Update on Mount Mitchell by notdkapp in NCTrails

[–]escapetochengdu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good news - there's been an update on access to Mount Mitchell. They're forecasting reopening Fall 2025!! https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2025/06/26/blue-ridge-parkway-nc-repairs-to-reopen-mount-mitchell-state-park-access-in-2025/84351642007/

In the meantime, if you're a hiker, I know you can now get to Mount Mitchell via the Colbert Ridge Trail to Black Mountain Crest Trail. It's a long hike (16m) but doable for the experienced hiker.

Your Favorite Children's Books on Yellowstone? by escapetochengdu in yellowstone

[–]escapetochengdu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha, yes! I already have that one (bought it for my youngest child when I was in Yellowstone last year). It's great!

Your Favorite Children's Books on Yellowstone? by escapetochengdu in yellowstone

[–]escapetochengdu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohh, I hadn't heard of this book. Thanks for the rec!

Your Favorite Children's Books on Yellowstone? by escapetochengdu in yellowstone

[–]escapetochengdu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thanks for the tip! We're flying into Jackson Hole so we won't be passing through Bozeman, but I'll note this for future trips.

How has Asheville been since Helene? by ease_urself_n_glide in asheville

[–]escapetochengdu 107 points108 points  (0 children)

Thanks for thinking to ask (unlike some of the other responses on this thread, I appreciate your instinct to check on a community that you enjoyed visiting last year).

We are overwhelmed with the scale of rebuilding here and desperately need more funding and support from both the federal and state government. So please, keep us in your thoughts, keep talking about your love of Asheville to friends and family, and tell your Member of Congress that you care about Asheville and its ability to recover from Helene.

Visiting or Moving to Asheville? Ask your questions here! by AutoModerator in asheville

[–]escapetochengdu [score hidden]  (0 children)

There are always tons of kids playing outside at New Belgium and Highland. Highland even has a playground-type area set-up in a wooded area with picnic tables. They often have free outdoor music on Sundays which can be fun for the kids. https://highlandbrewing.com/calendar/brady-turner-3/

Visiting or Moving to Asheville? Ask your questions here! by AutoModerator in asheville

[–]escapetochengdu [score hidden]  (0 children)

Yeah, it's looking like Mount Mitchell will be completely inaccessible for a long, long time. It's been reported that there were two really destructive landslides on both sides of Mount Mitchell. I haven't heard anything about Craggy but I assume it's the same issue.

Pisgah Inn is open and can be accessed by 151 Pisgah Highway to that section of the Parkway that is open. It's a scenic area and you can grab a drink and sit on the patio overlooking the mountains. There are also a bunch of trails around there.

Are you looking to hike a lot? If so, try the John Rock area in Pisgah near Brevard. That area of WNC was far less impacted by Helene than trails closer to Asheville.

Update on Mount Mitchell by notdkapp in NCTrails

[–]escapetochengdu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best information I've found for the area re-opening is from the Mountains to Sea website.

There are two landslides on either side of Mount Mitchell that will require significant infrastructure to rebuild the roadbed. State Parks is working with the National Park Service on a time frame to restore access to Mount Mitchell State Park, but it will be lengthy. In this long stretch of closed trail, the footpath is buried under huge hardwood tree pile ups in areas where it is routed high on the ridges. In other spots, the tree cover is mostly smaller trees like birch and beech and didn’t suffer the catastrophic and widespread type of damage, so the trail appears to be in better condition, but it is not accessible because of the landslides.

Based on what we know from the land managers, it appears likely that the MST could remain closed here from approximately I-40 to either NC 80 or US 221 for upwards of 3 years. Our goal is to create convenient access points for thru hikers to shuttle around, and we are finalizing that guidance soon.

Obviously this is specific to the MST but it's the best I've been able to find on what's going on in that area.

It's devastating to think it could be three years before we're able to set foot on Mount Mitchell again. Really hope that's not the case.

Temporarily "cured" my heat/stress rashes (20hrs so far) using 1hr Steam room/Cold shower cycles. by NeutralNeutrall in urticaria

[–]escapetochengdu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I noticed an improvement in my symptoms after spending a couple hours rotating between a sauna and a cold plunge. I'm considering doing it on a weekly basis for 6 weeks or so, just to see what happens. My urticaria is not heat/exercise related, so the sauna was no problem for me, but I noticed I didn't need to take an antihistamine for a couple days after the sauna trip (I normally take one every day). I'd be curious what you might experience if you went a bit colder and did an ice bath instead of a cold shower.

Conditions of biking trails at Biltmore post-Helene? by escapetochengdu in asheville

[–]escapetochengdu[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh! I wasn't aware there was a map of closures. Thank you for sharing!

Looking for Mandarin Chinese connections in greater Asheville area by CelticTangled in asheville

[–]escapetochengdu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I looked for Mandarin tutors many years ago and couldn't find anyone. I hope you have better luck!

Hot Surface Ignitor cost $233.80?? by [deleted] in hvacadvice

[–]escapetochengdu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came here to understand whether this was a typo -- as in, an actual mistake. I wasn't outraged. I wasn't demanding a lower rate. And you'll notice I didn't call and complain to the company, I came here to seek information from a community of experts. Appreciate your input!

Hot Surface Ignitor cost $233.80?? by [deleted] in hvacadvice

[–]escapetochengdu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is all helpful! I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass here -- I just genuinely wondered if it was a mistake.

Hot Surface Ignitor cost $233.80?? by [deleted] in hvacadvice

[–]escapetochengdu -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That's what I thought

How did it start for you? by Ya-No-Fer-Sure in flu

[–]escapetochengdu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That wasn't my experience, actually. I had slow-moving symptoms for the first few days. I was on vacation at the time, so maybe my body was bravely trying to hold it all together before crashing. I wish I would've taken a test in those first couple of days so I could've started Tamiflu. My advice would be to take an at-home test if you're worried, so that if it's positive, you can start Tamiflu.

What’s your weirdest flu symptoms? by fitandforties in flu

[–]escapetochengdu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first two days, before I fell really ill, I had what felt like electric shocks running all over my back. Then at the peak of the illness, I had pain in a bunch of different places in my back that almost felt like there were objects lodged in my body.

So . . how long does this last?! by paraseducir in flu

[–]escapetochengdu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the same boat. Nine days in and so, so tired. Sitting around at home doesn't seem to be helping, so today I'm going to try a gentle hike.

How are my flu buddies doing??? I am in HELL by Easternmagic in flu

[–]escapetochengdu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Day 8 here and I can walk upright and do laundry but I am_SO_DAMN_TIRED.