Hi all!
 
This summer, experience the beauty and fun of the Appalachians on an 8 day trip that I will be leading to Virginia and West Virginia, including Shenandoah National Park, open to 18 JOCers.
This year's trip is truly unique -- a multisport adventure that promises to be pure, unadulterated fun. Plus you'll be doing it with an awesome group of fun loving people.
 
Lodging, transportation, permits, food are all taken care of - all you have to do is show up, and have an awesome time!
 
 
Here are the highlights:
 
* Whitewater rafting the class III-IV New River in WV in "team extreme", 4 person rafts meant to maximize adventure.
* 4 hour "wild cave tour" in Lost World Caverns. Prepare to crawl and squirm!
* Climbing Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah, rated a Top 20 hike in the country by National Geographic Adventure Magazine
* Mountain Biking in the scenic New River Gorge with options for different abilities.
* The Via Ferrata. I can't explain what it is except to say that it is an adventure you will talk about the rest of you lives. Check out http://www.nelsonrocks.org/via.html
* Canopy zip line tour in the forests of the Appalachians
* The famous mud obstacle course at Ace Adventure. This too has to be seen. http://www.aceraft...com/new-pages/mud/mud.html
* Hiking the Endless Wall Trail, an scenic trip with ladders, rock scrambling, handlines, and more.
* Evening activities including a minor league baseball game, karaoke, and watching "Seussical" in an outdoor live theater.
 
The cost of the 8 days is recession proof $1195, $1395, or $1895 depending on accommodation options, which includes absolutely everything (and no flight!) . Pricing details below.
 
 
About me:
This will be the 12th weeklong trip that I am arranging for JOCers I am especially excited to be going back to my multisport roots, which always prove to be very popular and tons of fun. I look forward to sharing Shenandoah National Park with you all, having traveled there last summer and falling in love with its beauty.
 
Lodging:
We will be staying at the Meadows Lodge in Lansing, West Virginia, and will be taking over the entire place. It is a large home set on 4 acres, with an enormous common room with cathedral ceilings, along with, of course, a hot tub :) . A picture of the common room is included in the email.
Aside from the first and last days, the daily driving time is generally minimal, as we are centrally located.
 
Food:
All food will be Glatt Kosher, brought from NY. Expect plenty of good food with many healthy options.
 
Cost:
The cost of the trip depends on your lodging choice.
 
Tenting in backyard (for the die hards!)                  $1195  (4 available)
Bed in shared room (double beds and bunkbeds)   $1395  (11 available)
Own Queen in own room:                                     $1895  (2 available)
 
Please note that this price is the early bird rate. After June 1, the price increases $100.
 
Price includes lodging, food, transportation, all activities and guides.
 
How do I register?
A $200 deposit is needed, with the balance due June 15, to be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The deposit is fully refundable until June 15. Please email me, and I will pass along a registration form with further details on payment.
 
Who is the trip for?
The trip is best suited for people who love to have fun in the outdoors. One need not be an athlete, but a great attitude and a willingness to try new things and experience new adventures is a must.
 
 
What is the detailed itinerary?
 
Sunday, August 16:

Depart from New York at 7 am. A 5:45 minute drive takes us to the trailhead for Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. This is one of the most popular hikes in the Mid-Atlantic, and features spectacular views. The 7 mile round trip hike involves lots of fun scrambling, as we walk under, over and around huge granite boulders. After finishing the 5 hour hike, we will drive to our lodge and get a good night's rest.

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Old_Rag_Mt_0000.asp has more information on this gem of a hike.

 

Monday, August 17:

Full day whitewater rafting on one of the top rivers in the East: The New River of West Virginia, in 4 person "Team Extreme" rafts (larger rafts are available for those who wish). Fun, Fun, Fun! http://www.aceraft.com/white-water-rafting-pages/team-ext-low-new-more-info.html .

 

Tuesday, August 18:

Forget walking through the big show caves. On this day, we do caving JOC style, as we take a 4 hour "Wild Cave Tour" in Lost World Caverns in West Virgnia. You will get muddy on this ride, as you squeeze through the "Keyhole", the "Birth Canal" and other tight spots. Details at http://www.lostworldcaverns.com/wildcave.html.  Later, we'll get geared up for the famous Mud Obstacle Course at Ace Adventure. This link will give you an idea of the craziness you can expect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEc1R1MFC6o.

 

Wednesday, August 19:

We start our day by ziplining through the trees on a canopy tour. Lots of adrenaline, and definitely not for the faint of heart! Following that, we'll be hiking along the Endless Wall Trail with stunning views of the New River Gorge (and some fun rock scrambling, too). After dinner, we'll be mingling with the locals at an outdoor theater in Beckley WV, where Theatre West Virginia will be performing "Seussical", a musical that brings the books of Dr. Seuss to life.

 

Thursday, August 20:

Today, we go on a guided mountain biking tour in the New River Gorge. A beginner group will take a scenic easier trip in the gorge (95% downhill, easy grade), where they will be picked up via shuttle. A more advanced group will try their hand at some gnarly single track that West Virginia is well known for.

Then, we'll cool off in an Adventure Play Park, a huge playground of water toys such as inflatable water trampolines, launch bags, waterslides, zipline and more. http://www.aceraft.com/advplaypass.html .

After dinner, it's time to rest our butts at the ole ballgame as we'll watch the Princeton Rays, a local minor league team (affiliate with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays) play the Bristoll Sox (an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox)

 

Friday, August 21:

Today, we head to Babcock State Park for a 4 miles hike with scenic views and beautiful wildflowers.  We'll then hit some local towns to pick up souvenirs and get a taste of local life, before preparing for Shabbat.

 

Shabbat, August 22:

A relaxing day at our lodge (we'll need it!). When Shabbat ends, we'll head to a local karaoke bar to strut our stuff.

 

Sunday, August 23:

Today, we head home, but not before testing our nerve at the Via Ferrata of the Nelson Rocks Preserve, one of only two Via Ferratas in the country. What, you ask it a Via Ferrata? Well, basically, it is like rock climbing, but with rungs, ladders, bridges, and handholds along the rock, and with participant locked in to a safety tether at all times. Oh, yeah, and a suspension bridge with every other plank missing. You have to see it to believe it. http://www.nelsonrocks.org/via.html

 

Following that, we return back to NY with lots of great memories and new friends!

 


 
I look forward to the trip, and hope you can come!!
 
 
Cheers,
Alon Krausz