sends out an email advertising a job here on campus. Typically they do not catch my attention too much, but a few weeks ago my Entomology professor, Dr. Park sent us a job posting for a Forest Service job (!). The work seemed interesting- identifying and tallying insects for a Hemlock wolly adelgid project. So I applied, got called for an interview and then just the other day I got a phone call that I had gotten the job!

Now, the only downside is that I am actually on the WVU payroll, and so consequently my pay is very low, but I think the experience far outweighs that! I hope to meet some Forest Service folks who have contacts out West (-: The work at first will be at the Forest Service office, which is kind of far to ride by bike, so I will have to drive (cost estimates are $1-1.5 return). However, later on, perhaps when I am more proficient at identification and such, I will be able to work in the Entomology lab on the Evansdale campus.

For the time being though, I am swimming in hiring paperwork!