Mountain hikers lead the high life
Mountain High members don't wait for green leaves to bloom but walk the trails year 'round
By Ann B. Doran Sentinel Writer

Submitted photos Above and below, 2006 winter hike at Siler Bald, N.C.

Western North Carolina proffers world class hiking and other active means of enjoying the great outdoors. Practically all you need to do is step out your own front door.

One club for hiking enthusiasts is Mountain High Hikers (MHHs). This hiking club originated from a "Hiking in the Blue Ridge" class in 1993 at the Institute for Continuing Learning at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga.

Twenty-eight folks attended the 1993 winter class. That small group expanded over the years to more than 200 members today. MHHs is one of the largest groups attending Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Great Smoky Mountains at Pigeon Forge. According to 2006 Hikemaster, Bert Kunze, members have shared some great hikes. Friendships form over time, and the club hosts quarterly combined business meetings and potluck dinners.

MHHs also developed into a vital trail maintenance club. Member volunteers maintain sections of Duncan Ridge Trail; trails leading to Brasstown Bald; High Shoals Falls; and trails in the Tusquittee area including Fires Creek and Chunky Gal Trail. They also work to clean the Helton Creek Falls area making several trips per month.

Members' ages range generally from 40s to 80s, however, all ages are welcome. "I guess most of our members could be called 'active retirees' since our hiking events are on Tuesdays," said Sandy Nicolette, 2006 President for MHHs.

The club offers two hikes every Tuesday, all year around, to accommodate a variance in hiking skills. So whether to "get in shape," enjoy the beauty, or whether you are an old timer (hiker, that is!), you'll be welcome. The hikes are planned to accommodate your own fitness level at this point in your life.

Nicolette emphasized a variety of backgrounds make up MHHs: WNC natives and folks who moved here from around the globe because they fell in love with WNC.

"Many of us moved to this area specifically to enjoy its beauty. So we also want to "give back" to the community where we enjoy this beauty," stated Nicolette. Thus the spirit of volunteerism. Nicolette steered my attention to one of MHHs' most active members, Bert Kunze, who, she said is a fount of knowledge on member history, wilderness safety, preparedness and hiking experience. Raised in Germany, Kunze began hiking in the Alps around age 13. At 15 he began to work with the "Bergwacht" (literally "mountain watchers") as a weekend volunteer. He has since taught preparedness to many novice hikers. "Prevention is much better than first aid," Kunze stated. Kunze moved to Union Co., Ga. in 1995. As he hiked the area trails, he began to notice folks hiking with no regard for their safety. Shortly after that he became certified as a Wilderness First Responder. He graduated from the W.I.S.E.R. wilderness institute in Cleveland, Ga. Since that time he has held a few classes for area hikers to emphasize prevention, rather than first aid. For example, do not sit right down on logs where a brown recluse spider may be living. Check first, hit lightly with stick, and place a rain drape or something over it before you sit down to eat your lunch or rest.

Submitted photo Above, 2006 "Miller Trek," a part of a 7.5 mile hike with connector trail at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Ga., shows a fun woodland bridge crossing.

Also, do not get over a log in your path in one giant step, as a snake could possibly be sleeping on the other side. Place one foot on top of the log, look down, then step on over.

Sentinel photo by Ann B. Doran Above, Hikemaster Bert Kunze recalled memories and friendships that have endured on the trails.

For more information, visit www.mountainhighhikers.org. Or you may call 828-389-3045.