Getting Out in the Mountains

by Dave Morrison, Wilderness Network of the Mountains

What would the world be
once bereft of wet and wildness?
Let them be left, O let them be left.
Wildness and wet,
long live the wilds and wilderness yet.
                                                ~  Gerard Manley Hopkins

The Wilderness Network of the Mountains provides opportunities for gay men to enjoy nature centered outdoor activities with other gay men. Outings include day trips to scenic areas in the southern Appalachian Mountains, weekend trips around the Southeast, and longer expeditions further away. We occasionally meet for picnics, potlucks or organizational meetings. The pleasure and satisfaction we get from WNM is derived from the creativity and energy of our membership.

 We are in our 5th spring/summer season since we formed in May of 2004.  We now have 480 members, mostly in the hilly and mountainous regions of the southern Appalachians. But we also have members in other states and even other countries and continents.  With spring now here, you REALLY should check us out and join us in some wild outdoor adventures. Some aren't so wild, but are more like just nice walks in the woods, but we have trips to suit pretty much everyone! 

Got a favorite hike, bike ride, floating trip, other outdoor adventure, or a camping spot you would like to share with other gay guys in our area? Try posting a trip or trip suggestion!  And if you don't see trips you like, then lead one for us yourself!  ALL of our trips come from the general membership.  We don't have a committee that decides who can lead trips or where we can go. 

This spring, we'll be having our regular picnic/potluck meeting, but this year we are going to combine it with a wonderful hike in the Mills River area. And as you read this, the picnic is very near. It will be a great time to join our FREE group and meet some menz! 

The latter part of this month and the next will be filled with hikes in the higher elevations to keep us cool and be able to enjoy the blooming mountain laurels and then the rhododendron, my personal favorite.  We will also be going to places where we'll be able to cool ourselves in a nice mountain stream's pool under a waterfall.  Tubing and kayaking have almost always been on the summer calendar, along with several campouts. 

So, if this sounds like the type of thing you prefer to do rather than stand around in a bar on the weekends, then contact Rick at rick_mcalister@yahoo.com or Dave at artbydave@charter.net or just go to our yahoo site. Do a search under the words: wilderness network of the mountains.