Blue Ridge Outdoors August 2017 by Summit Publishing

Trying to reach active outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and gear junkies?

PET & FAMILY FRIENDLY FREE EVENT!

40 e h t

th annu

Did You Know: • Blue Ridge Outdoors is distributed in 9 states and Metro DC, but you can also geo-target if you would like to reach a specific market

• 85% of our readers use BRO to plan adventures and to purchase outdoor gear!

• Our readers take over 4 adventure trips each year • Our readers spend over $300,000,000 on gear annually

Downtown Black Mountain August 11 Sourwood Idol Contest

Arts & Crafts « Children’s Area « Specialty Items Great Food « Carnival Rides « Wonderful Music Dancing « Honey bee demonstrations « FREE Admission

For more information on advertising in BRO or on blueridgeoutdoors.com, please contact:

Presented by- Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce

Leah Woody : leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com

SourwoodFestival.com « 800.669.2301

Boundless adventure awaits in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park.

August 12th & 13th

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017 / M O U N TA I N E D I T I O N

August 2017 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS 8 QUICK HITS Water women plan Green River Takeover • 112 attached runners complete a marathon • A.T. hikers protest pipeline • America’s fittest cities 11 THE DIRT Watch the Southeast’s first total solar eclipse in centuries • Virginia towns transform abandoned coal mines into outdoor oases 53 THE GOODS Multisport must-haves—Joe Moerschbaecher’s favorite adventure gear. 54 TRAIL MIX Jimmy Herring unveils new band • Allman tribute Hard Working Americans heads south COVER PHOTO BY

15 SOUTHERN ADVENTURE BUCKET LIST Gear up for 2018 and beyond with this year-long calendar of over 100 must-do adventures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Athletes and experts from across the region provide their favorite picks.

Photo courtesy of Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corp.

JESS DADDIO

27 YOUR 1 MILLION ACRES The Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest belongs to you, and this year, you will decide its future. A new forest plan could bring together hikers and hunters, timber and recreation, rural and urban, locals and newcomers. So far, however, the contentious planning process has only deepened the chasms. 47 EARN YOUR SPLASH Save the roadside dips for the tourists and avoid the crowds with these 10 hike-in swimming holes that make you work for your play.

800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov

KENTON STERYOUS / ST E RYOUS P HOTOG R A PH Y.C OM A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

Nellysford, VA | Mills River, NC

CONTRIBUTORS

PRESIDENT

08.17

BLAKE DEMASO

ED ITOR I N C H I E F

WILL HARLAN

will@blueridgeoutdoors.com PUBLISHER

LEAH WOODY

leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com A RT D I R E C TO R

MEGAN JORDAN

megan@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Editorial & Production JEDD FERRIS

S EN I O R E D ITOR

jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com TRAV E L E D ITO R

JESS DADDIO

jess@blueridgeoutdoors.com S EN I O R D E S I G N E R

LAUREN WORTH

lauren@blueridgeoutdoors.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PAIGELEE CHANCELLOR

paigelee@blueridgeoutdoors.com C ON T R I B UTO RS

WADE MICKLEY, GRAHAM AVERILL, LAURA INGLES, DAVE STALLARD, JEFF KINNEY, ASHLEY KAIRIS C O P Y E D ITO RS

JULIA GREEN, ROBERT MCGEE Advertising & Business SE N I OR AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

MARTHA EVANS

martha@blueridgeoutdoors.com AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E / D I G ITA L P U B L I S H E R

DUSTY ALLISON

dusty@blueridgeoutdoors.com AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

KATIE HARTWELL

katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com B U S I N E S S MA N AG E R

MELISSA GESSLER

melissa@blueridgeoutdoors.com CIRCULATION MANAGER / AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

HANNAH COOPER

hcooper@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Digital Media CRAIG SNODGRASS

O N L I N E D I R E C TO R

webdir@blueridgeoutdoors.com D I G ITA L ME D I A S P E C I A L I ST

TRAVIS HALL

FAVORITE PLACE TO STARGAZE? JOHNNY MOLLOY Whigg Meadow in Cherokee National Forest, Tenn. DAVE STALLARD The observatory at UVA-Wise is a great spot for stargazing. I have taken my students there many times. MASON ADAMS From the open fields along Rocky Knob, by the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwestern Virginia. JESS DADDIO Anywhere along the Highland Scenic Highway in West Virginia. DAN BRAYACK My hunting camp in North Central Pennsylvania. There's absolutely no light pollution. It's amazing. EVANS PRATER On top of Craggy Pinnacle or Mount Pisgah, N.C. DUSTY ALLISON The wild and empty Capers Island on the South Carolina coast north of Charleston.

travishall@blueridgeoutdoors.com SUMMIT

PUBLISHING

116 WEST JEFFERSON STREET CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22902 56 COLLEGE STREET, SUITE 303 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28801

BlueRidgeOutdoors.com

STEVEN MCBRIDE Whitetop Mountain, Virginia WILL HARLAN Can't beat the balds: Max Patch, Roan, and Black Balsam are spectacular. But most nights, it's a clearing near my house, lying in the grass with my son beside me, connecting the dots of the constellations overhead and hoping for the streak of a meteor. A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

QUICK HITS

0 8 .17

SHORTS BLUE RIDGE BRIEFS

on walkability, access to parks and recreation centers, and per capita park expenditures in their communities. Additional ranked cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast: Raleigh, N.C. (14), Atlanta, Ga. (17), Baltimore, Md. (20), Virginia Beach, Va. (27), Richmond, Va. (30), Charlotte, N.C. (47), and Louisville, Ky. (50).

BY JEDD FERRIS

112 ATTACHED RUNNERS COMPLETE MARATHON

As if running 26.2 miles isn’t tough enough, try doing it attached to 111 other people. In late May, 112 runners, tied together with surgical tubing, completed the Calgary Marathon in Canada. The feat was completed as part of a Guinness World Record attempt and to raise awareness for mitochondrial disease. Runners varied in age from 15 to 80 and, as expected, had different experience and endurance levels. According to a story from CBC News, one runner had to be treated for heat stroke and others were slowed by muscle cramps. The only time the runners were allowed to detach from each other was during three planned bathroom breaks. WOMEN OF THE WATER UNITE

Paddler Laura Farrell realized that much of her time on the river was spent surrounded by male paddlers. She knew there were a number of local female kayakers regularly paddling the river, but rarely as a collective group, and hatched the idea of having a day where the women would take over the waters. For the past three years, the Green River Takeover has brought together women for a day on a beloved whitewater river near Saluda, N.C. It’s not meant to be a day of excluding men, but rather a day of empowering women. At last year’s event, more than 75 women showed up. The 2017 Green River Takeover takes place on August 26. The day finishes with a raffle, 8

A.T. HIKERS PROTEST PIPELINE

with prizes that include a new kayak and paddle, all donated by local businesses. Proceeds raised by the raffle will be donated to the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund, which supports organizations and grants that empower women and help build confidence. GROUP RUNS A 22K IN EIGHT CITIES FOR VETERANS

An average of 22 military veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S., a result of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. To raise awareness of this epidemic, a group of veterans, active soldiers, and accompanying supporters ran a 22K route wearing 22-pound vests in eight cities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. The Shepherd’s Men, a group that formed to support the therapy and treatment efforts of military men and women at the non-profit Shepherd Center hospital in Atlanta, led the runs to raise funds for the hospital’s

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

A large group of Appalachian Trail hikers held a protest outside of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe’s office illustration by WADE MICKLEY on June 2—the eve of National Trails Day. The hikers, SHARE Military Initiative. wearing full backpacking gear, were The 17 members of the Shepherd’s protesting McAuliffe’s support of two Men started at the Flight 93 natural gas pipeline projects being Memorial site in Shanksville, Pa., on proposed by Dominion Energy. If built, May 22, and then, after completing the Mountain Valley and Atlantic 22K runs in cities in Virginia, North Coast Pipelines would place more than Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, as 900 miles of pipeline infrastructure well as Washington, D.C., the effort throughout the mountains of West was completed on Memorial Day in Virginia and Virginia for natural gas Atlanta. extraction through fracking. Hikers are particularly concerned about reports D.C DROPS TO SECOND FITTEST CITY IN AMERICA that the pipelines, which would cross For the 10th straight year, the the A.T., would impact viewshed and American College of Sports Medicine water sources in the mountains. released the American Fitness Index, “I’ve been a proud hiker of the which ranks the health of 50 major Appalachian Trail since I was a kid,” metro areas across the country. said Mike Tidwell of the Potomac Minneapolis-St. Paul was named Appalachian Trail Club in a release the fittest urban center in the U.S., by the Chesapeake Climate Action taking the title from Washington, Network. “But with the Governor’s D.C., which held the top spot the support, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline previous three years. The rankings and the Mountain Valley Pipeline are mainly based on the health of for fracked gas would decapitate residents in each city, including mountains within view of the trail rates of heart disease, diabetes, and and plow through geologically fragile smoking. Cities are also judged based areas.” BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

SAT. SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 | 12-6PM

MEMORIAL STADIUM, ASHEVILLE, NC

BREWGRASS FESTIVAL IS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA’S ORIGINAL CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL SINCE 1996, AND NAMED AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN CRAFT BEER FESTIVALS BY USA TODAY. CRAFT BEER LOVERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ENJOY 50+ BREWERIES AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN ASHEVILLE, FOURTIME BEER CITY USA WINNER.

B R E W G R A S S F E S T I VA L . C O M

THE DIRT

0 8 . 17

THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE

A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL GRACE THE SKIES OF THE CONTINENTAL U.S. LATER THIS MONTH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 38 YEARS. HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ECLIPSE AND HOW TO SEE IT. BY JESS DADDIO

ECLIPSE VIEWING TIPS

WHAT IS THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE?

A total eclipse of the sun is when the moon slides directly in front of the sun, causing that bright orb of light in the sky to go dark. When viewed from Earth, both the sun and the moon are about the same size, which results in a near-perfect overlap. The only visible part of the sun is an ethereal ring of light, known as its atmosphere, or corona. A partial eclipse, on the other hand, looks not unlike some softer variation of Pac-Man, or a normal crescent moon. Those in the direct line of the 2017 Great American Eclipse’s path will see the total solar eclipse, while the rest of North America and parts of Central America will see a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse hasn't passed through the Southeast since the 1500s. WHEN CAN I SEE THE ECLIPSE?

On August 21, the eclipse will begin its diagonal cross-country journey off the coast of Oregon at 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time. From there, it will pass through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, a piece of Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, before finally reaching the Southeast. By 2:48 p.m. Eastern Time, the eclipse will be gone. The eclipse will take just 90 minutes to travel through four time zones, from the coast of Oregon to the coast of South Carolina. Its shadow will literally be flying faster than the modern commercial jet at a rate of 1,450 miles per hour. If you take a

VIEW THE ECLIPSE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY WITH THESE 5 TIPS EXPECT A BIG CROWD

GET YOUR ECLIPSE ON

bathroom break during the 90-minute time frame expected for the eclipse to reach totality, you’re likely to miss it altogether—the total eclipse will only be viewable for a maximum of two minutes and 40 seconds. DO BIRDS REALLY STOP CHIRPING DURING THE ECLIPSE?

“Because it gets so dark, the temperature will drop substantially by about 10 to 15 degrees. The animals will probably be a little spooked,” says Dr. Britt Lundgren, an astronomer at the University of North CarolinaAsheville’s Lookout Observatory. One the oldest Cherokee names for a total solar eclipse, “nvdo walosi ugisgo” means “the frog eats the sun.” Total solar eclipses were usually accompanied by loud and frantic dancing or chanting, which the Cherokee believed would scare the giant frog away and alleviate the sun’s suffering. Other cultures around the world had similar beliefs. In China, it was a dragon, not a giant frog, that ate the

Check out our complete listing of outdoor areas across the Southeast for prime viewing of the total eclipse—along with a complete calendar of eclipse events—at BlueRidgeOutdoors.com

sun. Scandinavians theorized that a pack of wolves ran rampant in the sky, chasing both the sun and moon, which they would, occasionally, catch and devour. Lundgren is hopeful that these fascinating histories and the eclipse itself will inspire younger generations to ask more questions and become more curious about the celestial events that take place more regularly, such as the orbit of the International Space Station and Perseid and Leonid meteor showers.

WHERE IS THE BEST LOCATION TO SEE THE ECLIPSE?

“If we have good weather, this is the place to be,” says Outdoor 76 coowner Rob Gasbarro of Franklin, N.C. “Franklin is literally in 100 percent totality for almost the max time. We have families from Florida to Wisconsin staying at our house. Every bed in town is booked that weekend.”

Plan to get to town early and factor in extra travel time to and from the eclipse viewing. If you can’t find an available (or affordable) room, go camping. BE READY

The max total solar eclipse viewing time is only two minutes and 40 seconds. You can look up specific partial and total eclipse start times for your area at static. nsta.org. You can also download the eclipse app from eclipse2017.org. PREPARE TO BE OUTDOORS

That means bringing sunscreen, snacks, water, and appropriate layers for hanging out under the sun. WATCH THE WEATHER

Have a Plan B and even a Plan C in case your first choice is under the weather (pun intended). The Eclipse Resource Center at STAR_Net also has eclipse-day weather forecasts. BUY A PAIR OF ECLIPSE GLASSES

Yes, they are kinda dorky. No, you can’t just use the ones you got from the IMAX theater. The real eclipse glasses are available online (eclipseglasses.com) and should have ISO 12312-2 CERTIFIED printed on the back. When the eclipse is in its partial stage, it is dangerous to look at the sun directly, EVEN IF YOU HAVE SUNGLASSES ON. When the eclipse reaches totality, it is safe and encouraged to remove those special glasses so you can soak in the eclipse.

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

THE DIRT

0 8 . 17

BLAZING NEW TRAILS TRANSFORMING FORMER COAL MINES INTO OUTDOOR OASES BY WALLY SMITH KYLE HILL COULD LOOK AT ANY NUMBER OF

things at the former surface mine on Dale Ridge: the scrubby hillside, the retention ponds built to catch runoff, the crumbling highwall sending trucksized boulders careening to the mine floor. Instead, when he visits this site in Virginia's Wise County, Hill sees opportunity—and ducks. “See down there?” Hill asks, aiming his binoculars at a clump of cattails framing a nearby wetland. “That place was just full of ducks last week.” An avid outdoorsman, Hill is a native of Coeburn, a town built

around the coal industry in this corner of southwest Virginia. As a student at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, Hill has been taking a different

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

like waterfowl. While using old mines as a catalyst for wildlife conservation might seem odd, Hill’s approach isn’t happening in a vacuum. A host of efforts is taking a renewed look at former minelands as a linchpin in diversifying Appalachia’s outdoor economy. As many as 1,800 square miles of central Appalachia have been touched by surface mining, a practice where coal is reached by removing the rocks above it rather than using a shaft to reach it underground. A WETLAND ON A FORMER This approach has SURFACE ON DALE RIDGE far-reaching impacts, IN WISE COUNTY, VIRGINIA including leaching WALLY SMITH metal-laden runoff into look at the many former surface mines waterways and eradicating headwater that dot the central Appalachian streams and forests. A 2016 study by landscape, wondering how they can researchers at Duke University even support populations of game species found that surface mining has altered

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

Appalachian topography, dropping the average slope of mined areas in the mountains by forty percent. While the environmental and social concerns of mining have been well-advertised, surface mines can become forgotten by the public eye once coal extraction has ceased. “The environmental community has done a really good job of communicating how destructive mining is—and for good reason, I think,” says Adam Wells, new economy program manager for Appalachian Voices. “However, it’s not that cut and dry.” Wells stresses that the coal economy’s collapse has opened the door to novel discussions about economic alternatives, including those based around former mines. New funding opportunities have also become available for developing abandoned mineland (AML) features, closed before the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. “That funding could really serve as a catalyst to get some innovative economic

LAT

45.034169° N

development projects going that right now are just good ideas,” Wells says. In 2016, Appalachian Voices and partners released a report identifying 14 AML sites in southwest Virginia that could support projects from solar farms to community parks and trail systems. Their work marks a shift in our collective philosophy of how to deal with former mines, viewing them as less of a permanent liability and more as an opportunity for growth. One of the sites identified in Appalachian Voices’ report is the Norton Riverwalk, a planned trail along the Guest River that will link downtown Norton, Va. to neighborhoods on the city’s eastern end. The project would rehabilitate a decommissioned coal loading site and connect it to a popular multiuse path running along a former mine highwall, which was transformed into a gateway for the city in 2014. Norton’s City Manager, Fred Ramey, believes that the Riverwalk is “perfect” for creating dual

LONG

environmental and community benefits. “It's a win-win scenario that will remediate environmental concerns, transform portions of the area into outdoor classrooms, and provide more recreational opportunities,” Ramey says. Nearby, the town of Haysi, Va., is creating a multiuse trail to connect its downtown to Breaks Interstate Park. A nearby coal waste site presents the opportunity for creating a park that would include a put-in for boaters on the Russell Fork. The town of St. Paul, Va.—which hosts a 100-mile trail system built partially on a former surface mine that caters to both ATVs and nonmotorized users—has become a model for revitalizing coal economies. Private investment poured into town following the trail system’s 2013 opening, with new businesses catering to visitors and a $7.3 million project renovating a downtown building into a boutique hotel that will open this year. Redeveloping former mines is

slow work, and each site comes with a unique set of complex—and expensive—environmental issues. “It's not hard to look at a reclaimed mountaintop removal site and envision a field of solar panels,” Wells says, “but it's a little trickier to think about smaller-scale ways to turn these liabilities into assets.” Regardless, a former mine can still hold surprises. Earlier this year, I accompanied Kyle Hill to the mine on Dale Ridge. We arrived just in time to flush a pair of wood ducks that had arrived for the season in one of the mine’s settling ponds. Hill has inventoried almost 15 waterfowl species there this year, including several not previously recorded in this corner of the state. It can be daunting to imagine the site being a haven for birdwatchers or outdoor enthusiasts, but as we stood in the middle of the mine, the ducks caught our eye. Instead of leaving, they flew in a long arc around the fringes of the mine and settled back in the pond once we’d moved on. For them, this was already home.

109.948425° W

Our footwear is built to take you amazing places. Every component is designed to work together, starting with our O FIT Insole™ , to deliver an unmatched fit, feel and performance for wherever the trail may lead. ObozFootwear.com

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

SUMMER GOES BY FAST. SO GET ALL YOUR ADVENTURES IN AT ONCE.

Though the days are longer, summer always feels shorter. So stuff as much adventure into a day with your kids as you can. Whitewater rafting. Stand-up paddleboarding. Our Zip Line Adventure Park. And mountain biking. Get your Adventure Pass for as little as $59.99. Visit NOC.com/PASS for more.

Ever wonder if you’ve got what it takes to explore Georgia State Parks by water? Are you and your loved ones excited to team up and take on the Okefenokee Swamp? Whether you’re an experienced paddler who can take on raging rapids, or you’re just looking to coast along under the sun, Georgia State Parks has paddling experiences for all skill levels. Would you rather go fishing, boating or just do some good ol’ fashion swimming? Georgia State Parks offer water-themed events for the entire family! Visit GaStateParks.org/SoakItIn to book your reservation today.

Soak Up Summer.

GaStateParks.org 800-864-7275 RESERVATIONS

Unique Accommodations Equipment Rentals All Skill Levels

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

View our online state parks guide!

Be safe around water. Wear a Personal Flotation Device.

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

JANUARY

JACKIE MERRITT ATLANTA, GA.

Middletown, Maryland trail running FIRST RAN AN ULTRA: in 2009 at the JFK 50 CRUSHED THE 2017 COMPETITION AT: Mountain Mist 50K (first); Mount Mitchell Challenge (first); Quest for the Crest 50K (first); 2017 Georgia Death Race (second) WORKS BY DAY AS: a physical therapist, neuroscientist, and biomechanist (PhD) HAILS FROM:

2018 BUCKET LIST a 12-month adventure calendar It’s never too early to start planning. Gear up for 2018 and beyond with this year-long calendar of must-do adventures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. by JESS DADDIO

WOULD RATHER BE:

RUN OR HIKE THE A.T. Born and raised in rural Maryland just one-tenth of a mile from Washington Monument State Park, Merritt’s favorite section of the Appalachian Trail is the 15-mile stretch from her home to the C&O Canal. “I love that section of trail,” she says. “It plays to my strength with the downhill and the little bit of technical. It holds a special place for me. The JFK was my first ultra, and that’s always my bread and butter run whenever I go home.” GRAB A BREWSKI. Showcasing over

20 beers on tap and Mid-Atlantic food, Dan’s Tavern in Boonsboro, Md., is a great stop after a run on the Appalachian Trail. RUN THE MOUNTAIN MIST 50K. With nearly 4,000 feet of climbing crammed into just 31 miles, this race might not be for every reader, but if 2018’s the year you’re looking to step up to the 50K distance, consider heading south next January. Set amid the rocky terrain of Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Ala., this race is widely regarded as a butt buster. The course is muddy, technical, and steep, while the weather is unpredictable at best. Now heading into its 24th year, the Mountain Mist is a popular race with runners venturing from near and far. JOIN THE FUN AT THE PHUNT 25K AND 50K. Organized by the Mid-

Atlantic’s very own Carl Perkins, this race is the excuse we all need to stay active through the holidays. Located at Fair Hill Nature Preserve in Maryland, the course

CHIP CHASE SKIS TO A SUNSET SUMMIT OF BALD KNOB IN CANAAN VALLEY, W.VA. THE WOLPERTINGER

is relatively gentle with manageable, rolling climbs. The challenge here is the weather, which can range from 8 degrees and snowing to 42 degrees and sunny. GET OFF THE COUCH FOR GUTS’

(Georgia Ultrarunning and Trailrunning Society’s) ATLANTA FATASS 50K. Free for GUTS members, chili cook-off afterward. EXPLORE THE TRAILS AT STONE MOUNTAIN PARK. Just 30 minutes

outside of downtown Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park is home to 15 miles of walking and hiking trails. “I’ll go out there and do hill repeats or meet friends to run the singletrack trail loop around the base of the mountain,” says Merritt. If hill repeats aren’t for you, there is also a 363acre lake and a treetop adventure course to explore. WORK ATLANTA’S BRUNCH CIRCUIT.

Highland Bakery and Radial Café are Merritt’s go-to eats. GET WRECKED AT VOGEL STATE PARK. “The trails from there are

incredibly challenging in terms of their elevation and the steepness of the climbs and descents,” says Merritt. Try the 12mile loop, which features the punishing climbs of the Duncan Ridge Trail’s Dragon Spine. “Backpackers might spend the entire day doing this 12-mile hike, but we’ll go out and run it and it’ll still take a good three hours to do. That’s my go-to training trail. It’s beautiful up there.”

FEBRUARY

CHIP CHASE

CANAAN VALLEY, W.VA. FIRST STRAPPED ON A PAIR OF NORDIC SKIS: in

1975 a camera the shotski BELIEVES IN: world peace ALWAYS SKIS WITH: SHARES:

PREFERS WHEN THE WEATHER IS:

snowy

GET THE KIDS GEARED UP WITH CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS. Kids grow like

weeds. White Grass Ski Touring Center has an exceptionally awesome program that lets families trade in and upsize their kids’ White Grass ski gear ever year as their children grow. RALLY FOR THE DOLLY SODS GROUNDHOG DAY SKI. Each year, the

Tucker County, W.Va., crew sets out on skis for an epic epic (that’s right, a double A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

The

ELLIJAYS of North Georgia

SMALL TOWN. BIG ADVENTURES.

www.exploretheellijays.com | 706.635.7400 16

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

epic). Make sure to bring extra food, layers, and a hefty dose of patience. Expect to get sweaty, cold, and boneachingly tired, and all the meanwhile, says Chase, “discovering secrets of the rest of winter while getting semi lost… up and over crazy crooks and crannies.” GET ON BOARD WITH ROBBIE’S RAD ADVENTURE . Every Sunday, and

posse of regulars and out-of-towners alike crowd behind their fearless leader, Robbie Linthicum. “We eventually ski every trail in Canaan Valley and beyond with a traveling circus of friends,” says Chase, which does sound like a pretty rad way to spend a Sunday. DROP KNEES AT NIGHT ON TIMBERLINE RESORT’S SLOPES. This

down-home resort is the stomping grounds of many of the Mid-Atlantic’s best telemark skiers, and for good reason—the terrain and snow are some of the best in the region. Turn till your quads burn, and then hit Timbers Bar & Grill for the late-night party. SUMMIT BALD KNOB. It’s a challengeby-choice ski to the 4,308-foot mostly treeless summit. You can take your time and weave gradually for miles before arriving on Baldie, or you can take the steepest, shortest, and most direct route straight to the top. SNOWSHOE THROUGH NARNIA.

Tucker County’s snow-laden spruce tree boughs set the stage for some of the most scenic snowshoeing in the region. Peaceful yet active, you can wander the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge trails yourself or let ol’ Chipper be your guide. The Sunday Nature Discovery Snowshoe Walks are free for all and explore the natural history and characteristics of the Valley. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, W.Va., has an impressively eclectic lineup year-round and is packed most every night of the week. Live music can also be found nearby at Mountain State Brewing Company and the White Grass Café. PLAN A PRESIDENT’S DAY HOLIDAY SKI TRIP. Seem counterintuitive?

Most people want to avoid the holiday masses, but you haven’t experienced Tucker County, W.Va., until you’re crammed shoulder-to-shoulder in the White Grass lodge or throwing back

a shot-ski with four of your new best friends in the warming yurt. If there happens to be a ski hash on the calendar, you’re in for one of the most memorable weekends of your life. TRY FATBIKING. Just because it’s winter and there’s 10 inches of snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to hang up the chamois. Ride a rental fattie straight out of Blackwater Bikes in Davis, W.Va., and hit the trails at Blackwater Falls State Park for a slip-slidin’ good time.

MARCH

LINDSEY CARPENTER HARRISONBURG, VA.

DREAMS OF: being outside, riding or fishing, puppies, what to cook for dinner KICKED ASS AT: 2017 Pisgah Stage Race Enduro (first); 2017 Massanutten YEEHA! Downhill Mountain Bike Race (first in Cat 1); 2016 “Full Pull” of the Massanutten Ring (68 miles, 8,600+ feet of elevation) WISHES SHE COULD RIDE LIKE: Sue Haywood, my dad, my boy Sam JAMS OUT TO: ‘90s rap, Beyoncé, classic rock FUELS UP MID-RIDE WITH: bacon or tuna, fruit cups, dinner leftovers, Route 11 potato chips

RIDE THE ROCKS AT LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. “The warmer days and early

daffodils give me spring fever, and the only cure is to ride my bike and watch the green come back,” says Carpenter. “With more daylight and less cold toes, my friends and I plan more frequent rides and time spent outside.” The 13.1-mile Lookout Mountain loop near Stokesville, Va., traverses ridgelines, descends fast through technical rock gardens, and even takes riders past incredible overlooks of the North River area and Shenandoah Valley. JOIN A LOCAL GROUP RIDE. It’s hard to stay motivated when the weather is still chill. Fortunately Harrisonburg, Virginia’s cycling community is one of the most active and dedicated cycling groups in the region, no matter the weather. On Mondays, hook up with the Social Mountain Bike Ride on the Massanutten Western Slope Trails at 5:30 p.m. On Thursday nights, cruise the Valley’s pavement with Rocktown Bicycles’ Steady Road Ride at 5:30 p.m.

LINDSEY CARPENTER RIDES BIKES YEAR-ROUND, RAIN OR SHINE SCOTT HAR ALDSON / COURTESY OF SALSA CYCLES

And finally, kick off the weekend early with the Friday Fatty Mountain Bike Ride, which leaves from Shenandoah Bicycle Company at 2 p.m. CLIMB REDDISH KNOB. It’s paved, it’s steep, and it’s long (8 miles to the summit), but it’s well worth the panoramic views and killer descent. SATISFY YOUR CAFFEINE FIX.

Carpenter’s a regular at Heritage Bakery and Cafe and Black Sheep Coffee in downtown Harrisonburg. For the vibe, the WiFi, and of course, the coffee, we’re sure you’ll like these hangouts, too. TEST YOUR METTLE AT ONE OF VIRGINIA’S PREMIER BIKE EVENTS.

“The Stokesville 60/40K and the Stokesville Strade—Gravel Grinder have great courses that showcase some of the best spots to ride outside Harrisonburg,” says Carpenter. And with a low-key, inclusive vibe, even the most novice racer will feel comfortable pushing their limits. EMBRACE THE SNOW, IF AND WHEN IT COMES. “Winter is not always over

come March,” says Carpenter. “The occasional snowy weather makes for late season ski trips to White Grass Ski Touring Center or Massanutten Resort.”

SUPPORT LOCAL. One easy way to do that in Harrisonburg is by getting your groceries from the Friendly City Food CoOp, which features food and added value products from across the Shenandoah Valley. COMMUTE TO WORK. For Carpenter, work is a 15-mile ride away to Massanutten’s Bike Park. “One of my favorite small adventures is riding my mountain bike to work via country roads and then via trail up and over Massanutten Mountain to the resort. The ride to and from is usually about 30 miles, with 10 miles of singletrack!” LAND A LUNKER. Brave the frigid waters of central Virginia and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best fly fishing in the region. “March is an excellent time for fishing, with trout and musky happy to bite, and the bass waking up,” says Carpenter. “The Shenandoah River is great for float trips, and Mossy Creek, Dry River, and Beaver Creek are popular fly fishing spots.” TAKE A ROAD TRIP SOUTH. Whenever March decides to rear its cold, wet, and nasty head, it’s time to hit the road. “My dad and I take some friends to Georgia sometime during March for a Spring Break Training Camp. We spend four days riding road bikes out of Athens, usually covering at least 300 miles total during the trip.”

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

road to grab an adult beverage (or fix your bike, depending on how the ride went) at The Hub and Pisgah Tavern. RIDE BIG IVY. Escape the crowds at one of Asheville’s lesser-known biking destinations, Big Ivy. There are over 30 miles of singletrack here, and with Forest Service Road 74 bisecting the area, it’s an easy place to set shuttle.

An adventure sanctuary for Charlotte, N.C., this impressive facility has over 30 miles of running and mountain biking trails on its 1,300-acre campus as well as a manmade river, canopy tour, zipline course, bouldering area, and the newly finished deep water solo climbing area.

TAKE AN ADULT PLAYCATION. In the Mid-Atlantic, we call that The TransSylvania Epic Mountain Bike Race. Based out of State College, Penn., this five-day stage race highlights some of the best riding in Pennsylvania, including Bald Eagle and Rothrock State Forests. Despite the long, hard days on the bike, this event is a blast, “like singletrack summer camp for bike racers.”

RISE BEFORE DAWN TO CATCH THE SUNRISE ON BLACK BALSAM. Treeless

GET PUMPED TO BE STOKED IN STOKESVILLE. The two-wheeled revival

TRY ALL OF THE SPORTS AT U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER.

TY CALDWELL SAILING OFF MIKE TYSON'S PUNCH OUT ON THE RAVEN FORK. COLIN HUNT

APRIL

TY CALDWELL ASHEVILLE, N.C.

the Nantahala six WHEN NOT KAYAKING: would rather be biking FEARS: girls, snakes and spiders. They are all the same…icky. WHEN PADDLING DOWNRIVER, LIKES: to connect rapids in the smoothest way possible GREW UP ON THE BANKS OF:

FIRST GOT IN A BOAT AT THE AGE OF:

CAMP ON LAKE SANTEETLAH. Go

ahead and do a Google image search on this one. You won’t need much convincing after that. Surrounded by layers upon layers of North Carolina ridgelines, camping here will feel like the destination, though paddling the class IV-V Cheoah River is the real adventure you’re after. This 9-mile stretch of mostly continuous whitewater begins at Santeetlah Dam and is one of the Southeast’s most classic runs. GET DOWN AT THE NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER’S SPRING FLING.

Gear demos, downriver races, and freestyle surf competitions are just a few of the events that take place in this action-packed river weekend. There are also special releases for the Cascades and Upper sections of the Nantahala.

SLIDE DOWN THE WEST FORK OF THE TUCKASEGEE. Even if you’re not

ready to tackle the class IV-V run, the put-in itself is well worth a visit. “The put-in for the West Fork of the Tuck is magnificent,” says Caldwell. “After a short hike through the woods the gorge opens up to High Falls, towering almost 100 feet. Venture behind the drop to find gravity defied as the wind travels up and the falling water droplets are held in place, floating in front of your eyes. Caution—this is more class V than the gorge itself.” GET LOST IN LINVILLE GORGE. Okay, don’t actually get lost, though this 11,651-acre chunk of rugged canyonland is a federally designated wilderness area, so that certainly wouldn’t be hard to do. Come prepared for any excursion into Linville—the signs are few and far between, and the trail markings, non-existent. Grab a permit if you’re camping on the weekend and descend to the riverbank some 2,000 feet below Linville’s tallest point, Gingercake Mountain (4,120 feet). If you’re a solid class V paddler, the gorge’s namesake river is a 16-mile stretch of committing boulder-strewn whitewater that rivals any of the big runs out west. CRUISE AND BOOZE IN PISGAH. If

TAG THE TALLULAH. Beginning in April, class IV paddlers can hit the Tallulah Gorge, a rowdy and remote run on the South Carolina-Georgia state line. The scheduled release dates can be found online at gastateparks.com/TallulahGorge. 18

you eat baby head rocks for breakfast and roots for lunch, Pisgah might very well be heaven on earth. Hit the legendary Black Mountain Trail for a rippin’ 1,400-foot techy descent in just 2.5 miles. Afterwards, head down the

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

(or PMBAR as it is most commonly known), is part mountain bike race, part navigation-challenge-from-hell. Do not expect aid stations on this 50-80 mile (or more, if you get lost) course. Do expect a full day in the saddle climbing upwards of 15,000 feet of elevation and wrestling all of the roots, rocks, and rhodo that Pisgah is loved and hated for.

balds are rare in the Southeast, especially ones with 360-degree views, which is why this part of Pisgah National Forest is so spectacular. Though you can be on a bald within a half-mile hike of your car, we recommend linking up a five-mile loop via the Art Loeb Trail to make the most of your dawn patrol outing to Black Balsam. SIGN UP FOR A WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA SUFFER FEST. Trust us, there

are plenty of them. Held at the end of the month, Jerry’s Baddle is a dual sport race of epic caliber. Competitors must be experienced enough to paddle four miles through the Green River Narrows (class V) as well as strong enough to tackle 4,000 feet of climbing in the 26-mile road ride.

M AY

GORDON WADSWORTH ROANOKE, VA.

CONSIDERS THE KING AND QUEEN OF TWO WHEELS

still out riding—don’t look for them on Strava, but @ultraromance has it pretty dialed. PREFERS WHEN BIKE RIDES ARE: long and usually a little dirty LOOKS BEST IN: short shorts and Pit Viper shades HAS YET TO FINISH: his next blog post... HAD CHILDHOOD AMBITIONS OF: being lost in the woods with friends, which is pretty fittingly where he still has ambitions of being. TO BE:

FIND YOUR WAY OUT OF PISGAH. The Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race

here is on account of Virginia cycling legend Chris Scott’s unquenchable energy. Head to Scott’s Stokesville Lodge and Campground for the Stokesville Stoopid 50 Backcountry Race. You’ll get a taste of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests’ most pristine singletrack, as well as a welcoming atmosphere and kickin’ party to boot. TRY TO FINISH THE PISGAH 111K.

That’s right: 111 kilometers of Pisgah’s most grueling (but awesome) gravel roads and trails. You’ll be tackling over 11,000 feet of climbing along the way, but unlike PMBAR, there are no navigational skills required and aid stations will be frequent and well stocked. “If the Doc told me I had one more bike ride left in me before the lights went out, I’d go and ride the Pisgah 111K route,” says Wadsworth. DO IT ALL AT DOMINION RIVERROCK.

From mud runs to trail runs, bouldering comps to air dog comps, there’s something at this multiday, multisport, Richmond-based event for all. EAT LOTS OF STRAWBERRIES AT THE ROANOKE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL.

This festival is testament to the bountiful history of the Roanoke area. These sweet red fruits are best eaten on shortcake, dipped in chocolate, or picked straight from the vine. Eat till your fingernails are red, and then hit the trails at Mill Mountain for a perfectly divine day in Roanoke.

VISIT FLOYD, VIRGINIA. Virginia is for lovers, and the unique community of Floyd is for lovers of bluegrass, barbeque, storytelling, and mountains. Get all of that in one weekend at the Chantilly Farms Bluegrass & BBQ Festival. According to Wadsworth, “snappy bluegrass and hot spicy BBQ, nothing could be better on a warm May Day.” HIKE AMONG THE MOUNTAIN LAUREL BLOOMS. Nothing says

Virginia like the pink-and-white of mountain laurel in bloom. Hike along the Appalachian Trail over Roan Mountain for plenty of laurel-choked miles and epic Blue Ridge views. SUP THE ROANOKE RIVER. The

Southeast’s spring paddling season is absolutely incomparable. For an easy to access, intimidation-free, and scenic stretch of water, try the Roanoke River just outside of town.

GRAB A PINT AT THE COMMUNITY TAP. Get a locally crafted beer or wine for

here or to go. You should probably stay. With free tastings and weekly events, this is a pretty sweet spot to hang out and make some new friends. SHRED DUPONT’S SINGLETRACK.

Waterfalls, rock gardens, sprawling North Carolina mountain views. What’s not to love? “Grinding up the balds of DuPont in the middle of the day only to get hit with an epic rainstorm when we get to the top,” is, according to Levknecht, the ultimate DuPont experience. A totally dry ride would almost be a letdown. REHYDRATE AT ECUSTA BREWING COMPANY. Located in Brevard, N.C., and

just a stone’s throw from DuPont, not stopping for a post-ride beverage would almost be an insult.

WEST VIRGINIA-STYLE. “Small towns

are the essence of America to me,” says Haywood. “It's so heartfelt to see the homespun arts and recreation revival this town of 500 has had over the last decade.” CAMP OUT IN THE BACKYARD.

This might not seem like an ultimate bucket list adventure, but for somebody who’s never gone camping before, or a child with an insatiable wanderlust, pitching a tent (or a hammock) outside mid-week can be just what the doctor ordered. “It's easy and free and the best way to see those summer stars,” says Haywood. GRIND GRAVEL UP WEST VIRGINIA’S HIGHEST POINT. The best way to do

JUNE

This is a beast of a run—3.6 miles oneway with 2,000 feet of climbing to the summit of this colossal granite dome.

that is to sign up for the Gravel Race Up Spruce Knob, which takes place in early July. Based out of the Mountain Institute’s Spruce Knob Mountain Center, this event offers competitive and noncompetitive routes in distances ranging from 24 miles to 72 miles.

GREENVILLE, S.C.

CATCH THE THOROUGHFARE’S KITCHEN-ON-WHEELS. This popular food

GET DOWN AT THE DEEP ROOTS MOUNTAIN REVIVAL. Last year, this

truck is the Upstate’s longest running food truck. Owners Neil and Jessica Barley pride themselves on using quality ingredients sourced from the region.

three-day event brought in big name acts like Brandi Carlile, The Steeldrivers, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Dr. Dog.

J U LY

RIDE THE TRAILS AT SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN RESORT. Cross-country and

ADRIENE LEVKNECHT Red Epic Kids Sea Kayak people don't let her scout and she has to run everything blind. HAD THE WORST BEATDOWN OF HER LIFE: in the hole at the Juicer on the North Fork of the Payette. HAS YET TO PADDLE: the Stikine LIVES AND BREATHES THE MANTRA: "Happiness is a choice" FIRST PADDLED A:

KAYAKS BEST WHEN:

PADDLE THE GREEN RIVER. Whether you’re floating the Upper (class III-IV) or running the Narrows (class IV-V), the Green is a cool place to be when the Southeast’s summertime temps climb high. “It's like a jungle in there in June,” says Levknecht. CRUISE PARIS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK. Fun, fast, and flowy, this park is

well used by Greenville, S.C.-area trail runners and cyclists looking for a quick adventure. GET YOUR FLOW ON WITH ZANTI POWER YOGA. Starting in the spring,

this Greenville-based yoga studio offers “Yoga in the Streets” the first Thursday of the month. Namaste, y’all.

DAWN PATROL RUN UP TABLE ROCK.

SUE HAYWOOD DAVIS, W.VA.

as a kid HaySue’s Salsa LOVES WEST VIRGINIA’S: craft beer FINDS HAPPINESS: in mossy forests THINKS EVERYONE SHOULD RIDE: without a chamois once FIRST GOT ON A BIKE:

DOUSES ALL FOOD WITH:

TOUR DE BURG. For 23 years running, this six-day stage “race” is more of a party than a race. Featuring some of the best mountain biking and road riding in the greater Harrisonburg area, this event is the perfect complement of a group ride with a friendly competitive touch. “The format is pleasure pace to timed sections, race, regroup, repeat,” says Haywood. “These are long days on the bike way out in the George Washington National Forest complete with long rest stops and an eclectic group of bike weirdos.” CELEBRATE THE FOURTH THOMAS,

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

downhill trails abound here. In fact, the riding at Snowshoe is so good that USA Cycling decided to make it the location of both the 2017 and 2018 Mountain Bike National Championships. Watch the country’s best riders rip it up for the sought-after stars-and-stripes jersey. CELEBRATE ALL THINGS BIKES AT DIRT RAG DIRT FEST. Traditionally held

at Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania, in July 2017 Dirt Rag Magazine combined efforts for the first time ever with Big Bear Lake Trail Center in Bruceton Mills, W.Va., to host a second multiday mountain bike festival. Big Bear’s trails are the perfect combination of West Virginia rooty-rocky goodness and purpose-built flow trail. LOAD UP ON BLUEBERRIES IN CANAAN VALLEY. If you see Haywood

sprawled out on the ground, and the blueberry season is in, don’t be alarmed. “I'll go on a bike ride and purposely fall over in a blueberry patch and start

eating!” HUNT FOR SECLUDED SWIMMING HOLES. In West Virginia, this ain’t hard

to do. Find a creek and start walking up it. “West Virginia water is so chilly that I have to wait until July to take the plunge,” says Haywood. “There are some known holes that are great, but I'll search out the hidden gems to work up a sweat.”

AUGUST

GERRY JAMES KY.

a magical place where I could disappear from the woes of living in a civilized society and be alone to wonder in nature's beauty and heal. WANTS KENTUCKY TO BE KNOWN AS: the next great American outdoor recreation frontier. WAS LAST SEEN: being among the few since Lock & Dam No. 6 has been removed to paddle the Nolin River through Mammoth Cave National Park. IS ESPECIALLY EXCITED FOR: the Kentucky Waterman Series, Kentucky's first-ever paddlesports racing series created by the Explore Kentucky Initiative. POWERS EVERY ADVENTURE WITH: old-fashioned H20 and a will to learn and be challenged. AS A CHILD, THOUGHT THE OUTDOORS WAS:

RACE A DRAGON SUP. It’s the ultimate test of friendship—can you and three of your friends maintain balance on a 22-foot stand-up paddleboard barely wider than your shoulders? Without killing each other? There’s an event on the Ohio River that’ll let you find out for yourself. HIKE TO BAD BRANCH FALLS.

Nearly 3,000 acres of protected land encompasses the 60-foot, crystal clear Bad Branch Falls. Bad Branch itself is a designated Kentucky Wild River for its importance as a raven sanctuary. “Pound for pound, this is one of the coolest waterfalls in Kentucky,” says James. PADDLE THE BIG SOUTH FORK OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER. Largely

overlooked in the world of Southeastern whitewater, this class II-IV gem in the Cumberland Plateau is a must-do if only for the outstanding scenery and remote feel. With ample camping and plenty of fun rapids, this is a great stretch of river to turn into an overnight paddling

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

Helinox Chair Zero

take it everywhere 1lb skin & frame weight

single shock cord pole system packs down to size of small water bottle sits 11â&#x20AC;? off the ground

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

BlueRidgeOutdoors

chair zero BIGAGNES.COM DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY BY

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

trip. “If you don't have a boat, you can rent one from Sheltowee Trace Outfitters,” recommends James. GO UNDERGROUND AT MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK. Human and

natural history converge here in this 400+mile cave system, the longest known underground labyrinth in the world. Going caving is an awesome adventure any time of year, but the consistently cool temps underground are a welcome reprieve especially in the summer. CRUISE THE SUGARCAMP MOUNTAIN TRAILS. Eastern Kentucky is really amping

up its mountain bike scene, and the 18mile trail system near Prestonsburg, Ky., is testament to that energy. “It's a multi-use trail system featuring amazing machinebuilt flow trail targeted for mountain bikers,” says James. CLIMB KENTUCKY ROCK. The Red River Gorge is of course Kentucky’s most iconic rock climbing destination, but Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky/Virginia border has now opened many of its cliffs to climbers looking for a more off-the-beatenpath cragging experience. JUMP FROM YOUNG’S HIGH BRIDGE.

Vertigo Bungee owns this bridge, a nowdefunct railroad bridge which soars 283 feet above the Kentucky River in Anderson County, Kentucky. You can jump solo or side-by-side for a thrilling plunge into the abyss. SPEND A WEEKEND AT LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES. “Hands down I think thisis one

of the most underrated places in Kentucky,” says James. “It's a mecca for nature viewing, paddling, biking, and fishing,” and with 170,000 acres to explore, the summertime crowds are easily avoidable.

SEPTEMBER

GENE & MAURA KISTLER FAYETTEVILLE, W.VA.

in 1983 at Seneca Rocks. Bruce Burgin sent a book of pictures up to Seneca showing all the route potential. KNOWS FAYETTEVILLE IS: the birthplace of the New Chillenium BOOGIES TO: anything funky CRAVES: intelligence THINKS THE FUTURE OF FAYETTEVILLE: is now. Join us. FIRST SAW THE NEW RIVER GORGE:

HIKE TO LONG POINT. This short hike is family friendly, well marked, and ends at arguably the most iconic view of the New River Gorge Bridge. “Yep, everyone does this and tells everyone else to do it,” says Maura. “There is a reason for it and it is called A View.” RIDE THE ARROWHEAD TRAILS SYSTEM. “IMBA designed and Boy

Scout built, this 13-mile stacked loop trail is a terrific place to start your exploration of the NRG bike scene,” says Maura. “Add a stop at the Arrowhead Bike Farm for a post-ride brat and you are winning.” PARTY DOWN AT GAULEY FEST.

You have to experience it at least once in your lifetime. The Pillow Rock scene, carnage reels, and Creature Craft sh*tshows will only enrich your understanding of the Gauley tribe. This festival in particular is also American Whitewater’s largest fundraiser, so all that rowdiness is, at least, for a good cause. SUP AT SUMMERSVILLE LAKE. Cool

mountain water. Vertical sandstone cliff faces topped with verdant green forests. Countless coves to lose the weekend crowds. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. WALK THE NEW RIVER GORGE BRIDGE CATWALK. Spanning 3,030

feet and 876 feet high, the New River Gorge Bridge is a symbol of West Virginia. Walk beneath its steel and cement arches with Bridge Walk for a unique look into the underbelly of the longest steel span in the western hemisphere and the third highest in the United States. OVERNIGHT THE GAULEY RIVER.

No top 10 list of the best whitewater rivers in the world is complete without mentioning West Virginia’s Gauley River. Make the most of your Gauley experience by booking an overnight rafting trip with Adventures on the Gorge for 26 miles of high volume, big wave action. “In our humble opinion,” says Maura, “this is the single best trip you can do on the East Coast.” COMPETE IN THE NEW RIVER GORGE SUP RACE. Situated at

Fayette Station, the last major rapid

on the Lower New, this family friendly event features both an attainment and downriver race and has swelled in popularity over the years, largely due to the efforts of longtime local and water lover Melanie Seiler Hames. FLOAT AND FISH THE LOWER NEW.

Kill two birds with one stone on a whitewater fishing trip. A number of local guiding companies like PRO River Outfitters will guide you down this classic class IV run in a raft while you cast for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie, and catfish worry-free. RIDE THE TRAM AT HAWKS NEST STATE PARK. “This is a great option for

folks with less mobility,” says Maura of the enclosed rim-to-river ride. Not only that, but you’ll be steeped in the history and natural beauty that have made the New River Gorge area such a vital piece of West Virginia’s identity. CONNECT WITH CLIMBERS AT THE CRAGGIN’ CLASSIC. From climbing

access trail maintenance to clinics, workshops, a dyno contest, and even DJ-powered dance parties, who knew climbers could have this much fun while supporting the American Alpine Club?

National Recreation Trail is right out your front door (or tent flap) at Mulberry Gap and with 167.8 miles of this 338.5 trail system cutting across the state of Georgia, the options for rides are endless. Take it a chunk at a time or load up the bike and set out for a multiday bikepacking trip. HIKE EMERY CREEK FALLS. When the weather turns unbearably hot, find a swimming hole. This 6.2-mile round trip features fern-lined trails, wildflowers, creek crossings, and of course, the idyllic Emery Creek Falls themselves, which pool perfectly into a crisp tub of mountain-fed bliss. HUG THE GENNETT POPLAR TREE.

Estimated to be somewhere between 300 and 500 years old, this mega poplar is the second largest living tree in the state of Georgia. The behemoth can easily be accessed via the Bear Creek Trail, a rippin’ good time by bike or foot. PEEP AND DRINK IN ELLIJAY WINE COUNTRY. Ellijay, Ga., alone has four

OCTOBER

vineyards with another vineyard in neighboring Pickens County. These wineries don’t only crank out some truly unique and savory vino but are also set against the backdrop of Georgia’s postcard-worthy mountain ranges.

ELLIJAY, GA.

TOUCH THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL. Hike

ANDREW & KATE GATES mountain biking trails, scenic overlooks, and tranquil creeks and waterfalls HEARS "HOME" AND THINKS ABOUT: being in the woods LIVES OFF OF: a gravel road with hardly any neighbors and we LOVE IT! DESPISES: traffic and angry people RIDES HARD FOR: mental clarity and stress relief BRAGS ABOUT NORTHERN GEORGIA'S:

TREAT YOURSELF TO THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE WEEKEND. Just bring

your bike, or your running shoes, and an appetite for adventure and home-cooked food at Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-A-Way. Based in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest and just minutes from the Cohutta Wilderness, this adventure basecamp gets you off the grid (literally, there’s no cell coverage here) and tuned into the natural world. RIDE THE PINHOTI TRAIL. The Pinhoti

from Amicalola Falls State Park on the blue-blazed approach trail to Springer Mountain and pose with the Appalachian Trail plaques as hundreds of thousands of thru hikers have done so before. “There are awesome views in the winter, [Amicalola is] a beautiful waterfall, and it’s steep terrain,” says Kate. FISH AT CARTERS LAKE. At 3,200 acres in size, 62 miles of shoreline, and 11 miles long, there are plenty of places to cast a line without another soul in sight. Head here to try your hand at landing bass, crappie, walleye, bream, and catfish. FLOAT THE MIDDLE CARTECAY. This class II+ section of the Cartecay River is ideal for beginner paddlers looking to step up their skills. Other sections of the Cartecay make great tubing trips and are regularly crowded when the summer heat hits.

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

Saturday Nights at 8:00 pm

Little Switzerland Square Dances August 17, 18, 19

43rd Annual NC Bluegrass Festival September 16

Old Fort Railroad Day Details and other events are online.

888-233-6111

w w w. b l u e r i d g e t r a v e l e r s . c o m

exploregauley the fall upper

1.844.340.2124 ACeraft.com/brodeal

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

CLIMB A FIRE TOWER. The Grassy Mountain Tower at Lake Conasauga can be reached via a moderately difficult 5-mile round trip hike and offers one of the best 360-degree views of the surrounding Cohutta Wilderness. “This place is perfect for sunrise or sunset,” says Kate, so bring a headlamp (and your camera) no matter when you go. U-PICK APPLES IN THE APPLE CAPITAL OF GEORGIA. Grab bushel

upon bushel of Ozark Gold, Red Delicious, Jonagold, and Rome Beauty till your heart’s content. There are over 360,000 apple trees in the state of Georgia, the vast majority of which are right in Gilmer County. The 47th annual Georgia Apple Festival celebrates picking season with wagon rides, fresh apple fritters, and live bluegrass music.

NOVEMBER

JENNIFER PHARR DAVIS ASHEVILLE, N.C.

on Buck Mountain Road near Roan Mountain, Tenn. It was during a practice hike at Warren Doyle's Appalachian Trail Institute. WOULD DESCRIBE 'ADVENTURE' AS: always availing yourself to opportunity and finding the options that don't readily present themselves. FEELS MOST AT HOME: at home, or on a trail HIKES BECAUSE: it really is just the best thing! IS CURRENTLY READING: Tangled Roots by Sarah Meddlefehldt FIRST SAW THE WHITE BLAZE:

BE A SPECTATOR AT THE GREEN RACE. For 23 years, this esteemed

class V whitewater kayaking race has brought some of the best paddlers in the world to the mountains of western North Carolina on the first Saturday of the month. Hike in to see the carnage for yourself at Gorilla, or, if you’re no stranger to the Narrows’ turbulent, steep rapids, paddle in ahead of time and post up with a cowbell. RUN, CREW, OR VOLUNTEER AT THE MOUNTAIN MASOCHIST.

This 50-mile trail race is a brute of a course, with over 9,200 feet of climbing in a 12-hour time limit. “This is the South’s premier ultra trail marathon,” says Pharr Davis, which

makes it memorable no matter if you’re suffering on trail or supporting the runners themselves. DRINK YOUR WAY THROUGH BEER CITY, U.S.A. “Now that they aren't

overrun with tourists,” says Pharr Davis, “consider putting together a ‘brew-thru,’ an urban hiking adventure that connects several tasting rooms. You could get in several miles and space out your beers, literally and physically, by connecting some of the best breweries in Asheville such as Burial, Green Man, the Wedge, and High Wire.” PAY BACK YOUR LOCAL TRAILS WITH SWEAT EQUITY. “November is a great

time to volunteer on a trail crew,” says Pharr Davis. “Instead of sweating through the heat and humidity of the summer and consistently stepping off trail for hikers, you can build water bars and scatter rogue fire pits in the cooler fall temps. Contact your local trail club, such as the Carolina Mountain Club, for opportunities to give back.” THRU HIKE A LONG-DISTANCE TRAIL.

The South is home to some really quality but lightly trafficked long trails such as the Pinhoti, Bartram, Benton MacKaye, and Foothills trails. Take off for a week and get to walkin’ for a hefty dose of one-on-one time with the Great Outdoors. EXPERIENCE THE SOUTHEAST’S BIODIVERSITY. No place is better for

this than the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, a nearly 30,000-acre oasis for migratory birds and habitat for the American alligator and bobcat.

DECEMBER

ANDREW KORNYLAK CHAPEL HILL, N.C.

FIRST PICKED UP A CAMERA: at age 16, when I swiped my brother's Minolta SLR HAS YET TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF: a cat LOVES THE SOUTH FOR ITS: undeserved humility HAS AN ABSURD DESIRE TO: burn all my work and start over GETS FROM ONE ADVENTURE TO THE NEXT IN A:

#minivan ICE CLIMB HOGPEN GAP. Think you

can’t ice climb in the Southeast? Think again. “When conditions are just right, the ice comes in fat at Hogpen Gap near Cleveland, Georgia,” says Kornylak. Situated right around 3,400 feet in

KATE GATES OF MULBERRY GAP GETS A LITTLE OFFTHE-CLOCK TRAIL TIME. TIMOTHY JAMES KEARNS

elevation with plenty of northfacing cliff faces, this is a Southeast climber’s winter oasis. PADDLE THE PRISTINE THREE SISTERS SWAMP. Owned by the Nature

Conservancy, this magical mire is secluded deep within the 70-mile Black River system near Wilmington, N.C. Some of the region’s oldest bald cypress trees live here, including Methuselah, a particularly ancient tree dating back to 364 AD, making it the oldest tree in the eastern United States. SEND T-WALL. Just because it’s December doesn’t mean the climbing season is over. While the rest of the region becomes capriciously cold and wet, the South’s weather can stay remarkably mild and sunny. “The famed Tennessee Wall just outside Chattanooga gets all-day sun and there is something here for every level of climber, from moderate splitter cracks to high-end sport climbs.” WINTER BACKPACK THE MIDDLE PRONG WILDERNESS. Reset and kick

off a new year in this nearly 8,000-acre Middle Prong, which is not quite as popular as its neighbor Shining Rock Wilderness to the northeast, but offers all of the primitive feel and grassy balds that are so beloved in Shining Rock. “This is a

remote wilderness experience in Pisgah National Forest on minimally maintained, but established, trails with true backcountry camping,” says Kornylak. SOLVE A PROBLEM AT ROCKTOWN.

It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga to this rather secluded bouldering field. With over 500 established problems, boulderers of all ability levels will have plenty to keep them pumped over the winter. “Rocktown is a little more of a drive and more spread out that most southern boulderfields, so you're more likely to have the place to yourself for awhile when the temps are good in winter.” SURF FOLLY BEACH. If you can brave the temps, you’re in for endless sets of waves in one of the coolest beach towns this side of the Mississippi. The locals are pretty rad here, too, so don’t be afraid to ask for beta. “Get an Airbnb right on the beach and bring your 4/3 wetsuit.” CATCH SUNSET FROM MOUNT JEFFERSON STATE NATURAL AREA.

The longest trail here is just two miles in length, so you won’t need to hike out too far in the dark in order to keep your front row seats for sunset. Bring a camera: the endless sea of North Carolina ridgelines extend well into Virginia and Tennessee.

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

protectING our air, water & special places.

AMY BENOIT

BRENT MCGUIRT

the POWER of the law. NEEDED NOW more than ever.

YOUR 1 MILLION ACRES THE PISGAH-NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST BELONGS TO YOU, AND THIS YEAR, YOU WILL DECIDE ITS FUTURE. SHOULD IT BE MANAGED TO EMPHASIZE TIMBER AND HUNTING, OR SHOULD RECREATION AND CLEAN WATER BE ITS NEW PRIORITIES?

by WILL HARLAN Editor’s Note: I have been following the PisgahNantahala National Forest plan for three years. I have attended many meetings, including several in the Big Ivy community where I live. I’ve had candid conversations with dozens of Forest Service leaders, loggers, hunters, and environmentalists. Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned: there are no villains in this story. Everyone involved in the forest plan deeply loves the forest and believes that they are fighting for what’s best. The region is changing: tourism has replaced timber as the main economic engine. An influx of people and development has reshaped land and culture. The forest is changing, too—and so are the values that the forest provides. The national forest continues to provide timber and game, but it's also become a refuge for rare species and a recreational oasis. This story asks a simple question: can we all share the forest? It doesn’t have an easy answer.

STEVEN MCBRIDE

YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A 1.1-MILLION ACRE MOUNTAIN ESTATE.

Your property includes cascading waterfalls, ancient forests, and the highest mountains in the East. You can go anywhere you like on your property. You can hike hundreds of miles of trails and paddle, fish, and swim in its pristine streams. You share ownership equally with every other American, and you pay your staff—the U.S. Forest Service—to manage the property. They maintain the trails and enforce the rules that you make. Every 20 years, you write a plan that describes how your estate should be managed. You get together with the other owners to hash it out, and your staff writes it all down. This plan is the most important document of your property. It spells out the rules for your property and decides how your property taxes are spent. But lately, a few vocal co-owners have outshouted everyone else in deciding how your property will be run. Meanwhile, your staff is changing the rules so that they can cut down some of your favorite places in the forest.

TURF WAR

The Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest is the third-most-visited national forest in the country. Its popularity has skyrocketed by 136 percent in the past two decades. Over 6.8 million people visited the forest last year, and most of them came to hike, camp, and enjoy its scenic wonders. The Forest Service recently released a preliminary draft of their forest plan, which will guide the next twenty years of forest decisions. It's already mired in bitter controversy. In the draft plan, over 155,000 acres of oldgrowth forests, popular trails, unique biological areas, and beloved wild places are unprotected. Approximately 60 percent of the forest—630,000 acres—is placed in management areas that allow logging. (The Forest Service says that around 450,000 acres will likely be deemed suitable for timber harvest.) Hunting groups want even more logging acreage to increase

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

“I CAN’T HUNT WHERE I USED TO. A LOT HAS CHANGED OVER THE PAST THIRTY YEARS. DEVELOPMENT. ENCROACHMENT. THERE IS A DEEP CULTURAL DIVIDE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND THE FOREST PLAN IS REVEALING THAT DIVIDE.”

IN THE 1990S, THE BIG IVY COMMUNITY ORGANIZED TO STOP LOGGING PROJECTS. TODAY, THEY ARE ORGANIZING AGAIN TO PROTECT THEIR FOREST.

—DAVID WHITMIRE, HUNTER AND COMMERCIAL OUTFITTER

populations of game species like deer and grouse. Recreation and conservation organizations want to protect more of the forest so that logging doesn’t harm sensitive wildlife or damage trails, water, and scenery. The fight over how to manage national forests is nothing new. Pisgah became the East’s very first national forest in 1912. Immediately, intense debates raged over the forests’ future. Some argued that sustainably cutting timber from the forests made them more productive and useful to Americans. Others believed that protecting the forests’ water, rare species, scenery, and recreational opportunities benefitted more Americans in the long run. Congress decided in 1960 that national forests should also be managed for multiple uses: timber, watersheds, wildlife, and recreation. In 1964, Congress added wilderness to the list. A century after acquisition, the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest faces the same basic conflict: Is the forest a resource to be exploited or a

sanctuary to be protected? Or both? The new forest plan draft is much more than a document. It has become a blueprint for the future of Southern Appalachia, with the potential to bring together different groups—rural and urban, locals and newcomers, hunters and hikers—in a shared vision for the region. So far, however, the contentious forest planning process has only deepened the chasms.

'A DEEP CULTURAL DIVIDE’

Logging has long been an important part of the region’s economic and cultural landscape. Sawmills and industrial timber operations once blanketed Southern Appalachia, providing jobs and a way of life for many generations of rural communities. While the timber industry in the mountains has declined, Southern forests still support the most intensive logging operations in the country. Forests in the South are being cut at four times the rate of Amazon rain forests and are experiencing some of

“HUNTING IS DISAPPEARING FROM THE MOUNTAINS.”

—JIM GRAY, MEMBER OF THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

the highest rates of logging anywhere on earth. Over 97 percent of logging in Western North Carolina occurs on private land, and those forests continue to be logged heavily. Some rural communities want to see increased logging in the national forest as well, hoping that it will bring more jobs. The Forest Service also wants more logging in the national forest. Its preliminary forest plan proposes logging up to 4,000 acres per year, a 500 percent increase over current levels. Jim Gray, a member of the Ruffed Grouse Society, would like to see that number climb much higher to at least 12,000 acres per year—or around 240,000 acres over the life of the plan. The forest regrowth following timber harvests provides more food and cover for wildlife, says Gray, and it also make the wildlife more accessible for hunters. “Hunting is disappearing from the mountains. It’s easier to hunt in the flatlands, and there is more game there,” says Gray. “There are too many mature trees in the national forest,” he adds. “There is not much value in trees after a certain stage because the interior of the tree rots and the timber loses its value.” Gray would like to see more timber harvests that create early

successional habitat for game species like ruffed grouse, deer, and turkey, as well as other wildlife. Early successional habitat is the open, cleared area following a disturbance—such as logging, fire, farming, and development. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, early successional habitat includes pastures, suburban backyards, old fields, golf courses, and utility right-of-ways. Gray acknowledges that there is an abundance of early successional habitat on private land across Western North Carolina, but hunters do not always have access to those lands. He also believes that the Forest Service should implement more wellmanaged timber harvests, preferably out of sight of major trails and viewscapes, in part because hunters

“THERE ARE TOO MANY MATURE TREES IN THE NATIONAL FOREST. THERE IS NOT MUCH COMMERCIAL VALUE IN TREES AFTER A CERTAIN STAGE.” —JIM GRAY, MEMBER OF THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY

help pay for it. “Hunters and anglers pay for the privilege of hunting and fishing through licenses and excise taxes on equipment and ammunition. Other users of the forests do not pay to use the forest. We should get better consideration in return for those fees,” says Gray. However, hunting licenses and ammunition taxes don’t go to national forests, but to state game agencies. North Carolina’s game agency, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has been among the most vocal in pushing for more logging and opposing protected areas. At the very beginning of the forest planning process in 2013, N.C.

T h e Fa l l Upper Gauley

explore & relax summersville lake adventure

River Trips Rock Climbing SUp & More ACeraft.com/brodeal

1.800.223.2641

Gear Journal - AUGUST

2017

Sea to Summit Pro Hammock BUCKET SEATS

IF WE’RE NOT IN TH E PROBAB LY RELAX ING OF TH E VAN, WE ARE E HAM�OCK OBSES�ED, IN A HAM�OCK! WE AR TO BLAME. TH EIR NEW INSTEAD OF AN D SEA TO SUM�IT IS AN D WICKS MO ISTURE BECAUSE IT BREATH ES �T FE PER ES WITH AN IS COM D OCK AN M� PRO HA IT’ S ON LY 12 OUNCES S: NU BO S�. ME TY EA SW G AWAY IN TH E VAN. LEAVING YO UR BACK A PERFE�T FOR STO WIN K. SAC F� STU NT TA SIS INTEGRATED WATER RE

PRESENTED BY

Beach Chair E ‘CRAZY LEGS Crazy Legs QuadIN SOM ETHING CAL�ED TH

WH EN YO U’RE SIT�ING R A PARTY. TH IS U KN OW YO U’RE IN FO QUAD BEACH CHA IR’, YO SHO ULDER AN D R SW INGS OVER YO UR SUPER FOLDUP LO UNGE ACH ES, AN D TIES, LAKESH ORES, BE AC�OMPAN IES YO U TO PAR DO �RS. TH IS IS N VA H� OUTSIDE TH E MOST IMPORTANTLY, RIG . LAX TIME TO FINAL�Y RE OUR GO TO WH EN IT’ S

Go De e p, il d Go Hig h, Go W else. everything trains and... s, ne la V, p W , with rant County Beautiful G ve it all! ha s e o d really

Scen ic Pla ne ride s and othe r a dve ntu re s

Fly Fishing!

ER TH E LO WE ALPINE SUP ASCENT OR ST AN D LIGH� ALPINE FA Y AN R FO G GO -TO BA S AL� OF TH E TURE. TH IS 30L BAG HA RO CK CLI MB ING ADVEN LIEVABLY LIGH� WE NE�D AT AN UNBE FUN�TIO NALITY THAT OPENING AN D AD� IN TH E BIG ZIP�ER WEIGH� OF 20 OUNCES. RE COMPAN ION. TH E PERFE�T ADVENTU YO U’VE GOT YO URSELF

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE @LIVEOUTSIDEANDPLAY BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM

Photo: Noah Wetzel

Our t-shirt and sock tans are the best they’ve ever been. Exploring Colorado while living out of a van provides ample time in the sun. With the long summer days stretched out before us, we’ve been able to check things off our bucket lists and explore parts of Colorado we didn’t even know existed. Fewer showers, more green chili, and a lot of sleeping with the back doors wide open.

perlight 30 R Lowe Alpine AsceLIGntH� Su E OU 30 HAS QUICKLY BECOM

Tu bin g, Ca noei ng, K a ya ki ng a n d more

NEW in 2017

GLUTEN FREE ORGANIC WAFFLE FLAVORS AND ORGANIC STRAWBERRY ENERGY CHEWS 30

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

THE PISGAHNANTAHALA IS NOW THE THIRD MOST VISITED NATIONAL FOREST IN THE COUNTRY. OVER 60 PERCENT OF NATIONAL FOREST USERS ARE HIKERS. HUNTERS MAKE UP AROUND 2 PERCENT. —U.S. FOREST SERVICE 2014 ASSESSMENT OF THE PISGAHNANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST

Wildlife Resources Commission’s regional supervisor, Gordon Warburton, delivered a powerpoint presentation that was essentially a playbook for opposing forest protections. Said Warburton, “Our strategy: we have to stand opposed to all new wilderness additions. Period.” Wilderness is the only Forest Service management area that completely prohibits logging and road building—except in emergencies like wildfire or rescue. Wilderness areas allow nature to function freely with minimal human management. Wilderness areas are also treasured spaces for recreation, including hiking, camping, paddling, climbing, running, fishing, and hunting. Hunter and commercial outfitter David Whitmire also doesn't like the restrictions that wilderness places on logging. “These woods have always been managed for wildlife. The Cherokee burned the woods to hunt. Logging also helps wildlife,” says Whitmire. “Deer populations are crashing. How low are we going to let their populations go?”

In addition, Whitmire worries about the changing demographics, land use, and values in Western North Carolina. “I can’t hunt where I used to. A lot has changed over the past thirty years. Development. Encroachment. People don’t understand guys walking beside the road with guns,” says Whitmire. “There is a deep cultural divide in the mountains, and the forest plan is revealing that divide.” As more people have migrated to the mountains, the uses and values of the national forest have shifted dramatically. While hunting and logging were dominant forest uses in the twentieth century, the main use of national forests in the twentyfirst century is outdoor recreation. According to the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest’s 2014 Assessment, 60 percent of forest users were hikers. Hunters made up only 2.5 percent. The vast majority of visitors to the Pisgah-Nantahala today are day-hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, anglers, equestrians, climbers, runners, and other outdoor enthusiasts. These groups generally support stronger protections for the national forest and a more inclusive, 21st century outlook on the uses and values of the Pisgah-Nantahala. “Our research is unequivocal: visitors are drawn today by the beauty of this area,” said Marla Tambellini, Vice President of Marketing at the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, at a public meeting about the forest plan. “Setting aside natural and wild areas is good for residents today and one of the best legacies we can leave the next generation.” The Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest is the backbone of Appalachia’s economy, which is driven largely by recreation and tourism. Across Southern Appalachia, recreation provides $90 billion and over 1 million jobs. “Our region’s health and vitality depend on national forests,” says

Sam Evans, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. In addition to jobs and recreation, national forests provide drinking water to over 11 million people in the Southeast and protect the headwaters of most major rivers. The total value of water flowing from national forestlands amounts to $7.2 billion per year. National forests store carbon, protect species, filter the air, and provide other key ecosystem services for our region’s health, says Evans. Ecosystem services flowing from national forests are valued between $96 billion and $5.7 trillion annually. The Forest Service has been slow to respond to the recreation revolution and the shift in forest values. As an agency, it has traditionally prioritized timber sales and logging projects over recreation and conservation. As a result, previous forest plans have become embroiled in conflict and litigation. The Pisgah-Nantahala Forest planning team is hoping that this plan will be different. Already, the Forest Service has broadened its outreach and expanded public involvement. And it has convened leaders from a variety of user groups to help shape the plan. “Cooperation is our best hope for this forest plan to succeed,” says Matt McCombs, deputy forest supervisor for National Forests in North Carolina. “In the end, though, the Forest Service will do what we think is best.” So far, they appear to be making the same mistakes of the past. The preliminary forest plan places over 25,000 acres of old-growth forest in logging-intensive management. Also open to logging are large sections of popular trail corridors, including the Art Loeb Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Bartram Trail, and Mountains to Sea Trail. So are Cedar Rock, Tellico Bald, Daniel Ridge, Linville Mountain,

FOREST PLAN DRAFT—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

630,000 acres of the national forest—roughly 60%—are in management areas that emphasize logging (The Forest Service estimates around 450,000 will be deemed suitable for timber production) Over 25,000 acres of old growth forest could be logged The Forest Service aims to increase logging by 400-500 percent The Appalachian Trail corridor is not fully protected from logging Significant portions of the Art Loeb Trail, Bartram Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, and Mountains to Sea Trail corridors are open to logging. 155,000 acres of special recreational and biological areas are not protected

Upper Wilson Creek, Chunky Gal, Upper Courthouse Creek, Shope Creek, Upper Santeetlah Creek, Dismal Falls, Siler Bald, parts of Panthertown Valley, and 4,000 acres of old-growth and rare species habitat in Big Ivy. The Appalachian Trail corridor could also be logged.

THE MISSING MIDDLE

No one has fought harder for cooperation than Brent Martin, Southern Appalachian director of The Wilderness Society. Surprisingly, Martin has been lobbying against wilderness designation in order to accommodate a broader base of recreation users. “I could have stayed safely in my conservation corner and advocated for more wilderness,” says Martin. “But then everyone else would stay in their corners and nothing would change. After years of working on forest planning, it was clear that we needed a new, more cooperative approach.” Martin invited timber and

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

hunting leaders to join together with conservation and recreation representatives to form the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership. After three years of meetings and dialogue, the partnership has reached broad conceptual agreement on most of the forest planning issues: they have agreed to recommend more logging acreage while also increasing the amount of protected areas for conservation. However, the Forest Service FOREST PLAN 101: VOCABULARY

The Forest Service is classifying most of the forest in one of a few management area categories: One-mile-wide corridors along roads, trailheads, and primary forest access areas. The Forest Service plans to emphasize logging along these existing roads and forest access areas because it is cheapest and easiest.

INTERFACE

A logging-intensive management area that begins about a half-mile from road and major trail corridors. In this largest of management areas, commercial timber harvests will be maximized.

MATRIX

BACKCOUNTRY The most recreationfriendly management area, it includes remote, un-roaded sections of forest that allow all forms of human-powered recreation, including mountain biking. It prohibits most timber harvests, although some small-scale logging may occur. WILDERNESS The

only management area that prohibits logging and road building (except in emergencies). Mountain bikes are restricted, but it allows most other outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, paddling, running, climbing, and horseback riding.

SPECIAL INTEREST AREA Vague, flexible, and undefined areas that are managed for scenic, botanical, zoological, or geographical qualities. Logging and road building may be allowed, but are less likely.

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

A RECENT TIMBER HARVEST NEAR TRACE RIDGE IN PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST, N.C.

decided not to formally recognize the partnership. Instead, the Forest Service spent over $100,000 to create its own group: the Stakeholders Forum. It includes many of the same representatives from the partnership, but it also adds a few outspoken members who, thus far, have impeded any compromise. As a result, the Stakeholders Forum has been deeply entrenched and unable to reach consensus. “The Forest Service has undercut our middle-ground partnership and stacked their Stakeholders Forum with a few extremists from hunting groups who are unwilling to compromise at all,” says Martin. “The original partnership did not reflect the full spectrum of users,” replies Forest Service deputy supervisor Matt McCombs. “The Stakeholders Forum is a more diverse representation of forest interests.” 21 of the 27 members of the Stakeholders’ Forum are older white

“THERE ARE EASY COMPROMISES THAT NEARLY EVERYONE AGREES ON, BUT A FEW EXTREMELY VOCAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE HIJACKED THE ENTIRE FOREST PLAN.”

—BRENT MARTIN, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN CHAPTER OF THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY

males. There are no minorities or youth representatives. But Martin wasn’t ready to give up on collaboration, so he forged yet another coalition. This time, he brought together mountain bikers and wilderness advocates—two recreation groups that traditionally had not worked together. The Wilderness Act does not allow bicycles in wilderness, so even conservation-minded mountain bikers often found themselves unable to support wilderness proposals for the Pisgah-Nantahala. Martin met with mountain bike leaders and hammered out a proposal for a new National Recreation Area in Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest. The proposal would open the Harpers

Creek and Lost Cove Wilderness Study Areas near Boone, N.C., to mountain bike use, removing its Congressional Wilderness Study Area status and simultaneously replacing it with a National Recreation Area designation that would protect its wild character permanently. Over 40 regional organizations and businesses also signed on to support the National Recreation Areas proposal. “It made national headlines. It was a precedent-setting agreement,” says Martin. “We showed that groups with competing agendas could come together and find common ground.” But then “one obstructionist tanked the whole deal,” says Martin. The ink had barely dried on the agreement when John Wilson, a local businessman whose family owns the Blowing Rock attraction and has deep roots in the area, organized opposition to the National Recreation Area proposal. Other organizations, including Appalachian Voices and Sierra Club, joined him. Wilson, who has worked for many years with land trusts and conservation interests, including many major funders, did not want to open two Wilderness Study Areas to shared use with mountain bikers. “We have so little Wilderness in North Carolina,” says Wilson. “The Harper Creek and Lost Cove Wilderness Study Areas contain some of the most pristine headwater streams, waterfalls, and old growth forest in the East.” Ironically, failure to reach an agreement for Harper Creek and Lost Cove has diminished support for more wilderness across the national forest. Because the National Recreation Area would have created an important new mountain biking opportunity, the mountain bike community was prepared to support over 100,000 acres of additional wilderness recommendations in the Pisgah-Nantahala. That support is now at best uncertain.

All Out Blaze 2 EXC LUS IVELY AT MERRELL .C O M AND THES E PARTIC IPATING RETAILERS

CHARLOT TE, NC · CHAPEL HILL , NC GREENSBORO, NC · GREENVILLE, NC RALEIGH, NC · WILMINGTON, NC WINSTON SALEM, NC · CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

L E X I N G TO N , K Y

B O WL I N G G R E E N , K Y

G AT L I N B U R G , T N

DOTHAN, AL

J O HN S O N C I T Y, T N

LO U I SV I L L E , K Y

A R L I N G TO N , VA

ADVENTURE IS LOCAL ASHEVILLE, NC

G L E N M I L L S , PA

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

EXPLORE SOUTH CAROLINA’S Mountain Lakes Region

xplore over 150 waterfalls, challenge the rapids on the National Wild & Scenic Chattooga River, ﬂy through the trees on a zipline tour, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee on your visit to this beautiful Mountain Lakes Region of South Carolina that National Geographic calls “A destination of a lifetime”! MountainLakesSC.com

WHERE WILL YOU GO

IN YOUR LOWAs?

NORWAY. THE WIND RIVERS. CANYONLANDS. ESTONIA. HELSINKI. CINQUE TERRE. MT. BALDY. PARIS. PARK CITY, UT. STRASBOURG. THE SWISS ALPS. CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK. NAMIBIA. ICELAND.

THE SIERRA NEVADA. SAN GORGONIO. THE ADIRONDACKS. SAN JACINTO. THE GRAND CANYON. ISTANBUL. LAKE TAHOE. MOJAVE DESERT. LATVIA. THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. THE SAN JUANS…

The Innox Evo’s DynaPU® midsole technology delivers the superior support, rebound and durability you expect from a LOWA, along with the lightweight comfort of a running shoe. Add seamless breathable uppers plus a grippy outsole and you get the ideal shoe for do-it-in-a day adventures or daily workouts. Find LOWAs at these specialty outdoor retailers:

Leave your footprint #LOWABOOTS

(your pix could be in our next ad....)

Innox Evo Lo I Available for Men & Women. Men‘s Grey/Orange shown here. 1 O R S / A U G U S T 2 017 36 LOWA_BRO_Aug17_Final.indd BLUE RIDGE OUTDO

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

6/28/17 12:53 PM BlueRidgeOutdoors

—JEREMY BROOKSHIRE, CARPENTER AND BIG IVY RESIDENT

“It’s been heartbreaking,” says Martin, who is no longer with The Wilderness Society. “Extremists on both sides have undermined every effort to cooperate and find middle ground,” says Martin. “Clearly there are easy compromises that nearly everyone agrees on, but a few extremely vocal individuals have hijacked the entire forest plan, and the Forest Service has enabled it to happen.”

THE W-WORD

Here is the simple bargain that nearly everyone supports: more timber harvests counterbalanced by more protected areas, including wilderness. “If we’re going to ramp up timber harvest levels, we also need to identify the areas where other values, like rare habitats, wilderness, and backcountry recreation, will continue to be represented in the future,” says SELC’s Sam Evans. Timber industry leaders have generally seen this as a good deal. They believe that broader backing for timber harvests can be achieved if they also support wilderness protections for special areas of the forest. However, an outspoken few

have been unwilling to support any new wilderness, mainly because it prohibits logging and motorized vehicles. “How are we gonna get a 500-pound bear out of a wilderness area?” asks David Whitmire, a member of the Stakeholders’ Forum. "Wilderness also invites another class of people in here.” 22 percent of Western North Carolina is national forest, and some locals resent the lost tax revenue and demographic changes that the national forests have brought. Both Whitmire and Ruffed Grouse Society's Jim Gray also believe that wilderness reduces the availability of game species like deer and grouse. “People have this Disney image of critters all happy in the deep forest, but deer and grouse like open areas, too,” says Gray. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the numbers of ruffed grouse and deer harvested from national forests have been trending downward. Gray blames the declining numbers on too many protected areas and not enough logging. Gray and others have led efforts to pass anti-wilderness resolutions in 12 conservative-leaning counties across Western North Carolina. But one county passed a prowilderness resolution: Buncombe County, the most populous county in the mountains and home to the largest city in Western North Carolina. The Buncombe County Commission unanimously supported a resolution to recommend wilderness for the Big Ivy section of the PisgahNantahala, located about 20 miles northwest of Asheville. Big Ivy includes the Craggy Gardens area and is the most photographed spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s also home to 70-foot waterfalls, dozens of rare and endangered

species, and one of the largest oldgrowth forests in the East. The Big Ivy wilderness proposal has received widespread public support. Hundreds attended the County Commissioners meeting to speak unanimously in support of the wilderness resolution. A year earlier, over 400 Big Ivy supporters packed a community meeting with the Forest Service, many wearing “Don’t Cut Big Ivy” t-shirts. Nearly all spoke in favor of permanently protecting Big Ivy from logging. Even stridently anti-wilderness campaigners Jim Gray and David Whitmire have voiced general support for wilderness in Big Ivy. So far, however, the Forest Service has not protected Big Ivy from logging. Instead, it has targeted onethird of Big Ivy for logging-priority management. “Big Ivy is a test case for the forest planning process,” says Jeremy Brookshire, a carpenter who lives in the Big Ivy community. “Does the Forest Service really respond to public input, or is it just going through the motions?” There is overwhelming public, political, and scientific support for permanently protecting Big Ivy, says Brookshire. “So why doesn’t the preliminary forest plan draft reflect that?” One possible explanation is that the Forest Service doesn’t want wilderness in Big Ivy—or anywhere else. Forest Service officials say that wilderness “takes tools of out their toolbox” and constrains them from conducting sustainable forest restoration. The Forest Service also generates revenue by harvesting timber. The Forest Service is financially and institutionally motivated to cut down forests, which is prohibited in wilderness. The Forest Service is also getting intense political pressure not to recommend any new wilderness.

“BIG IVY IS A TEST CASE FOR THE FOREST PLANNING PROCESS. DOES THE FOREST SERVICE REALLY RESPOND TO PUBLIC INPUT, OR IS IT JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS?”

DGE

OUTDO

2017

TOp

E R U T N E V AD WN TO

WHICH TOWN WILL COME OUT ON TOP? WINNERS WILL BE FEATURED IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE! CAST YOUR VOTE DAILY AT BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM /TOP-TOWNS

PRESENTED BY

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

YOUR MONEY’S WORTH: NATIONAL FOREST FACTS

National forests improve our health and provide the backbone of our region’s recreation and tourism economy. WATER AND HEALTH

National forest lands supply drinking water to over 66 million people nationwide, making them the country’s largest supplier of municipal water. The total value of water alone flowing from national forestlands amounts to $7.2 billion per year. Ecosystem services from national forest lands are valued between $96 billion and $5.7 trillion annually. RECREATION AND ECONOMY

Southern Appalachian national forests attract over 11 million recreation visitors each year. Outdoor recreation on national forest lands contributes $13 billion and supports 205,000 jobs in local communities. The outdoor recreation economy contributes $90 billion and 1 million jobs to the economies of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. —U.S. Forest Service 2017 Budget Year Overview

TO LOG OR NOT TO LOG? Fundamentally, the forest plan raises an almost-philosophical question: Do forests need constant logging and active management, or can nature grow healthier forests than we can if we mostly leave them alone? The Forest Service—whose

"PUBLICLY OWNED NATIONAL FORESTS ARE MORE VALUABLE STANDING THAN CUT DOWN. INTACT FORESTS PROVIDE FAR MORE ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS THAN BOARD FEET OF TIMBER."

—KARIN HEIMAN, FORMER U.S. FOREST SERVICE BIOLOGIST

logging-intensive agenda aligns most closely with the interests of hunting organizations and timber companies—claims that forests are more productive when actively managed. Conservation organizations assert that uncut, intact forest ecosystems are more resilient and beneficial, especially in the 21st century. The data is mixed. Silvicultural studies suggest that thinning young, previously degraded forests improves productivity, especially of marketable tree species like oaks. And cutting forests to create early successional habitat leads to increases in deer, turkey, and grouse populations. But other scientific studies indicate that mature, uncut forests provide healthier air and water quality, more carbon storage, and more overall biological diversity. The forest plan has become a referendum on the future of our forests—and the economies that grow around them. Do we want a more actively managed forest that emphasizes game and timber, or a more tourism-friendly forest focused on recreation and ecosystem health? “These are working forests, and they will always be working forests,” says Forest Service deputy director Matt McCombs. McCombs believes that the Forest Service’s mission to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of national forests” requires perpetual logging of public lands. He also maintains that logging

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

ultimately improves forest health—by removing dead and diseased trees, for example, or creating clearings that produce more browse for deer and other wildlife. “Forested lands have better outcomes when sustainable forestry is practiced, and they also have economic benefits as byproducts,” says McCombs. “We can accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration through sustainable forestry. Forests are ultimately enhanced by managing them for game and timber.” Adam Macon, program director for the Dogwood Alliance, says that the latest science shows otherwise. “Logging has a lot of impacts that make the forest less healthy, less resilient, and more vulnerable to insect infestations, invasive species, and disease,” he says. Logging causes sedimentation that clogs rivers and streams. The bulldozers, skidders, and other heavy machinery create easy corridors for pests and disease to spread. Logging usually is accompanied by heavy and repeated use of pesticides, and it disrupts a web of animal, plant, soil, insect, and microbial diversity that requires many decades for forests to recover. Logging mature forests also releases more carbon, especially from the soil. Economically, protecting forests for conservation and recreational uses provides more benefits than logging them. Recreation in the Pisgah-Nantahala provides 10 times as many jobs as and five times as much revenue, according to the 2014 U.S. Forest Service Assessment. Nationwide, the Forest Service reports that recreation provides 31 times more jobs to rural communities than timber sales. “Publicly owned national forests are more valuable standing than cut down, says former U.S. Forest Service biologist Karin Heiman. "Intact forests provide far more long-term ecological and economic benefits than board feet of timber.”

WHAT ABOUT WILDFIRE?

Could logging help prevent catastrophic wildfires like last summer’s record-setting blazes in Southern Appalachia? Logging supporters argue that forests have become too dense and overcrowded, and that forest thinning can help reduce the risk of forest fires. But scientists point out that logging actually does more harm than good. Logging removes trees from the forest, but the forest quickly fills the disturbed site with understory vegetation that can be even more flammable. Forest thinning can also increase fire spread by exposing the forest floor’s fuels to greater sun drying and wind. “The oldest and most dense forests—those with the most fuels—do not burn well because they retain moisture the longest, and wind is impeded from pushing flames through such dense forests,” explains George Wuerthner, a wildfire ecologist, hunting guide, and author of Wildfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy. According to Wuerthner, the main factor in wildfire is not the number of trees, but weather and climate. Drought and wind (and arson) were the primary causes for the catastrophic fires in the Southeast last fall. Those wildfires burned through thinned forests, clearcuts, and previously burned acreage. Thinning had no measurable effect on preventing or slowing the wildfires. Logging might be appropriate to create firebreaks around development, says Wuerthner, but it does little to control wildfires and may increase their spread.

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

The Forest Service is in transition. It struggles internally between old-school foresters intent on maximizing timber harvests and a new generation of recreation-friendly rangers. The Forest Service’s top three forest plan leaders have all left the Pisgah-Nantahala in the past three years, presenting both a challenge and opportunity for the Forest Service to move in new directions. The vast majority of forest users are hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but so YOUR FOREST, YOUR VOICE far, the forest plan leaves many of the The future of the forest is being best and most beautiful places in the decided right now. Send your comments forest unprotected. to NCPlanRevision@fs.fed.us The good news is this: The 1.1-million-acre Pisgah-Nantahala can accommodate all of the for science and heritage, and trail competing uses: commercial timber networks for everyone to enjoy. sales for industry, early successional Even better news: nearly everyone forests for deer and grouse hunters, agrees on the solution. Most of protected headwaters for municipal the stakeholders support the basic drinking water, habitat protection for compromise formula: more timber endangered species, wilderness areas harvests in exchange for more for solitude-seekers, old-growth forests protected acreage.

DISMAL FALLS AND THE SURROUNDING FORESTS AND TRAILS ARE NOT PROTECTED IN THE CURRENT PLAN DRAFT.

However, the Forest Service's preliminary forest plan draft tilts lopsidedly toward logging. It aims to increase logging five-fold while leaving over 125,000 acres of ancient forests, recreational hotspots, and unique biological areas unprotected. Even the timber industry

worries about the preliminary plan draft. “Right now, it’s a lose-lose situation,” said one forest products representative. “If we can’t reach a compromise that supports the full spectrum of interests, then we will likely end up with even fewer timber harvests. Every single timber sale will be appealed and challenged, and this plan will be in litigation gridlock for the next two decades.” The win-win plan—more timber harvests and more protected areas—is what most everyone wants—except an uncompromising few and perhaps the Forest Service itself. “The solution is within reach,” says SELC’s Sam Evans. Do we have the will to work together? Or will we miss the forest for the trees? With stakeholders at an impasse, the Forest Service will rely on public input to make its final decisions. How do you want your 1 million acres to be managed? Now more than ever, your input will shape the future of the forest.

Perched above Whale Lake, celebrating the hike in with friends, Routt National Forest, CO – Devon Balet

LIGHTEN UP! SUPERLIGHT BAGS FEATURING THE REM PAD SLEEVE NEW

Stuff sack converts into the REM Pad Sleeve

™

Women’s Hazel SL 15°F 2lb 12oz

Wiley SL 30°F 1lb 12oz

• Patent-pending REM Pad Sleeve is detachable and doubles as your stuff sack • Traditional mummy shape allows for light weight and increased thermal value • Superlight, soft shell fabric with high tear strength

THE MOTHER OF COMFORT Tents • Sleeping Bags • Pads • Apparel • Helinox A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BROOKLYN HALF MARATHON

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON

RUN FOR IT 2K WALK & 5K RACE

BRIDGE DAY

THE FESTY + THE BLUE RIDGE BURN + LOCKN FESTIVAL

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE 5K RUN/WALK

THE CUMBERLAND RIVER CHALLENGE CANOE & KAYAK RACE

40TH ANNUAL SOURWOOD FESTIVAL

THE TOP RACES AND EVENTS TO HIT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR!

SWIM RUN VA ROCK ‘N’ ROLL VIRGINIA BEACH HALF MARATHON

FALL CYCLOFEST

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HALF MARATHON AND 5K

RACES &

RACE THE RIDGE ADVENTURE RACES

THE GENWORTH VIRGINIA 10 MILER + THE DEEP HOLLOW HALFMARATHON & 5K

LORD OF THE FORK RACE

BREWGRASS FESTIVAL

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAVANNAH MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

2017 may be reaching the finish line, but there are plenty of opportunities across the region to still sign up for a race or attend a festival this fall and winter. Check out some of our top picks here and online at BlueRidgeOutdoors.com.

40TH ANNUAL SOURWOOD FESTIVAL AUGUST 12-13, 2017 BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL VIRGINIA BEACH HALF MARATHON SEPTEMBER 2-3, 2017 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

A fun family and pet friendly street festival that includes 200 booths with arts and crafts, carnival rides, a kids’ fun park, music and clogging under the big tent, festival foods of all kinds, and of course, sourwood honey and special bee demonstrations.

Join the biggest running and musicfilled Labor Day Weekend party in Virginia Beach! Your run finishes on the iconic Virginia Beach boardwalk with a headliner concert by Sister Hazel, plus access to the American Music Festival. Run Saturday and Sunday to earn the Remix Challenge medal!

SOURWOODFESTIVAL.COM

LOCKN’ FESTIVAL AUGUST 24-27, 2017 ARRINGTON, VA Lockn’ Festival TICKETS are on sale now, featuring The Avett Brothers, John Fogarty, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir with the Terrapin Family Band, Gov’t Mule with Ann Wilson of Heart and many more! LOCKNFESTIVAL.COM

RUNROCKNROLL.COM/VIRGINIA-BEACH

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HALF MARATHON AND 5K SEPTEMBER 8-9, 2017 | TOWNSEND, TN Run to the Smokies? Join us for the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon and 5K. The Peaceful Side of the Smokies welcomes you on September 8-9, 2017, in Townsend, Tennessee. There is so much to do, you will find…. You’re Going To Need a Longer Stay. GREATSMOKYMOUNTAINSHALF MARATHON.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BREWGRASS FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 ASHEVILLE, NC Brewgrass is WNC’s original craft beer festival since 1996, and named as one of the top ten craft beer festivals by USA Today. Craft beer lovers from around the world enjoy 50+ breweries and bluegrass music in Asheville, four-time Beer City USA winner. BREWGRASSFESTIVAL.COM

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2017 | PHILADELPHIA, PA Philly’s perfect fall race! Rock the half marathon, 5K, or brand-new 10K and enjoy super fast, flat courses through beautiful Fairmount Park. Savor picturesque river views and an epic finish in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s famous “Rocky Steps.” Don’t miss out! RUNROCKNROLL.COM/PHILADELPHIA

RUN FOR IT 2K WALK AND 5K RACE SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 | DAVIS, WV Race around a cool, scenic mountain town during the Leaf Peepers Festival. Win cash. Donate to your favorite nonprofit or charity and raise funds for the community. Enjoy good food, music, and crafts after the race. Speed is not required to win. TUCKERFOUNDATION.NET/RUN RACEROSTER.COM/11783

THE CUMBERLAND RIVER CHALLENGE CANOE & KAYAK RACE SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 BARBOURVILLE, KY

BLUE RIDGE BURN OCTOBER 7, 2017 THE FESTY AT INFINITY DOWNS FARM NELSON COUNTY, VA

The race consists of 15 miles of river, ranging from calm water to beginner-level rapids. The race starts on the Knox County line bordering Bell County and finishes In Knox County at the Thompson RV Park. Annual “bragging rights” awards are presented at the end of the race.

This 10K/5K race covers a mix of rugged, rolling terrain in scenic Nelson County! The Burn partners with The Festy, a three-day music, camping, and outdoor sports festival at Infinity Downs Farm in Nelson, Virginia. Come run, then stay the whole weekend!

FACEBOOK.COM/BARBOURVILLE.TOURISM

THE GENWORTH VIRGINIA 10 MILER SEPTEMBER 22-23, 2017 LYNCHBURG, VA The 44th annual Genworth Virginia 10 Miler is where southern hospitality meets the road. An event for all ages and abilities: Virginia 10 Miler (2017 Road Runners Club of America National Champion Event), Virginia 4 Miler, Virginia 4-Mile Walk or Amazing Children’s Run. VIRGINIA10MILER.COM

THE 8TH ANNUAL FESTY EXPERIENCE OCTOBER 5-8, 2017 | NELSON COUNTY, VA

BLUERIDGEBURN.COM

SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BROOKLYN HALF MARATHON OCTOBER 14, 2017 | BROOKLYN, NY Run through the closed streets of New York’s hippest borough… Brooklyn! Start at the iconic Brooklyn Museum and make your way down historic Ocean Parkway. Finish in beautiful Prospect Park for an epic finish line festival and headliner concert you won’t want to miss! RUNROCKNROLL.COM/BROOKLYN

DEEP HOLLOW HALF MARATHON AND 5K OCTOBER 14, 2017 | LYNCHBURG, VA

A four-day, family-friendly music festival, Featuring The Infamous Stringdusters, Drive-By Truckers, and Ani DiFranco. Celebrating Virginia craft food and beer, and the outdoor lifestyle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s one weekend of raging good times for the whole family.

The 11th annual Deep Hollow Half Marathon and 5k is the premier event of the Liberty Mountain Trail Series. The half marathon course features a beautiful blend of singletrack trails and mountain roads within the 5,000 acre trail system nestled in Lynchburg, Virginia.

THEFESTY.COM

LIBERTY.EDU/RACES

YOUR ONLY LIMIT IS YOU SEPT 22-23, 2017 LYNCHBURG, VA where southern hospitality meets the road

VIRGINIA10MILER.COM

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS RUNNING

2014 A 1-mile race entirely on the sand is added to the Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon weekend, allowing runners to participate in the Remix Challenge.

1998

The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon took place in San Diego, forever changing the sport of running.

2010 The historic Half Marathon in Philadelphia became a part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in 2010 and will celebrate its 40th running in 2017.

2016 The start line was moved to the front of the historic and iconic Brooklyn Museum, New York City's third largest museum in size.

2011 Since its inauguration, Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah is the only event in the Series where river boat ferry is the preferred mode of transporation to the Health & Fitness Expo.

$10* OFF USING CODE:

ROCKFALL

SEP 2-3, 2017

SEP 16-17, 2017

OCT 14, 2017

1 MILE |

NOV 4-5, 2017

MILE ON THE SAND

*Valid on all domestic fall 2017 marathon and 1/2 marathon distances only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 9/1/17. KiDS Rock in San Jose only.

RACES & SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 BARBOURVILLE, KY

BRIDGE DAY OCTOBER 21, 2017 NEW RIVER GORGE, WV Real. Adventure. The New River Gorge Bridge is a West Virginia icon—and every third weekend in October, serious BASE jumpers get their chance to fly 876 feet off the bridge into the Gorge below. Heart pounding thrills await you at this unique festival! GOTOWV.COM/BRIDGEDAY

FALL CYCLOFEST OCTOBER 20-22, 2017 US NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC Fall CycloFest is the ultimate cycling festival for bicycle enthusiasts to learn, ride, and experience the latest innovations in the bicycle industry. This three-day event will feature food, live music, bike demos, cyclocross races, mountain bike races, group rides, kids’ activities, and much more. CYCLOFEST.COM

CUMBERLAND

E G N E L L A H C R RIVE OE & KAYAK CAN

OV ER AL L WIN PRIZES AWARDED!CH CL AS S

NE R,

1ST, 2N D, & 3RD IN EA

THREE BOAT CLASSES:

TANDEM CANOES UP TO 17’ LENGTH+ SOLO KAYAKS OTHER THAN WHITEWATER + PADDLE BOARDS

SPONSORED BY UNION COLLEGE U-CANOE & BARBOURVILLE TOURISM

TO REGISTER CALL 606-545-9674 | FACEBOOK.COM/BARBOURVILLE TOURISM

RACE OUR TRAILS LY N C H B U R G , VA

MIKE DONAHUE MEMORIAL

L I B E R T Y. E D U / R A C E S 10% OFF CODE: BRO2017

O C T. 1 4

N O V. 1 1

DEC. 9

H A L F M A R AT H O N & 5 K

5 MILER

2 MILER

• 2018 PRODUCT DEMOS

• ROAD RIDES

• CYCLOCROSS RACING

• LIVE MUSIC

• MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING

• FOOD & BEER

U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER CHARLOTTE, NC | OCTOBER 20-22, 2017 Come experience the next great cycling festival! Riding and demos on world-class trails, live music, fun competition for all levels, group rides, craft beer and much more.

CYCLOFEST.COM

RACES & SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SWIMRUNVA OCTOBER 21, 2017 | RICHMOND, VA

language of Category 5 waters, this race will surely be one to remember. The race occurs the last weekend in October.

Richmond, Virginia was named “Best River Town in America” by Outside Magazine. Now there’s a race to showcase that. SwimRunVA mixes the city’s naturally serene beauty of the James River and surrounding hiking trails system with its urban terrain. Will you conquer the River City?

RUSSELLFORK.INFO/RACE.HTM

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAVANNAH MARATHON & ½ MARATHON NOVEMBER 4-5, 2017 | SAVANNAH, GA More than the Southern belle of the Series, a fall race in Savannah begins in the heart of downtown before winding its way through one of America’s oldest cities. Experience the charm of manicured public squares, courses lined by shady mossy oak canopies and more.

SWIMRUNVA.COM

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE 5K RUN/WALK OCTOBER 28, 2017 | HOT SPRINGS, VA

RUNROCKNROLL.COM/SAVANNAH

Join us for the Run For Your Life 5K Run/Walk taking place Saturday, October 28 at the Omni Homestead Resort Ski Lodge in Hot Springs, Virginia. The 5K begins at 10am. Wear your scariest and best costume for some Halloween fun! Register online.

RACE THE RIDGE ADVENTURE RACES: 3 HOUR / 6 HOUR / 15 HOUR NOVEMBER 4, 2017 | ST. GEORGE, VA Three adventure races in and around the Blue Ridge School, located north of Charlottesville Virginia. From the three-hour, family-friendly Rumble and the six-hour, more adventurous Rush, to the advanced-level 15-hour Rampage, Race the Ridge will be an exciting day of trekking, biking, and navigation!

BATHHOSPITAL.ORG

THE LORD OF THE FORK RACE OCTOBER 28, 2017 BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK, HAYSI, VA The Lord of the Fork Race is an annual extreme whitewater race through the Russell Fork River. For those well-versed in the

RACETHERIDGE.ORG

Join us for the Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon Plus a family-friendly 5K the evening before, on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Make it a running vacation, and get ready for an epic weekend in the Smokies! You may realize... You’re Going To Need a Longer Stay.

EVENT DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 TOWNSEND, TN

Run to e Smokies! G R E AT S M O K Y M O U N TA I N S H A L F M A R AT H O N .CO M

Your Journey Begins Here.

900 miles

bike the Shadows of the past trail

of hiking, with 150 hiking trails

Float on little river

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017 / M O U N TA I N E D I T I O N

go VISIT

CADES cove

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS

EARN YOUR SPLASH

TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK, GEORGIA

2018 SOUTHERN SWIMMING HOLE GUIDE Save the roadside dips for the tourists. These 10 swimming holes require some effort to get to, but if you’re willing to work for the plunge, the cool mountain water and scenery are worth it. BY JESS DADDIO

DISTANCE: 3.4 MILES DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

There is so much to love about this Georgia gem. Meandering along state lines for two miles, the 1,000-foot chasm yawns open from the forest’s womb, revealing raging whitewater that tumbles through near-vertical granite walls. It’s an impressive sight, no matter where you’re standing (or, for some of our readers, floating), and would have been even more remarkable were it not for the dam constructed in the early 1900s. Still, it’s the pride and joy of Georgians. Over 200,000 visitors make the annual journey to the gorge, placing it among Georgia’s most popular state parks. But if you can secure one of the 100 daily permits (easier said than done on a weekend) that allow you to access the gorge floor, you can escape the mobs of selfie-takers at the overlooks.

EASTATOE GORGE

EASTATOE CREEK HERITAGE PRESERVE, SOUTH CAROLINA DISTANCE: 5 MILES DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

SLIP AND SLIDE DOWN BRIDAL VEIL FALLS ON THE TALLULAH. MURPHY MARTIN

If blissful seclusion, old-growth forests, and diverse flora are what you seek, The Narrows at Eastatoe is the answer. This 300-acre preserve is a little slice of urban sanctuary for Upstaters looking to escape the bustle of city living. An hour practically due west from Greenville and tucked into the tri-state fold of the Georgia-North Carolina-South Carolina state lines, Eastatoe is largely overlooked due in large part to its proximity to summer hotspots like Lake Jocassee and Gorges State Park. We would like that to change. Though overnight camping is no longer permitted in the preserve (due to an increased number of downed hemlock trees), there is plenty here that makes a day trip worthwhile, namely crisp mountain water and native rainbow trout. The Eastatoe Gorge Trail is a spur off of the Foothills Trail and is about as diverse as the forests through which it passes. Beginning as an old logging road before merging into a classic footpath, the hike to The Narrows takes visitors through cove and upland hardwoods before descending into the lush hemlock canopy where rare ferns like the Tunbridge

the authentic outdoor sports voice of america

OUTDOORADVENTUREMEDIA.COM

Outdoor Adventure Media is a network of regional outdoor sports, adventure lifestyle magazines. Each OAM publication is the definitive guide to outdoor recreation, travel and gear in its region. EAST COAST

ROCKY MTNS

WEST COAST

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CONTACT MARTHA EVANS (O) (828) 225-0868 x2 48

(M) (828) 231-6858

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017 / M O U N TA I N E D I T I O N

martha@blueridgeoutdoors.com

martha@outdooradventuremedia.com

THE HIKE TO STINGING FORK FALLS IS SHORT BUT SWEET. KRISTI PARSONS

Fern (which exists nowhere else in North America) thrive. The aptly named “Narrows,” which plummets 600 feet in elevation through tight and twisting rock channels, is not a quiet, family friendly swimming hole. It’s the creek crossings, knee-deep in places, where you’ll find your midhike dunk. That water is pretty frigid, so even if you could swim laps, you probably wouldn’t last long enough to do so.

NORTHRUP FALLS

COLDITZ COVE STATE NATURAL AREA, TENNESSEE DISTANCE: 2 MILES DIFFICULTY: EASY

Named in honor of the family who settled in this rugged pocket of Tennessee, Northrup Falls was the site of Northrup mill during the 1800s. Marvelous in setting, but no doubt steep in terrain, it’s a wonder any family could carve a life for themselves out of this jungle of twisting mountain laurel and hemlock. Today, the 60-footwaterfall is the jewel of Colditz Cove State Natural Area, a 165-acre protected tract of land that houses Black Mountain dusky salamanders,

pygmy shrews, and legends past of cliff-dwelling Woodland Indians who hunted the forest here more than 3,000 years ago. This hike is absolutely worth the extra time in the car to reach it. About an hour and a half northwest of Knoxville, the Colditz Cove State Natural Area is not far from the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area near the TennesseeKentucky border. Bring a camera— the waterfall here is not unlike an amphitheater in its design, with layers of rock ledges rounding out the cove like a cul-de-sac.

STINGING FORK FALLS STINGING FORK FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA, TENNESSEE DISTANCE: 3 MILES DIFFICULTY: EASY

Another one of Tennessee’s underrated public lands is the Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area, a gorgeous 783-acre chunk of forest located smack dab in the middle of the state. The falls for which this natural area is named is humble in height, tumbling for 30 feet through a relatively narrow slot, but the unspoiled pool below has to

be one of the most picturesque places to swim we’ve ever seen. For a quickand-easy outing, this hike has everything that makes the Cumberland Plateau such a special place— jagged bluffs, lush rhododendroncloaked understory, trickling cascades surging with life. After you take a dip at the falls, check out the short spur trail to the overlook at Indian Head Point to see the gorge from a different point of view.

VIRGIN FALLS

VIRGIN FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA, TENNESSEE

Virgin Falls itself forms underground before rising through the porous ceiling of a cave. It then falls more than 100 feet before disappearing altogether into another cave. It’s because of these unusual sink features that the “pocket wilderness” became an official state recreation area in 2012 thanks to a partial grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three other waterfalls accompany Virgin Falls on this hike, including Big Laurel Falls, Sheep Cave Falls, and Big Branch Falls. Along the way, you’ll pass sinkholes, boulder fields, caves, and vistas overlooking the Caney Fork River and Scott’s Gulf areas. Due to the unfortunate realities of white nose syndrome, entering caves is prohibited at this time. Primitive camping is allowed here, but please be respectful visitors and leave this sensitive place as pristine as you found it.

WILDCAT FALLS JOYCE KILMER-SLICKROCK WILDERNESS AREA, NORTH CAROLINA

DISTANCE: 9 MILES DIFFICULTY: STRENUOUS

DISTANCE: 12 MILES DIFFICULTY: STRENUOUS

Less than two hours’ drive from downtown Chattanooga is perhaps one of the most unique examples of water’s awe-inspiring power. Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness, as Bowater Pulp and Paper Corporation originally deemed it in 1973, is defined by its karst topography.

Straddling the North CarolinaTennessee border for more than 17,000 acres, the Joyce KilmerSlickrock Wilderness Area preserves some of the most sacred waters and virgin forests of the Nantahala and Cherokee national forests. Dedicated as a memorial to Alfred Joyce Kilmer, who penned the poem “Trees” ("I think that I shall never see/ A poem lovely as a tree."), this wilderness area has long been touted for that very asset, trees. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock is widely regarded as the home of the largest tract of old-growth forest in the East. You’ll no doubt revel in those impressive DUNK YOUR HEAD BENEATH THE MYSTICAL VIRGIN FALLS. KRISTI PARSONS

and joy is popular for all of the right reasons. The Cascades National Recreation Trail follows Big Stony Creek upstream from the parking lot to the falls. With stunning bridges and impressive natural rock work, you’d be hard-pressed not to take a photo around every bend in the trail. The vast majority of visitors will not venture past the falls, but just a few miles farther down the trail is Barney’s Wall. Here, hikers will come upon 700-foot vertical cliff faces overlooking the idyllic New River Valley towards Blacksburg, Virginia. Make sure your memory card is empty when you set out—the photo opps just keep coming. HIKE DOWN RED CREEK IN THE DOLLY SODS TO FIND HIDDEN WATERFALLS AND SWIMMING HOLES GALORE. JESS DADDIO

boughs when you visit, but for this trip, it’s Slickrock Creek that will be the center of attention. The very lifeblood of this wilderness, Slickrock Creek runs like an artery between the two states, serving as the actual border between North Carolina and Tennessee for some miles. Countless smaller tributaries, with memorable names like Naked Ground Branch and Hangover Creek, feed into Slickrock on its way to Calderwood Lake. For obvious reasons, this is prime native brook trout territory and even anglers will have to hike at least two miles in to access any of those crystal clear waters.

WINTERGREEN FALLS

DUPONT STATE FOREST, NORTH CAROLINA DISTANCE: 3.2 MILES DIFFICULTY: EASY

Often overshadowed by the blockbuster waterfalls of DuPont State Forest like Triple Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Hooker Falls, and High Falls, Wintergreen Falls is just as stunning as its cascading brethren but hardly gets the traffic. That’s 50

probably because it’s cordoned off in its own little neck of the woods, farther east of the high-volume trails and waterfalls most tourists visit. At 15 feet in height, it’s certainly no pounding 100-foot curtain of thunder, but you’re here for the swimming, not the waterfall viewing, am I right? You can make this romp to Wintergreen as long or as short as you’d like. Mountain bikers may want to park in some of the main parking areas near the forest’s entrance to work up a sweat before reaching the falls, while hikers (maybe with kiddos in tow) can opt for the 1.5-mile hikein. Take your furry four-legged friend (we’re talking dogs here, not llamas) along for the dip, but be sure to keep them on a leash.

OVERALL RUN

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VIRGINIA DISTANCE: 8.5 MILES DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

At 93 feet in height, most people know Overall Run as Shenandoah National Park’s tallest waterfall. It’s certainly a waterfall worth checking out, but don’t be disappointed if you

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

visit in the summer—dry spells can reduce this normally powerful flow to a mere trickle. Fortunately those low flows aren’t enough to dry up the pools at the bottom of the falls. There are three pools here that are deep enough to consider swimmable, so even if there are some other visitors at Overall Run, you can lay claim to your own slice of mountain stream paradise. For those unfamiliar with Shenandoah National Park, this hike will hit all the high points— meadows, black bear sightings, postcard-worthy valley overlooks. You can’t beat the Shenandoahs in summer.

CASCADE FALLS

JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA DISTANCE: 8.4 MILES DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

This 69-foot-waterfall is definitely one of the most popular destinations on this list, but we would be remiss to omit it. With 200-foot canyon walls, a massive swimming hole at its base, and plenty of quiet hiking past the falls themselves, Giles County’s pride

FORKS OF RED CREEK

DOLLY SODS WILDERNESS, WEST VIRGINIA DISTANCE: 10.6 DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

There’s a reason Dolly Sods is considered one of the wildest places east of the Mississippi. The Arcticlike flora, fauna, and conditions can make even summertime trips to the Sods feel unexpectedly out-of-season. The weather here has a mind of its own, so don’t be surprised if you plan a grand swimming hole expedition only to get socked in with fog, rain, and temps in the 50s. On the rare chance that the skies are clear and the weather divine, you’re in for a real treat. Red spruce, open meadows, and tannin-stained waters dominate the Sods’ highlands. Being a wilderness area, none of the trails are marked here, which is just one of the factors in its wild feel. Of course, the Sods’ reputation for remoteness is not unheard of. The access road to Dolly Sods is often packed on fair weather weekends, especially once the blueberries and blooming mountain laurel are in. Don’t let that deter you—within a few minutes of hiking, you’ll feel like you’re miles from civilization.

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

BEST

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

ADVENTURE COLLEGES IN THE BLUE RIDGE BY ALEXIS ELIOT

SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE

Thirty-two colleges competed in our 2017 Top Adventure College Contest and battled head to head in a bracketstyle tournament between small and big schools. After 150,000 votes poured in, these cool schools emerged as the top eight most adventurous colleges in the Blue Ridge.

#1 WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY STUDENT BODY:

10,805

Parks and Recreation Management (BS and minor), Recreational Therapy (BS and minor) TUITION: $7,027 (In-state) $17,420 (Out-ofstate) OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S):

Hitting the top of our list for the fourth year in a row, Western Carolina University offers a combination of excellent location, renowned outdoor-related academics, and top-notch outdoor recreational facilities. “You can hike or mountain bike on more than 7 miles of trail or go fishing on Cullowhee Creek, test your skills on a climbing wall, all without leaving campus,” says Geoff Cantrell, who works in the Office of Communications and Public Relations. Surrounding campus are the Smokies, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.

#2 SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE STUDENT BODY:

320

OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S): TUITION:

N/A

$36,520

Sweet Briar’s 3,250-acre campus is home to 18 miles of hike/bike/horse riding trails,

a lake and boathouse, and every barn and field needed to support one of the best equestrian programs in the country. Away from main campus is a primitive outing cabin where students kick it Thoreau-style— bunks, cast-iron wood stove, and the great outdoors. Alumnae Mariah Skalka recalls, “There’s so much land to explore and woods to get lost in, I never felt like I could see it all. There was always some new place I hadn’t discovered yet.” The Sweet Briar Outdoor Program paddles the James River, skis at Wintergreen in the winter, and backpacks, rafts, and rock climbs yearround.

MARYVILLE COLLEGE STUDENT BODY:

1,197

Outdoor Studies and Tourism (B.A. and minor) TUITION: $33,402 OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S):

Maryville College students can earn up academic credits for their adventure.s One credit is earned for every five outings, which could be anything from hiking in the Smoky Mountains to kayaking down the Little Tennessee River. On campus, students climb the towering 55-foot Alpine Tower and boulder in the climbing cave. Maryville’s Outdoor Studies and Tourism curriculum teaches everything you need to know to get you teaching and guiding in the outdoors, which includes a Wilderness Emergency Responder course and a nine-credit internship.

STUDENT BODY:

15,000

Camp and Outdoor Adventure Leadership (B.S.) TUITION: $22,880 OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S):

Liberty is an epicenter of ultrarunning. Ultrarunning legend Dr. David Horton teaches an advanced running class in which students are required to complete an ultramarathon. Of course, the region has more to offer than just running trails. The Peaks of Otter, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a plethora of fine hiking trails are less than an hour from Lynchburg. “I love that there are so many places to hike close to campus and kayaking on the James River or mountain biking around Lynchburg always makes for a great time,” says Senior Cara Hartley. “Liberty possesses a sweet Christian atmosphere that makes it special and unique. It truly is a home away from home.”

ROANOKE COLLEGE STUDENT BODY:

2,060

OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S): TUITION:

N/A

$41,110

Previously on Princeton Review’s list of the top 20 most beautiful campuses, Roanoke College is quaint at 80 acres and has more than enough trees to set up a slackline. The Outdoor Adventures program leads weekly mountain biking, hiking, caving, whitewater rafting, or hang gliding adventures. The college encourages incoming freshman to participate in Journey, a pre-orientation program that introduces new students to both college life and the bustling outdoor recreation scene in the Roanoke Valley. Typical Journey activities include mountain biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail, whitewater rafting on the New or Gauley rivers, and hiking Mount Rogers in Grayson Highlands State Park.

VIRGINIA TECH STUDENT BODY:

33,170

N/A $12,852 (In-state) $29,975 (Outof-state) OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S): TUITION:

While best known for its excellent engineering curriculum, Virginia Tech has topped USA Today’s list of the best colleges to study natural resources and conservation for three years running. Minutes from the New River, Grayson

Highlands, and Jefferson National Forest, Tech has a healthy dose of outdoorrelated clubs, just a few of which promote caving, climbing, whitewater paddling , and ultrarunning. The Virginia Tech Outdoor Club is one of just two university-affiliated groups to maintain a section of the Appalachian Trail. “For biking, the Huckleberry Trail is absolutely beloved here, and the town of Blacksburg is incredibly bike-friendly," ssays Brittan Wilcox, Outdoor Club Vice President.

EASTERN TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT BODY:

11,392

N/A $8,818 (In-state), $27,018 (Outof-state) OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S): TUITION:

Just a stone's throw from Cherokee National Forest, Eastern Tennessee State University rents out a fleet of bicycles for the week or month and maintains several “fix-it”stations around campus. The college boasts an indoor rock wall to complement its 44-foot outdoor climbing tower. The crown jewel of on-campus outdoor recreation is the Basler Team Challenge & Aerial Adventure Course, a high and low ropes course that features climbing, rappelling, bouldering, zip lines, and a giant swing. ETSU offers the Buccaneer Outdoor Adventure program for incoming freshmen. Adventures usually include biking, paddling, camping, and a service day with the U.S. Forest Service.

LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE STUDENT BODY:

1,033

Outdoor Recreation Management (B.S.) TUITION: $24,150 OUTDOOR-RELATED DEGREES(S):

Lees-McRae is located between Roan and Grandfather Mountain State Parks and Cherokee National Forest, and Beech and Sugar Mountain Ski Resorts are ten minutes to the north and south of campus, respectively. If they’re not in the woods or on the slopes, students can be found on the college’s indoor climbing wall. Lees-McRae is also one of the few colleges to support a competitive rock climbing team. Every year they host the Reel Rock Film Tour, a traveling film festival, to spread the rock climbing spirit.

A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

Become a leader in

Adventure Sports Management with your bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University Frostburg State University and Garrett College have teamed up to offer an innovative program that launches you into the world of outdoor recreation. Demand is rising for outdoor adventure experts who are not just great at what they do, but are also proven leaders and managers. • Extensive hands-on experiences in the field • Classes held at Garrett College, close to some of the best climbing, skiing and whitewater in the East! • Taught by active, experienced professionals • Prepares leaders and managers for the fast-growing outdoor recreation and tourism industries

SAFE DRINKING WATER AT ANY HEIGHT.

SIPSAFE LETS THE GOOD STUFF THROUGH

Water isn’t something you want to lug up a mountain. Now, you don’t have to. The LifeStraw Go bottle with replaceable 2-stage filtration removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of protozoa for up to 264 gallons of safe drinking water, and also comes equipped with a replaceable carbon filter to remove chlorine, bad taste and odor. Simply fill from any freshwater source, sip and go. The goodness doesn’t end there. Each purchase provides a student in a developing community access to safe drinking water for an entire year. Do good. Sip Safe. Explore your world at lifestraw.com. Available in 5 colors LifeStraw is proud to have been named the 2017 Gold Halo Award Winner in the Transactional Category

Email FSUAdmissions@frostburg.edu | 301.687.4201 | www.frostburg.edu

1,102 “Tastes great! Keeps for a long time. Good for camping, preppers, boats, etc. Just add hot water, zip it closed for 7-8 minutes, then eat! My family loves the lasagna, chicken teryaki, and beef stew.” - CF

® ®

Up to $11.00 value TO RECEIVE REBATE: 1) Purchase any one individual Mountain House pouched meal by 10/31/2017 2) Clearly fill out form completely 3) Circle product on original receipt 4) Mail form and receipt in stamped envelope by 11/14/17 to: MOUNTAIN HOUSE Mandlik & Rhodes PO Box 490 Dept # 4001-R00749 Tecate, CA 91980

Now is your chance to try one of our dozens of meals – on The House! Find them in the camping aisle of your favorite retailer.

NAME (print clearly) ADDRESS PO Box Address without street address are not accepted

STATE

CITY UPC (12-digits)

ZIP PRICE

E-MAIL

REAL FOOD FOR REAL ADVENTURES. Just add hot water and eat right out of the pouch.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

Check if you would like to receive e-mail offers and news from us Mail-in Rebate Terms & Conditions: Limit one refund per household, or address. Mail-in submission only. Rebate applied to price paid and does not include tax. Maximum rebate value of $11.00. Rebate not payable at retail stores. Only valid in USA. Must be at least 18 years old. Fraudulent submission may result in prosecution. Please allow 8 weeks for delivery of refund check. Call 1-847-387-8721 to check refund status. © 2017 Mountain House

www.FreeMountainHouse.com

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

THE GOODS

0 8 . 17

STEEP CANYON RANGER JOE MOERSCHBAECHER’S

ADIDAS TERREX SOLO ($120) This shoe is great for water sports of all types. They’re breathable and quick draining, but durable enough to be used as a lightweight trail runner. What sets this shoe apart is the sole, which is made of 5.10 stealth rubber, providing you superior grip as you scramble and climb on and among wet boulders.

MULTISPORT MUST-HAVES BY GRAHAM AVERILL

oe Moerschbacher leads canyoneering trips in waterfallrich gorges throughout Pisgah and the surrounding forests. His canyoneering trips are a mix of swimming, rock hopping, climbing and waterfall rappels that tackle familiar terrain in new, unique ways. We asked Moerschbacher to detail the gear he relies on day in, day out.

NATIVE EYEWEAR KODIAK SUNGLASSES ($149) These Polarized shades provide eye protection from the sun, and also come with interchangeable light and dark lenses. Put a pair of chums on them and the glasses wrap around the face enough to be kept on while swimming without having to worry about them slipping off. Native Eyewear also has a great lifetime warranty deal. PATAGONIA CAPILENE DAILY BOXERS ($35) Almost as comfortable when wet as dry, these boxers will help prevent swamp ass. In addition, they dry quickly, and like most Patagonia products, will last quite a long while.

TENKARA USA RHODO ROD ($215) This is a great, lightweight collapsible fishing rod by the company that introduced the sport of Tenkara fishing to the United States. It's simple and easy to use, and the adjustable length option makes it perfect for fishing the tight creeks of the Southeast. NRS LEVEL 6 CANYON SHORTS ($60) Comfortable and practical, these shorts have zipper pockets on both upper legs so you do not lose any valuables while swimming, boulder hopping, or rock scrambling. The built-in buckle makes sure your shorts stay on when you swim, dive, or jump in the water. Editor’s Note: NRS discontinued the Canyon, and now makes the Guide shorts.

PISGAH PALE ALE This is a great beer any time of year, but it is especially quenching in the hot summer months. Packaged in a can, it’s easy to transport. While enjoying the swimming holes, take out what you brought and try to leave the place a little better than you found it. As it says on the can, "We all drink downstream." ROYAL ROBBINS DIABLO CHILL L/S ($78) The Diablo Melange Blend is a Beat the Heat fabric protecting from high heat, humidity and sun exposure. Equipped with Wick-ed Cool mesh lining on the upper back for moisture wicking ventilation and a built-in cooling agent. Light weight, quick dry and wrinkle resistant, this shirt is ideal for travel and trekking, fusing style with function.

MORE GEAR HYDRO FLASK 64-OZ. GROWLER ($65) Hydro Flask’s double wall insulation keeps every sip of your beverage as icy cold as when it was first poured (even if it sits in the hot sun all day). Plus, the streamlined handle makes the Growler easy to carry and even easier to pour.

MOUNTAINSMITH MOUNTAIN SHADE DOME ($170) The Mountain Shade goes up easily, has tons of space, and tends to be the congregation hall of the campground. At 10 feet high, with 100 square feet of floor space, it provides ample shelter from the rain and sun. A U G U S T 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

TRAIL MIX Southern Music Notes

On the band’s 2014 self-titled debuted studio record, Snider, a prolific tunesmith, only sang the songs of other songwriters he admired, covering the likes of Gillian Welch and Kevn Kinney. But since, the band has developed its own material and honed its dynamic, psychedelic garage rock sound— showcased on the new live record. “For the kind of band we are, I think this is a definite statement for us,” Snider said of the album, which was mostly recorded at Iron City, a rock club in Birmingham, Ala. “It captures a collective spirit, a collective muse being shared by a thousand-plus people.”

BY JEDD FERRIS

GUITAR HERO JIMMY HERRING UNVEILS NEW BAND Georgia-based guitarist Jimmy Herring was a member of the Allman Brothers Band, and he’s played lead guitar for a variety Grateful Dead spinoffs, including the Dead and Phil Lesh and Friends. For over a decade, he’s been handling lead duties for Widespread Panic, but with that group scaling back its road time, Herring is using this summer to unveil a new band, the Invisible Whip. Sonically and spiritually, Herring describes his new outfit as a callback to his time as a member of Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit, the zany, jazz-rock jamband that flourished briefly as an early 90s contemporary of Phish and Blues Traveler. Hampton, a quirky, underground Southern bluesman who was a mentor to Herring among many other musicians, died suddenly onstage during his own 70th birthday tribute show. Along with Herring, the high-profile show at Atlanta’s Fox Theater featured an all-star cast of Hampton’s admirers, including Warren Haynes, John Popper, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Peter Buck of R.E.M., Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and Phish drummer Jon Fishman. With the loss of his friend fresh on his mind, Herring has assembled a group of players who have all worked with Hampton in the past. The Invisible Whip roster includes drummer and fellow former Aquarium Rescue Unit member Jeff Sipe, organ player Matt Slocum, bassist Kevin Scott, and multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby. “In my opinion there are two types of musicians—ones that have played with Bruce and ones that haven’t,” Herring said. “I want to be surrounded by people who have worked with him, because we all speak the same 54

language.” With Herring’s guitar work front and center, the new band will swirl jazz, blues, and rock into an improv-friendly instrumental sound. Herring said crowds can expect songs from his two most recent solo albums, 2008’s Lifeboat and 2012’s Subject to Change Without Notice, as well as new material and select covers. The Invisible Whip’s tour heads south this month with stops at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, Ky., on August 1, and the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Va., on August 5. Then during a fall co-headlining tour with John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, the band will visit the Durham Performing Arts Center on November 12 and Atlanta Symphony Hall on November 22.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / A U G U S T 2 017

HARD WORKING AMERICANS HEAD SOUTH Hard Working Americans is the super-group side project featuring Dave Schools and Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic, guitarist Neal Casal of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and Nashville folk singer Todd Snider. The group, rounded out by keyboardist Chad Staehly and guitarist Jesse Aycock, first formed in 2013 and have since gigged sporadically as members stay busy with their primary outlets. But this month, the band will release a new live album, We’re All in This Together, and support the effort with a crosscountry tour that will land in the South in late September and early October. Regional dates include a headlining slot at the Sugarlands Mountain fest in Gatlinburg, Tenn., on September 30 and a stop at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, N.C., on October 1.

ALLMAN TRIBUTE AND OTHER COLLABORATIONS Fans of the Allman Brothers Band have experienced tough losses this year with the deaths of founding members Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman in January and May, respectively. Both artists will be honored this month with a special set at the Peach Music Festival (August 10-13), an annual event started by the Allman Brothers back in 2012 that takes place at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pa. Musicians participating in what’s being billed as an “Allstar Tribute to Gregg Allman & Butch Trucks” haven’t been announced, but the festival’s line-up features former Allman alumni Warren Haynes, Oteil Burbridge, Marc Quinones, and Jaimoe. The latter three are members of Trucks’ Les Brers and will offer a final performance of the band at the festival. Two weeks later Haynes has special plans at the Lockn’ Music Festival (August 24-27) in Arrington, Va., where his band Gov’t Mule will play a special collaborative set with Ann Wilson of Heart. The festival, known for curating unexpected artist combinations, will also feature a joint set by the Avett Brothers with Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Bob Weir.

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors