Meet Fran, Organizer of OTG

How long have you been hiking, and what inspired you to become a hiker?

 I was an active hiker in my teens and early 20's. Although I always kept my love of the wilderness, it was not until just a few years ago that was able to pursue hiking again. I am lucky enough to have lived all my life in the mountains of North Georgia.  My inspiration to begin hiking again was the renewal of a lifelong goal of mine to complete the Appalachian Trail. I have a thru-hike planned for 2017.

 

What hiking experience has affected you the most?  

Last month, I had the opportunity to hike to LeConte Lodge in Smokey Mountains.  The beauty of this area was incredible. Although the hike was very challenging for me, I felt like I had taken the next step,  or moved forward in a way in my hiking "career".

    

Do you have a trail name? Would you like to tell everyone how you earned it?

 No trail name yet. I feel like trail names are for AT thru hikers, which I am not yet. :)

 

When did you join OTG? How did you discover the group? 

I have been a leader with OTG since it was founded last summer. Some friends of mine had an idea for a womens' only hiking, camping, travel, and backpacking group. I have enjoyed watching the group grow to nearly 400 members in the last year.

 

Outside of OTG, what occupies your time?

I have a family, three kids ages 14-22. My husband and I love to travel with the kids, camp, and take Harley rides with friends.

 

What trail is your favorite? Why?

My favorite trail is the Hike Inn trail. It is my favorite because I know it so well and I never get tired of hiking it.  I love to see the changes each season on this trail. Of course it doesn't hurt that the lodge is waiting for me at the end!

 

Why is spending time out there in nature important to you?

Being in nature for me, brings peace of mind. No distractions, no worries, just you and the trail.

 

What single piece of advice would you give to beginning hikers?

Just go for it! I lost a lot of years by thinking I was not in good enough shape, that I might not be able to do it. A simple walk at your local park leads to a mile, then two miles, then more. Then you are out there seeing things others can't because you hiked to them. Do not worry about your pace, and do not try to maintain a pace you can't be comfortable in. No matter how slow you are, you are still out there, way ahead of the people who never try.

Cumberland Island Visit July 2013

This summer the ladies of Off the Grid enjoyed an amazing three night adventure to Georgia’s very own Cumberland Island. This pristine barrier island has one of the most beautiful undeveloped beaches on the East Coast, but a visit to Cumberland is not just a “trip to the beach.” Preserved and protected for future generations, Cumberland Island National Seashore includes undeveloped beaches, historic sites, cultural ruins, pristine maritime forests, and saltwater marshes.

 

 

 

Our spacious campsite in Sea Camp under a magical live oak canopy. Sea Camp is 1/4 mile from the dock where you depart the ferry with your gear. Cold showers and flushing toilets make Sea Camp the "luxury" camping choice on the island.

 

 

The boardwalk from Sea Camp to the beautiful, shell filled beach. On our visit, loggerhead sea turtles were laying eggs nightly. Cumberland Island averages 300 sea turtle nest each year.

 

 

 

Impressive Dungeness Ruins located on the southern tip of the Island. Once the grand home of  Thomas Carnegie and his wife Lucy. Glimpses of the Carnegie lifestyle can be easily imagined throughout the ruins of Dungeness, and through the abandoned luxury vehicles. The mansion burned in the 1950s, today, wild horses and other island wildlife roam freely throughout the ruins.

 

 

Feral horses grazing beside the saltwater marsh near Dungeness. The horses are most likely descendants of horses brought by English settlers in the 1700s. There are an estimated 150 horses on Cumberland Island.

 

 

Off the Grid ladies enjoying a evening stroll along Cumberland Island's shell filled beach. It is not uncommon to see no one, other than a few horses, in either direction, while walking along the shore.

 

View all our photos from this unique get away at :

http://www.meetup.com/Off-The-Grid-Outdoor-Adventure/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=16256812

 

Want to visit for yourself? Join Off the Grid when we return to the island in March 2014. Sign up here:

http://www.meetup.com/Off-The-Grid-Outdoor-Adventure/events/130735072/

Backpacking food- tips for beginners

Several folks have asked about easy backpacking food ideas.   Figuring out how to eat on the trail has been one of the most challenging things for me, but has ended up making the biggest difference for how much energy I have on the trail.  I hope these tips can help you out.

Here are a few of my principles and thoughts on backpacking food:

     -The most important thing is to bring food that you know makes your tummy happy.  Sometimes you may not have much of an appetite, but you need to eat anyway to get energy, so it helps to bring foods that you find appealing.

    -Figure out what works best for YOU. There are many approaches to backpacking food.  Find one that works for you, depending on what type of person you are.   Do you like to cook and experiment? Do you want to spend more time relaxing and not worry about it?  Some people need to eat a lot on the trail (like me), while others like to refuel after they get off the trail.  Some people like powerbars. Some like packaged dehydrated meals.  Don't worry about what other people do-- they may eat more or less than you, or eat at completely different times.  Stay in tune with your body, and pay attention to your energy levels.  Everyone is different, do what works for you.

   -Think about food as your fuel. Choose foods that give long-lasting energy (with lots of complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein). You will burn a ton of calories out backpacking, and while many of us want to loose weight, you still need to eat or you'll "boink" (which is crash and have no energy and feel terrible).

Eating right out of the bag saves on cleanup

   -Choose foods that are easy to prepare.  While I love to cook at home, on the trail I prefer food that I can eat instantly and that require no cleanup, things I can eat right out of a bag. If I cook (which I rarely do anymore), I boil water and add it to a bag of food-- I don't like to cook anything other than water in my pot so I don't have a pot to clean up afterward.

   -Eat like a hobbit on the trail!  This will help you maintain constant energy and prevents stomach upset.  When you backpack, you are asking your body to work hard for long periods of time, so it may have more trouble digesting large meals. So when you backpack, have a bunch of small meals and snacks.  I eat every two hours when I'm backpacking.  I think of it as breakfast, second breakfast, tea time snack, lunch, afternoon snack, pre-dinner snack, dinner, and dessert.

  -Weather changes your metabolism.  Many people get really hungry when it's cold.  Feeling queasy or have a headache on a hot day?  It could be because you are dehydrated and/or not getting enough electrolytes. In the heat, salty foods, electrolyte replacements, or fruit help replace what your body looses in sweat.

Tortillas, cheese, instant black beans, and peppers make a fast and easy lunch.

Here are some websites to get you started:

One Pan Wonders  - lots of great recipes.

Trail Cooking and the Outdoors- more easy recipes

Food in the backcountry  -another viewpoint on how to eat in the outdoors

Freezer bag cooking information

Going stoveless

Discover Joan's other thoughts on backpacking and hiking on her blog, Rambling Hemlock.

How to get the weather forecast for an event

Ever noticed that the forecast for the nearest town to a hike may be vastly different from the conditions up in the mountains?  You can get the forecast for any location in the mountains or in the middle of no-where using the NOAA website.  They have an interactive map that provides the "point forecast" for your hiking destination using a Google Map locator.

Here is an example for Tray Mountain:

 Here is how I get this forecast:

1. Go to the main NOAA website and the left box labeled "Local forecast by "city, St." Enter in the nearest town to the hike.

2. Scroll down to the middle of the page, and on the right side, locate a box with a google map labeled "Click Map for Forecast". Move the map by dragging your mouse on the map and zooming in and out to locate where you will be hiking. Double click on the location to select the location of interest. It will then become highlighted by a green box. NOTE: I find it helpful to consult my National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map (#777 and #778 for our area) which shows detailed trail/town and road locations on a topo map so I can orient myself on the google map (which doesn't always show trails but does have contours).

3. This will provide a forecast of the exact location of the hike. I take the forecast for the highest elevation I will be at for the day.

Here is more information if you have trouble or want to learn more.

Discover Joan's other thoughts on backpacking and hiking on her blog, Rambling Hemlock.

Meet Marie, Founder of OTG

   How long have you been hiking, and what inspired you to become a hiker?

While my family was stationed in Germany I took up non-competitive fitness walking that developed in Europe called Volksmarching. My father was later stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State which opened up my world to the wonders of nature and the great outdoors. The great outdoors is a lifelong passion I love to share with others!  I have been hiking over forty plus years, I am also a certified Wilderness First Responder.

                  What hiking experience has affected you the most?

Many people leave completely unprepared for the trail and weather conditions. I have seen families with very young children with nothing but a couple of 16 ounce bottles of water hiking five miles in 100 degree weather. Then there are those in the backcountry 2-3 days out with no proper first aid kits or skills. I believe in safety first, fun last!  We need to hold more affordable and free workshops to better prepare others for safe hiking, backpacking and camping trips.

      Do you have a trail name? Would you like to tell everyone how you earned it?

Mama Bear, I was always hiking and camping with my children. Mama Bear came about when one day I ran into some hikers who said I reminded them of a Mama Bear standing guard over her young. Now I have started hiking and camping with my grandchildren, always on guard and teaching.

Why did you form OTG, and what are your goals for the group?

My children are now adults and I wanted to start a group where I could meet others who share my passion for the outdoors. I would like to see OTG grow to one of the largest and active women’s groups in Georgia and beyond

                  There are a lot of hiking clubs nearby, what in your opinion makes OTG special?

OTG is a fun relaxed safe outdoor group for women with experienced trip leaders of all levels. We are open to ideas and input from all members in the running of this group.

Outside of OTG, what occupies your time?

When not working, I spend my free time playing with my dogs, writing, crocheting, finding opportunities to travel to new places and spending time with family and friends.

What Trail is your Favorite and why?

The Pine Mountain Trail in Pine Mountain Georgia has miles of trails for all levels of hiking skills. There are plenty of back country camp sites to pick from if you wish to spend a night or two. I taught three of my children all about hiking, backpacking and safety on this trail. My granddaughter did her first hike 6.7 miles on Wolfden Loop last year at age seven.

Why is spending time out there in nature important to you?

Spending time in nature is good for both mental and physical health. The solitude brings me peace and hiking with others brings me joy.

 What single piece of advice would you give to beginning hikers?

Be safe and take a basic CPR and First Aid course. Take a class on proper gear to buy and make sure it’s right for you. If in doubt, ask one of our experience hike leaders for advice. We are always glad to hold a workshop or private class.  Research the trail and check the weather before heading out, plus hike with others when possible.

Welcome to the Official Blog for OTG

Hello everyone and welcome to the Official Blog for OTG. We are so happy you have found us here and hope you enjoy reading about our group. Exciting things are being planned for our group and we cannot wait to share some adventures with you.

Fran is the Organizer of the group and Kellye is the Co-Organizer. Both Fran and Kellye have extensive hiking/outdoor experience and are dedicated to sharing their love of nature with you. Check back soon for a more in-depth introduction of the Leadership team.

Upcoming events include a fall visit to the Hike Inn, a Spring trip to Cumberland Island, backpacking trips in the North Georgia Mountains, and day hikes in a variety of locations. Want to suggest an event? Contact us through our GMail address: Click here

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” 
― John Muir