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June 2016 CONTENTS
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ORDER YOUR A.T. LICENSE PLATE
North Carolina Appalachian Trail
License Plate Application The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) now has a specialty license tag in the state of North Carolina. By getting your tag today, you’ll help the ATC protect and maintain America’s Facts Favorite Long Distance Trail! The ATC will receive $20 annually for each AT plate purchased or renewed.
You must already have the vehicle registered in North Carolina. You receive a FREE ATC Membership with the purchase of your NC AT Tag. *The $30 or $60 annual fee is in addition to regular annual license fees you have already paid. Personalized tags may be relinquished to someone else, but once a numerical tag expires without renewal, that number can never again be reissued. If you change your mind, you can go back to a regular license plate at any time. There will not be a refund of unused portion of special fees. Additional applications can be found online at
All proceeds received from each state will help manage and protect the Trail. How Much Does It Cost? $30 Regular Appalachian Trail plate* $60 Personalized Appalachian Trail plate* You are allowed four (4) spaces for a personalized message. __ __ __ __ 2nd Choice __ __ __ __ 3rd Choice __ __ __ __ 1st Choice
TO ORDER, VISIT APPALACHIANTRAIL.ORG/ATCPLATES Name (as shown on certificate of title):
DEPARTMENTS Barkley’s first three-time finisher Ray’s Parkway Relay • Blind runner crossing the country • Gator bait
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Mail your check or money order made out to NC DMV and application to: NC Division of Motor Vehicles, Specialty Plate Division 3155 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-3155
Thanks for your generous support of the Appalachian Trail! Questions about the NC AT License Tag can be directed to Leanna Joyner 828-254-3708.
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19 SWEETS OF THE EAST
When Senator Tim Kaine needs to unplug from the noise of politics, he ditches the suit and tie for a few hours, laces up his hiking boots, and heads for one of Virginia’s national parks. Here is his vision for the park system’s future.
17 THE DIRT
Q&A with legendary paddler and filmmaker Steve Fisher about his first descent in Tibet and his latest documentary project
55 THE GOODS
Rafting guide Jonny Horton reveals his go-to gear for river adventures. Sounds under the stars: 5 summer outdoor shows in the South
Six girls. Four races. One chance to represent the United States at the World Rafting Championships. Can Gauley River guides from West Virginia bring home the gold?
40 WATER'S UNSUNG HEROES
Photo: Dawson Friesen
15 OPINION
MATT SMINK.
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8 QUICK HITS
66 TRAIL MIX
FIRST
These 23 organizations work hard in the field and in the courtroom to safeguard our region’s rivers and streams.
57 FLOAT YOUR BOAT
These eight canoe camping adventures along Mother Nature’s original water parks highlight the best familyfriendly trips in the Blue Ridge.
62 GRANDPA'S SECRETS
Get to know the undiscovered outdoor oases of Grandfather Mountain and you’ll gain new respect for an icon of the Appalachians.
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CONTRIBUTORS
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E D ITO R I N C H I EF
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Editorial & Production JEDD FERRIS
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MASON ADAMS, GRAHAM AVERILL, LUCIE HANES, LAURA INGLES, WADE MICKLEY, DAVE STALLARD, DANIELLE TAYLOR C OPY ED ITORS
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FAVORITE WATER-BASED ADVENTURE?
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KATIE HARTWELL
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EVANS PRATER
DANIELLE TAYLOR
I aqua blazed 120 miles of the Shenandoah River during my AT thruhike. Our canoe tipped and we lost a hundred and twenty beers.
Falls Lake and the Neuse River near where I grew up in North Raleigh.
LEAH WOODY Crabbin' for jimmies in the Assateague Channel off Chincoteague.
GORDON WADSWORTH I'm a believer in the power of a good creek sit—post-race, mid-hike, or just as an adventure in itself. There’s nothing like cool Appalachian water to bring a person back to life!
ANNA LEVESQUE Whitewater kayaking and SUPing the French Broad. When people experience the beauty of the river they are motivated to protect it and improve water quality.
JOHNNY MOLLOY
JESS DADDIO Big fam floats down the South Fork of the Holston River. Though not as technical or rowdy as nearby rivers, this run taught me the basics of kayaking, lessons in humility, and the simple joy of paddling with friends.
JOHN BRYANT BAKER No matter what the craft, there's just nothing like paddling through the phenomenal whitewater of the Gauley River.
CHRIS GRAGTMANS Ledges Park in Asheville is a class II rapid that has accounted for thousands of hours of training. It is a constant friend that has seen me through failures, victories, challenges, and joys in life.
Canoe camping the Big South Fork. 6
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winding waterways of Lexington and Rockbridge County. What moves you?
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BEYOND THE BLUE RIDGE
SHORTS
BLUE RIDGE BRIEFS by JEDD FERRIS ONE RUNNER FINISHES THE BARKLEY MARATHONS Every spring a small group of distance runners ready to endure extreme physical punishment head to the backcountry of Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park for the Barkley Marathons. The bizarre underground race has been held in the rugged terrain of northeast Tennessee’s Cumberland Mountains for the past 30 years, and to date only 14 runners have completed the poorly marked 100-mile course that climbs approximately 60,000 feet. In April, though, Salt Lake City-based Jared Campbell made history and secured his place as one of ultrarunning’s toughest competitors when he became the first person to complete the race three times, working his way through the Barkley’s five 20-mile laps in 59 hours, 30 minutes. Navigation and elevation are hardly the only challenges at the Barkley. Quirky race director Gary Cantrell makes things difficult for runners in many ways, providing no aid stations on the course and making racers find books along the course to tear out pages to prove completion of each lap. Cantrell even keeps runners guessing on the race start time, blowing a conch shell within a 12-hour window to signify that it’s time to run. Despite the weird aspects of this self-branded “fun run,” a small crop of curious runners shows up every year to give it a shot. This year’s Barkley had 40 runners at the start. The Barkley had no finishers in 2015, but this year, Campbell, who also finished in 2012 and 2014, was able to keep the required 12-hourper-lap pace, despite some exhausted legs. He told Runner’s World, “I really couldn’t go downhill the last 20 hours.” 8
RAY’S RELAY FOR THE PARKWAY Ray’s Weather meteorologist Ray Russell is running the entire 469-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway to celebrate the National Park Service centennial and to raise awareness for the scenic ribbon connecting Shenandoah and the Smokies. Join him for a few miles this month. He’s aiming for 20 miles a day as he heads south. He hopes the endeavor will raise awareness and support for the underfunded Blue Ridge Parkway and its partners, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn more at relaywithray.com. NONPROFIT GIVES BIKES TO KIDS WITH DISABILITIES Props to the folks at REACHcycles, a nonprofit based in Richmond, Va., that provides therapeutic tricycles to children and veterans with disabilities. At a mid-April event at Richmond’s ARCpark, the organization gave 18 children specially modified bikes in an effort to get them pedaling just like their peers. REACHcycles was started
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illustration by WADE MICKLEY
by James Howard, a retired Army captain who became a quadriplegic after a swimming accident. After receiving one of the modified tricyles, Howard wanted to get others riding. “The first bike you get is something you’ll always remember, and a lot of these kids were told they’d never ride a bike,” Howard told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT ATTEMPTING A.T. THRU-HIKE When Bill Spence started hiking the Appalachian Trail earlier this spring, it was to honor the donor of his new heart. Two years ago, the 62 year old from Carpentersville, Ill., received a new heart after having multiple heart attacks and three pacemakers. Feeling grateful for his new lease on life, Spence is now on his way to hiking all 2,189 miles of the A.T. He told a Chicago-based CBS new station: “Basically I’ve tried to die five times and I keep getting thrown back into the pond and I believe it’s for a reason and I think this is my reason.” BlueRidgeOutdoors
BLIND ATHLETE ATTEMPTS RUN ACROSS THE COUNTRY At age 43, Jason Romero lost his vision. Understandably, Romero became depressed, but with help from the United States Association of Blind Athletes, he found a new passion for running that has lifted his spirits. In addition to a fourth place finish at the 2015 International Paralympic Committee's World Marathon Championships, he also holds world running records in the 50K, 50-mile, and 100-mile race distances. Now, Romero is trying to become the first blind person to run across the United States. After starting in Los Angeles on March 24, Romero is running 3,200 miles to Boston. At press time he had finished 1,204 miles after 25 days. Follow the journey: visionrunusa.com THAT’S NOT A CATFISH In April, Lance Burgos took his 11-year-old daughter, Evan, to Louisiana’s Lake Fausse Pointe State Park for some kayak fishing. During the trip, both father and daughter got a big surprise when Burgos pulled up a jugline, expecting to see a catfish. Instead he saw the sharp teeth of a huge alligator coming straight towards his kayak. Evan was seated behind her dad, and she pulled her hand out of the water just seconds before the gator emerged. The startling incident was captured on a GoPro camera attached to front of Burgos’ boat. In the video, he says in a clearly shocked voice, “That’s a bigass gator, buddy.” GoOutAndPlay
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FREEDOM IN NATURE
WILDERNESS OPPORTUNITIES OFFER REHABILITATIVE BENEFITS FOR STRUGGLING VETERANS by DANIELLE TAYLOR
I
f he hadn’t started climbing, veteran Stacy Bare doubts he’d be alive today. As a captain in the U.S. Army, Bare spent a year in Iraq working to rebuild cities, a mild description that doesn’t adequately convey the raw realities of war he endured. During his service, he witnessed an Iraqi man being cut in half by gunfire, and he fought to stop the bleeding of a soldier whose legs had been blown off. While working to re-establish peace, he lost battle buddies in combat who left behind families and kids. General David Petraeus recognized Bare for excellence in working with local Iraqis in part to decrease violence as they collaborated to create communities, but upon his return home in 2007, Bare found himself consumed with bitterness toward an oblivious American public that couldn’t grasp the cost of freedom. An unfortunate consequence of war is the fallout that happens at home once members of the military are released from their service and return to civilian life. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has conducted studies on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it found the risk of suicide was up to 61 percent higher among recent veterans than the general U.S. population. However, there is hope, and it can be found in nature. In “Stacy’s Story,” a short film produced by The North Face, Bare describes his postOUTDOOR PROGRAMS LIKE PROJECT HEALING WATERS ENABLE COMBAT VETERANS TO RECONNECT TO THEMSELVES AND THE LAND THEY HELPED DEFEND. photos by KAMI SWINGLE J U N E 2 016 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M
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service battles with alcohol, cocaine, and suicidal thoughts that seemed to offer the only ways to move past the traumas he witnessed in Iraq. While struggling to work things out, he called a friend who served with him in Baghdad, who invited him out climbing. The experience transformed Bare’s life. “I went on the first Flatiron [in Boulder, Colorado], and I didn’t think about feeling guilty because I hadn’t seen enough to feel the way I was. I didn’t feel like I had to be anything other than just a scared first-time climber,” he remembers. “Then we get to the top, and all that trauma and all the years of trying to suppress it came flooding back through the Flatiron, up into my toes and into my hands, and I’m just shaking. All the fear and all the anger and all the confusion and all the not feeling like I fit in, and all the suicidal
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thoughts and everything else like that, it all came rushing up through the rock, and I get down to the bottom and I collapse, and just relief floods through me. As we’re walking down, I realize: If it’s this good for me, how good can it be for others?” Today, several organizations offer wilderness programs specifically for veterans struggling to transition to life beyond the military. After Bare’s epiphany in the Flatiron, he and former Army Ranger Nick Watson founded Veterans Expeditions, a nonprofit organization that uses outdoor experiences to empower veterans to overcome challenges associated with military service and train for outdoor employment opportunities. In 2011, Bare moved on to the Sierra Club, where he worked as a military and veterans affairs coordinator before taking on his current role as director of Sierra Club Outdoors. Among other programs, he now oversees the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program, which
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offers a variety of free or low-cost adventure experiences for veterans ranging from backpacking and fly fishing trips in West Virginia to raft guide training trips in Colorado to Wilderness First Aid courses in Western North Carolina. Additionally, programs like Outward Bound, Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge, Summit for Soldiers, the Heroes Project, and Wounded Warrior Ascents offer multi-day outdoor adventure trips that aim to help veterans realize their potential outside the military and provide a safe space where they can work out their difficulties with others who get it. Former Navy officer Justin Haug certainly understands these challenges. Haug shipped out to boot camp straight from high school and completed four overseas deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, with one spent working at a Joint Forces Command in the Horn of Africa. There, he witnessed
babies being left on the side of the road outside the military compound and people he came to care about struggling for the very basics of survival. Haug spent a lot of time there volunteering in orphanages and teaching English to teenagers, and when his time was up, he felt like he had abandoned people who had become family. “I allowed it all to fester,” remembers Haug, who went through a period of alcoholism, philandering, and regular fights as he struggled to escape his demons. A friend he served with recognized his unhealthy mental state and invited him to California while they both had leave, and Haug suggested they visit Yosemite National Park. On a trail there, he found himself so overwhelmed by the beauty of the surrounding nature that he committed the rest of his life to helping others find similar experiences. “For the first time in my life, I felt free,” he recalls. “I just remember walking up a trail, and my mind was
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open and heart was open, and I felt connected to something larger in the universe. At the time, I didn’t even believe in any spiritual anything, but I felt connected to something larger, free and open, free of the negativity.” Reenergized and focused on a new goal, Haug completed his service in July 2010 and began working on his bachelor’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism management at Penn State University the following month. During the summers of his college years, he worked as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service with a group of all veterans and then as a seasonal interpretive park ranger at Grand Teton National Park’s Jenny Lake Visitor Center. In spring 2013, he joined a veterans’ Outward Bound whitewater rafting trip down the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers in Canyonlands National Park. “Everyone on the trip was struggling,” Haug says. “Some people had seen a battle buddy get blown up, that kind of thing. We could get together and support each other and let the other veterans know what baggage and garbage we were hanging onto.” The experience only solidified his commitment to sharing the outdoors with others. That fall, he began a master’s degree in recreation, park and tourism sciences at Texas A&M University, which he completed this May, and he just returned to Grand Teton National Park for his fourth summer as an interpretive park ranger at Jenny Lake Visitors’ Center. He’s set his sights on a long career with the National Park Service, hoping to help as many people as possible find the benefits of nature. In addition to his work with the Sierra Club, Bare is also working to climb or ski in every country where he served in the military as part of a personal project called “Make Adventure, Not War.” He and his 12
wife, Makenzie, also welcomed their first child in January, a dream Bare never would have considered possible when he first fought to push up from rock bottom. Appropriately, they named her Wilder. “Climbing saved my life, and skiing sustains it,” Bare says. “There's something deeply universal about time in the outdoors. Specific to individuals, veterans or not, who have suffered trauma, I think it’s recognizing beauty, feeling awe that is all so powerful, getting out of your own head and focusing in on the now, realizing there's so much of the world to live for and amazing things can be in front of you, and [for veterans] beginning to feel and experience the physical country you fought to defend.”
VETERANS EXPEDITIONS
vetexpeditions.com This veteran-led nonprofit runs multiple trips each month to empower veterans to overcome challenges associated with military service through outdoor training and leadership. For the second half of 2016, trips include mountaineering, climbing, and mountain biking. OUTWARD BOUND FOR VETERANS
outwardbound.org/veteran-adventures CSPANGLER@OUTWARDBOUND.ORG
The Outward Bound for Veterans program seeks to help returning service members readjust to civilian life via teamwork- and challengefocused wilderness programs. Veteran courses often range a week or more at no cost and include sea kayaking, rafting, canoeing, backpacking, and climbing. COMBAT WOUNDED VETERAN CHALLENGE
STACY BARE
OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS The following groups offer outdoor recreation programs specifically geared toward current and former members of the military. SIERRA CLUB MILITARY OUTDOORS
sierraclub.org/outings/military Over the past decade, the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program has helped equip more than 50,000 service members, veterans, and their families with the skills and confidence to enjoy the outdoors. It also works to provide veterans with marketable job skills they can use in the outdoor industry, with three raft guide training trips in North Carolina and Utah this spring.
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combatwounded.org This organization pairs rehabilitation with research and data collection to help current and future wounded veterans learn to cope with the loss of limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries through adventure challenges around the world. Challenges for 2016 and beyond include mountaineering, SCUBA diving, and equestrian rides in environments ranging from the Amazon rainforest to Antarctic peaks. WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
woundedwarriorproject.org/programs WWP’s Soldier Ride program is a four-day experience that introduces veterans to the sport of cycling and uses a 25- or 50-mile bike ride to empower veterans and help them make connections with other injured service members. TROUT UNLIMITED VETERANS SERVICE PARTNERSHIP
tu.org/conservation/outreacheducation Trout Unlimited’s Veterans Service Partnership works to bring the healing power of the water to veterans
interested in learning the sport of angling. With over 400 chapters and 150,000 members nationwide, this grassroots effort helps TU volunteers serve as teachers and guides on a veteran’s first exposure to fishing. SUMMIT FOR SOLDIERS
summitforsoldiers.org
INFO@SUMMITFORSOLDIERS.ORG
Summit for Soldiers specifically aims to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress following military service and reduce the number of military and veteran suicides through mentorship and the therapeutic benefits of adventure and outdoor activities. Currently the organizers are working to bring a flag bearing the name of their brothers and sisters who lost their fight to the top of the highest summit on each continent. HEROES PROJECT
theheroesproject.org A main mission of the Heroes Project is to put injured veterans on some of the highest summits in the world to prove that war-related injuries don’t mean the end of ability and provide inspiration and encouragement to veterans with all levels of injuries. WOUNDED WARRIOR ASCENTS
woundedwarriorascents.org WWA seeks to raise awareness of the sacrifices America’s severely injured service members and their families make in defense of our freedom and connects injured veterans with resources that can help them recover. The organization offers adaptive mountaineering programs and endurance sports opportunities to disabled veterans on peaks including Denali and Aconcagua. PROJECT HEALING WATERS
projecthealingwaters.org Project Healing Waters helps veterans recover physically and emotionally through fly fishing. Events, tournaments, and festivals bring participants together for support and camaraderie.
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PROTECTING THE SOUTH’S ENVIRONMENT through the POWER of the LAW
OPINION
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HOW TO SAVE OUR PARKS—AND OURSELVES by SENATOR TIM KAINE
W
hen I need to unplug from the noise of politics, I ditch the suit and tie for a few hours, lace up my hiking boots, and hit Virginia’s great outdoors. From the Eastern Shore to the Cumberland Gap, Virginia is blessed with some of the finest natural resources of any state in America. There’s no better time to get out and enjoy those resources than 2016— the 100th anniversary of America’s national parks. To commemorate this anniversary, my staff and I will visit every one of Virginia’s national parks this year. I kicked off this effort on April 11th when I joined National Park Service (NPS) employees, local officials, park advocates, and a few sure-footed reporters on the Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park. I’m embarking on this effort for several reasons. First, I want to draw attention to Virginia’s national parks, which are terrific assets, both for recreation and Virginia’s economy. People come from all over the country and world to hike the Appalachian Trail, to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, to watch the ponies run at Assateague Island, to celebrate America’s founding at Jamestown and Yorktown, and to reflect on the sacrifices made on the hallowed battlefields of the Civil War. Aside from their immeasurable intrinsic value, these places are also an economic boon for surrounding communities, particularly in rural areas. Second, I wanted to thank the hard-working men and women of the National Park Service. You’ve probably heard that 1 in 9 Virginians is a veteran, but the Commonwealth
is also home to tens of thousands of non-military federal workers. It’s easy to score points by blasting government bureaucrats, but let’s not forget the overwhelming majority of federal employees who work every day to make the federal government more efficient and more accountable. These park rangers put the “service” in National Park Service, and their work benefits all of us. Third, I’d like to use this occasion of the NPS Centennial to trumpet publicly that we need to be doing a better job managing these assets. Across the country, J U N E 2 016 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M
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NPS has a $6 billion maintenance backlog, including $163 million of maintenance needs in Virginia and $27 million for Shenandoah National Park alone. Much of this is simple but important—staffing ranger stations, keeping trails visible, making sure rest stops are clean, making sure lights are on in visitor centers—and those are only non-transportation needs. If you count all the roads and bridges that need rehabbing, the total number to nearly $12 billion. A key example of our infrastructure challenge in Virginia is the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which is owned by the National Park Service and connects two other NPS assets: Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. NPS has announced that if it is not replaced, it will have to close to traffic as soon as five years from now and building a
new bridge would cost $250 million. That’s equal to last year’s entire NPS transportation budget for the whole country. Closing the Memorial Bridge would be a major traffic headache for 68,000 daily vehicles, as well as a sad commentary on our nation’s inability to invest adequately in infrastructure. This backlog didn’t accrue overnight or because of any one party or official, but it was driven by some short-sighted budget decisions. One of these was sequestration, one of those Washington terms that basically means using a meat-axe to make budget cuts without doing any homework about whether the cuts are in the right places. Exacerbating that was the government shutdown of October 2013, which shuttered our national parks during one of the most popular months of the year. It’s easy to let your eyes glaze over when you see yet another story about budget cuts, but those numbers matter. When you apply a sequestration budget to the National Park Service,
what it literally means is that finite personnel and resources are stretched even thinner, more projects like the Memorial Bridge fall through the cracks, and things start to look run-down. Starving our national parks to reduce the budget deficit by a drop in the ocean is the epitome of penny-wise, pound-foolish. This NPS Centennial is a great opportunity to turn this situation around and encourage Congress to make smarter budget decisions moving forward. Fourth and finally, being out in nature keeps me humble. The Blue Ridge is more than a billion years old, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Standing atop a place like Stony Man and amid mountains that were here before humanity itself, I always regain a healthy perspective on all the short-term matters that consume so much attention – the next news cycle, the next election. By the same token, we should never overlook that we small humans have managed to make big changes to this environment in a very short time.
Walking through Shenandoah and hearing about the impacts of climate change—from extreme storms to invasive species to changing wildlife migration patterns—drives home the reality that while we may be small and ephemeral, we also possess awesome power that we must exercise wisely and not carelessly. Last year, Pope Francis published an encyclical on the environment. I particularly appreciated his theme that we should think of our planet not just as a trove of resources for us to tap until they are exhausted but as a sacred responsibility whose well-being is up to every generation to preserve for the next. The national parks are America’s way of assuming the mantle of this responsibility. I’m going to be in the parks a lot this year, spending time with family and friends as well as doing everything I can to advocate for taking care of these assets, which bolster our communities and enrich our spirits. See you out there.
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THE DIRT
0 6 . 16
Q&A WITH STEVE FISHER THE LEGENDARY PADDLER AND FILMMAKER PLANS HIS NEXT PROJECT by CHARLI KERNS
A
t the end of the 2002 first descent down Tibet’s Yarlung Tsangpo River, 26-year-old Steve Fisher was faced with a choice. He could continue following his dream of paddling or settle down into the “real world." Hearing a quote from The Wanderer changed Fisher’s life forever. He has since become a renowned paddling athlete and filmmaker, sponsored and working with Red Bull. He shared his experiences and revelations over the last 16 years, where he stands now, and what he’s working on for the future. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN KAYAKING?
The first time I kayaked was on my sixth birthday. The kids were told to paddle flatwater, and of course, my buddy and I devised a plan to paddle the rapids. We both swam and had to get rescued. Since the adults told me I couldn’t kayak, I wanted to kayak. I was excited about it. Once I hit college age, I was an obsessed, avid kayaker and doing it recreationally and competitively. TALK ABOUT THE TSANGPO EXPEDITION.
I had pursued pro kayaking for four years during the U.S. competition circuit, but it was no way to make a living. I had to work on the Zambezi five months a year, and a student loan needed to be paid. I decided that the Tsangpo would be my last hurrah, and then I’d settle down and get a job. I was planning to start a business, and I began thinking about the next phase in my life, jotting down my plans on a notepad. Then the land expedition leader read these lines from The Wanderer:
“The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?” At that moment, I thought to myself: screw this, I’m going to follow my passion. I threw that notepad in the fire. That following year I did a film for Scott Lindgren for $3,000; went straight to the Ford Gorge Games to place first for $12,000. Two days after that, Red Bull offered to sponsor me. I got myself to that moment where I was about to give up on my pursuit, but that quote made me hold on to that idea for a little longer, and it worked out. WHEN DID FILMING ENTER INTO YOUR DREAM?
I decided that at least for a few years I’d pursue kayaking and find it as a means to travel. As I progressed, I realized we could get sponsors and make a living. Finding films quickly became a way to piece that all together. I decided to make kayak movies, which did relatively well in the paddling scene. They were fairly
amateur, like kayak porn, but it was through that form that Red Bull approached me. SO MANY OF THE TOP PADDLERS ALSO SHOOT FILM. WHAT HAS MADE YOURS STAND OUT?
I want kayaking to be portrayed in the most spectacular way possible, which means to do impressive kayaking and shoot film well. I also want the filmmaking world to be impressed by what I shoot. For example, editing Congo: The Grand Inga Project took six months and all I thought the entire time is that I’m making a film for my mother-in-law. She knows nothing of what I’m doing, and I want her to appreciate it—that’s what drove it. I also was trying to impress her because I was about to propose to my wife. YOU’VE GOT A NEW PADDLING PROJECT IN THE WORKS, WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE INGA PROJECT.
The Dreamline project is an instructional film and something I knew I should do. Kayakers who have become really good eventually move on and leave the limelight, and they take their skills with them. I think that’s unfortunate to lose that level of skill, so I felt I had an obligation to leave that knowledge behind. This film will differ from other instructional ones in that it will have
top athletes like Pat Keller and Dane Jackson. It will be set locally in the U.S. and on the Zambezi. Most importantly, it will be shot well. YOU FUNDED THE FILM USING KICKSTARTER?
A pledge of $300 got the backer a date with Pat Keller, Ben Marr or Dane Jackson. We did get one backer, who was a father buying an evening with Ben Marr for his son. The cool part about that was the backer was Piotr Chmielinski, the rafter and coordinator of the first descent of the Amazon, which was captured in a book called Running the Amazon. It was my bible when I was growing up. That was cool that people like him saw the value in what we were trying to do. WHAT DO YOU SEE WITH UPCOMING FILMING AND KAYAKING?
I don’t expect paddling to last forever, which is why filming is so important. It’s there to bridge into the next stage of my life when sponsors no longer keep me as a kayaker. I can say I’m a filmmaker, and here’s some stuff that I shot for Red Bull and the like, which is not just kayaking. I’m editing the King of the Motos competition, my fifth year as their specialty head shooter. I’m diversifying so I can make the transition when the time comes.
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BRJUNE 6/30
SWEETS
OF THE
EAST
Six women. Four races. One chance to represent the United States at the World Rafting Championships. Can the Sweets of the East bring home the gold later this month at the United States Rafting Association R-6 National Championships? by JESS DADDIO
O
n a brisk 20-degree Saturday in February, the parking lot at Fayette Station in the New River Gorge is shadowed in silence. During the rafting season, the lot teems with school buses idling side by side as guides shout commands and stack rafts to the frenzied buzz of customers pouring from the riverside. Recreational boaters are lucky to find a parking spot amid the sea of yellow paddles and blue plastic helmets and sun-bleached PFDs.
But in the dead of winter, the parking lot remains mostly empty except on the sunniest of days, and even then, most locals have already hung up their paddles for skis. Yet for nearly every weekend this past winter, the parking lot has regularly seen four raft guides donning drysuits and braving the elements in the name of competition. Meet the Sweets of the East. The “Sweets” are an all-female rafting team based out of Fayetteville,
W.Va. They’re also the sole East Coast competitive rafting team, male or female, vying for the chance to represent the U.S. at the International Rafting Federation (IRF) World Rafting Championships (WRC) next year in Japan. “The international rafting scene is much bigger than I thought it was,” says 2015 WRC Team USA alternate and Sweets team member Jo-Beth Stamm. “The competitive rafting culture here in the U.S. is tiny. It’s
such a fringe sport. But in these other countries, it’s extremely competitive and there are even countries that pay their athletes. It kinda allows [the athletes] to treat it as their job, and they take it super seriously.” Last December, Stamm joined Team USA at Worlds, which took place on the Citarik River in Indonesia. Out of 16 women’s teams, Team USA placed eighth. Though she didn’t see the podium, getting a taste of the international stage was enough
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to light the fire in Stamm’s belly. When she returned to Fayetteville, Stamm set to work forming a team with fellow guide Sherry Spilker, a two-time National Championship contender. Together, Stamm, 33, and Spilker, 31, enlisted Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG) guides Margaret Cadmus, 31, and Hannah Vogt, 24, to form their four-person, or r-4, team. “Honestly, it’s about time that we’ve had someone from the East go out and race in these races,” Cadmus says. “Fayetteville is small, but we’re such a hub,” adds Vogt. “We have two amazing rivers, so we should be producing athletes that are nationally and world renowned. There’s no reason not to.” Historically, the teams at 20
Nationals hail from whitewater hotbeds like California, Colorado, and Oregon. But in 2003, Spilker joined a Fayetteville-based women’s team, one of the few in the town’s history, as an alternate at Nationals in Colorado, at which the team placed second. Spilker again competed at Nationals in 2014, and again the Fayetteville team ranked second. This past April, the Sweets competed at the 2016 Nationals in southern Oregon and placed third. For Spilker and the rest of the Sweets, the time to take home the gold is now. “The New and Gauley are truly world-class rivers,” says Dave Arnold, Vice President and co-founder of AOTG. “For the last 20 or 30 years, if you see a list in any publication, the Gauley especially is in the top five. A person who has been trained on the
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Gauley and the New who is a five- or 10-year guide, they’re as good as you get.” Earlier this year, AOTG announced its sponsorship of the Sweets, providing public relations, marketing, and fundraising assistance to the team. Despite the New and Gauley’s renown, for Arnold, who has spent 41 years in the whitewater industry, the Sweets represent a long overdue opportunity to put Fayetteville in the international spotlight. “There are plenty of people in this state who could compete on the world class stage,” Arnold says, “but it’s a huge commitment of time and energy and passion and finances. [These women] are amazingly committed. They’re amazing at reading whitewater and working as a team, and the added benefit is, they’re really smart and pretty and they speak well. They love West Virginia, and if you compound all of that together, it’s kind of a dream team.” Fayetteville is no stranger to the competitive rafting scene. For 25 years, the local Animal River Race on the Upper Gauley has attracted hundreds of kayakers, rafters, and even open boaters, though according to Stamm, “The Animal Race isn’t something you train for. You just show up and chug a beer and race.” But back in 2001, Fayetteville hosted the only WRC to be held on United States soil on the Gauley River, drawing rafting teams from over 20 countries. While the event proved fruitful in showcasing the area’s whitewater resources to a niche international community, its significance was overshadowed in the wake of 9/11. Arnold hopes that the Sweets will not only breathe new life into Fayetteville’s whitewater reputation, but that they will also serve as role models for up and coming raft guides. “These girls are not intimidated, I can tell you that right now,” Arnold adds. “I think it’s going to show other girls that it’s totally possible and hopefully we’ll stir up some
competition for ourselves,” says Cadmus. The Sweets aren’t territorial, or even proud, of their sole East Coast team status. In fact, the team would like to see more East Coast teams competing at Nationals, and perhaps even forming their own regional race series. Both Spilker and Stamm have experienced a change in the sport’s vibe from fierce competitiveness to friendly encouragement, and they say that growing the sport, especially for women, is their ultimate goal. “Everybody’s incredibly welcoming and there’s a lot of fantastic camaraderie,” says Stamm on her experience at Worlds. “At one point, I was shooting video when the rest of the girls were doing slalom practice, and the captain of the Brazil team came over and started giving advice, giving tips.” And while the Sweets of course want to stay true to those pillars of support and inclusiveness off the water, when they’re on the water, it’s game time.
GUIDES GUIDING GUIDES Training for the Sweets has largely centered around one theme—time in the boat. Be it flatwater practice or downriver runs, the team was on the water every week this past winter, even if it meant sliding the raft down snow-covered banks to the icy river’s edge. “Some days it was so cold our hands and feet would go numb and you’d feel like you’re going to puke,” Spilker recalls. To escape the cold and continue to build strength, the team earned the support of the Holiday Lodge Hotel in nearby Oak Hill, W.Va., where they were able to use the hotel’s indoor pool free of charge. There they would meet twice a week to sit on the side of the pool and paddle in place for hours. “We’re simulating sitting on the side of the raft,” clarifies Stamm. “The pool water isn’t aerated like river water is, so it builds a lot of strength.” The stroke they practiced? The duffek, named after Czechoslovakian
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slalom paddler Milo Duffek. The duffek, also known as a bow rudder or hanging draw, is the most efficient stroke for entering and exiting eddies, which is the foundation of slalom racing. Commercial rafts are generally steered in the back by ruddering, sweeping, or drawing from one guide, but in races, directional aids like the duffek are given from the front. “The person we call the ‘guide,’ for lack of a better term, is really just the person in the back who has the final say on where we go,” Stamm says. “That way we don’t have four people who all read water a little differently arguing about it.” In effect, the Sweets have a team of guides guiding guides, which seems like a bonafide way to have a world class crew, except that no one person is calling the shots. Raft racing is teamwork at its essence and gaining that trust in one another has been the biggest challenge the Sweets have had to overcome. “We’re all great guides and if you put us in a boat by ourselves, we can get down the river,” says Cadmus. “But some of us guide on the left, some of us guide on the right, some of us set up sooner. We all see different lines, so a lot of what we’re working on is surrendering to other peoples’ ideas and saying, ‘I trust you, I know you are a good guide, I’m going to paddle whenever you say, and we’re going to get there together.’” Fortunately, rafting requires guides to have a sense of humility and respect for the river, so the Sweets are well acquainted with the consequences of hubris. They also recognize the importance of paddling and practicing together, as opposed to individually, to build better bonds between each of the team members. “The National’s team last year didn’t get a practice together until they were at Worlds,” Stamm says. “They trained apart and when they got together, they couldn’t work the little kinks out because they were still working big kinks out. We decided early on that you have to be able to be here [in Fayetteville] if you want to be
on the team. The team that paddles together gets to know each other better and how you’re going to react to certain things.” Short of practicing trust, strokes, and sprinting, the team has been taking every opportunity to get on different rivers, or sometimes different sections of river, to increase their efficiency with technical maneuvers. Because the bulk of their training has been in the winter and spring, when river levels on alreadybig-water runs are higher than normal, the Sweets look to rivers and creeks like the Middle Meadow where tighter lines and more rocks allow them to practice river running skills like ferrying and catching eddies. “The rivers are way more narrow than they are here,” Spilker says of runs out west. “Here you’re going for big waves and big hits but it’s more technical over there.”
EYES ON THE PRIZE
The team will see the results of their hard work in just a few weeks at FIBArk, America’s Oldest Whitewater Festival, in Salida, Colo., from June 16-19. For the first year ever, the U.S. Rafting Association will be hosting its 2017 Worlds qualifier one year in advance, as opposed to the year of, to give teams more time to raise money for travel. Due to IRF regulations, which require Worlds to alternate between teams of four and teams of six, two additional rafters, Jillian Rex and Julia Schneider, will join the Sweets at Nationals in Colorado. Each team must compete in four disciplines. The time trial, or sprint, garners the least amount of points but is by no means easy, requiring teams to paddle hard for a short distance; the head-to-head literally pits two teams against each other in a fast-paced sprint through a rapid; the slalom is the most technically challenging of the events where teams negotiate their rafts through 12 downriver and upriver gates; the downriver race is somewhere in the vicinity of eight miles, or one hour, of
HIT THE WATER
What are the region’s best rivers to raft? Here are our 10 favorites! OCOEE RIVER (UPPER AND MIDDLE)
CHATTOOGA RIVER
Ducktown, Tenn.
DIFFICULTY:
Clayton, Ga.
DIFFICULTY: Class
III-IV LENGTH: 10 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Olympic Whitewater Course, eddy access surf at Hell Hole
Section III: Class II-III / Section IV: Class IV LENGTH: Section III: 6 miles / Section IV: 7 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Relive Deliverance, Seven Foot and Five Foot Falls, Bull Sluice
NOLICHUCKY RIVER
NEW RIVER GORGE
Erwin, Tenn.
Fayetteville, W.Va.
Class III-IV LENGTH: 8 miles Endless surfing at Jaws, dramatic gorge and scenery DIFFICULTY:
HIGHLIGHTS:
GAULEY RIVER
Summersville, W.Va.
Lower: Class III-IV / Upper: Class IV-V LENGTH: Lower: 11 miles / Upper: 10 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Big waves, big hits. Lower: Diagonal Ledges and Canyon Doors / Upper: Pillow Rock and Sweet’s Falls DIFFICULTY:
Class III-IV LENGTH: 6.5 miles Surfing at Lower Railroad, the Keeney rapids, taking the plunge at Jump Rock, views of the New River Gorge bridge DIFFICULTY:
HIGHLIGHTS:
NANTAHALA RIVER
Bryson City, N.C.
Class II LENGTH: 8 miles Family friendly, Nantahala Falls, primo swimming DIFFICULTY:
HIGHLIGHTS:
CHEAT RIVER
Albright, W.Va.
JAMES RIVER
Richmond, Va.
Narrows: Class II-III / Canyon: Class III-IV LENGTH: Narrows: 5 miles / Canyon: 9.5 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Stunning clifflines, big waves, remote feel DIFFICULTY:
Class III LENGTH: 2.5 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Views of downtown Richmond, perfect length for laps, surf at Pipeline DIFFICULTY:
YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER PARK
Columbus, Ga.
Friendsville, Md. and Ohiopyle, Pa.
Lower: Class III / Upper: Class IV-V LENGTH: Lower: 7.4 miles / Upper: 9.9 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Loop potential on Lower, Miracle Mile on Upper DIFFICULTY:
Class II-IV LENGTH: 2.5 miles HIGHLIGHTS: Family friendly, urban access to Columbus, multilevel release schedule
DIFFICULTY:
racing and usually is a stretch of class IV whitewater. The team with the most overall points wins. The Sweets swap “guides” for each discipline, depending on individual proficiencies. According to Stamm, who captains the raft for the downriver race, the Sweets are prepared to bring the heat, feeling especially confident in the downriver discipline. Considering the downriver race alone accounts for 40 percent of the team’s four-part score, this is a welcome assurance indeed. The Sweets predict that as many as seven
THE SWEETS' ROAD TO WORLDS
Follow along on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/ SweetsOfTheEast. To learn more about competitive rafting, visit InternationalRafting.com and USARaftAssociation.com
women’s teams could be competing for the chance to represent the U.S. at Worlds. “Competition is going to be a little thicker this year, but hopefully West Virginia can come out of second place,” says Spilker.
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DREAM TEAM
These ladies are some of the best raft guides in the region—and hope to represent the U.S. at Worlds.
MARGARET CADMUS STARTED GUIDING:
2009
was during college. I had a friend who invited me to come down and camp at a raft outfitter and work for an outdoor photographer. I got to ride along for free and fell in love with it. I asked if I could come back next year and train and I did. STARTED GUIDING BECAUSE: I got addicted. FIRST MEMORY ON A RAFT:
HANNAH VOGT STARTED GUIDING:
JO-BETH STAMM STARTED GUIDING:
2005
FIRST MEMORY ON A RAFT: was a youth group trip rafting on the Lower Youghigheny. It was super scary. We flipped at Dimple and I thought it was the scariest thing ever. I said to myself, ‘I’m never rafting again.’ I was 15 or 16. STARTED GUIDING BECAUSE: Brian Jennings told me I should be a raft guide. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON A RAFT:
I got my butt kicked by my favorite rapid on the Gauley this year. I felt betrayed by Lost Paddle! 22
2014
FIRST MEMORY ON A RAFT: was when I was 14. My family came to Fayetteville and we did a family rafting trip. That became a regular family vacation. STARTED GUIDING BECAUSE: I was a leader for Adventure West Virginia at West Virginia University. We would take 22 incoming freshman and travel around the state of West Virginia and go backpacking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. I was down in Fayetteville every other week rafting and got to know a lot of the guides. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON A RAFT:
We had really, really low water last year, and there’s a rapid called Lower Railroad. I did not do a move correctly and went way off line. We kinda parked on a rock and I went head over heels in front of at least 10 other boats. There were at least four video boaters who caught it on video. I scraped all the skin off my knuckles.
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SHERRY SPILKER STARTED GUIDING:
2003
When I was 12, my Girl Scout troop went down the New River. It was 12 feet and rising to flood stage, which is every raft guide’s worst nightmare: a group of 12 year-old Girl Scouts when the river is flooding. STARTED GUIDING BECAUSE: my older sister had done it. FIRST MEMORY ON A RAFT:
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON A RAFT:
One time I mixed the lemonade wrong. I also won the chubby bunny marshmallow competition, when you stuff marshmallows in your mouth and say chubby bunny and whoever has the most marshmallows in your mouth wins.
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON A RAFT:
One of the first times I ran the Lower Gauley at really high water levels, around 8,000 cfs. As I was coming through Wood’s Ferry, I realized where I should have been just before we went over a giant pourover. I catapulted over the front of the raft. My body actually checked out the guy in the front and I took him with me. Then I went over another giant pourover myself and got sucked under for a full 10 seconds. When I finally popped up I saw my boat flip upstream. It was embarrassing because it was on video. I got several replays.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SUMMER 2016
PADDLING GUIDE The onset of summer means it’s the perfect time to explore the waters of the Blue Ridge. From raging rivers to family friendly flatwater lakes, the region holds plenty of paddling destinations for all preferences. In our annual Paddling Guide, BRO explores some of the top spots to hit the water by boat, board or raft. Our special section also includes featured river outfitters as well as popular waterside destinations and events. For anglers, we also highlight some of the best locations for casting a line, especially in a kayak. JOIN US ON THE WATER THIS SUMMER.
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LOVE TO KAYAK, LEARN TO FISH The intimacy you share with the natural world is unparalleled in kayak fishing. Here are a few tips if you’re starting out:
6) The most rewarding days involve lots of paddling to find the fish. And when it pays off, you’ll feel like a warrior.
1) Talk to some experienced people about the best kayak for the water you plan to be fishing, your height/weight and paddling ability.
Bob Taylor started Appomattox River Company in April 1977 to sell whitewater canoes to his friends. As the paddle sports industry grew, Appomattox River Company grew along with it. The Farmville location has since become a destination shop with over 2,500 paddlecraft on hand. Paddling professionals will fit you to the right kayak, canoe or SUP for your adventure. We treat our customers like family. It’s how it was always done, and it’s how we’ll continue to do it. After 38 years, we don’t know any other way.
2) You may flip. Better to lose or break cheap rods than to watch your favorite ones disappear. 3) Be self-reliant and prepared to handle any situation. Wear your PFD. 4) Wear sunprotection clothing. You can pretend you’re a kayak fishing ninja. 5) Hydrate.
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The Best Thing About Memories,.... Is Making Them. Start Making Your’s Today. Shop Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes and Gear Here: PaddleVa.Com or 800.442.4837 3 Locations in Virginia: Hampton, VA / Ashland, VA / Farmville, VA
Photo: Chuck Wrenn, Hobie Pro, with his son in Mathews County, VA. Make Me Famous Contest Winner ‘15.
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PHOTO BY TYLER DARDEN
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#1 CHESAPEAKE, VA WHERE HISTORY MEETS NATURE
#2 FRONT ROYAL, VA THE CANOE CAPITAL OF VIRGINIA
#3 RICHMOND, VA FRESH BAKED + FRESH WAKES!
Located along the Intracoastal Waterway in the heart of Coastal Virginia, Chesapeake is a city rich in history and natural wonders. We have something for the whole family to enjoy. You can explore over 22 miles of fresh and salt waterways ideal for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding or fishing. Bring your gear or rent from one of the many outfitters in the area. For fun off the water, see how many of the 200 bird species you can identify while hiking the 8.5-mile Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. End your day enjoying one of the local delicious dining venues or visit nearby Virginia Beach or Norfolk.
Located in Warren County, Front Royal is hailed as the gateway to Shenandoah National Park and the canoe capital of Virginia. People can go on adventures in the parkland with miles of hiking trails, multiple cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Outfitters rent out canoes, kayaks, rafts and tubes for floating down the Shenandoah River. Taste and tour at world-class wineries, and play the greens at five award-winning golf destinations. Highlights of Front Royal’s downtown include antiques, fine art, estate jewelry, live music and DIY crafts. Enjoy an eclectic mix of restaurants and relax in the Village Commons, a favorite spot for events.
The unique blend of urban adventure and outdoor fun makes Richmond the destination for paddlers of every experience level. Want to do a James River raft run with friends? Work on your SUP game with Riverside or RVA Paddlesports. Or check out Chesterfield County Outdoor Programs for whitewater instruction. The fun doesn’t stop at the river’s edge. Run, hike or mountain bike our miles of single track or stroll along our 50-mile protected path on the Capital Trail. Finish the day at award-winning restaurants serving everything from Southern comfort to Asian fusion. Evenings light up at over 15 breweries and local music venues.
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VISITRICHMONDVA.COM
#4 FRONT ROYAL OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTIFUL SHENANDOAH RIVER
Nestled between Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest, Front Royal Outdoors offers self-guided canoe, kayak, raft, fishing kayak and stand-up paddleboard trips. FRO is located on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, which is home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the Mid-Atlantic. With trip options that include half-day, full-day or multi-day excursions, FRO has everything you need for the perfect getaway, whatever it may be. Once you arrive, all details, equipment and shuttle service are provided. Whether you want to lazily float down the river in a tube or just get away for an hour or a couple of days, our trips are perfect for the individual, family or group. FRONTROYALOUTDOORS.COM
ISN’T IT TIME FOR A LITTLE
U.O.U. For outdoor enthusiasts “You Owe You” is the antidote to everyday routine. And Chesapeake is a great place to get a big dose of nature. Located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, there are miles of waterways for kayaking, canoeing, boating and fishing. Acres of woodlands to explore. Parks for camping. Trails for hiking and biking. And options galore for eating and sleeping when you need to recharge. Fill your U.O.U.—in Chesapeake.
www.visitchesapeake.com Toll free (888) 889-5551
Unplug. Connect.
MECKLENBURG, VA DISCOVER, EXPLORE, PADDLE AND MORE Set in the rural countryside of Southern Virginia, Mecklenburg County holds an idyllic and largely unexplored landscape highlighted by 70,000 acres of water and 1,200 miles of shoreline to explore. Paddlers are discovering the abundance of access points and the sheer volume of Kerr Lake (best known to locals as Buggs Island Lake), as well as Lake Gaston and the lesser-known gem Lake Gordon. This outdoor mecca is only an hour and a half from both Richmond and the Raleigh/ Durham area. Right in the heart of Virginia, Mecklenburg County is also just minutes away from the North Carolina border. Mecklenburg County offers visiting paddlers some events to
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA WILD BLUEWAY VENTURE DOWN THE WILD
Grab your canoe, kayak, or SUP board and head to the rivers and lakes of the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. The rivers call you in Halifax County. The lakes of Mecklenburg County invite you. Over 100 miles of navigable river, lead to 1,200 miles of a beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife are just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping and no crowds are only minutes from great restaurants, hotels and outfitters. All this rests along one freshwater trail that’s perfect for a few hours in a canoe with the kids, or a few days in the kayak with your friends. This is the promise of the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway.
When the sun sets, delight in the quaint Southern charm of Clarksville and Halifax County. The area has attractions for all interests, from the best NASCAR-sanctioned short track racing in the country, South Boston Speedway, to the performing arts at The Prizery, to the rich Revolutionary and Civil War history landmarks. Discover the wineries in the area, as well as the newly-opened distillery, or venture to an organic farm for an authentic rural experience. Visit www.DiscoverHalifaxVa.com, www.VisitMeckVA.com, or www. SoVaWildBlueway.com for more. SOVAWILDBLUEWAY.COM
enhance their trip and entertain their families. Even if you’re not a hard-core paddler, you’ll find an array of day trips, interactive farms, wineries, local artisanal restaurants, historical attractions, lake activities and state parks throughout the region to entice a long weekend out of you. Visitors will discover a variety of accommodations ranging from hotels, cabin rentals, as well as an abundance of lakeside camping and vacation home options. For more information on paddling opportunities in Mecklenburg County visit VisitMeckVA.com or find us on Facebook. VISITMECKVA.COM
More Boat Launches than stoplights.
Mecklenburg County is made for exploring. Open roads connect charming towns. Our State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas are ideal for hiking and biking. And 17 public launches make it easy to explore the rivers and lakes.
More of what matters. More Mecklenburg. visitmeckva.com | #moremeck
RIGHT NOW, hundreds of miles of scenic, R
undeveloped shoreline are waiting to be explored. Discover the one blueway that includes three rivers and two lakes.
SoVaWildBlueway.com Share your adventure on #WildBlueway
Join us for our next event,
the Occaneechi Indian Pow-Wow in Chase City on
Saturday, May 2 nd, 2015 visit www.visitmeckva.com/meck250.aspx for more details
RIGHT NOW, you belong on the
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA WILD BLUEWAY.
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#1 HEART OF APPALACHIA WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!
#2 ALLEGHANY HIGLANDS, VA ONE BLUEWAY SPLIT FOUR WAYS
#3 MARTINSVILLE, VA PADDLE THROUGH HISTORY!
Tucked in the western corner of Virginia is a mountain region full of paddling adventure. Launch your boat or board from one of the boat launches into any of the numerous lakes and rivers in the valleys. You can spend the night and camp to enjoy a different lake or river each day. Paddle past beautiful mountains and rolling farmland along the river. Area outfitters also offer rental boats, transportation and can even help you plan your trip. Visit heartofappalachia.com to see a list of all the outfitters and places to visit while you enjoy our mountain outdoors.
Each river and lake has its own unique personality and history, not to mention secret fishing spots. The Alleghany Highlands Blueway consists of not just one, but two rivers and two scenic lakes surrounded by mountains. So take your time and spend a few days exploring the rich mountainscape and its waterways. The Jackson River and the Cowpasture River form the James River, all making for different levels of high-class paddling. Douthat Lake and Lake Moomaw offer lots of paddling fun, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing and places to camp. Visit our websites for more information.
Enjoy a canoe or kayak ride through history as you explore the Smith River along the Smith River Small Towns of Southern Virginia. Once comprising the heart of furniture and textiles in America, these communities are making a comeback and have lots to offer you and your family. Launch your boat or SUP board from one of the 10 public access points and paddle the 45 miles of scenic blueway on the Smith River Trail System. You’ll see native wildlife, rock outcrops and intact 14th-century Native American fish weirs. Once off the river, enjoy music, live theater or visit our eight area museums.
HEARTOFAPPALACHIA.COM
ALLEGHANYHIGHLANDSBLUEWAY.COM VISITALLEGHANYHIGHLANDS.COM
VISITMARTINSVILLE.COM
#4 BOTETOURT, VA PADDLE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS!
See the mountains like you’ve never seen them before on the Upper James River Water Trail. Paddlers, anglers and families can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature paddling down 45 miles of the Upper James. Plus, 14 pristine miles are designated as a Virginia Scenic River. The mighty James River begins its journey in Botetourt County, winding through the Allegheny and the Blue Ridge Mountains on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. The unspoiled beauty of the river is more available than ever before with nine public access points and camping locations, cottages and cabins along the trail. UPPERJAMESRIVERWATERTRAIL.COM
We have...
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on the wa er t Humpback Bridge is one of the most cherished landmarks in Virginia. Enjoy a picnic in the park and find the right angle for a perfect photo. Then, jump in for swimming, paddling, fishing and even camping on the rivers and lakes of the Alleghany Highlands Blueway.
visitalleghanyhighlands.com/humpback 540-962-2178 · 888-430-5786
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#1 BRISTOL, TN/VA BRISTOL ON THE FLY
#2 UPPER JAMES RIVER WATER TRAIL, VA
Did you know that the South Holston River is one of the top five places to fly fish in the United States? Not only that, but the river is one of the best trout tailwaters in the Southeast. Dam controlled by Tennessee Valley Authority, the South Holston River comes out of the bottom of a deep mountain lake, which keeps the water cold. That means excellent trout fishing year round. And if streamers are your game, South Holston River is home to BIG brown trout and plenty of them – more than 11,000 per mile. Learn more about fishing and other adventure opportunities at www.discoverbristol.org.
HOW DO YOU RIVER? | Experience the Upper James River Water Trail
DISCOVERBRISTOL.ORG
UPPERJAMESRIVERWATERTRAIL.COM
TOWNSEND & MARYVILLE, TN PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKIES AND MORE
The Little River is one of the jewels of the Smoky Mountains. It offers many great locations to put in and paddle. Here are our two favorites: RIVER JOHN’S OUTFITTERS | This stretch of the river is relatively quiet and peaceful, noted for smooth rapids followed by slow pools perfect for angling, wildlife viewing and swimming. River access requires a fee and is by reservation. 4134 Cave Mill Road, Maryville, Tenn. CALDERWOOD LAKE RAILROAD TUNNEL | Lake Calderwood
runs through North Carolina and Tennessee, bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial
Forest. The signature highlight of the lake is paddling under its namesake. Constructed in 1914, Calderwood Lake Tunnel allowed a Southern railway train to operate along the river bank. River access is free, and parking is on River Road just downstream of the Cheoah Dam. GET OUTFITTED | The Little River Trading Company has been a staple in the Smoky Mountain community for outdoor equipment and go-to knowledge since it began in 1995. Opening this summer, the Little River Trading Company at the Point paddling venue located at Louisville Point Park will rent kayaks, canoes and SUP boards.
RIVER JOHN’S 865-982-0793 | LITTLERIVERTRADINGCO.COM
for a new perspective on the Blue Ridge Mountains. River enthusiasts can get back to nature and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the Upper James on Virginia’s premier water trail. EXPLORE THE UPPER JAMES | Experience unspoiled natural beauty as
you pass by scenic valleys, rolling farmland and majestic mountains. Numerous Class I/II rapids provide excitement for the whole family, and 14 miles of the Upper James River Water Trail are designated a Virginia Scenic River.
PHOTO BY SAM DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
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Photo by Sam Dean Photography
Experience the Upper James River Water Trail for a new perspective on the Blue Ridge Mountains. Float, paddle, fish, or camp on the Upper James River Water Trail! UpperJamesRiverWaterTrail.com | JamesRiverAssociation.org
YOUR OWN OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT PARK . Discover the enchanting waterways along the ‘Amazon of Appalachia’, better known as Little River. Visitors can embark on anything from rafting and kayaking adventures to good old-fashioned canoeing trips. Little River is overrowing with opportunities for recreational and serious ali thanks to ample public access along Little River Blueway. paddlers alike, This waterway features all of the best that Little River has to offer – from beautiful, yet varied paddling conditions, to famous diverse shing with over 107 sh species in 380 square miles. The options for adventure are endless in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. You’ll discover that you’re going to need a longer stay.
For more information about the Little River Blueway, visit: h t t p : / / w w w. l i t t l e r i v e r w a t e r s h e d . o r g /
PADDLE THE BLUEGRASS KENTUCKY’S VERSATILE WATERWAYS OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Kentucky is a state shaped by water. Numerous rivers, creeks, streams and lakes offer a variety of paddling and water adventures. Serious whitewater paddlers will want to concentrate on the eastern half of the Commonwealth. The shadows of the Appalachian Mountains provide dramatic backdrops for rushing whitewater rivers like the Russell Fork, which cuts the gorge known as the Grand Canyon of the South through the Breaks Interstate Park. Other whitewater rivers include the Rockcastle River and the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, each providing memorable and intense trips. Each season sees paddlers journeying to Kentucky to experience the wildness and intensity on these mountain waters. If it’s a more leisurely trip you’re after, then you’ll find a broad range of options. Kentucky is full of relaxed and moderately flowing rivers. Popular destinations include the Green River flowing through Mammoth Cave National Park, the Elkhorn Creek in the scenic Bluegrass region of central Kentucky and western Kentucky’s naturally pristine Clarks River flowing through its namesake Clarks River National Refuge. New paddlers will be happy to know that local outfitters operate guided trips for whatever type of adventure you desire. Many of these whitewater runs, from the easy to the difficult, are home to experienced outfitters.
The skilled local guides are able, ready and willing to help put you on a Kentucky river and share their knowledge and love of the water. In addition to the scenic beauty and services shared by these rivers, another common theme is that each waterway in Kentucky features some phenomenal fishing opportunities. From the hardfighting smallmouth to the wary and elusive Muskie, fishing in Kentucky should be on every avid angler’s to-do list. The rapid growth in popularity of kayak fishing can be seen throughout the state as well, with local clubs and national organizations hosting tournaments throughout the year. No matter what type of adventure you seek in Kentucky, be sure to visit a nearby Kentucky
Trail Town. Many of the Kentucky Trail Towns provide easy access to picturesque rivers and streams and are home to local outfitters and merchants who can readily supply your trip. In Kentucky Trail Towns you’ll find authentic Kentucky cuisine and spirits, locally made wares and friendly people, ready to share what makes their piece of Kentucky special. See and share Kentucky river adventures with us on social media with #AdventureKY at FB.com/KYOutdoorAdventure, and /KYAdventures on Twitter and Instagram.
KENTUCKYTOURISM.COM/ OUTDOOR-ADVENTURE
YOUR NEXT PADDLING ADVENTURE
Starts Here! The seemingly never-ending waterways of Kentucky provide the choice between rippling streams, calm lakes, or fierce whitewater rivers. Visitors can embark on anything from Kentucky rafting adventures to good, oldfashioned canoeing trips. Kentucky is overflowing with opportunities for recreational and competitive paddlers alike, thanks to ample public access to our rivers and streams. Nine of Kentucky’s rivers are designated as Kentucky Wild Rivers, which protect their right-of-ways from construction, and any other man-made intrusions. The Wild River corridors comprise a total of 114 miles of water and over 26,000 acres of land.
www.kentuckytourism.com/outdoor-adventure
#AdventureKY
wispresort.com 855.990.0102 Deep Creek Lake, MD
Forecast: 0% chance of boredom!
Retreat to the cool mountains of Western Maryland to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with what’s important to you - nature, family, adventure - it’s all up to you!
High-5 Overnight Adventure Pkg Starting at $119 pp* 2- Nights lodging for 4 at the Wisp Resort Hotel Breakfast each day 4- High-5 Passes (Pass includes any 5 of the following: Spider Monkey Adventure, Chipmunk Challenge Course, Mountain Coaster Ride, Scenic Chairlift Ride, Orienteering, 9-Holes of Disc Golf, 1 Gem Mining Pay Dirt) *Restrictions and seasonal dates apply.
Canopy Tours
Segway Tours
Whitewater Rafting
Mountain Coaster
Mountain Biking
Paddleboarding
TUCKER COUNTY, WV
A TRUE PADDLER’S PARADISE
Think of Tucker County, and a single image is likely to come to mind—the Blackwater River crashing six stories over the falls at Blackwater Falls State Park. As worthy as it is of its iconic status, this natural marvel of Tucker County is just the beginning of one wet, wild, watery adventure. Whether your passion requires a paddle or a pole, this West Virginia county’s waterways will quench your thirst for adventure. Make your best summer memories rafting, tubing, canoeing, kayaking or standup paddleboarding. The Cheat, Dry Fork and Black Fork Rivers offer everything from rushing excitement to gentle pools. Or cast your line and reel to
catch a lively smallmouth bass or mountain trout. Tucker County is much more than a paddler’s paradise. Take in one of West Virginia’s most famous and breathtaking views at Lindy Point. Hike the unspoiled backcountry of the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Explore some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the East by hiking or biking. Rent a bike and explore the Allegheny Highlands Rail Trail and Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail. Treat yourself to the genuine, one and only, Tucker County, West Virginia. Begin your adventure at Canaan Valley.org. CANAANVALLEY.ORG
WISP RESORT Just minutes from Maryland’s largest lake, Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort can outfit you with a paddleboard, kayak or canoe for flatwater fun. Plus, they’ve teamed up with the Adventure Sports Center International to offer a unique whitewater experience in rafts, inflatable kayaks and riverboards on the mountaintop recirculating whitewater course; a 1/3-mile, man-made river with six variable wave shapers that produce up to Class III rapids. Once you’ve paddled to your heart’s content, check out everything else Wisp has to offer. That includes three canopy tour zip lines, mountain coaster, Segway tours, rock climbing, orienteering, archery, two golf courses and more. WISPRESORT.COM
CANOE AND KAYAK RACE
a series of day-paddles and river clean-ups that highlight the watershed
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 Sponsored by Union College U-Canoe & Barbourville Tourism
CHECK-IN OR EVENT DAY REGISTRATION: 9-9:30 AM Thompson RV Park • 125 South Main St. • Barbourville, Kentucky
Shuttles will take canoes/participants to the put-in point
ENTRY FEES: Individuals: $20 per person (event day: $25 per person)
Teams: $40 per team (event day: $50 per team)
Union Student: $10 per student (ID required)
River Clean-Ups • FREE Day-Paddles • $10 Each June 16 • July 9
BEER & GEAR SPONSORS: June: Catawba/Astral/Blue Ghost Nantahala Outdoor Center
REGISTRATION INFO: Call 606-545-9674 or facebook.com/Barbourville.Tourism
June 9: Beer Release Party at Catawba Brewing in Asheville with special prizes from Astral designs from 5-8 P.M. June 11: Westfeldt Park to Bent Creek. June 25: Bent Creek to Bywater July 9: Beer Release Party at Blue Ghost Purchase Tickets at mountaintrue.org/riverkeeper-beer-series
Cheat River
TUCKER TRUE T R U E WAT E R PA R K
Part breathtaking vistas, part cool mountain culture, and 100% genuine, there’s only one Tucker. And that’s the Tucker Truth.
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ENGINEERING
DREAMS Push your limits and experience real adventure with a higher performance kayak from Elie. Made of twin sheet thermoformed Poly-XR™ material, Elie kayaks are the industry’s lightest, stiffest and most durable polyethylene kayaks. Experience award-winning design, comfort, innovative features and a premium look and feel – all at a price that allows you to come aboard and indulge your passion.
ELIESPORT.COM
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Eliesport
Eliekayaks
Engineer Your Dreams Adventure is about escaping the norm and embracing whatever comes your way. It’s about making things happen. For Elie Kayaks Ambassadors Roberto and Bella, The Expeditioners, it’s also a way of life. The married couple from Canada travel the world over, exploring and visually capturing the very best that Mother Nature has to offer. In 2014, The Expeditioners made their way to the mountains of Banff, Alberta, a majestic destination where it’s hard to decipher when the sky stops and the water begins. Elie Kayaks was there. In 2015, these dynamic adventurers went south and explored the paradise known as Turks and Caicos. The immaculate beaches. The clear blue water. The heaven-on-earth conditions. Elie Kayaks was there. Adventure isn’t just an activity. It’s a state of mind. Every great adventure begins with a burning desire to reach a goal or to see something you’ve never seen. Elie realizes that every worthwhile adventure isn’t easy. It requires patience, endurance, focus and the right equipment. That why our kayaks are designed with performance, comfort and convenience in mind. In addition to our vibrant colors and sleek design, Elie kayaks are engineered with leading technology and come complete with a variety of high end features. We all want to experience a me-powered adventure. Heck, there’s a reason The Expeditioners have 300,000 followers on social media! But you don’t have to live in envy. You can get out there and do it yourself! While Elie offers a wide range of kayaks, we are known for standard features such as the ultracomfortable Ergoflex Seating System™, multiple storage hatches, and light yet impact-resistant construction. Just as planning a great adventure requires meticulous detail, so too does the creation of an Elie kayak. So whether you’re a weekend warrior, a countryside lake dweller or a more frequent excursion escape artist, adventure can be undertaken in many forms. And Elie Kayaks is ready when you’re ready. Elie – Engineering Dreams Visit eliesport.com.
2016-04-
WATER'S UNSUNG HEROES GIVE BACK GUIDE
by JESS DADDIO photo by KENT MASON
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hese organizations work hard in the field and in the courtroom to safeguard our region’s rivers and streams. Join us in saying thank you to the top groups protecting the places where we play.
AMERICAN WHITEWATER
AMERICANWHITEWATER.ORG Mission: To conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.
Founded in 1954, American Whitewater (AW) has long served as a resource for paddlers across the country. With river levels, rapid descriptions, even real-time hazard updates, AW’s website is the most comprehensive source of information for whitewater enthusiasts. But that’s not the only thing AW provides. Did you know that AW was one of the leading organizations involved in the passing of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968? And did you know that, were it not for the years of negotiations and hard work conducted by AW, recreational dam releases might not be as commonplace as they are today? While AW certainly wants the whitewater community to connect and grow, its focus for the past few decades has been improving accessibility and protection of these rivers we hold so dear. “I’ve been at American Whitewater for 12 years,” says Executive Director Mark Singleton. “I came to it because I was a paddler, and our staff at AW have followed very similar tracks. We’re all really committed to rivers and the opportunities rivers present, not just for recreation but for healthy communities and healthy ecosystems around the river. We take care of our paddling, and by taking care of our paddling it thus takes care of us.”
restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. With 400 chapters from Maine to Montana, and even Alaska, Trout Unlimited’s (or TU’s) reach is far. Over 150,000 members, mostly hunters and anglers, are committed to helping TU achieve its goal of restoring and conserving coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. In West Virginia, where freshwater runs aplenty, TU’s volunteers and staff are in the field every week working diligently to ensure that the water flowing downstream into neighboring states is as clean as possible. In addition to thwarting water quality threats like fracking and advocating for permanent management of wild areas like the proposed Birthplace of Rivers National Monument, TU also works in smaller ways to help the bigger picture. For example, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation funds some of TU’s work with farmers in which they build stream buffers and hard crossings for cattle to help eliminate streambank erosion. On the Middle Fork of the Williams River, where acid rain had nearly exterminated the native brook trout, TU volunteers formed a conveyor belt of humans, which they called the “Bucket Brigade,” and handed several tons of limestone sand bucket by bucket to nearby ditches. A few years later, the brook trout were back and the pH of the river was restored. “It’s really important to me to make the connection between the sport that I do and the impact that I have on that sport,” says Philip Smith, the immediate past chair of West Virginia’s TU chapter. “The theme here is collaboration. You have to be able to work with agencies and other non-profits to really leverage successful conservation.”
TROUT UNLIMITED
APPALACHIAN VOICES
Mission: To conserve, protect, and
Mission: Protecting the Central and
TU.ORG
APPVOICES.ORG
Southern Appalachian Mountains For nearly 20 years, Appalachian Voices has given a voice to those without, be they polluted rivers, stripped mountaintops, or overlooked citizens. Whether in the field or in the courtroom, Appalachian Voices approaches each and every water quality case with the scientific backing and political know-how to hold polluters accountable and enforce the laws meant to protect our rivers and streams. “As we grew, we came to recognize how many of the biggest threats to the quality of life and ecology of our region relate to water,” says Matt Wasson, Director of Programs and former Executive Director. “Clean water is important not just from an environmental standpoint but also an economical standpoint. It’s hard to attract entrepreneurs to an area where drinking water sucks.” Appalachian Voices was instrumental in drawing the public eye to the Dan River coal ash spill in 2014, and to the coal companies in Kentucky that were falsifying their Clean Water Act reports. Though the coal industry is largely on the decline, the organization’s water work must now address the issue of coal ash ponds and monitoring the drinking water around these leaky impoundments.
CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION CBF.ORG
Mission: Save the Bay™, and keep it saved. When you think of the Chesapeake Bay, what likely comes to mind is the bay itself, with its placid blue waters and picturesque skies. Yet did you know that the Chesapeake Bay watershed encompasses six states and 64,000 square miles from Virginia to New York? It is perhaps this fact alone that makes protecting and restoring the Bay so important, and yet so challenging. “Everything that happens in these
states affects the Chesapeake Bay, but the hard part has been getting them to all work together and be on the same page,” says Kenny Fletcher, a spokesperson for the Foundation. “We’ve had agreements in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s between the states, but they have been voluntary so they haven’t been enforced.” With the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, the Foundation hopes to change that. This legally binding agreement holds the six states within the Bay’s watershed accountable to target pollution and meet EPA limits by 2025.
WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALITION WVRIVERS.ORG
Mission: Conserving and restoring West Virginia’s exceptional rivers and streams. In the spring of 1990, members of the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club and the American Whitewater Affiliation came together with a united goal—protect West Virginia’s rivers and streams from encroaching degradation. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition was the first statewide water advocacy organization east of the Mississippi, and their work early on, and even now, deals largely with the protection of the fragile headwaters in the Monongahela National Forest. “We all have a stake in this,” says Executive Director Angie Rosser. “West Virginia is blessed with an abundance of fresh water that not everywhere in this country, or world has. We’re the mountain state, but we’re also the headwater state, so what happens in West Virginia matters not just for West Virginia, but for all of those folks who live downstream of us.” In the wake of the 2014 Charleston water crisis, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition stood side by side with the 300,000 West Virginians affected by the chemical disaster and rallied for more protection, and more accountability.
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The organization is currently spreading word about the proposed Birthplace of Rivers National Monument in the Monongahela National Forest, which, if designated, would protect the headwaters of six major rivers in West Virginia.
FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT CHEAT.ORG
Mission: To restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat watershed. When an illegally sealed underground coal mine blew out in 1994, releasing millions of gallons of acid mine drainage into the Cheat River, concerned citizens, paddlers, and private stakeholders came together to form Friends of the Cheat (FOC). The newly founded organization established the River of Promise Task Force, a group of local, state, and federal agencies as well as local businesses, industries, and academics, committed to seeing the clean up of the pollution from beginning to end. Now, two decades later, the Cheat River pH is no longer impaired, and the river even hosts a thriving fish population from mouth to main stem. Though acid mine drainage reclamation will continue to be an ongoing focus for FOC, the organization is putting its energy toward its third pillar—promotion. “We’d really like to see the Cheat River as more of a community green space that’s also serving the whitewater community and the hiking community and the sportsmen community,” says FOC Executive Director Amanda Pitzer. “We’re not only restoring waterways, we’re bringing economic growth to the community by highlighting what we think is great about this area.” The FOC recently announced its purchase of a nine-mile tract of land along the Cheat River Narrows, where the organization plans to develop a multipurpose rail-trail in the years to come. 42
YOUGHIOGHENY RIVERKEEPER
JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION
Mission: To defend against further pollution, to improve water quality, and to conserve the natural ecology and character of the Youghiogheny River and its tributaries.
Mission: We provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.
MTWATERSHED.COM
The Youghiogheny Riverkeeper operates from Oakland, Md., to the mouth of the Yough basin in McKeesport, Penn. As part of the Waterkeeper Alliance, and in partnership with the Mountain Watershed Association, the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper is rooted in the protection of this valuable watershed. As threats from shale gas extraction and crude oil transportation continue to grow, and lingering effects of coal mining persist, the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper’s work now is more important than ever. “I love that when I go to sleep at night, I know that everything I did all day was to protect this river and to improve it for those who live in this river valley and come to play in this river valley and that’s a good feeling,” says Youghiogheny Riverkeeper Krissy Kasserman. “I’m proud of what I do.” Under Kasserman’s guidance, the organization has been fighting tooth and nail in opposition of the Curry Mine, a 588-acre strip mine proposed in the Yough River Gorge less than 1,000 feet from the river and within spitting distance of the Great Allegheny Passage, both of which are recreational gems in the region. Just 10 years after its initial proposition, Kasserman feels confident that plans for the mine have finally met their demise. The Youghiogheny Riverkeeper also oversees the Swimmable Waters Program, an initiative that monitors levels of E. coli in popular swimming holes around the area. The data is made available each summer to the public through the Waterkeeper Alliance’s Swim Guide (theswimguide.org).
B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U N E 2 01 6
JAMESRIVERASSOCIATION.ORG
For 3.1 million people, the James River provides not just recreational opportunities but also drinking water. In 1976, the James River Association (JRA) was formed to educate the public about the significance of this river, and also to help restore and protect it. Back then, the James was little more than a dumping ground for nearby industries, and though the water quality of the James has since improved greatly, the threats still exist. “Currently the James River is at risk from 1,100 toxic storage sites, up to 5 billion gallons of coal ash, and millions of gallons of crude oil traveling along the shores of the James,” says Upper James Riverkeeper Pat Calvert. “This valuable natural resource is a critical part of our history, daily lives, and the legacy we leave for future generations. It's for me less a job than a privilege to safeguard these beautiful waters.” In 2007, the JRA successfully convinced Congress to designate the James as America’s Founding River. Given its historical significance, it seems logical that the James would be safe from pollution in perpetuity. Yet the JRA’s work is far from over, and its ongoing advocacy campaign, Our River at Risk, addresses and informs the public on threats to the James and its tributaries.
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER CHATTAHOOCHEE.ORG
Mission: To advocate and secure the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, its tributaries, and watershed in order to restore and preserve their ecological health for the people and wildlife that depend on the river system.
PAT CALVERT, JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION
Created with the intent to hold the city of Atlanta responsible for dumping millions of gallons of sewage into the Chattahoochee, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has successfully improved the quality of this important watershed and its tributaries over the past 22 years. In addition to fighting present day threats from industry stormwater runoff and Clean Water Act violations, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper also fosters educational opportunities for younger generations through its floating classrooms. Each year, the organization takes some 6,000 kids on the water to teach them the importance of this natural resource and how they can protect it. “The Chattahoochee River within the National Recreation Area was named one of the top 100 trout fisheries in the nation by Trout Unlimited,” says Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth. “Over 3 million people come to this river park every single year, and they depend on plentiful clean water to enjoy this wonderful resource.” To date, the organization has removed over 800 tons of trash from the river system through its various trash clean ups and volunteer days. It continues to oversee facilities identified as potential polluters and water monitoring programs throughout the watershed.
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MORE WATER HEROES
Check out these 23 additional conservation-minded organizations and non-profits who are working to protect the rivers and streams in your backyard. FRENCH BROAD RIVERKEEPER mountaintrue.org
2001 Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Haywood, and Madison counties in western North Carolina FOCUS: The French Broad Paddle Trail, bacteria monitoring, point source monitoring, Muddy Water Watch, pharmaceutical waste, hazardous waste, coal ash FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
WEST VIRGINIA HEADWATERS WATERKEEPER wvrivers.org
2006 West Virginia’s Southern Monongahela National Forest FOCUS: Water policy, pipeline water quality monitoring, proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline research, proposed Birthplace of Rivers National Monument FOUNDED IN:
1973 United States FOCUS: Protecting water supplies, clean water, Blue Trails, dam removal, hydropower reform FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
YADKIN RIVERKEEPER yadkinriverkeeper.org
2008 21 counties in North Carolina’s Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin FOCUS: Riverkeeper Protection Program, coal ash, Alcoa, Pure Farms/Pure Water, High Rock Lake pollution, fracking, Operation Medicine Cabinet, Monroe Bypass FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
KENTUCKY RIVERKEEPER kyriverkeeper.org
2001 SERVES: 42 counties within the Kentucky River Basin FOCUS: Education, research and monitoring, service learning, advocacy, Kentucky River Water Trail FOUNDED IN:
SERVES:
CHATTOOGA CONSERVANCY chattoogariver.org
1991 Oconee County, S.C. through Rabun County, Ga. FOCUS: Monitoring and oversight of the U.S. Forest Service, Chattooga Quarterly, Stekoa Creek restoration campaign, land trust, public education and outreach FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
CATAWBA RIVERKEEPER FOUNDATION catawbariverkeeper.org
1997 24 counties of the CatawbaWateree River watershed in North and South Carolina FOCUS: Energy-water collision, Interbasin transfer issues, Garden Parkway, Duke Catawba Hydro Project relicensing, hydraulic fracking, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors, land planning and smart growth, sewage and treatment, sedimentation, Muddy Water Watch, stormwater runoff, Upper Catawba Basin, water use and efficiency FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
AMERICAN RIVERS americanrivers.org
POTOMAC RIVERKEEPER NETWORK potomacriverkeepernetwork.org
2000 SERVES: Headwaters of the Potomac from West Virginia through the Shenandoah to Washington, D.C. FOCUS: Pollution reduction, river access and recreation, algae elimination campaign, Get the Cattle Out Campaign FOUNDED IN:
COOSA RIVERKEEPER coosariver.org
2010 39,133 acres of water on five lakes, from Lake Neely Henry to Lake Jordan, through east Alabama. FOCUS: Riverkeeper patrol, Water quality monitoring, public education, Save the Skinny Water, clean fish and healthy communities, Coosa Canoe and Kayak Fishing Tournament FOUNDED IN:
UPPER WATAUGA RIVERKEEPER keepersprings.com
2008 Banner Elk, Boone, Blowing Rock, Valle Crucis and Watauga Lake in North Carolina FOCUS: Mercury pollution, Hellbender salamanders, air pollution, mountaintop removal coal mining, water quality monitoring FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
BROAD RIVER ALLIANCE facebook.com/broad-river-alliance
2015 Broad River Watershed FOCUS: Coal ash, drinking water quality, water quality monitoring FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE alabamarivers.org
1996 The state of Alabama FOCUS: Water policy, enforcement, agency coordination, adequate funding, water resource planning, coal ash, dam safety laws, tar sands mining, stormwater runoff FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
CLEAN WATER FOR NORTH CAROLINA cwfnc.org
2009 The Tennessee River and its tributaries, including the two headwater tributaries: the Holston River and French Broad River FOCUS: Monitoring pollution, sewage, industrial discharges; awareness and education; litigation FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
1984 The state of North Carolina FOCUS: Empowered, just communities; holding polluters accountable; safe, affordable water for all; fracking; water justice and privatization; well user protection; NC SAVE$ ENERGY; Pigeon River clean up and protections; urban community streams FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
FRIENDS OF THE BLACKWATER saveblackwater.org 2000 The Blackwater Canyon FOCUS: Allegheny Highlands Climate Change Impacts Initiative, Save Our Squirrel, The J.R. Clifford Project, The Northfork Watershed Project, stopping fracking on Eastern National Forests, Monongahela National Forest Watch Dog Program FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
FRIENDS OF THE NORTH FORK OF THE SHENANDOAH fnfsr.org
1988 The North Fork of the Shenandoah River FOCUS: Seven Bends State Park, Lake Laura Research, water quality FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
FRIENDS OF BIG IVY friendsofbigivy.org
2014 Big Ivy Forest and the Ivy Creek headwaters FOCUS: Proposed long-term protections for Big Ivy watershed as part of upcoming U.S. Forest Service management plan FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK riverfriends.org
2008 The Rappahannock river, watershed, and community FOCUS: Save the Crabs, Then Eat ‘Em; fertilizer impacts; fracking; agricultural best management practices; oyster restoration; rainscape retrofitting; river cleanups; Student Stream Team Program FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
HIWASSEE RIVER WATERSHED COALITION hrwc.net
1995 The creeks, lakes, and rivers that flow into the Hiwassee River, from northern Georgia to the southwest corner of North Carolina FOCUS: Stream and riparian restoration, environmental education for kids, improving recreational access, erosion and sediment control, stormwater runoff FOUNDED IN:
SERVES:
TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER tennesseeriver.org
monitoring, drinking water research, E.coli Presence at high-use recreation sites
SERVES:
CONASAUGA RIVER ALLIANCE conasaugariver.org
1999 The Conasauga River watershed in Tennessee and Georgia FOCUS: Septic system workshops, Project WET, Varnell Springs, streambank erosion, Limestone Spring restoration, stormwater runoff, Petty Dairy FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
TALLULAH RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL tallulahriverwatershed.com
2011 The Tallulah River Watershed throughout Rabun County, Ga. FOCUS: Watershed ecology, water quality research, community outreach, Interbasin water transfer, Parrot Feather FOUNDED IN: SERVES:
invasive species
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CONTEST PRESENTED BY
O
2016 WINNER
BOBO 44
B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U N E 2 01 6
nce again readers turned out in record numbers to show off pictures of their canine companions enjoying the great outdoors in our annual Dog Photo Contest sponsored by Ruff wear®. This year’s winner comes from the far northern reaches of Minnesota. His name is Bobo the Blind, and he’s a bit of a celebrity in those parts. “Bobo is a 4-and-half-year-old rottweiler and is actually a foster dog with Secondhand Hounds, a non-profit dog rescue in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” says Bobo’s foster mom Sarah Deimel. Sarah says Bobo arrived at Secondhand Hounds in rough shape, suffering from a rare skin condition that caused him to lose his vision along with his fur. “This is part of the reason why winning the photo contest is so amazing for Bobo,” she said. “He will get great use out of the Ruff wear dog jackets and booties to keep his hairless body warm in the cold Minnesota winters.” Despite Bobo’s medical condition, life has never been better for Sarah Deimel’s four-legged friend. “Bobo has faced more than his fair share of adversity throughout his life, but he continues to be one of the happiest and sweetest dogs I have ever met,” she said. “Nothing makes him happier than snuggling near his humans, napping, and chewing on antlers. He has been through a lot of medical issues in the past year and still walks around with a huge smile on his face everyday.” If you’d like to learn more about Bobo, stay up on his Minnesota adventures, or are interested in becoming his forever family, please visit his Facebook page at facebook.com/Bobo-The-Blind-755153077940160
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Relax at one of our Riverside log cabins on a private access trophy trout stream in Hopeville Canyon. Within the Monongahela National Forest in the heart of Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.
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Discover West Virginia’s Best Adventure Outfitter.
800.463.9873 raftinginfo.com
trywva.com (800)292-0880
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201 R-UP NE RUN
New River Gorge, West Virginia ACE Adventure Resort
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JULY 2
Big Air Blob Competition
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AUGUST 20
New River Gorgeous Trail Run
SEPTEMBER 3
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OCTOBER 22
5K Zombie Run
Explore - To Traverse for the Purpose of Discovery. Exploring is discovering what is meaningful to you and your family. It can be a sunny day at a baseball game, exploring a museum, savoring a delicious ice cream cone, or a picnic and a hike to the top of Pinnacle Rock. Mercer County is looking for explorers. Discover what is here for you.
(800) 221-3206 | VisitMercerCounty.com
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THE GOODS
0 6 . 16
HERE'S JONNY
PADDLING GUIDE JONNY HORTON'S FAVORITE GEAR FOR WATER ADVENTURE by GRAHAM AVERILL “There are only two ways you can swim if you fall out of the boat in the Cheoah,” says seasoned raft guide, Jonny Horton. “You can swim aggressively, or very aggressively.” Horton should know. He’s one of the most accomplished guides at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and has been leading rafts down the Cheoah since 2008. The Cheoah was left dry until 2005, when a series of recreational releases was negotiated, turning the overgrown riverbed into one of the fastest, steepest commercially run rivers in the country. The river sits in the far western corner of North Carolina, and has become a benchmark for rafters in the Southeast. We asked Horton to dish on his favorite pieces of gear when he’s at the helm of a giant piece of rubber heading down one of the South’s most tumultuous rivers. Here are his picks, in his own words.
ELEMENT CASE SECTOR BLACK OPS ($199) The Black Ops phone case delivers tough military-grade protection for your iPhone, wrapping it in aerospace composites to create the one of the most durable cases around.
SWEET STRUTTER HELMET ($199) First, it looks good. And it fits really well too. But I like this helmet because of the carbon fiber reinforcement—there’s a plate in the front of the helmet that gives my lid extra protection. That’s key when you’re paddling through a bunch of brush and taking hits.
SALAMANDER GUIDE THROW BAG ($69) Most rafting companies require safety gear in the boat, but I think you should have everything you need to rescue your boat on your body. This is a waist pack that has a 70-foot rope stashed inside. You don’t need it if you’re being guided down the river, but if you start rafting whitewater on your own, it’s essential.
IMMERSION RESEARCH ARCH RIVAL DRY TOP ($299) If I’m in the front of the boat, I’ll wear a full dry suit to stay warm, but in the back, where it’s not as wet, this dry top is all I need to keep from being frozen. And it’s easy enough to release the Velcro straps around the wrists and cool off if it gets too hot.
A CHEAP PADDLE I know a few guides who use really expensive paddles, but I’m not about to drop $300 on something I could easily break or drop in the middle of the river and never see again. I say keep it cheap with the paddle.
ASTRAL GREENJACKET ($249) The fit is great, but I like all of the pockets, which are great for stashing gear. I don’t like gear dangling from my PFD because it can get hung up on rocks or limbs. I also like that it’s a high float vest, which keeps you up and out of the water.
MORE GEAR
ICEMULE PRO CATCH ($89.95) This cooler designed specifically for kayaks and SUPs features an air-tight roll top closure, multiple tie down points and a burly 1000-denier outer layer that can take a beating. And it keeps your beer, er, water, cold for a full day.
REFLEKT SEAFARER ($139) These shades have the classic, Wayfarer look that we want, and polarized lenses for spotting fish, but the best part? They float. Reflekt’s frames are made from a proprietary composite called Vaporlite that’s 20% lighter than your standard frames, and completely unsinkable. We tried. They won’t sink.
CHACO Z/1 SANDAL ($105) The Z is the original water sandal, but Chaco gave the classic a much needed update with a new, super grippy outsole that gives the new versions better traction on wet rocks.
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THE VETERINARIAN IN THE
P
ro cyclist Lauren Komanski got her start on the soccer fields of Winston-Salem. A high school coach encouraged her to run track to get in better shape for varsity soccer, and it became her second sport. College offers came in and track became her primary focus. When Columbia offered an opportunity to race Division I track, she pounced. After four years of racing and studying, she was burned out and had her eye on veterinary school. And then she rode a bike… SO WHAT GOT YOU ON THE BIKE?
LAUREN KOMANSKI DISCUSSES THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S CYCLING by M.T. ELLIOTT
My husband started riding and my parents have been riding for over 20 years now, so it was really them who got me into cycling. They bought me a bike for Christmas [2012] during my third year of veterinary school, which is a little bit easier. The plan was: ride three months [during a slightly easier semester of veterinary school] and then sell it, because I'd be starting clinical rotations in the hospital. Riding for N.C. State, I won the collegiate A race, which was my first race on the bike, so I guess I still missed competing. I was about to sell the bike when I got an invite from USA Cycling to the Talent ID camp at the Olympic Training Center, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So that summer I got up at 4 a.m., got on the trainer for an hour, and then went into the hospital for an average day of 12 hours. WHICH LED TO A PRO CONTRACT AND RIDING FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM…
In hindsight, development camp was somewhat of an interview process. To wear the USA jersey and be able to race in Europe was pretty neat. I ended up going over there for a couple months and fell completely in love with the Spring Classics racing. HOW WAS THE TRANSITION FROM RUNNING TO CYCLING?
I knew what my body felt like as a good runner, I knew what that fitness feels like. That was one of my problems, once I got out of that shape, I didn't want to run anymore. I ran trails with my dog; that was my baseline fitness before photo by JONATHAN DEVICH, Epic Images
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cycling. It wasn't stressful because I wasn’t trying to look at the clock every second. When I got on a bike, I had nothing to compare to, didn't know what a normal cadence should feel like. It was a new challenge. DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A SHORTER ON-RAMP INTO WOMEN'S CYCLING IN 10 YEARS?
The sport is really growing and the peloton is getting deeper and deeper, so I was lucky when I got into this sport. I think as the sport continues to grow, it's going to fill out other categories of races, so your Cat 4 and Cat 5 races are going to get more competitive. I think you'll see a lot more development. WHICH IS A BETTER SHOWCASE FOR WOMEN'S CYCLING, SEPARATE RACES OR ONES COORDINATED WITH MEN'S EVENTS?
Stage races seem to work well separate from the men. The Aviva Women's Tour in Britain did an incredible job, it was an amazing race and the fans that were out there were unbelievable. We went past a lot of schools so there'd be tons of kids everywhere. On the one-day side, I think it runs incredibly well with the men. We have Flanders and Fleche [Wallonne], and end up on the course at the same time as the men, so we're only separated by a certain amount of time. I think that works great because you get all the fans out there and they get to see two races instead of one. Those are two of the coolest races I've done. YOU GREW UP VISITING THE MOUNTAINS, WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS?
The Blue Ridge Parkway for road bike is—I don't care where I've been in the world—that's still one of my favorite places ever to ride. And on that, the greatest loop, between Linville and Blowing Rock, and you can do BR Parkway and then 221: It more or less rolls and the roads wind just enough. I usually save it for right before a big trip to go check the legs and really push it. That always leaves me with a big smile. Pisgah is my favorite place with the family. My husband and I take the dogs and there's nothing better than getting out in the wilderness there and mountain biking. After an early-season crash, Lauren is back riding with her Tibco-SVB teammates. Follow her @LaurenKomanski
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GREAT FAMILY RIVER ADVENTURES by ERIC J. WALLACE
F
or lovers of the outdoors, with the arrival of summer comes the impulse to get outside and hit the water. Whether it’s relaxing along a lazy stretch of flatriver or navigating the pleasurable challenge of a Class III rapid, a canoe trip through one of Mother Nature’s original water parks offers a great, active way for you and yours to satisfy the urge.
V IRGINI A JAMES RIVER, APPOMATTOX / BUCKINGHAM COUNTIES THE FLOAT: Put in at the public boat landing at Bent Creek, takeout at Dixon Landing in Buckingham County’s James River State Park—8 miles, 3.5 hours. This trip lands you deep in the rural fringes of the county where the Civil War officially came to an end. While compared to its mountainous headwaters west of Lynchburg, the James in Appomattox is a little wider
and much calmer, the river remains small enough to feel quaint, and it moves at a brisk enough pace to offer numerous riffles. The float snakes through a mostly isolated stretch of high Blue Ridge foothills with some small islands and the occasional rolling, sycamore-lined cow-pasture. Putting in at the public landing where U.S. Highway 60 crosses state Route 26, be sure to check out the stone ruins of the old bridge’s Civil War era pillars towering amid the current. THE LIVERY: Outdoor Adventures offers canoe, kayak, and tube rentals plus shuttle. Canoes start at $40. (434) 933-8682 • dcr.virginia.gov/state-
parks/james-river-livery
James River State Park The 1,561-acre park is known for its rolling grasslands, estuaries, thickly timbered forest and, of course, its 3 miles of shoreline. There are bath houses, upscale cabins, and primitive campsites. The latter are stretched along the river bank.
CAMPING:
NORTH FORK OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER, LURAY THE FLOAT: Put in at the Bealers Ferry landing, takeout at the Burners Bottom landing—11 miles, 5 hours. Located along the northern reaches of the picturesque Shenandoah Valley National Park and winding along below Skyline Drive, this float is rife with picturesque scenery. While the Shenandoah’s southern fork is probably better known, the North Fork is a small, swiftly flowing river famous for its pristine clarity and gorgeous rocky beds. Meandering 100 miles over the course of about 20 road-miles, with stretches of fun, family-friendly Class II rapids, the float offers stellar landscapes, great opportunities for wildlife encounters, and plenty of interesting paddling. THE OUTFITTER: Shenandoah River Outfitters offers canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals plus shuttle. Canoes start at $45.
(540) 743-4159 • shenandoah-river.com
Shenandoah River Outfitters offers a range of log cabins and cottages—from basic to luxury—as well as primitive campsites on the edge of the George Washington National Forest. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the overnight float option, which splits the South Fork’s 20 miles with a riverside camp in the middle.
CAMPING:
W EST V IRGINI A NEW RIVER, LANSING THE FLOAT: Put in at the landing at Stone Cliff in Thurmond (mile marker 26), takeout at the landing in Cunard—8.5 miles, 5 hours. Before things get all crazy and Class IV / V in the gorge, this trek along the upper New River alternates between Class I and II Rapids culminating in a Class III finale. If yours is a family of experienced canoeists, this venture makes for a swell little challenge. Otherwise, consider investing in a raft/guide
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package, enabling you to focus on the scenery while zipping along with children as young as age 5 in tow. The river moves swiftly through high hills with forests huddled along the banks. In the spring, you’ll spot the remnants of abandoned mining towns through the trees. Additional perks of the route include a riverside trail leading to a waterfall, a fine tall rock to jump off into a deep swimming hole, and ruins begging to be explored. THE OUTFITTER: Ace Adventure Resort provides guided rafting tours, including overnight trips that include an adrenaline-fueled run through the fantastically beautiful and technically engaging New River Gorge. aceraft.com
If you’re doing your own thing, find an appealing spot about a mile upstream from Cunard in the New River Gorge National River Park and pitch a tent. Otherwise, Ace Adventure Resort offers conveniently located cabins, campgrounds, bunkhouses, and deluxe accommodations.
CAMPING:
farther north. Look for beaver, occasional bears, deer and an array of ornithological delights. For families of seasoned paddlers, once you’ve had your fill of the park, head back downstream where you’ll enjoy a 5-mile trip downriver replete with some Class II and quasi Class III rapids just before the route ends at the Splash Dam in Davis. (304) 866-3858 • fws.gov/refuge/ Canaan_Valley/visit
Outdoor Adventures Outfitters offers whitewater rafting trips (on both the Cheat and Blackwater Rivers), as well as canoes, kayaks, tubes and shuttles throughout Blackwater Falls State Park and parts of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Canoes start at $46.
NEAREST OUTFITTER:
(304) 478-3755 • blackwateroutdoors.com
Primitive and RV camping— with hot-water bathhouse and a laundromat—is available at the nearby Blackwater Falls State Park. If you’re staying, be sure to check out the park’s 62-foot namesake waterfall.
CAMPING:
NORTH CA ROLINA
BLACKWATER RIVER, CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, DAVIS
TUCKASEEGEE RIVER, DILLSBORO
Put in at the public boat landing at the end of Camp 70 Road, take out at the landing prior to the dam in Davis—5 miles, 3 – 6 hours. For a unique natural excursion like no other in the U.S., put in at Camp 70 and head upstream through the slow-moving flat-waters into the beautiful 16,550-acre Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The valley is expansively wide with big sky views, while the river meanders through grasslands and wetlands home to 580 species of plants and 288 different animals. The valley’s high elevation and position in the Allegheny Mountains combine to create a cool, moist climate more typical in Maine and Canada. This oddity of climate leads to an abundance of rare species, as well as species like balsam fir, cottongrass, woodcocks and fishers that are typically found only much
THE FLOAT: Put in at the public landing on North River Road, take out at Smoky Mountain Adventures—5.2 miles, around 3.5 hours. The Tuckaseegee is a fun little river located in the scenically dazzling Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. With stretches of nice, smooth water alternating with riffles, Class I and Class II Rapids, the Tuck is an excellent place to learn to paddle, work on skills, or enjoy a raft outing that’s sure to wow without scaring the crap out of younger children. The trip starts out along North River Road—where, for the adventurous, you can choose to tackle the Dillsboro Drop, a Class III rapid created by the dismantling of an old dam—then makes a big horseshoe bend into what’s locally known as the Tuck Gorge. About a mile into the float, the river passes beneath a Great Smoky Mountain Railroad overpass.
THE FLOAT:
The rapids pick up from there and don’t let up. Be on the lookout for numerous beaches, a great jumping rock, and the bald eagles that have begun to roost in the area. THE OUTFITTER: Smoky Mountain River Adventures services include guided and self-guided rafting adventures, tubes, single/tandem inflatable kayaks, equipment, and shuttles. Selfguided rafting trips start at $17 for an adult and $12 for accompanying children. (888) 785-2662 • raftingwithmykids.com
FRENCH BROAD, ASHEVILLE THE FLOAT: Start at the Bent Creek River access, end at French Broad Outfitter (or, for private runners, the Bywater)—slightly over 12 miles, 4 hours. Located at mile 72 of the French Broad Paddle Trail, this relaxed, mostly flatwater float will first carry you past the scenic beauty of the Biltmore Estate, and then transition into a cool urban-adventure float passing directly through Asheville’s River Arts District. As you drift through the Arts District, there’s greenway on one side of the river— with plenty of picnicking options— and then the Wedge Brewery, Smoky Park Supper Club (which constitutes the largest container structure in America), and the New Belgium Brewery along the other. Despite the urban scenery, the river is wild, pretty, and brimming with wildlife. Just downstream from the takeout lies the Bywater—a riverside club with grills for cooking out, bank-fronting activity area, full-service bar, and live music. THE OUTFITTER: French Broad Outfitters offers kayaks, canoes, and any equipment you might need. They offer longer, multiple-overnight turnkey packages as well. Canoes start at $50.
(828) 505-7371 •
frenchbroadoutfitters.com
Pitch a tent on one of the French Broad Paddle Trail’s paddlein-only campsites. Camp areas are
CAMPING:
placed every 15 miles on islands and riverbanks. There’s a really nice one at Firefighter Island between milepost 58–59.
GEORGI A TOCCOA RIVER, CHERRY LOG THE FLOAT: Put in at Deep Hole campground; take out at Sandy Bottom in the Chattahoochee National Forest—13.8 miles, 5–7 hours. This section of the Toccoa features beautiful clear water and flows in and out of the Chattahoochee National Forest. While the river passes through a couple of areas spotted with an occasional upscale cabin tucked away along the banks, by and large you’ll be winding through wild forests full of towering hemlocks. Wildlife abounds, as the CNF features over 500 species of plants, animals and fish—with highlights including the giant Hellbender salamander (which thrives only in the healthiest of freshwater environments), nesting bald eagles, otter, deer, and turkey. There’s an awesome rope-swing where Rock Creek meets the Toccoa and a really fun—but gradual— elevation drop once you’ve passed under the 270-foot-long suspension bridge via which the Benton MacKaye Trail crosses the river, offering slightly challenging Class II rapids at average water flow. THE OUTFITTER: Jon Ron Toccoa River Outfitters offers canoes, kayaks, shuttles, and guided fishing adventures. Canoes start at $60.
(706) 838-0200 • jonrontro.com
Pitch your tent along the river bank in any of the Chattahoochee National Forest areas or at one of the primitive sites at the takeout at Sandy Bottom.
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P E N N S Y LVA N I A ALLEGHENY RIVER, TIONESTA THE FLOAT: Put in at the landing in Tidioute; take out at the landing in Tionesca—15 miles, 5 – 8 hours. Located in the southwestern
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SAFE PADDLING TIPS Wear a life jacket or Personal Flotation Device. Check river levels and weather forecasts prior to your trip. High water can make certain sections dangerous or unnavigable. Low water can lead to dragging and excess portaging. If you capsize—don’t panic! Float on your back, feet first. Work toward the bank or find a good slow stretch of water before trying to stand. Avoid boozing—alcohol plays a role in most accidents and drownings. Don't overestimate your swimming ability. Wear shoes to protect your feet against glass, fishhooks, and sharp rocks. Scout unfamiliar rapids from the shore and talk with your boatmates before you run them.
portion of the 517,000-acre Alleghany National Forest and at the northern reaches of the Alleghany Mountains, here the Alleghany River is wide and for the most part quiet, with a few beginner-friendly riffles. The adventure’s most prominent feature is a crazy abundance of islands (there are over a dozen of them), all belonging to the national forest, and all wooded and wild. The largest of the landmasses is 96 acres, with most clocking in at around 60 acres. When the water’s up in the early summer, this makes for great exploration, as many of the islands abut one another and frequently feature as many as four or five bisecting forks. While the river averages about three feet in depth through this stretch, be on the lookout for tall boulders offering a nice leap into the cool waters of many a swimming hole. THE OUTFITTER: Outback Adventures 60
offers canoes, single and tandem kayaks, shuttles, and overnight adventures as well. Overnight journeys range from one to three nights out, and can cover between 15–53 miles.
(814) 755-3658 • outbackadventurespa. com
Primitive camping is available on the islands or shorelines of the national forest. Outback Adventures offers teepees and cabins with luxurious amenities.
CAMPING:
KENTUCKY RED RIVER, RED RIVER GORGE THE FLOAT: Public boat landing at Harris Creek to Red River Adventure—8 miles, 3.5 hours. Tucked way back in the rugged hill-country of remote Kentucky, this float will have you navigating through the dense woodlands of the Daniel Boone National Forest
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and the gorgeous Red River Gorge. Designated by the U.S. Park Service as a national geological area, the gorge is known for housing an array of over 80 natural stone arches and limestone rock faces. From the Red River, you’ll have the opportunity to catch views of these towering cliffs and amazing formations from angles otherwise unavailable. Beachy sandbars and the occasional huge boulder sitting directly in the river bed and towering over a perfect swimming hole offer excellent diversions along the way. THE OUTFITTER: Red River Adventure offers canoes, kayaks, shuttle and other various outfitting equipment. Canoes start at $30. (606) 663-1012 • kypaddle.com
Red River Adventures runs a primitive campground located directly on the river with a small store, bathhouse, and personnel onsite and available 24 hours a day.
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Kneel to provide stability when running rapids and riffles in a canoe. Keep the river clean by carrying out everything you bring in—including fishing line and cigarette butts. Carry out extra trash whenever possible. Respect private property owners— try to avoid camping or trespassing on private land. Pack a cooler with a picnic lunch, all your favorite snacks, and plenty of drinking water. Avoid bringing glass containers on the river. Camp at least 100 feet from the nearest water source. When you need to potty, bury waste 300 feet from the nearest water source. Build fires where fire pits already exist and burn dead wood salvaged from the ground. GoOutAndPlay
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YOUR ELDER GET TO KNOW GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN AND GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF AN APPALACHIAN ICON by RANDY JOHNSON
T
here’s far more to the history and mystery of Grandfather Mountain than the fact that one of the East’s major mountains remained in private hands into the 21st century. Most of Grandfather is a state park now, but Hugh Morton’s Mile-High Swinging Bridge tourist attraction, immortalized in millions of vacation photos, is still privately owned and for many people, the landmark that defines the mountain’s identity. Morton may have made an entire mountain synonymous with a swinging bridge, but Grandfather is a far bigger landmass and far bigger topic than people imagine. That’s why I decided to write a new book just published by the University of North Carolina Press, Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon. My own history with Grandfather goes back to the 1970s when I set out to find the South’s most spectacular mountain—and found Grandfather. On one day hike, I was greeted by “No Trespassing” signs. A hiker had died of 62
hypothermia and Hugh Morton had closed the dangerous, overgrown trails. If the peaks remained off limits to the public, I knew almost anything could happen to my favorite mountain. That wasn’t the future I had in mind, so I met Morton and persuaded him to let me manage the backcountry and reopen the trails. I’ve been hiking the mountain and writing about it ever since and after spending the last four solid years completing the “definitive book” on Grandfather, I am more impressed than ever with this singular summit. The mountain was an attraction centuries before the swinging bridge. Native Americans hunting below the peaks thought they saw rocky, humanlike faces peering back at them. Early white explorers followed, and so did some of the most iconic incidents of Appalachian exploration. Even Daniel Boone was lured west tracing the mountain’s tempting summits on the skyline. Long before New Hampshire’s now fallen Old Man of the Mountain was noticed and named, Grandfather’s snowy profile face had
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already made it “the Grandfather” of the Appalachians. Hikers were the first tourists. Then in the 1930s, the MacRae family, who’d bought the mountain and founded Linville, cleared a rough road to a craggy view. Called Observation Point, the first commercial attraction offered a great vista and tempting trail access higher up to Linville Peak, a spectacular summit that in 1952 would anchor Hugh Morton’s swinging bridge. People still stop at that viewpoint today, and if you know where to look, a long forgotten timewarp trail still leads into the past. I’ve been following trails like that on Grandfather most of my life, and they’ve led me to a conclusion: This monumental mountain—the most ecologically significant summit in Eastern America—is more than a swinging bridge or a highland games. If you delve into the mountain’s past as far as I have, it’s hard not to conclude that our Grandfather is the most iconic peak in the entire Appalachian range. I can only scratch the surface here,
but let’s visit a few places to sense some of that symbolism.
SECRETS IN THE ATTIC From the mountain’s three highest peaks, MacRae Peak, Attic Window Peak, and Calloway Peak (the highest at 5,946 feet), there’s a dramatic, almost vertical mile drop-off to the Piedmont. That Rocky Mountain-like relief has inspired some climbers to song, including Andre Michaux in 1794. John Muir, the future “father of the national parks,” sang out on the summit in 1898. A man so inspired by Yosemite had one of his most moving wilderness experiences in North Carolina. Attic Window offers an awesome view, but in this attic, there’s a secret window. Halfway up the hand-overhand climb of the peak’s cloven face on the Grandfather Trail, there’s a crack off to the side that leads to a ledge-top seat on a cliff face looking west. It’s not easy to find, and tricky to explore, but it’s been an adventure for
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THE MAGNIFICENT VIEW FROM GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, IN LINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA—HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN THE BLUE RIDGE
SEEN FROM BELOW, GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN'S EARLIEST ATTRACTION WAS AN EXCITING CONTRAPTION CLINGING TO THE FACE OF A TOWERING PEAK. photo by NELSON MACRAE, Collection of Hugh MacRae II.
generations. This entire area around the mountain’s middle summit, Attic Window, is awesomely alpine and attractive to campers for two of the mountain’s best designated campsites. Neither see as much use as some. Attic Window’s tent platform perches atop a sheer dome hundreds of feet high with a spectacular nighttime view of cities sparkling across lowland North Carolina. This campsite is easiest to reach from the Black Rock trailhead in the swinging bridge attraction, especially if you take the Underwood Trail and bypass climbing over MacRae Peak. But with no overnight parking permitted inside the gate, you’ll need to get dropped off and picked up to camp. You could also just get dropped up top and hike down to a car spotted at one of two valley trailheads. The bottom of the Profile Trail is on NC 105 near Banner Elk, in the west. The Daniel Boone Scout Trail leaves the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the east. Neither hike from the valley is an easy amble. Luckily, from either trail,
there’s another great campsite before you get to Attic Window. Caught between two whaleback clifftops, Alpine Meadow campsite is a breezy treeline-like gap with crags perfectly placed for sipping tea at sunset. The site was recently designated for group camping and is reservable on the state park’s website. If there’s not a Boy Scout troop headed there—and it was a Scout troop that built the Grandfather and Boone trails during World War II—you might have it to yourself. Even if you gain a lot elevation by car and start at the swinging bridge as many people do, Attic Window and beyond can be an ambitious day hike. If you’re crunched for time, at least take the mountain’s classic loop hike over MacRae Peak, the first summit that towers over the attraction. From the Black Rock Parking Area, reach the Grandfather Trail and scale the famous ladders up MacRae’s sheer faces, then circle back on the Underwood Trail. Rock climbers won’t flinch, but even experienced hikers will get sweaty palms making many a
tricky traverse from ladder rungs and cables to rock. That’s especially true at the summit boulder teetering on the skyline. As you sit on top and survey the endless scene, be glad you weren’t sitting there in a 1980 cloud bank when an airplane smashed into that very rock. Before tackling Grandfather’s upper elevations, search the websites for the state park and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation that runs the private attraction. Be sure you’re not one of many people who confuse the rules and policies of these two very different entities. A few caveats. Even if you start at the attraction to hike into the state park, you still need to pay the entry fee to drive up the road. If you hike from the state park’s valley trailheads, no
hiking fee is charged. And if you reach the attraction, that’s OK; you won’t be charged to cross the swinging bridge. But hiking there, and especially hiking back, is an arduous enterprise that many underestimate. If you can’t hike back, anyone you call to drive to the top and rescue you will also need to buy a ticket.
BOWLED AWAY There are precious few spots in the Southern Appalachians where virgin forest still holds sway. Early 20th century federal records maintain that Grandfather’s towering virgin spruce and fir forest was quite arguably the most scenic, significant tract of virgin timber in the entire South.
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Sadly, it fell to the loggers' saws. Post-timbering, the foothills were such a wasteland they became the first national forest in the East. Only later did loggers swarm Grandfather’s peaks. A great place to sense that past is beside the Blue Ridge Parkway in what I dubbed the Boone Fork Bowl on 1970s trail maps. The spectacular valley below Calloway Peak was the only place on the mountain where a railroad ever gouged out a grade. Hike the gradual Nuwati Trail and you’re following the long-ago, still visible path of the train tracks. The sharpeyed may spot some stray logging cables on the way. At the end of the trail, Storyteller’s Rock offers a great view of this wild area. A few tent platforms are clustered nearby. Unlike the rugged terrain at the top of the ridge, the valley of Boone Fork offers easier access, so day hikers heading to the view have an easy walk. To add more distance and spectacular scenery, include a side loop up the Daniel Boone Scout Trail and down
the alpine vistas of the Cragway Trail. That opens up other camping spots that are rarely occupied on weekdays. The highest peaks of Grandfather were eventually logged. In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt’s administration lamented that virgin timber in the Southern Appalachians was “only saved from entire destruction by the generally scattered distribution of the merchantable timber.” Grandfather was a poster child for that point. So much timber was compromised by the harsh climate or protected by cliffs and crags that trees were left to reseed the slopes. Hints of the virgin past still hide in rugged out-of-the-way parcels. Many times, finding my way to these secret spots, I stumbled upon the remains of old logging camps. Over years of maintaining the mountain’s trails in my youth, I used many of the same tools as loggers long before me. Standing alone in the woods in wet wool, beaten up and defeated by the power of the mountain, I often went home to wood heat fearing for Grandfather’s future. After enduring
a disastrous “haircut” in the 1920s (only to grow back a new crown of evergreens), and a “swinging bridge” strung between summits in the 1950s (mercifully placed between lower peaks), resort developments were still being proposed for Grandfather’s backcountry as recently as the 1990s. Thankfully, state park status in 2009 means that Grandfather has likely outlasted the worst of past challenges. Margaret Morley, one of the great early chroniclers of the Appalachians, begged the loggers to be merciful in her 1913 book The Carolina Mountains. She urged leaving trees to “preserve those picturesque skylines,” for who, she asked, “can wait a hundred years for the trees to grow again?” Morley’s gone, those years have flown, and all across my favorite mountain the rich ecosystems of the ancient past reassert themselves. As Grandfather faces a bright future of preservation in perpetuity, I decided to write an homage to the old man. Now is the perfect time to gaze back on, and out from, a mountain
MORE INFO
If you want to do more than visit Grandfather, lend him a hand. Check out the state park website and spend a day helping to maintain the park’s trails. Or log onto the Stewardship Foundation site and choose a way to support the attraction’s efforts. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
ncparks.gov/grandfather-mountainstate-park GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN
grandfather.com
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
grandfathermountain.org
whose very name makes it a patriarch of our collective family. It’s time to visit your Grandfather. Randy Johnson serves on the Grandfather Mountain State Park Advisory Committee. He’s also task force leader for the Grandfather Mountain to Blowing Rock portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
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THE ENDURING LEGACY OF
Kayah Gaydish
PASSION AND PRESERVATION WITHIN THE LINVILLE GORGE by MELINA COOGAN
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he December death of Asheville climber and conservation champion Kayah Gaydish sent a tremor of shock and heartbreak through the outdoor community of the Southeast. Gaydish lived a life that was defined by her stewardship and dedication to the wilderness of Western North Carolina, particularly within the 12,000 rugged acres of the Linville Gorge. In her years working as a volunteer and on a part-time basis for the environmental nonprofit Wild South, she forged a deep connection to this beautiful and complex landscape. The majority of her fieldwork involved the grueling task of eradicating exotic species, in particular the aggressively invasive Princess Tree, which had germinated throughout hundreds of acres within the gorge after the 2013 wildfire. Native to Japan, the Princess Tree can grow up to 20 feet in one year, and will release millions of seedlings once it reaches maturity. The shade created by its spreading leaves can threaten the survival of native flora. Species such as the Heller’s Blazing Star and Mountain Golden Heather are endemic to Linville; once their populations are choked out, they are gone forever. Using hand pruners and folding saws, Gaydish and her team uprooted thousands of saplings, hanging them to dry out on tree limbs to ensure they could no longer spread. She meticulously documented the hours they spent in the field, recording the names and locations of the many different non-native species that threaten the fragile ecosystem inside
the river gorge. An avid rock climber, Gaydish celebrated Linville as a mecca of outdoor recreation, brimming with opportunities for climbers, hikers and kayakers. As a naturalist and trained herbalist, she recognized the intrinsic value of wilderness. She possessed a talent for conveying to others just how vital each individual species was to the landscape as a whole. So infectious was her enthusiasm that she was able to recruit an everexpanding team of volunteers to join her in the field, a team that often included veterans and participants in therapeutic wilderness programs. Her magnetic blend of passion and sincerity inspired others to forge a lasting and meaningful connection to the Linville that was all their own. “That’s the clarity she gave me,” recalls Kevin Massey, Linville Gorge stewardship coordinator for Wild South. “The work that I mostly did, trail maintenance, is all digging and hacking. You can do that with zero connection to the land. She taught me about plant lore, edible leaves, medicines—things that start to bind you to a place in a different way.” An eloquent and animated man who speaks with a deep sense of conviction, Massey has stepped in to continue Gaydish’s role of organizing and engaging the Linville conservation community. Even before assuming the title of stewardship coordinator, he spent countless hours in the gorge, maintaining trails, removing trash, and conducting land surveys. Massey describes his friend and co-worker’s efforts as “an example of
extreme self-sacrifice.” Despite the abundance of joy she found in her work, he finds it poignant that any one person could give so many hours to a task as demanding as invasive species removal—particularly a single mother already working hard to feed her family. In the six months since Kayah's
passing, Massey and others have worked even harder to continue the legacy left behind in Linville. Invasive species are being eradicated. Native plants habitats are being restored. And a wild gorge is protected by even more volunteers inspired by Kayah and her work.
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TRAIL MIX
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SOUNDS UNDER THE STARS SUMMER OUTDOOR SHOWS IN THE SOUTH
by JEDD FERRIS
S
ummer on the horizon means it’s time to see some live music under the dark night sky. Here’s a look at some of the top upcoming outdoor shows in the Blue Ridge. RAY LAMONTAGNE MEETS MY MORNING JACKET In the spring, LaMontagne released Ouroboros, a multi-dimensional folkrock odyssey that was co-produced by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. This summer LaMontagne is borrowing the entire band, sans James, for a huge tour to capture the album’s experimental flourishes in the live setting. The collaboration should also offer some interesting takes on old favorites from LaMontagne’s back catalogue. The soulful singersongwriter seems to change directions with each album he releases, so don’t be surprised if this tour with most of MMJ behind him is a one-time thing. Southern stops on the upcoming run include the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, N.C., on July 15, the Uptown Amphitheatre in Charlotte, N.C., on July 16, and the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, Va., on July 20. DEAD AHEAD Even after the Grateful Dead’s multiple 50th anniversary celebrations last year, the band’s long strange trip continues this summer with Dead & Company, a group that features John Mayer taking lead guitar duties alongside original Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann. The new band, offering an evolved spin on classics from the Dead canon, starts its summer tour this month with some outdoor shows at big sheds in the South, including a tour opener at Charlotte’s PNC Music Pavilion on June 10 and a stop 66
at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va., on June 23. WHEELS OF SOUL ROLLS ON With the Allman Brothers Band now retired, former member Derek Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi are now carrying the torch of Southernflavored improvisatory rock with the Tedeschi Trucks Band. The 12-piece outfit has been touring relentlessly over the last few years, delivering high-energy shows that highlight Trucks’ blazing guitar licks and Tedeschi’s deeply soulful vocals—all while backed by a powerful band that includes tight rhythm and horn sections. Last summer, the band embarked on its first Wheels of Soul Tour, a multi-band caravan with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. The traveling musical carnival will return this summer, this time pairing Tedeschi Trucks with Los Lobos and the North Mississippi Allstars—a trifecta that should include plenty of guitar sparks. Dates in the South: Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., on July 17, Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C., on July 22, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta, Ga., on July 23, and Uptown Amphitheatre in Charlotte, N.C., on July 24.
and Luke Bryan, and previously fronting the Grammy-winning bluegrass band The Steeldrivers. Fans of his work both old and new might have a hard time getting tickets to shows on Stapleton’s huge summer tour, as the country-rock tunesmith has been selling out big rooms across the country. He’ll be in the region this month with a show at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, Va., on June 16 and a co-bill with Jason Isbell at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., on June 18.
CHRIS STAPLETON GETS HIS DUE In the mainstream eye, Chris Stapleton is a fast-rising star, bolstered by last year’s debut solo album, Traveller, and his muchbuzzed collaboration with Justin Timberlake at last fall’s CMA Awards. Stapleton, though, has been quietly killing it in the music business for many years, writing number one hits for the likes of Kenny Chesney
TWO SMALL VENUES WORTH VISITING Catching shows outside doesn’t necessarily mean a trip to a big amphitheater or huge festival. The region also has some smaller outdoor venues that host a range of quality acts in the warmer months. Located in Black Mountain, N.C., Pisgah Brewing Company is known for churning out some great beers like Greybeard IPA and the limited release
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photo by BECKY FLUKE
Benton’s Bacon Stout. The brewery also has an outdoor stage with enough room to host bands like Lake Street Dive ( June 3), Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs ( June 21), and Dr. Dog ( July 18). To the north in Lexington, Va., the Lime Kiln Theater is an outdoor theater located in a former limestone quarry. Originally transformed into a performance space by a former Washington and Lee University student, the scenic natural amphitheater has been hosting plays and concerts since the mid 1980s. Financial trouble put the venue in jeopardy a few years ago, but it has since been revived and this summer will host an impressive slate of roots music acts. Bands include The Infamous Stringdusters ( June 5), The Seldom Scene ( June 17), Walker’s Run ( July 2), Turnpike Troubadours ( July 16), and Acoustic Syndicate ( July 30).
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