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Ascent of Balsam Beartown Mountain on 2012-05-05

Climber: Tom Layton

Others in Party:

Ken Oeser
Rickey Shortt
John Hamann
Charles Zerphey
----Only Party on Mountain

Date:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Peak:

Balsam Beartown Mountain

Location:

USA-Virginia

Elevation:

4710 ft / 1435 m

Ascent Trip Report

We followed the 2006 route of Mike Schwartz through the Moore Brothers Farm. This is private and posted land, but you should be able to get permission if you ask around in Burkes Garden. Respect private property.

The hike crosses wide-open pastures with great views for the first 2.3 miles to the swag, and then climbs steeply through open woods onto the summit ridge. We found the RM under the trees, but the actual BM remains hidden.

We had our own chapter meeting of the COHP Century Club on the summit, with a total of well over 1800 COHPs represented. As best as I can tell, the Tazewell COHP was the 776th for Ken Oeser, 576th for Charlie Zerphey, and 211th for John Hamann. It was a repeat climb but a new route for Rick Shortt, who has 177.

Bringing up the rear in more ways than one, this was my 106th COHP and 28th in Virginia.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

1670 ft / 509 m

Elevation Loss:

1670 ft / 509 m

Distance:

5.8 mi / 9.3 km

Quality:

9 (on a subjective 1-10 scale)

Route Conditions:

Open Country, Bushwhack

Weather:

Drizzle, Cool, Breezy, Overcast

Ascent Statistics

Elevation Gain:

1630 ft / 497 m

Extra Loss:

40 ft / 12 m

Distance:

2.9 mi / 4.7 km

Route:

Pastures, then ridgeline

Trailhead:

Litz Lane 3120 ft / 950 m

Time Up:

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Descent Statistics

Elevation Loss:

1630 ft / 497 m

Extra Gain:

40 ft / 12 m

Distance:

2.9 mi / 4.7 km

Trailhead:

Litz Lane 3120 ft / 950 m

Time Down:

1 Hours 30 Minutes

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