After nearly three years of research, hikes, writing, editing, proofing, more editing…we’re finally almost to the release of the 3rd edition of “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Richmond.” It is expected to be out in June. Take a look at the information page on the Menasha Ridge Press website.
This spring has been a lovely time to get out and hike. Great weather and the climate has been very agreeable so far with lower temperatures — perfect for getting outdoors.
In anticipation of the book release, I wrote my first blog post for Menasha Ridge. Crabtree Falls is a fantastic hike and a beautiful outdoors destination to visit. At 120 miles, it was too far beyond the 60-mile range for my book, but I recommend that spectacular hike highly. I will have several more hikes in Virginia to highlight on Menasha Ridge’s website over the coming months.
Speaking of hiking, I’m grateful to my friend and former colleague Paul Woody for giving me a chance for my words to again be published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. (I’m also thankful for his adding a nice plug for my book!) He wrote about the hiker who was killed and another stabbed on the Appalachian Trail in Southwest Virginia:
Last weekend, one hiker, Ron Sanchez, Jr., was killed, his hiking companion, a woman, was severely wounded and two others hiking with Sanchez were threatened and chased, allegedly by James Jordan, who had what the hikers described as a “machete.”
Not that it would have necessarily helped these people, but I recommended hiking with friends, that there is safety in numbers. That counts with dangerous people and with wildlife encounters or unexpected falls along the most challenging and remote hikes. I also suggested hikers should have some way to communicate with the outside world and to tell someone where you’re going and when you anticipate returning.
My time with the Boy Scouts of America and my son’s troop taught me about the Buddy System. Everywhere you go, you should have a friend with you. Safety on the trails is essential, but having that friend with you can also provide the needed companionship and encouragement to overcome challenges on even the toughest of hikes.
Phil Riggan 