Blue Ridge Outdoors August 2019

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THE

PARKS

ISSUE

COOL KIDS DOING COOL THINGS

GYMS VS. ROCK PA D D L E R S : B E AT E R I N G I S N OT C O O L + E C O -A N X I E T Y + R E M E M B E R I N G Q U Y: A T R I AT H L E T E ’ S L I F E A N D T R AG I C D E AT H

16 INSPIRING YO U N G AT H L E T E S , ARTISTS, AND ENTREPRENEURS

LE CONTE CHALLENGE: THREE ADAMS, ONE TRAIL RECORD

GEAR CHECK | TRAIL RUNNING HYDRATION

Cool Runnings Wait a six-minute mile...you’re not still trail

cool by preventing heat transfer from body

running with bike water bottles bound to your

to bottle. But the feelgood trail story of the

hands are you? If so, the pack has left you far

year is their coast-to-coast collaboration with

behind when it comes to hydration. Leading

The North Face Endurance Challenge Series

the charge is HydraPak, who have taken hard

on utilizing the 200 ml, reusable SpeedCup to

bottles out of the mix with flexible TPU flasks

eliminate paper cup waste at aid stations and

that are durable and lightweight—the exact

save some trees in the process.

same tech Nathan and market-leader Salomon integrate into their high-mileage running vests. This season’s innovation leap comes from IsoBound™ technology—available in the Velocity IT 1.5 L reservoir and the UltraFlask IT 500 ml flexible bottle—which keeps liquids

Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set with 2 SoftFlask Speed 500 ml

GU Energy Flask 150 ml

SpeedCup 200 ml

SoftFlask 500 ml

UltraFlask IT 500 ml

Velocity IT 1.5 L

I am KIMBALL PAYNE. I’ve been fishing up and down the James River since I was a boy, and I witnessed the decline in water quality firsthand. But as a member of the James River Association, I’ve been able to help the organization lower urban and wastewater pollution to the lowest levels in decades. There’s still work to be done—and I’m glad to be part of the comeback story.

I AM A JAMES CHANGER.

BE A JAMES CHANGER.

Join today for $35, and learn about volunteer opportunities at BeAJamesChanger.org

EDITOR'S NOTE

PRESIDENT BLAKE DEMASO b l a ke @ b l u e r i d g e o u t d o o r s . c o m E D I TO R I N C H I E F W I L L H A R L A N will@blueridgeoutdoors.com P U B L I S H E R L E A H WO O DY leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R L AU R E N WO R T H lauren@blueridgeoutdoors.com A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R K AT I E H A R T W E L L katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com E D I TO R I A L & P R O D U C T I O N S E N I O R E D I TO R J E D D F E R R I S jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER AMELIA MCCONNELL amelia@blueridgeoutdoors.com T R AV E L E D I TO R E L L E N K A N Z I N G E R ellen@blueridgeoutdoors.com O U T D O O R N E W S E D I TO R

KIM DINAN

C O N T R I B U TO R S M A S O N A DA M S A.K. CLEMMONS DA N I E L D E W I T T IAN DZILENSKI

WA L LY S M I T H E L I Z A B E T H M C G OWA N DAV E S TA L L A R D

C O P Y E D I TO R S JULIA GREEN, ROBERT MCGEE ADVERTISING & BUSINESS S E N I O R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

M A R T H A E VA N S

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GOT A STORY IDEA OR COMMENT? submit@blueridgeoutdoors.com B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

DON’T LET THEM SILENCE YOU A PROPOSED FOREST SERVICE RULE CHANGE WILL ELIMINATE PUBLIC COMMENT AND TRANSPARENT SCIENTIFIC REVIEW FROM MOST FOREST DECISIONS

BY WILL HARLAN

IF YOU HAVE HIKED, BIKED, OR EXPLORED THE

outdoors in Appalachia, it’s likely taken place in a national forest.

National forests in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic comprise over 14 million acres—ten times more than all the national parks and other public lands in our region combined.

As important as these lands are for recreation, scenery, tourism, and clean water, they’re also open to other kinds of uses, like commercial logging, pipelines, oil and gas drilling, and mining. In the past, when the Forest Service considered approving these kinds of activities, it was required to give the public advance notice, conduct a transparent and sciencebased review of the potential harms, and allow the public a chance to comment or object.

Public comments have been key in protecting forests for decades.

This month, the U.S. Forest Service is proposing to take away public notice, comments, and scientific input for over 93 percent of all its decisions.

The proposal would create large new loopholes in a statute called the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. Whenever a government action has the potential to harm the environment, NEPA requires the agency to pause and ask two questions: are there less harmful ways to meet our goals, and, if not, are the benefits worth the harm?

Those questions can’t be answered without scientific review and public input. The Forest Service’s new rule, however, would bypass these simple safeguards for the vast majority of its decisions.

“Under the new rule, the Forest Service will have nearly complete

NATIONAL PARK NEWS discretion to approve commercial logging projects, build new roads in areas that are important for nonmotorized recreation and wildlife, close roads that are important for public access, and even approve pipeline or utility rights of way, all without science-based review and public accountability,” says Sam Evans, attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

While NEPA has always allowed agencies to fast-track routine actions like re-paving parking lots, the new proposal attempts to stretch those loopholes to include a breathtaking number of decisions. For example, the proposal allows up to 4,200 acres of logging—6.6 square miles—with no advance notice or opportunity to comment.

Without public notice, there would be no safeguards against logging old growth, harming rare habitats, muddying trout streams, or developing unroaded areas with roads and timber production.

The Forest Service claims that the new rule is needed to alleviate a growing backlog of paperwork and to speed up projects to remove hazardous fuels in areas prone to catastrophic wildfire. The new loopholes would not be limited to those kinds of actions, however, and Congress has already given the Forest Service streamlined authority to protect communities from wildfire.

“Wildfire is being used as a fear tactic and smokescreen to dramatically expand resource extraction projects without any public or scientific input,” says Hannah Furgiuele, program director for Friends of Big Ivy, a conservation and recreation organization focused on North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. Evans agrees: “If the Forest Service isn’t willing to limit these authorities now, while the public is watching, then you can bet they won’t hold themselves back in the future, when they are making decisions behind closed doors.”

National forests in Southern Appalachia are among the most popular in the country. The PisgahNantahala National Forest in North Carolina is the nation’s second-most visited national forest, with nearly 7 million visitors last year. According to the U.S. Forest Service’s own 2014 Visitor Use Survey for the PisgahNantahala National Forest, over 90

percent of forest users are hikers, mountain bikers, paddlers, trail runners, and other nature-seeking outdoor enthusiasts. Without their input into future decisions, our forests will become less hospitable to the activities they enjoy.

The public still has an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Public comments can be submitted until August 12 at www.fs.fed.us/emc/nepa/revisions/ index.shtml, or visit Southern Environmental Law Center’s action page for the Forest Service rule change at southernenvironment.org.

“If we don’t speak up now, we won’t have the ability to speak up in the future when logging or pipelines or roads threaten our favorite trails, hunting areas, overlooks, rivers, or campsites,” says Evans.

MOST POPULAR NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND MIDATLANTIC Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina)

1,100,000 acres

G. Washington-Jefferson National Forest (Virginia)

1,792,000 acres

Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia)

920,500 acres

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (Georgia)

866,700 acres

Cherokee National Forest (Tennessee)

656,300 acres

Daniel Boone National Forest (Kentucky)

564,100 acres

Allegheny National Forest (Pennsylvania)

513,600 acres

Sumter National Forest (South Carolina) Talladega National Forest (Alabama)

372,700 acres

393,000 acres

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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Limitless adventure awaits.

Spring in St. Mary’s County is breathtaking.

Outdoor adventure, history, food, culture, and everything in between await you where the Potomac and the Chesapeake meet. Come discover the mid-Atlantic’s best kept travel secret.

BOUNDLESS EXPERIENCES AND ADVENTURE St. Mary’s County

BEGIN YOU ADVENTURE AT

visitStMar ysMD.com Celebrate 50 Years of Love in Madison!

Enjoy live music over craft beer. Go for a wine tasting at one of our wonderful wineries. Enjoy a meal at one of our great restaurants, from casual barbecue to fine dining at a world class restaurant.

Stay in a B&B, RV, house, lodge or yurt!

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B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S | AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 | R I C H M O N D, VA B E AC H , M E T R O D. C . E D I T I O N

EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

LIVING OUR BEST #VANLIFE

AUGUST 2019

AUGUST 2019 It’s been a wonderful summer so far. Although the snow keeps hanging on in high country, we’ve enjoyed the extra water and how green it is in the mountains. We’ve finally been able to climb some classic Colorado fourteeners, backpack to pristine alpine lakes, and camp in our van under the stars in many of our favorite (and secret) Rocky Mountain campsites. The fall is nowhere in site, so here’s to keeping cool and enjoying the ride!

G E A R W E ’ R E LO V I N G

LOWE ALPINE: ALTUS BACKPACKS

Featuring the new Air Contour carry system that provides plenty of support and comfort during long days in the mountains, the Altus comes in three men’s sizes and three women’s sizes ranging from 30-57 liters. This do-it-all pack is great for all seasons and any outdoor pursuit—from ski mountaineering to fourteener scrambling. Ours proved comfy and stable on several long backpacking and peak bagging trips already this summer.

LEKI: MICRO VARIO CARBON BLACK SERIES

F E AT U R E S 27 DO YOU HAVE ECOANXIETY? Parents and experts share ways to stay positive and maintain hope in an age of climate uncertainty.

musicians, and entrepreneurs leading the next wave of outdoor adventure in the Southeast and MidAtlantic.

D E PA R T M E N T S

5 EDITOR’S NOTE 30 The Forest Service wants PARKS GUIDE 2019 to nix public comment and From Mount Mitchell to scientific review. Don’t let Blackwater Falls, our state them silence you. parks host world-class adventure. Here are 12 9 favorites, along with the QUICK HITS behind-the-scenes stories Richmond triathlete dies of the visionaries who during swim • Have gyms helped create them. made climbing more accessible? • Three guys 45 named Adam complete Le THE COOL KIDS Conte Challenge • Free Meet the inspiring climber Austin Howell dies young athletes, artists, from fall in Linville Gorge

• National parks backlog bill earns bipartisan support 25 FLASHPOINT Paddlers: Your beatering is not cool.

50 THE GOODS Boone boulderer Aaron Parlier’s go-to gear.

Leki’s lightest trekking poles got a facelift this year. As the name suggests, carbon fiber makes them extremely stable and super-light at just 7.3 ounces per pole. And the tri-fold design makes them easy to stash in your pack (or a crowded van). Plus, this year Leki updated their locking device (Core Locking Device or CDL) to a slimmer and more even lighter construction that’s easy to use on the trail.

SEA TO SUMMIT: SLEEPING MAT COUPLER KIT LOOPS

Sometimes the best gear comes in the smallest packages. The simple but effective Coupler Kit holds you and your partner’s sleeping pads together—perfect for those who want to sleep close but avoid that annoying crack between two pads. They weigh just 0.5 ounces each and they’re easy to stash. Pack them away and forget they are there until it’s time to snuggle.

SCHEDULE

8/9-8/11 2019

TELLURIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL TELLURIDE, CO

8/17/2019

MOUNTAIN TOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL KEYSTONE KEYSTONE, CO

8/31-9/2 2019

A TASTE OF COLORADO DENVER, CO

ON THE COVER The morning sun sets alight both the sky and Blackwater River with orange and red hues at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia.

Photo by Jesse Thornton @reflectioninapool ReflectionInAPool.com AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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KENTUCKY STATE PARKS Whether you want to do it all, or get away from it all, Kentucky’s State Parks offers adventure levels for all ages and interests.

From shorelines and mountains to caves and trails, when the day’s adventures are done, accommodations from rustic to refined will help you rest up for another day of play. Book your lodge room or cottage get-a-way today at parks.ky.gov.

parks.ky.gov #kystateparks

QUICK HITS

OUTDOOR NEWS

BY JEDD FERRIS + KIM DINAN

GIRL SCOUT HELPS JAMES RIVER BECOME INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK Thanks to Girl Scout Lora Callahan, James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park, which means it has a strict outdoor lighting policy to allow the public to see stars more easily.

The state park, which lies south of Charlottesville, is only the second state park in Virginia with the title. It’s also the 44th Dark Sky Park in the U.S., and only the 64th park in the world.

Callahan, a Girl Scout from Lynchburg, took on the project for her Gold Award. The high school senior and her mother, Valerie, encouraged park managers to switch out lighting and helped spread the word about the stargazing program.

“Lora and Val Callahan are just as responsible as park staff for us receiving the designation,” said James River State Park Manager Andrew Philpot. “Working with park staff, Lora helped change light bulbs, helped make special light fixtures, and made posters to promote the dark sky program to our visitors. Lora and Val both worked tirelessly on the application, culminating two years of hard work.”

Nighttime light pollution comes with the territory on the densely populated East Coast, and stargazing is getting more difficult as development continues. James River State Park invested significant funds to preserve its night sky.

A BILL TO FIX OUR NATIONAL PARKS HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND MAY PASS There are hundreds of national park sites with outstanding repair needs that are putting a strain on park resources and impacting the experience of visitors. But bipartisan support is building in Congress for legislation that would provide funding for deferred maintenance projects across the park system, estimated to total nearly $12 billion.

Members of Congress have been touring parks to raise awareness of the issue. Since mid-February when a bi-partisan group of representatives and senators introduced bills H.R. 1225 and S. 500, one out of three senators and half of House members have signed on as co-sponsors. The Trump administration has also indicated they are supportive of the legislation.

Voters are, without a doubt, supportive of fixing the national parks.

A Pew Charitable Trusts Foundation poll found that over 75 percent of voters indicated they are willing to provide up to $6.5 billion over five years.

CROSS-COUNTRY CYCLIST PERSEVERES FOR CANCER AWARENESS In June, cyclist Brent Lee Bundy was spotted back in Pennsylvania, just 100 miles shy of completing his sixth crosscountry cycling ride from his home state of Oregon to New York. Pennsylvania is the state where the 51-year-old cyclist’s latest ride had to be suspended back in January, when he was hit by a large slab of ice that fell from a car, causing a serious injury that ultimately required neck surgery. After recovery, Bundy was able to resume his two-wheeled cancer awareness mission this past spring.

Always dressed in bright pink, he started his coast-to-coast pedaling journeys after his friend Gina died of breast cancer in 2004, and her name is found on signage attached to Bundy’s gearstocked bike, encouraging others to get screened for the disease. Bundy stops in capital cities to talk to lawmakers about awareness and also visits hospitals on his routes to share his story and offer patients messages of encouragement.

He told Allentown-based news channel WFMZ: “I just want people to find out, catch it early, especially breast cancer, any kind of cancer, just get tested."

FREE CLIMBER DIES AFTER FALLING IN LINVILLE GORGE

FUN FOLLOW: BACKPACKER COMICS

A man has died after falling 80 feet off of Shortoff Mountain in North Carolina’s Linville Gorge. Austin Howell, 31, originally of Texas, was free soloing without ropes or other safety devices when he fell from the face of the mountain on Sunday.

Back in 2016, Howell was profiled in Blue Ridge Outdoors for his quirky climbing habits, including his decision to sometimes climb naked. Throughout his time as a climber he’d taken his fair share of spills, breaking his back and ankles, just to name a few.

But Howell raved about the joys and benefits he received from climbing, including the deep sense of peace he experienced while on the rock, which helped him fight anxiety and depression. His mother told the Chicago Tribune that Howell will be remembered for the help he gave others who were coping with their own anxiety and depression and that he will be buried in Mississippi, where his extended family resides.

Last fall, after Evan Shaeffer summited Mt. Katahdin to complete his Appalachian Trail thru-hike, the Nashville, Tenn., resident wanted to document the experience. What he didn’t want to do, though, was write another memoir, which at this point is a been-there-done-that proposition in A.T. culture. Instead he started Backpacker Comics, offering illustrated, old-school newspaper-style briefs on the trail experience. He often pokes a little fun at geeky hiker minutiae, like the obsession lightweight gear junkies have with shedding ounces in a pack; but he also gets to the heart of a thru-hiker’s 2,200mile journey with comics offering tips to help others considering the adventure and looks at the natural wonders observed along the way.

In a post on thetrek.com, he explained the intention behind his comics series, which can be found at @Backpacker_ Comics: “What began as a strategy to get me to the end of the Appalachian Trail—joking and laughing with my trail companions—has endured as a way of making sense of my thru-hiking experience.”

LAND SWAP COULD ALLOW PIPELINE TO CROSS THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL A land swap with the federal government could allow the Mountain Valley Pipeline to cross the Appalachian Trail. The U.S. Department of the Interior could allow the natural gas company to cross the Appalachian Trail at the top of Peters Mountain near the border of Virginia and West Virginia in exchange for land next to Jefferson National Forest owned by Mountain Valley.

Before the plan goes through, it would have to be approved by several federal agencies. The land swap would push the completion of the 303-mile pipeline to next year.

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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“Best Place to Learn.”

-Outside

Courses for all ages and skill levels on multiple rivers!

Learn more at noc.com/paddling-school

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

QUICK HITS

OUTDOOR NEWS

PISGAH VIEW RANCH WILL BECOME NEW N.C. STATE PARK

WOMAN RIDING HORSEBACK ALONG THE 600-MILE ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE ROUTE

YOU INGEST A CREDIT CARD’S WORTH OF PLASTIC EVERY WEEK

Chances are there’s a new state park coming to North Carolina. A plot of land owned

by U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn Jr., the 1,600-acre Pisgah View Ranch in Candler, may soon become a North Carolina State Park. Cogburn’s family has owned the land since the late 1700’s, but if the House approves the bill and Governor Cooper signs it, Pisgah View Ranch will transfer into the hands of North Carolina and become the state’s newest state park.

The unique piece of property sits in the shadows of Mount Pisgah and has more than two miles of ridgeline, a headwaters and its own watershed. It also serves as a wildlife corridor for animals like bear and deer. North Carolina currently has 39 state parks, but Buncombe County does not yet have one.

A Virginia woman is riding her horse 600 miles along the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to protest and bring attention to it. Sarah Murphy, 34, lives just eight miles from the pipeline in Afton, Virginia. She began her journey last year with her horse, Rob Roy, at the start of the pipeline in West Virginia. They traveled for three months before taking a winter break. Murphy is now just a few counties away from where the pipeline, and her journey, will end.

Though Murphy is riding to protest the pipeline, she has met and stayed with folks on both sides of the fence, from pipeline employees to families who have been negatively impacted by the pipeline. Murphy says that she has learned a lot and has been saddened to see some of the destruction to the land that she grew up on and loves. She has been keeping a blog about her journey: acponhorseback.tumblr.com.

Hungry? How about some plastic? A new study out of Australia has found that, whether you want a serving of plastic for lunch or not, you’re getting it. The study, conducted by the University of Newcastle, suggests that the average person could be ingesting about 5 grams of microplastic per week, the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic.

Researchers found that most of that microplastic is being ingested through the food and beverages we consume, such as shellfish, salt and beer. The largest source of plastic ingestion is drinking water, from which humans consume as many as 1,769 particles of plastic each week. While the long-term effects of plastic ingestion is not yet known, some plastics are made with toxic chemicals and additives that have been shown to influence sexual function, reproduction, and cause cancer.

THE FIRST OUTDOOR BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IN THE EASTERN U.S. IS COMING TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Mountain BizWorks and the Outdoor Gear Builders, along with several other partners, are launching the Waypoint Accelerator, the first outdoor business accelerator program in the east and just the third of its kind nationally.

The Waypoint Accelerator will provide support and resources to entrepreneurs who launch outdoor-focused startups, including gear makers and experience providers. Participants will complete a 10-session intensive and have access to mentorship from the region’s existing outdoor industry. Participants will also have access to connections that may provide capital without having to give up any equity in their business.

There is no cost for the first year of the program, which is accepting applications now through August 11. The program is focused on those based in WNC or who are interested in moving to the area. More details and an application form can be found at waypointaccelerator.com.

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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2020

QUICK HITS

OUTDOOR NEWS

73-YEAR-OLD CALIFORNIA HIKER RESCUED AFTER MISSING FOR 7 DAYS IN THE FOREST A 73-year-old man who became separated from his hiking group has survived after being lost in the forest for seven days without food. Eugene Jo disappeared in the Angeles National Forest and survived by snuggling up against hot rocks to stave off the cold of night and drinking water from the riverbed.

Eleven search teams scoured the area for Jo before he was rescued on Saturday. Jo says he heard the voices of those searching for him and mustered all of his remaining energy to yell for help.

Jo’s family released a statement informing the public that he had been released from the hospital and was “pretty much his old self.”

The statement goes on to explain that the family is “still barely comprehending the extent of this miracle and appreciate privacy at this time.”

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY DEAD ZONE COULD BE THE LARGEST IN DECADES Ecologists from the University of Maryland have predicted that the dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay this year could extend 2.1 cubic miles, making it one of the largest dead zones in 20 years. A dead zone is an area of water with little or no oxygen. Scientists worry that if the Chesapeake Bay dead zone is as large as they predict it could impact animals that live in the bay and have a negative effect on the seafood industry.

Dead zones are caused by excess nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater runoff.

The extra nutrients cause algae to grow. When the algae sinks and decomposes it creates low oxygen levels. This year’s dead zone is expected to be large because of the high levels of rainfall the bay has seen since last fall.

WATER TESTS REVEAL STAGGERING LEVELS OF E. COLI IN WATERWAYS Lab tests conducted last week of E. coli levels in waterways around Western North Carolina show extremely high levels of E. coli in creeks, lakes and rivers popular with swimmers, tubers and paddlers. E. coli is a bacteria that makes its way into our waterways from animal and human fecal matter. Coming into contact with the bacteria can cause vomiting, diarrhea and skin infections.

According to the EPA, safe E. coli levels are below 235 cfus per millimeter and 23 cfus to swim. Water samples taken at 28 sites in Western North Carolina found only two sites with safe levels of E. coli. In samples taken of the French Broad River at Hot Springs, E. coli levels were 47 times the EPA recommended levels (10,935 cfu) and samples from the French Broad River at Bent Creek sowed E. coli levels of 8,900 cfu. The DEQ points out that high bacteria levels are expected after high flow events like storms. No swim advisories have been issued.

CAMPERS RECOVERING AFTER BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Two people were transported to the hospital after being struck by lightning while camping at Balsam Mountain Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Family members of the injured say that District Court Judge Roy Wijewickrama and an unnamed woman were struck by lightning around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, when an isolated thunderstorm rolled through the area, striking two cars in the campground parking lot.

The four people inside of the cars were uninjured, but Wijewickrama and the unnamed woman were outside of the cars and knocked to the ground. Both are expected to recover. Wijewickrama’s wife, Julie, told News 13 WLOS that he is in “stable condition and progressing daily.”

IN QUOTES | “If you stay with me, I’ll stay with you.” —A pledge made between

Laura Mazur and Jessica Robertson, two of the final finishers of the Pittsburgh Marathon back on May 5. A photo of the two runners, who met for the first time on the course at mile 14, went viral on social media, as they were holding hands in support of each other, persevering towards the finish line. Both finished a bit past the race’s seven-hour cut-off time, but aid workers and cheer station volunteers stuck around to make sure the pair received support and encouragement.

HARDCASE ROLLER LUGGAGE AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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QUICK HITS

CLIMBING GYMS

GYMS VS. ROCK HAVE CLIMBING GYMS RUINED ROCK CLIMBING— OR OPENED IT TO NEW AUDIENCES? B Y N ATA L I E S T I C K E L

CLIMBING’S POPULARITY HAS SKYROCKETED IN

the last few years, thanks in part to both its induction into the Olympics beginning in Tokyo next year and recent films like The Dawn Wall and Free Solo, the latter of which earned an Oscar.

While some are excited about increased recognition, others balk at it hitting the mainstream. Many climbers feel that the indoor disciplines can never be compared to their outdoor origins. Another segment is concerned about the potential negative impacts this exposure could have on our mountains. But many others believe novice climbers are a positive force, amplifying the industry’s voice and actively participating in the maintenance and protection of beloved crags.

“Climbing can be intimidating,” says Kevin Tobin, co-owner of Peak Experiences climbing gym in Richmond, Va. "So many people believe that they’re too this or too that, but I tell them if you can use a step ladder, you can walk in the door and be successful.”

Bouldering in particular has a comparatively low barrier to entry; just a pair of shoes, some chalk, and a friend’s guest pass, and you can tackle problems inside in no time. Bouldering was a small part of Peak Experiences when the center opened its doors in 1998, but today, it’s exploding.

Many climbing gyms started in the 1980s and ‘90s in empty warehouses with homemade walls, designed to mimic real rock, founded by and for outdoor climbers as winter and wetweather training grounds. Today of course, most outdoor climbers also climb indoors. Modern gyms seem cater to all sorts of clientele; according to IndoorClimbing.com, there may be over one hundred indoor climbing centers open in this magazine’s distribution area, including smaller walls in community centers and universities.

“Expectations of what a climbing 14

gym should look like has changed a lot; over the last ten to twelve years, they’ve rapidly evolved,” says Andrew Kratz, Managing Partner and Founder of Triangle Rock Club (TRC), which has four locations in North Carolina and one in Richmond, Virginia, that opened in 2018. He and fellow TRC Managing Partner Joel Graybeal acknowledge that now, you walk into any gym and are greeted by bright colors and creatively-shaped holds.

“Gyms are no longer trying to replicate outdoor climbing. [Indoor climbing] has become its own thing, and you have more people participating inside than will ever climb outside,” they say.

“Still, [new members] are learning our narrative of safety, Leave No Trace, and general good practices for stewardship from day one.”

A far smaller segment of folks remain steadfastly outside, vowing to never step foot on a neon hold.

One Virginia recreator who preferred to remain anonymous is not a fan of gyms. He feels that their “artificial walls create an engineered experience,” insisting that he’ll always prefer real rock. Another veteran crag-frequenter expressed concern with how the sport’s popularity could threaten the health of and access to favorite areas, believing too many novice gym climbers make their way outside without the proper training and etiquette, often ignorant of Leave No Trace principles.

Zach Lesch-Huie sees things differently. He’s the Southeast Regional Director and National Affiliate Director of The Access Fund, a decades-old

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

organization officially established in 1991 “on a mission to keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment.” He points out, “There is a tendency to demonize new climbers, or gym climbers, as the source of the worst impacts to our crags. This isn't really accurate, and it doesn't help us come together to tackle these challenges as a community. As climbers we all have impacts, and we share a responsibility to try to make these impacts positive and lasting.”

More crag access is one of those impacts. “Occasionally, landowners are now the first to call us to say they have a potential crag, instead of us calling them. They ask us to check it out and maybe help them open it. The Red River [Gorge] area is an example of local landowners realizing the value in having property in climbing areas.”

He also mentions that, “The Southeast is known for opening climbing areas on private lands. There have been lots of great success stories, but this sometimes obscures the fact that there are big, important areas on federal public lands here, too.”

Many are attracted to climbing for that special brand of aliveness felt in pushing boundaries and discovering new strength. Scaling vertical spaces is a direct proving ground with immediate feedback. “The wall is a perfect mirror,” says Tobin, “If you’re thoughtful, purposeful, and assertive,” you’ll get that returned. “If you’re impatient or act haphazardly, the wall reflects that back at you.”

Tobin agrees that while a significant portion of gym-goers won’t ever

I Z Z Y G I F F O R D C L I M B S AT T H E R I V E R R O C K C L I M B I N G C O M P I N R I C H M O N D , VA

ascend routes outside, he believes they contribute toward the outdoor climbing movement’s critical mass.

He remarks that indoor climbers can be and frequently are involved in crag stewardship and accessibility initiatives, like those launched by partnerships between gyms, local climbing coalitions, and larger organizations like The Access Fund.

When the community was much smaller, those political battles were often more difficult.

Graybeal, in a video about Triangle Rock Club for Visit Raleigh, says that “Climbing has a tendency to attract highly intelligent people because there’s problem-solving aspects of it, there’s mental resolve, technique, coordination, balance, and strength.

To be a successful climber, you have to wrap all those things together.”

So, how can this diverse body of athletes and conservationists all work together to save our crags and ensure responsible access for generations to come? “It's often said that ‘the mentor is in the mirror,’” says LeschHuie. “The onus is on all climbers who came before to set the best possible example at crags, to take the opportunity to show people the right way to go about it. I was lucky to have good mentors who taught me to be respectful to the crag and land owners. Mentoring and low-impact practices are critical. We all share the responsibility to take care of places we climb.”

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QUICK HITS

TRIATHLETE TRIBUTE

REMEMBERING QUY THE DEATH OF A BELOVED TRIATHLETE WHILE SWIMMING STUNS RICHMOND

BY EILEEN ABBOTT

RICHMOND TRIATHLETE QUY PHAM DIED DURING

the swim portion of the Robious Landing Triathlon in late June.

His death was ruled an accidental drowning.

The 35-year-old Pham was a devoted family man who loved his wife and two children. He was a trusted bartender at Richmond’s renowned Mekong restaurant, well-known for his smile and big heart.

The Robious Landing Triathlon, organized by Go To Eleven Racing, features a swim downstream in the James River for 650 meters followed by an 18-mile cycling ride and a 5K run.

Dave Pearson, a volunteer photographer for the event, was walking down the trail looking for a

location to take pictures of the swimmers in the James River, when he heard calls for help in the distance. Of the rescue effort, Pearson says, “Timewise, I was impressed with how fast they got there.”

Triathlete Ron McLeod was lined up with his wave, ready to go into the water, when he heard the calls. “I was in the third wave,” recalls McLeod. “They relayed a swimmer was in distress.

The communications from the race director was on point. They said what they needed to say and didn’t say more to cause distress. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation.”

At that point, the race directors made the decision to cancel the swim and let the rescuers do their job.

The outpouring of grief was immediate and immense when a devastated community found out he

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had died.

"We were deeply saddened and shocked with the loss of our fellow triathlete, Quy Pham, and our hearts go out to his family and friends," said Lilo Navales, an Ironman triathlete and Richmond Triathlon Club officer. "His passing has left a big hole in our tight

triathlon family here in Virginia.”

“If you measure life by loving, and those loved, few stand taller than our friend Quy,” wrote David Hunsaker, in one of the hundreds of social media messages, from all across the world, paying tribute to the beloved athlete.

“I was at the race… where Quy lost his life in our river…I didn’t know him, but I know that I missed out on knowing a wonderful person in every aspect of his life," wrote triathlete Diane Johnson. "I am deeply saddened at the thought of his family and friends having to endure this loss.”

Richmond triathlete Michael Harlow, owner of Endorphin Fitness, added these thoughts: “As athletes standing on the edge of the water for our next open water swim, how do we process

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this loss? First off, we recognize how fortunate we are to have another day to enjoy life and sport. Life here on earth is precious yet temporary, and we should live each day in recognition of this....I write this with the greatest sympathy for the Pham family. They have been in my prayers.”

Harlow is encouraging the community to consider donating to a fund set up to care for Pham’s wife and children: https://www.gofundme. com/f/phamily The Richmond Triathlon Club, which contributed a sizable donation, is also urging the community to support Pham’s family. “We look out for one another,” says President Jeff Moore.

Earlier this year on the Virginia Capital Trail, Quy Pham joined his cycling friend Stephen Salpukas along with other cyclists for “The Tour de Quy." “More social than serious, this ride brought his friends together,” recalls Salpulkas. “Quy’s busy schedule included working long hours, spending time with his family and attending church. So this gorgeous day ride, scattered with long and short conversations that we got riding sideby-side, was special to me and his

friends.”

When they returned to Triple Crossing for pizza and beers, Salpulkas tried to order a sour beer that was apparently sold out. “Quy got up from the table, and minutes later, he appeared with a big smile and the “sold out” beer for us to enjoy. He just wanted everybody around him to be happy.“ A week after the triathlon, cars filled the parking lot of Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs, as family and friends gathered to say goodbye to Pham. John Reinhold was among those there to remember his friend.

“He would light up when talking about his family and kids. He would also light up when talking about biking and outdoors.”

Only a few miles away, directly south of the church, across the James River, a palpable reverence could also be felt in the quiet of Robious Landing Park.

Pham’s friends say there are signs that remind them he’s nearby—a rainbow that appeared over Mekong recently, and his bicycle now hangs on the wall inside the restaurant.

Is triathlon swimming safe?

All open water swims pose a risk.

Quy Pham’s death has some triathlete participants discussing possible ways to improve safety. Suggestions being discussed include: • Mandatory open swim training prior to the event for new triathletes • Emergency flotation devices attached to swimmers • Special color caps just for newer swimmers that are easier to spot • The last swim wave reserved for novice open water swimmers (instead of waves organized by age group, for example).

When asked about possible safety improvements, USA Triathlon, the national governing body for triathlon events, released the following statement: “USA Triathlon is currently working with Go To Eleven Racing, organizers of the Robious Landing Triathlon, to collect more information about this incident.”

USA Triathlon swim safety requirements include minimum numbers of certified lifeguards and swim safety assets to observe, support and respond to situations during the swim portion of the race.

As part of the sanctioning process, race directors must submit course

maps and confirm that they have an appropriate emergency response plan and necessary services, a safety director, a water testing agency and a police contact.

Lilo Navales was a volunteer kayaker during the Robious Landing Triathlon swim, and she observed five other volunteer kayakers, two SUP safety paddlers, and water safety patrol monitoring the swimmers. "I feel it was very safe coverage for the race," she says.

A certified triathlon coach, Michael Harlow offered his thoughts about triathlon safety: “As a fellow race director and coach, I know how difficult it is to ensure the complete safety of every participant in an event. The Robious Landing Triathlon race director in my opinion did everything within reason to ensure a safe event.

“Swimming in the open water is very different than the pool. Visibility is limited. You will have many other competitors in close proximity to you— oftentimes touching you—throughout the event. All of these factors make it essential that you prepare by swimming in the open water frequently before the race. with a coach, friend, or training group."

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

QUICK HITS

CLIMBING GYMS

TOUR DE LE CONTE CHALLENGE TRIO OF HIKERS CONQUER LE CONTE CHALLENGE—44 MILES AND 3 SUMMITS IN 24 HOURS B Y K R I S T I PA R S O N S

This is a tale of three Adams— Adam Gravett, Adam Ozment and Adam Williamson. These three hikers had been exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park for months when they decided that it was time to conquer the Le Conte Challenge: hike all six trails to Mount LeConte in less than 24 hours. The challenge would cover 44 miles and require three summits of the third highest peak in the park.

From the start, they made a pact: “In together, out together.” Each hiker, ironically all named Adam, agreed that they would all complete the challenge together. However, if one of them couldn’t finish due to an injury or an unexpected circumstance, then they would all end the hike at that point.

THE CHALLENGE:

At 2 a.m. on May 1, they began their hike on the Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap and headed straight for the Boulevard Trail. The first eight miles were in utter darkness. Bugs and bats flew at their headlamps slowing their progress. Staying focused and moving was a priority.

After reaching their first summit of Mount LeConte at 4:50 a.m., they took a break on the LeConte Lodge’s most comfortable couch and then began an 8.8-mile descent on the Trillium Gap Trail. This trail led them through lush landscapes and behind Grotto Falls before entering into the Roaring Fork area of the Smokies.

Once the Adams reached the end of the trail, they fueled up on carbs and then headed up the Bullhead Trail. Most hikers in the Smokies will tell you that you never go up Bullhead, but that’s what they did. They trekked 6.8 miles up one of the most heavily fire damaged trails in the park and knocked out close to 4,000 feet of elevation gain along the way.

The views from Bullhead were incredible, said Adam Ozment, but they kept their focus on Le Conte 20

THE THREE ADAMS SUMMITTED MOUNT LE CONTE THREE TIMES IN 24 HOURS, SETTING A NEW TRAIL RECORD.

and reached their second summit of the mountain at 12:30 p.m. Sticking to a printed schedule that they had created before the challenge, the Adam trio then turned and descended down the same side of the mountain that they had just climbed up.

The Rainbow Falls Trail is filled with rocky terrain and passes by the stunningly beautiful Rainbow Falls. 6.5 miles later, they were at the trailhead where a shuttle transported them up Newfound Gap Road to the Alum Cave Trail.

The Alum Cave Trail was their final ascent of the mountain and the

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

shortest trail, but also one of the toughest. It included the infamous steps of the Alum Cave Bluffs. They celebrated briefly at the “Hallelujah Turn,” the corner on the Alum Cave Trail where the terrain becomes flat, smooth and takes you straight to the LeConte Lodge. At 7:21 p.m. the three men reached their last summit, but the longest section of the challenge was still in front of them. To reach the final trailhead in Greenbrier, on the Porters Creek Trail, they would still need to cover 9.1 miles of trails and with darkness on their heels. The downhill pace of the last stretch of

trail proved to be the most difficult of all, and during the final mile their determination was pushed to the test, but at 1:10 a.m. with 24 hours and 1 minute on the clock and 109,901 steps behind them, the Adam trio completed the Le Conte 24 Challenge.

"Carbs and hydration are vital elements on the trail," said Williamson.

"The head game will bring you down before physical exhaustion," added Gravett. "BodyGlide is a lifesaver, and epic adventures are a must in life, but they’re even more epic with good friends at your side."

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FLASHPOINT

WHITEWATER MANNERS

YOUR BEATERING IS NOT COOL

WHITEWATER IS BEST ENJOYED BY DOING IT WELL

BY GOLDER GOLDSTEIN

Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy a quality aquatic spectacle. And I’m a firm believer that if you aren’t occasionally making mistakes—on the river or in life—then you probably aren’t trying very hard. But somewhere along the lines, shit kinda got out of hand, and frankly, some of y’all are starting to sketch me out.

Carnage has always been a part of whitewater paddling. It is the inevitable result of humans choosing to challenge themselves amid the forces of nature.

Since the inception of the sport, mistakes, experiments, and bad luck have all led to bad swims. It has long been accepted by both beginners and elite level paddlers that we are all “between swims.”

But how and when did those swims become glorified?

On any given day on the river, you’re likely to find at least one person in any group with a Go-Pro strapped to their head. The ubiquity of the personal ‘gnar cam’ coupled with the ‘look at me!’ culture of social media has created a version of reality where people are sharing their own carnage for the sole purpose of getting attention.

And it works.

Post a video of yourself running a rapid well and you’ll get a few likes (as well as that comment from Aunt Martha, who is both amazed and frightened by your fearless “whitewatering.”) But post a heinous video of you getting stuck in a hole and having the swim trunks sucked off your body, and the crowd goes wild!

Suddenly, instead of 43 likes from your high school friends, you’ve got 14 shares, hundreds of “likes” (because, sadly, Facebook doesn’t have an iconographic that quite represents: “Wow, that was sketchy and it’s amazing you’re alive!”), and a slew of comments in each of the paddling groups where it was shared.

Congratulations, your mishap has gotten a lot of attention. Who doesn't love attention?

This brings us to the rise of beatering.

As the “feel-good” effects of likes and shares on social media have taken root in our neurology and psychology, we are tricking ourselves into thinking that what gets us attention—any and all attention—is cool. We have collectively tricked ourselves and each other into thinking that beatering is cool.

The idea of beatering started as just a label on someone else’s mishaps: “Check out this video—Joe was beatering hard.”

From there, it became a label applied not just to one's mishaps, but directly to that person: “Joe got trashed at Super Scary Falls again. He’s such

a beater!” Or: “Look at me, I beatered hard today.”

Whitewater has a slim margin of error. Mistakes, hubris, bad luck, and/ or poor decision making can lead to severe injuries and death. If the ‘beatering is cool’ mentality persists, we are likely to see a parallel increase in both Facebook likes and paddlingrelated memorial services.

Putting on the river with an "It's okay to beater" mentality puts everybody around you at risk. When you find yourself teetering on rocks at the mouth of a sieve, your crew is now at risk as they scramble on wet rocks or paddle into sketchy terrain to try to save your ass. I, for one, don’t appreciate that. I, for one, don’t think it’s cool.

To be clear: My issue is not with making mistakes. My issue is with the mentality behind the decisions leading to those mistakes. I’ve made my share of mistakes on the river.

I’ve been roped out of some shit. I’ve crashed plenty. On the river, I play around, experiment, and try moves that I’m not sure will work – and sometimes, they don't.

But there is a difference between approaching whitewater with a “self-growth” mentality versus a “beater” mentality. The former leads to self-knowledge and conscious risk assessment. The latter leads to getting in over your head and the increased likelihood of injury to yourself and others. If you’re constantly pushing your limits while relying on others to pick up the pieces, you are putting both yourself and your crew at risk.

Whitewater is best enjoyed by doing it well. Instead of relying on external stimuli such as likes and shares to feel good about the sport, we should be cultivating our own internal reward system as we grow towards improvement and mastery. As individuals, we should be striving to understand our true motivations, and the ways societal factors (like social media and the desire for attention) can warp our risk assessment.

As members of the paddling community, we should be aware of the effects of rewarding others with our attention. When we see that other members of our community are making poor decisions instead of giving them likes, we can be generous enough to engage them in honest conversation expressing our concerns.

Whitewater is a unique sport in that it is individual- and team-based at the same time. We make our own decisions about putting on, and when it’s time to pull out of the scouting eddy, we are on our own. As a paddler, I highly value the sense of autonomy that comes from being in my own boat. And yet, at each moment, at every stroke, running parallel to that experience is the reality that as soon as something goes wrong, whitewater becomes a team activity.

We take responsibility for each other on the river.

As a community, it is no different: Just as we have each other’s backs on the river, off the river we are responsible for how our actions affect one another as well. The reality is that these two things—our on- and off-the-river decisions—cannot be teased apart. Our actions off the river influence the choices made on the water. If we want to encourage and experience safe, sustainable and enjoyable participation in the sport, as members of this community, it is up to each of us to recognize the consequences of our actions and to help shape our culture in a way that keeps our charc in the good flow.

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

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the age of eco-anxiety PARENTS AND EXPERTS OFFER WAYS TO STAY POSITIVE AND MAINTAIN HOPE IN AN AGE OF CLIMATE UNCERTAINTY B Y R YA N L I N K

ON THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 20, MY SON AND I STOOD OUTSIDE for

two hours monitoring the Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse through his telescope. As we stared up at the stars and the moon, we had some deep discussions about the universe and life. That is when he said to me, "I just hope we are all safe, healthy, and close in the future." When I asked him what exactly he meant he replied, "You know, climate change—away from floods and crazy storms." He added, "At the end of the day, we can only blame ourselves for this."

My son isn't unique in realizing that we are in the midst of a full-blown climate crisis. Experts from around the world have been warning us about the consequences of our actions, and inaction, for years.

But yet here we are, face to face with the reality that we may very well have reached a point of no return.

The debate is long over, and the evidence is clear: we have dropped the ball and have left our children to worry about an uncertain future—we have entered the age of climate anxiety.

Climate anxiety is real, and it is now impacting children and adults alike across the globe. According to a Yale survey taken in 2018, the rate of people in the U.S. who described themselves as "very" worried about the climate was 21 percent, about double the rate of a similar study in 2015. Only 6 percent said humans can and will reduce global warming.

The threats of climate change—both current and future—have had such an impact on society's mental health that the American Psychological Association published an official guidance document in 2017 titled Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance. Terms such as ecoanxiety, climate grief, and climate anxiety have now become commonplace to explain this phenomenon.

While experts are just beginning to study climate anxiety and the impact that our changing climate has on mental health, it is clear that the effects are not limited to people who experience them firsthand.

Increased awareness of these disasters can also lead to anxiety and feelings of hopelessness in the general public. A recent article from ThinkProgress quoted one climate change psychology expert as saying, "I think that it was below the surface for a long time…..until it's really in your face, you can continue to repress that anxiety because it's so uncomfortable.

And now, we can't repress it anymore. It's right there in our face."

Just recently my wife and I discussed the sense of overwhelm we have both been feeling for quite a while now with the enormity of the climate crisis, and worry that it is too late to change course and avoid the worst. For me, these emotions are often

accompanied by anger. What we are experiencing isn't cyclical, isn't normal, and certainly isn't some God's will. In fact, if there is a God, I'm pretty sure that God is shaking its head wondering how we could have been such dumb asses to screw the planet up so bad in the first place.

Despite this regular cycle of climate-related emotions, I am perhaps most frustrated by the fact that we have now added the weight of climate anxiety to an already overly stressed younger generation.

This is why our family has decided to double down on living our eco-values, and have made it our focus to do everything we can to help the planet while helping our family stay optimistic. Here are just a few things we have found that work for us.

DON'T HIDE IT—STAY INFORMED

We are not doing our children any favors when we attempt to hide the facts and realities of climate change. In an interview with CNN, Susan Clayton, one of the lead authors of the American Psychological Association guide, said, "A monster under the bed is scary because you don't look at it; finding out about things makes them more manageable." Yes, stronger, more frequent storms, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires can be scary to all of us, but sweeping things under the rug is the last thing we need to do. By staying informed, we can more clearly identify where we as individuals can make the most difference, and we can inspire our children to be the change-makers the world needs.

PARTICIPATE IN GROUP EVENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Whether individually or as a family, by participating

in group events for the environment we can see that there are a lot of people who are just as concerned about the planet. I recently participated in the 31st annual Clean the Bay day by cleaning garbage from the banks of the James River in Richmond, Va. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, approximately 3,500 volunteers gathered that day at nearly 200 sites all over Virginia, removing an estimated 45,000 pounds of litter and debris over an estimated 250 miles of shoreline.

DOUBLE DOWN ON REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

While sometimes these efforts are initially met with eye rolls, my wife has led the charge in making sure our family stays true to our values when it comes to plastic waste, especially arming all of us with reusable water bottles, straws, packaging, and shopping bags among other things. They serve as a reminder of the importance of our everyday actions and the small differences that we can make.

RECOGNIZE, ENCOURAGE, AND BE PROUD OF OUR CHILDREN'S EFFORTS

The other day my daughter announced plans to run at least 2 miles every other day. She said she was not running these miles only to stay in shape; she also was joining the 2019 Run for the Oceans fundraiser. The day after, I found a piece of her artwork from high school that focused on Mother Earth and protecting the oceans. It is everyday efforts and actions like this that make me so proud, help me to overcome my climate anxieties, and give me hope.

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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NEW RIVER TRAIL STATE PARK

With two tunnels, three major bridges and 30 smaller bridges and trestles, the 57-mile linear trail offers exceptional hiking, biking and horseback riding. Looking for a place to cool off? Enjoy a refreshing float on the New River. Call the New River Trail Boat & Bike Livery at 276-699-1034 for more information on shuttle services offered at the park.

NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK Time your visit and enjoy the unique interpretive programming and special events this scenic and geologically notable park offers. Recurring events feature hikes into the 850-foot long tunnel, guided explorations of the park’s underground caves and tours of the Wilderness Road Blockhouse.

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FAIRY STONE NEW RIVER TRAIL

SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK

On the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, you’ll find the 1,619-acre park, an oasis that you won’t want to leave. More than 5 miles of shoreline, scenic views of Massanutten Mountain, 24 miles of mixeduse trails, riverfront camping and yurts all make this a perfect state park for any outdoor enthusiast.

BELLE ISLE STATE PARK

Eight distinct wetland types provide a diverse habitat for both flora and fauna. Explore these ecosystems via a trail hike or bike ride. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the Mulberry Creek, Deep Creek and Rappahannock to get a waterside view of the park.

SKY MEADOWS MASON NECK

SHENANDOAH RIVER

LEESYLVANIA

SEVEN BENDS

WIDEWATER

Primitive tent camping is available for those who wish to hike or boat into these sites at Brewer’s Point on the shore.

CALEDON WESTMORELAND LAKE ANNA DOUTHAT

BEAR CREEK LAKE JAMES RIVER

BELLE ISLE POWHATAN YORK RIVER

HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL

NATURAL BRIDGE HOLLIDAY LAKE

SAILOR’S CREEK BATTLEFIELD TWIN LAKES

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

POCAHONTAS CHIPPOKES PLANTATION

STAUNTON RIVER BATTLEFIELD STAUNTON RIVER

KIPTOPEKE

FIRST LANDING

FALSE CAPE OCCONEECHEE

Learn about all of Virginia’s State Parks at www.VirginiaStateParks.gov/find-a-park

S

tate parks are our everday friends.

We run and hike their trails and camp at these closer-to-home adventure spots that are often less heralded than national parks like Shenandoah and the Smokies.

But how does a state park come to be? Blue Ridge Outdoors explored some of the region’s newest state parks and talked with the people who fought to get some of our most important natural resources protected.

HOW TO BUILD A STATE PARK THE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HELPED PROTECT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES

BY ELLEN KANZINGER

BLUE SPRING IS THE LARGEST S P R I N G AT G I L C H R I S T B L U E S P R I N G S S TAT E PA R K , P U T T I N G OUT 44 MILLION GALLONS OF WAT E R A D AY. / P H O T O B Y QUIN SCHROCK

The Beginning: Jacob Fork River (N.C.)

As with any kind of land purchase, a state park begins with the knowledge of a significant natural resource. This could be any number of factors, from wanting to protect a habitat for an endangered species to opening up river access for the public to enjoy.

States agencies gather all kinds information on natural resources to provide clean water and conserve habitat. Organizations like the Foothills Conservancy in North Carolina can then take that data to prioritize projects for protection.

Tom Kenney, the land protection director for the Foothills Conservancy, works with a variety of partners to acquire lands for conservation and recreation.

“It’s not very common the case when we just see a real estate sign on the side of the road and decide we want to do a park there,” Kenney said. “It’s the combination of existing knowledge about significant natural resources and the opportunity for that particular property that helps in the conservation of such resources.

The third part is working with state agency partners to see if it’s something they’re even willing to be involved with acquiring for public park and use.”

Early on in its history, the Foothills Conservancy identified the Jacob Fork and Henry Fork rivers in North Carolina as important resources to protect. When two landowners on the Jacob Fork expressed an interest in selling their property for conservation, the conservancy was ready.

Kenney and others from the conservancy visited the river by boat to get a feel for the area and the aesthetics that could appeal to visitors.

“The site visits were really invaluable in us really grasping

that for a relatively developed section of Western North Carolina, this river and its bordering forests and land reminds one of the kinds of rivers that we have more where our public lands are located in the mountains,” Kenney said. “We saw early on that the public would really be excited about that type of resource because of the beauty, the quality, and the lack of development.”

The Foothills Conservancy purchased the 188 acres in April 2019 with funds set aside for conservation projects from the North Carolina Clean Water Trust Fund. They also raised private dollars as most grants have a matching requirement.

“No single funder wants to pay for a project all by itself,” Kenney said.

Although still in the early stages of development, the intent is to one day turn the land over to the state for a future park and public river access.

“It’s not unusual for transfers and public use of land to take one to three years,” Kenney said. “They have to ensure that they avoid impacts to sensitive resources and conduct a lot of planning so that trails and other types of outdoor uses are sustainable, meaning they’re going to be more cost efficient to maintain over time. If the trail’s put in incorrectly and it constantly needs work and maintenance, that’s counterproductive. It takes time.”

Katie Hall, the public information officer for N.C. State Parks, said they hope to one day connect this land with Chimney Rock State Park and South Mountains State Park.

“These lands contain portions of the ancient South Mountains range, the highest and most rugged chain of isolated mountain ranges in the N.C. Piedmont,” she said. “Jacob Fork and Henry Fork rivers support high quality aquatic habitats and several rare species.”

In the meantime, the Foothills Conservancy is sharing everything that they learned through their appraisals with the state. With the authorization legislation passing in early June, now comes the waiting as the state runs feasibility studies before officially acquiring the land.

“It’s been amazing how our local governments and our local partners have really come around to value our work,” Kenney said. “Parks and the types of projects we do, not only are they protecting water quality and natural resources, but our communities and our partners are really prizing these for local economic, tourism, and visitation efforts. Outdoor destinations are almost universally recognized now, particularly in our rural regions that we serve, as attractors and ways to better quality of life that new residents, young folks, and new businesses are often looking for in a community.”

Time and Patience: Widewater State Park (Va.)

For years, Dominion Energy and a few other corporations owned a large tract of land on the peninsula where the Aquia Creek flows into the Potomac River. There were a number of different plans for that piece of property, from a power plant to new residential developments.

But many Stafford County residents were unenthusiastic about those options.

The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast are home to hundreds of state parks. Check out a few of our favorites.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Ky.) From hiking and birding to swimming and miniature golf, there's something for the whole family at Kentucky's first state park.

York River State Park (Va.) This coastal park is the perfect place to explore the river and marshes by boat or trail as you scan the waters for wildlife.

Hanging Rock State Park (N.C.) Hike, bike, paddle, rock climb, and camp as you take in the mountains and waterfalls.

PA R K G U E S T S A C C O M PA N Y T H E PA R K N AT U R A L I S T F O R A S U N R I S E H I K E T O C H A I N E D R O C K , AT P I N E M O U N TA I N S TAT E R E S O R T P A R K I N P I N E V I L L E , K Y. / P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F K E N T U C K Y D E PA R T M E N T O F PA R K S

F.D. Roosevelt State Park (Ga.) Hike the Pine Mountain Trail or swim in the swimming pool fed by cool springs built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In 2006, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation acquired the land through the Trust for Public Land.

Michele Mahoney, who lives in the middle of the property, started hearing rumors that they planned to turn it into a state park.

“I was so excited that the land around there was going to be a state park and that it was going to be saved,” she said. “I felt privileged that I’m living right in the middle of it.”

But a lot had to happen before Widewater would officially become a state park in 2018.

First came the surveys. DCR did environmental impact studies on sensitive habitats. They went through the Stafford County records, looking through the deeds for previous owners and uses of the property.

“You want to survey a site really thoroughly because you don’t want to end up with a superfund site,” Park Manager Paul Anderson said. “You don’t want to stumble upon something like that. That’s a process for every piece of land that the Department of Conservation and Recreation acquires. They have to make sure it’s suitable for our needs and for what we plan to do with it.”

Through all of this, the DCR also had to put together a master plan for the park. An advisory committee that included adjacent landowners, Stafford County supervisors, local business owners, and user groups, went over everything.

“You try to touch on every single aspect of what a park is, what this park will be, and what we’re going to try to make it,”

Rocky Gap State Park (Md.) Check out some of the bluest water in Maryland or view the gorge from an overlook.

Greenwood Furnace State Park (Penn.)

Explore the grounds of this once thriving ironmaking village by foot, boat, or skis.

Blackwater Falls State Park (W. Va.) Named for the iconic cascading falls, this is a must-see West Virginia stop.

Caesars Head State Park (S.C.) From granitic gneiss outcroppings to a 400foot waterfall, discover the scenic overlooks on the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Carter Caves State Resort Park (Ky.) Head below ground and walk through time in Kentucky’s cave region.

South Mountains State Park (N.C.) Go for a challenging mountain bike ride, cross streams on horseback, or go all out on a backcountry camping experience. •

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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Anderson said.

From a management perspective, the park presents some difficulties as it is broken up into five separate parcels instead of one continuous property.

After more than a decade of planning, surveying, and building, Widewater State Park opened in November 2018. Although all five parcels add up to more than 1,200 acres, only 100 acres are currently developed and accessible for the public.

This includes a mile-long trail, two picnic shelters, boat ramps, and paddle in only campsites.

Anderson said all future development, including a fishing pier, trails, and overnight facilities, depends on the political climate and funding.

“I tell people it could be five years, it could be 10 years, it could be 20,” he said. “For me, the sooner the better. Hopefully before I retire.”

Another part of Anderson’s job as park manager is forming a relationship with the residents who live in and surround the park.

“One of the huge hinge points of this park is that it is developed in an already existing residential area,” he said. “A lot of parks are in more rural areas or were developed in the 30s. Then you had development sort of encroach around the park. We were the opposite. There was already established residential areas on the peninsula and here comes the park. So, there’s a lot of public relations, trying to make sure we’re a good neighbor to our adjacent landowners. We’re trying to utilize the land as best as possible while not creating a headache for Stafford County residents.”

Mahoney, who is the president and a founding member of the Friends of Widewater State Park, said locals are opening up to the idea of the park.

“There’s a lot of long timers that grew up in the neighborhood,” she said. “They’re used to the quiet, nobody’s out there, it’s just us kind of deal. Now, all of a sudden, we have a lot of strangers driving down roads that you may have seen two cars on any given Sunday 10 years ago.”

But for many, a park is a better alternative than another housing development or resort.

“I think more people are becoming very appreciative that DCR is saving this land for future generations,” Mahoney said. “They’re seeing, already, so much of the good things it’s bringing that I think it’s not as contentious as it initially was.

Even though that land was there, it wasn’t really accessible. Even the locals who have lived there are finding out things about this land they didn’t even know about.”

A Variety of Partners: Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park (Tenn.)

For over 100 years, a series of corporate owners controlled the Rocky Fork tract in Eastern Tennessee, selling logging rights to timber companies. Each time the property changed hands, the new owners would allow the public to access the land for hiking, fishing, and hunting.

The U.S. Forest Service, conservationists, and recreationists spent decades working to get the more than 10,000 acres of land protected.

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K AYA K I N G W I T H A S P E N O N T H E Y O R K R I V E R AT Y O R K R I V E R S TAT E PA R K . / P H O T O

BY SAMANTHA MIGNONE

Surrounded by Cherokee National Forest, the area offers a habitat for species of all kinds, from a 16mile native brook trout stream to mating grounds for fireflies.

Rocky Fork was one of the first conservation acquisition projects Ralph Knoll worked on when he started with the Conservation Fund in 2006.

“It’s a snowflake; they’re all different,” he said.

“This one was tougher because it was so large. The financial magnitude was significant.”

Previous attempts to buy the property in the late 1990s and early 2000s had fallen through. By the time all the interested parties geared up for another try, the property was owned by a pension fund managed out of Atlanta.

“When you work with an owner that is a pension fund, negotiations are much tougher because they have a fiduciary responsibility to their investors,” Knoll said. “The conversations are about what’s fair market value. As somebody who gets involved with these projects all the time, you want to think that land conservation ethic has some motivation for the seller. In this case, it’s all about dollars.”

When the owners put the land up for sale in 2005, the price had increased from eight million dollars in 1999 to an estimated 30 million.

“It was an expensive piece of property,” Knoll said. “They argued if you guys don’t buy it, we’re going to sell it to a developer. Now would somebody have purchased this property and put in high end homes? No one’s ever going to know. But that was the threat. There was significant support to see the property conserved.”

The land was finally purchased for just under 40 million dollars in 2008. Most of that money came from the Conservation Fund’s internal revolving fund. Over time, the Forest Service acquired 8,000 acres from the Conservation Fund with money from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy also received a grant of $6 million from the state of Tennessee through the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund for the purchase.

The remaining 2,000 acres were earmarked for a new park equal to the state’s contribution. Four years after officially opening, state officials and

local citizens are still trying to figure out what, if any, development should occur in the park.

“A project like this is a community effort,” Knoll said. “This couldn’t have been made possible without all kinds of support from all kinds of individuals and groups. That’s the only way these projects work.”

The area was also a high priority for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. For years, the trail ran along a ridge crest close to the North CarolinaTennessee state border. Southern Regional Director Morgan Sommerville, who started with the ATC in 1983, said the effort to protect that tract predates his time.

“We had been waiting for nearly 30 years to do a relocation that would take it off the ridge crest, which was an old road and not the most scenic location for the AT,” he said. “So once the acquisition went forward, we moved the AT off the ridge crest slightly into Tennessee. Because of the aspect and slope there, it is a much prettier location. The trail goes through hardwood forests, lots of wildflowers, different kinds of trees.”

In addition to better views, this section of the AT is now protected on public land. The current route is only three miles from the Rocky Fork trailhead.

“We do hope to make formal connections between the AT and the trail system in the park as a gateway to the Appalachian Trail in Northeastern Tennessee,” Sommerville said. “We don’t have anything formalized yet, but we hope to be working with the state park managers to figure out the best places to hook a trail up.”

With the purchase, the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork tract will remain part of a larger habitat within the already existing Cherokee National Forest and Sampson Mountain Wilderness.

“It was one of the largest unprotected areas in the Southern Appalachians,” Knoll said. “You look at it from a forest fragmentation perspective, the fact that it’s now protected maintains that biodiversity.”

A Private Park: Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park (Fl.) For more than 50 years, Kim Davis’ family ran Blue Springs as a private park, welcoming visitors to jump into the refreshing waters of the springs and spend the day outside.

Davis still remembers pulling up to the park and seeing the spring for the first time.

“I stood at the top of the hill and all I saw was this crystal-clear water,” she said. “I remember the enthusiasm and excitement I had that very first time I ever laid eyes on it. The one thing I never lost in all these years was the wonderment of seeing kids that had never seen anything like this before get out of the car and you hear the gasp.”

Davis and her brother, Matt Barr, would help their parents around the park in their spare time.

“We’d come home from school and immediately start emptying the garbage cans, cleaning the restrooms,” she said. “What you do when you’re part of the family and have a business.”

The property had been in her family since 1960 when Ed Wright gifted Blue Spring to Ruth B. Kirby

as an engagement gift. Kirby, Davis’ great aunt, went on to build up the property into a private park.

She put in a wooden boardwalk, diving platform, and water access so the public could enjoy the springs as much as she did. She charged a 10-cent admission fee to help maintain the property.

Harry Barr, Davis’ father, moved the whole family in 1971 to help Kirby run the park as she got older.

Barr continued to run the springs as a private park after Kirby passed in 1989.

“You had people coming from New York City say that the only time they saw trees was in Central Park,” Davis said. “The thing was not to overload it with concrete and keep it natural.”

Davis took on more and more responsibility with the park, eventually managing the overall operation and day-to-day.

“When you’re under private ownership, you have to somewhat make a profit in order to pay your exorbitant insurance on a park like that,” she said. “People don’t understand that. You have a quarter-mile boardwalk made of solid wood that is constantly getting rebuilt, the docks, and the maintenance of 400 acres. And you want to take care of your employees.”

When both of their parents passed away within months of each other in 2013, Davis and her brother decided it was time to sell.

“We immediately had offers on the table, which were much more than what we sold it for,” Davis said. “But everybody wanted to close it down. That was not our goal. The whole goal for all those years since 1960 was pure preservation. God doesn’t

WITH MULTIPLE MARYLAND STATE PARKS AND OVER 80 COUNTY PARKS, HARFORD COUNTY IS OPEN FOR EXPLORATION.

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create springs anymore. What’s here is here. You’re talking water that is crystal clear. It’s 72 degrees yearround.”

Instead of selling the property to one of the many commercial buyers who wanted to develop the 400 acres, the siblings looked for a buyer who would protect it and keep it open for the public.

“One pushed a check across the table, and I said no because he wanted to close it down,” Davis said.

“He said, ‘You’re an idiot.’ Well that may be your opinion, but the spring has to stay open. I could have sold it within the first month, but I worked it longer.”

Through their agent, Charlie Houder, they started looking at turning the property into a state park. Houder, who previously worked for the water management district, knew about the Florida Forever program that sought to acquire and protect high quality resources.

“Springs in Florida are the window to the health of our groundwater,” Steve Cutshaw said. “Almost 90 percent of all drinking water in Florida comes from springs. A lot of states have large, freshwater lakes.

But Florida, it’s all based on our karst springs or aquifer-fed springs that really gives us drinking water.

So, we cherish that.”

Cutshaw, the chief of the Office of Park Planning under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said there are approximately 1,000 springs in Florida, and they are highly valued by the state.

Of the five springs onsite, Blue Spring alone puts out 44 million gallons of water a day.

In addition to preserving the springs, turning the private park over to the state would allow people to

C A E S A R S H E A D S TAT E P A R K PHOTO BY TOM MOORS

continue visiting a place that many had been going to for years.

“The park was already being operated as a private park, but in a lot of ways, like a state park,” Cutshaw said. “They had camping. They had swimming. So, it was very important to us to be able to keep that. It in turn creates economic impact for that part of the state around that park. So, it’s a symbiotic relationship between the resource, recreation, economic impact, and then balancing it all. Once we realized that, it was a really easy fit for us.”

After years of waiting for the right time politically, the state legislature unanimously approved the purchase of the property and the state park officially opened under new ownership in October 2017. Davis and her brother sold the property for 5.52 million dollars, almost half of the original 10 million dollar asking price.

“The landowners solely wanted the land in conservation,” Cutshaw said. “That’s fantastic and is heartwarming these days to see that. There’s so few of our natural resources out there. To see private landowners that really are staying true to that, knowing that the land must be conserved and preserved into a certain percentage or we’re going to fail in our jobs as land stewards.”

In June 2019, the park was renamed Ruth E. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park after the woman who pushed for springs preservation for so many years.

“I think I did right by Aunt Ruth,” Davis said. “I think this is what she would have wanted. It’s not all about the almighty dollar. You have to do what’s right.”

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HOW GORGES WAS SAVED 20 YEARS AGO, GORGES BECAME A STATE PARK INSTEAD OF A HYDROELECTRIC D A M , T H A N K S T O T H E E F F O R T S O F O N E I N S P I R I N G L E A D E R . T O D A Y, I T ’ S S T I L L O N E OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIA.

BY DAN DEWITT PHOTO BY DAN DEWITT

Bill Thomas, taking in the views at Gorges State Park, thought about what this land could have been— a vast zone of hydroelectric projects, its famous waterfalls funnelled through pipes, its wild rivers cooped up in basins designed to flush like toilets to produce surges of power.

He thought about what it has been instead for the past 20 years—a safely preserved wonderland of deep ravines, plunging rivers and rare plants.

And after some prodding, Thomas acknowledged the consensus of people who know the history of this property -- that he, maybe more than any single person, led it away from the first fate and toward the second.

“I do think, well, I’ve done one good thing in my life,” he said.

In fact, Thomas, 91, a retired chemical engineer, made an unpaid, late-life career of doing good things for the environment, applying his passion for the outdoors and brilliant, Princeton-trained intellect to a series of causes, including the blocking of a luxury subdivision planned for the heart of DuPont State Recreational Forest.

He has served as chairman of the North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club and helped found and/

or lead a mile-long list of other environmental organizations. He has received the chapter’s highest honor for long and outstanding service, the Joseph LeConte Award, and has been inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his contributions to the state of North Carolina.

The celebration of the park’s 20th anniversary at the annual Gorgeous Gorges Colors event this coming October is the perfect time to celebrate Thomas’ legacy. But do more than lift a glass to Thomas, said Molly Diggins, Sierra’s longtime state director. View him as proof that one individual can make a huge difference for the environment. Hold him up as an inspiration and follow his example.

“He represents the best of what one tireless, committed individual can accomplish to preserve and protect outstanding land and water resources for the benefit of the natural world and the public,” Diggins said.

How Gorges Became a Park

To appreciate what Thomas did for Gorges State Park, think of it not as a stand-alone property but as part of the larger Lake Jocassee watershed.

Also known as Jocassee Gorges, it is a freak of

climatological and geologic nature that extends across the North Carolina-South Carolina line southwest of Asheville and has been named by National Geographic as one of fifty “World’s Last Great Places.”

The ancient crash of tectonic plates that created the Appalachian Mountains pushed up the Blue Wall on the southeast edge of the mountains and formed the bones of the lake’s basin and the maze of gorges above it. The 2000-foot wall catches moisture from clouds drifting up from the Gulf of Mexico, creating an annual average of 91 inches of rain (and a whopping 136 inches in 2018) that feeds four landmark rivers, the Thompson, Toxaway, Horsepasture and Whitewater. Their destinationworthy cascades include Whitewater, Rainbow, Turtleback and Windy falls.

The Wall also catches windblown spores from ferns and mosses. At least that’s one theory for the variety of rare and endangered species that can be found here and nowhere else on Earth.

The endangered Oconee Bell wildflower, almost unknown in the wild outside of this watershed, grows abundantly within it.

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of these gorges seems obvious now, it was once appreciated only by a few intrepid scientists and hikers. In the 1980s, its potential was all about hydroelectric power.

Duke Energy, which owned about 60,000 acres in the region, had penciled in plans for several pump storage plants—designed to produce surges of electricity—on the Jocassee Gorges’ creeks and rivers. But the first active threat to the Jocassee Gorges came on one of the few large tracts in the basin that Duke didn’t own, 923 acres along the Horsepasture controlled by a company called Carrasan. It announced its plans to build a hydroelectric plant on the river in a tiny legal ad that ran in Brevard’s Transylvania Times newspaper on March 5, 1984. This caught the eye of the everattentive Thomas, which is one place to mark the start of his activism.

But his awakening actually began a few years earlier when he met his second wife, Shirl, who also deserves a Gorges anniversary toast. At the time, Bill Thomas was working at the DuPont plant near Brevard. He was a lifelong birder and hiker, but also a lifelong Republican, a Sierra Club member uncomfortable with its advocacy.

“After meeting Shirl,” he said, “I got retreaded.”

Once they saw the ad that threatened one of their favorite hiking spots, they set about researching the environment of the Jocassee Gorges and the approval process for Carrasan’s project. Meetings and phone calls consumed their evenings. Bill Thomas put the Xerox machine in his DuPont office into overdrive pumping out promotional literature.

He and Shirl, he said, were too naive to know that such environmental crusades typically advance at glacial speed. This one moved like an avalanche.

With a few early allies, they formed a group called Friends of the Horsepasture River, “which we realized later could form a neat acronym, FROTH,” Bill Thomas wrote in a 2015 book he published on the effort, Dam it, No!! Powerful supporters quickly jumped on board, including Mike Leonard, then a young lawyer and now the chairman of the nationwide Land Conservation Fund. And a mere 2 ½ years after the founding of FROTH, it achieved its ultimate goal -- federal designation of the Horsepasture as a Wild and Scenic River, signed into law in October 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.

“I think the biggest high I ever had in my life was when the Horsepasture got protected,” he said.

There’s an old saying that activists are divided among tree shakers— the inspirational, visionary types, and jelly makers—who do the sustained, detailed work. Thomas is both.

“Bill was the superstar,” Leonard said. “Bill was very key to leading the charge and building public support.”

He also stuck to it through the process of acquiring and protecting the watershed -- including more than 7,000 acres that became Gorges State Park -- even though it proceeded at the more typical pace of environmental action. Very slowly.

He retired from DuPont in 1989 to start a stint as statewide Sierra Club chairperson. He traveled to Washington D.C. to persuade federal lawmakers to acquire key portions of the old Carrasan property,

now part of the Nantahala National Forest. He fought to block a powerline that ended up being built through the park. “We got our heads beat down on that one,” he said. And after Duke let it be known it was willing to sell its land in the mid 1990s, Thomas was Sierra’s point person on the creation of the park, putting him in the thick of the negotiations with hunters who at one point threatened to withdraw support for the acquisition. He played a crucial role in “elevating this issue among Sierra members,” said Diggins, which gave her the backing to lobby state lawmakers. And he did a fair amount of lobbying himself, seeking not only that the land be purchased but that most of it be designated as a state park.

“That was a high bar,” Diggins said. “The state did not have a history of land acquisition for state parks or natural conservation.”

One of his lobbying tools was a Jocassee Gorges hiking guide that Steve Pagano, park superintendent during its first 19 years, said might still be the best one published. Its maps and photos were supplemented with detailed passages on history, ecology and geology. No matter what issue he took on, Diggins said, he seemed to know every ecological asset, every threat, every political and bureaucratic key that needed turning.

His commitment to the park continued long after its formation. Thomas has been a member of park’s advisory committee since its founding. He long pushed for a Friends of Gorges State Park and served on it for several years after its creation nearly a decade ago.

“I’d put him on top of the list of (volunteers) making the park happen and making it work,” said Superintendent Pagano.

Thomas knows his generation of activists is passing. He has dialed back on some of his commitments. He and Shirl are no longer the super-fit, avid hikers that smile from the banks of the Horsepasture in the photos of Dam it. Thomas

9 1 - Y E A R - O L D B I L L T H O M A S S T R O L L S T H R O U G H G O R G E S S TAT E PA R K , WHICH HE HELPED TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT 20 YEARS AGO.

lamented in an email that he could provide only a short list of contacts for former FROTH members.

“All the others are gone.”

But he has been blessed with health that others might seem as a karmic reward for his good work but that he views as merely a pleasant mystery. He and Shirl still walk nearly every day in the community of tree huggers near Brevard where they settled in 1998. He still works on its trail-building crew. He still organizes its nature programs and sends out email blasts alerting residents to sightings of black bears and hummingbirds. When his friends describe his mental sharpness, they are not grading on the usual nonagenarian curve.

“Bill is more intellectually engaged on a wider variety of subjects than anyone I’ve ever met,” said his old friend and neighbor, Gus Napier. “He’s interested in everything!”

I observed firsthand his acuity and passion for nature, on a trip to the Gorges with Thomas and park ranger Neal Wilcox. As we drove deep into the backcountry in a four-wheel drive pickup, Thomas let out spontaneous exclamations of enthusiasm.

“Fantastic!” is a Thomas favorite. He explained how geology and erosion had created the vertiginous slopes of the gorges that Wilcox navigated. He identified the species of each bird that called and of the ground-hugging halberd violets and midstory silverbell trees.

Dressed in khakis and well broken-in leather hiking boots, he handled a short hike to Bearwallow Creek with ease, bushwhacking through briars and up and down muddy embankments. Wilcox commented on this, Thomas’ fitness, but his words could also apply to Thomas’ work for the natural world, the example he has set for younger environmentalists.

“Bill, you’re my hero,” Wilcox said. “I want to be you when I grow up.”

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if you build them, they will come

YOUTH BIKERS AND WEST VIRGINIA STATE PARKS PARTNER TO CONSTRUCT NEW TRAILS. B Y E R I C J . WA L L A C E

A CLUSTER OF TEENAGE MOUNTAIN BIKERS SLALOM THROUGH

sparse oaks along the final wooded corridor of the new Defend the Bend interscholastic racing trail in West Virginia’s North Bend State Park. With primo rigs and color-coordinated helmets, racing jerseys, pants, gloves, and shoes, the kids look like miniature pros. Seconds later, they burst into a grassy field, pedaling ferociously through blue-taped racing lanes toward a big blow-up marker and crowded gallery lining the finish.

“Great work. Way to push through to the end!” calls Cassie Smith from a nearby tent, pumping her fist at the passing riders. By the end of the day, the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League director has congratulated more than 130 middle and high school aged competitors from nine teams—and nearly lost her voice.

Held last Oct. 12-13, the event was the third of the league’s inaugural fall racing series. Despite blustery conditions, about 50 registered coaches and 100 spectators attended. With squads hailing from throughout the state, many families chose to camp, rent cabins, or stay in the park’s 29-room lodge.

“The turnout was amazing,” says North Bend superintendent Steve Jones. A supporter of the league since its formation in 2016, he was instrumental in establishing the 3-mile loop and provided park support for the competition. “The production value was top-notch; everything looked incredibly professional,” he says. “You could tell parents were impressed and, more importantly, that the kids were having a lot of fun.”

Jones had a vested interest in the outcome: The race launched a groundbreaking partnership between the National Interscholastic Cycling League and West Virginia’s Department of Natural Resources. Spearheaded by Smith and Jones, the collaboration hopes to install an estimated 100 miles of sustainably built, NICA-sanctioned racing trails in 10-12 state parks within the next 5-10 years. North Bend was an unofficial pilot. Its success has led to new projects at Canaan Valley Resort and Stonewall Jackson. Smith expects riders will be competing in “at least five state parks by 2023.”

“Steve has really pushed this. His vision and tireless support have been crucial in sparking discussions with other parks,” says Smith. Jones proved that, coupled with targeted outreach, investing in modern mountain biking trails can connect parks with readymade communities of riders. Partnering with interscholastic squads, they 38

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

become valuable resources for young enthusiasts and their supporters. “This is the definition of a winwin situation,” says Smith.

Bike teams gain access to practice facilities replete with premium machine-built trails. Coaches work with park staffers to help with trail maintenance and fulfill NICA’s requirements for stewardship education. Meanwhile, kids are being introduced to some of the most pristine natural areas in the state.

“I can’t think of a better example of a partnership that fulfills our mission statement the way this one does,” says Jones. “In an age where it’s harder and harder to stay pertinent—and particularly with young people—we’ve found an exciting new way to connect with, and serve, our local and state communities.”

Jones and other superintendents see trails as gateways to discovery: They offer young people a chance to experience the bounty of state parks firsthand.

JONES WAS INTRODUCED TO BOTH SMITH AND NICA AT A 2016

townhall gathering held in Morgantown to discuss the viability of an interscholastic mountain biking league. Smith had heard about Virginia’s program earlier that year. Intrigued, she’d attended its yearend summit. What she found blew her away.

“It was all about getting kids on bikes, and into the woods, and having fun,” she says. “Clearly everybody wanted to put on a great race, but competition wasn’t the primary concern. It was more about community and character-building.

They were talking about introducing kids to wild spaces, stewardship ideals, and healthy outdoor lifestyles. The goals struck me as very different from mainstream sports like football or basketball.”

In her mid-40’s, Smith had been racing mountain bikes for more than 25 years. Her 13-year-old son rode for Morgantown’s composite team. The two held memberships in state and local mountain biking associations, and were deeply involved in the West Virginia scene.

“I came home and thought, ‘We have to bring this here,’” says Smith. She wrote emails and made phone calls to gauge interest. The response was

overwhelmingly positive. “Everybody I talked to was like, ‘Let’s do this! How can I help?’” she recalls with a laugh.

Within weeks, the meeting was planned.

As a longtime mountain biker, Jones heard about it through the grapevine. Thinking his affiliation with the park service might be helpful, he made the 90-mile drive to attend.

“I got there and there were all these people,” says Jones. Despite Smith’s predictions of 15-20 attendees, more than 60 showed up. The excitement was tangible. By the end of the night, committees were formed and tasked with establishing a league. “I walked away knowing this was something I wanted to support,” Jones continues. “And I hoped to use my position and influence [within the DNR] to maximize that impact.”

The next year brought a flurry of activity. Contacts were made with NICA, certifications obtained, coaches recruited, and teams created; venues established. Meanwhile, Jones reached out to Smith.

“Steve offered to let us use the [North Bend] lodge and meeting facilities for our annual coaches’ summit, and asked about hosting a yearly race,” says Smith. (The park has supplied free accommodations for summit participants since 2017.)

In early 2018, the two coordinated to bring NICA officials to North Bend to inspect existing trails.

Following a poor review, Jones secured a $25,000 grant and contracted with a professional trailbuilding company to update existing segments and build new additions. Park staff and volunteers from area mountain biking clubs pitched in as well. The result was a manicured 3-mile loop of butter-smooth, tastefully weaving flow.

Following the 2018 race, Jones was asked to speak at the DNR’s annual conference regarding the experience and how it might be replicated at other parks. He invited Smith to present about NICA. Superintendents from across the state attended. And they left impressed.

“I got follow-up calls from, like, 11 supers inquiring about putting on events in their parks,” says Smith.

“The enthusiasm was absolutely mind-blowing.”

Some are already acting—and in a major way.

Canaan Valley Resort, for instance, has obtained an estimated $250,000 in funding to update and build new trails. WVICL riders will race on them next fall.

Looking ahead, Smith envisions big things. Five new teams have been added, certified coaches have doubled to number more than 100, and 200250 student athletes are expected to ride next fall.

Booming interest has kickstarted planning for a complimentary spring series.

Given the interest and feedback, Jones has plans to add more trails. He expects other superintendents will follow suit. He hopes the developments will serve as a template for parks in other states.

“We’ve come a long way in a very short time,” says Smith. “I imagine a bright future for interscholastic mountain biking in West Virginia. And our partnership with [the DNR] is going to be a huge part of that.”

2019

RACE & EVENT GUIDE 32 EVENTS TO END THE YEAR 2019 MAY BE REACHING THE FINISH LINE, BUT THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE REGION TO 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

AUGUST 2019

we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way in which we use it.” Gene Worthington, from the WV History Alive! program (WV Humanities Council), will portray Roosevelt. lostrivercrafts.com

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

August 17

Townsend, TN

Visit the Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains for a summertime spectacle as professional balloonists light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow. The sky will be filled with a spectrum of color against the backdrop of a Tennessee sunset. The festival also includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, crafters, a food truck court and local craft beers and wine tastings. gsmballoonfest.com

THE PEOPLES BANK MIDNIGHT FLIGHT

August 23

Anderson, SC

The Midnight Flight has been a tradition in the Anderson Community for 42 years. Over 1800 runners participated last year. The road-race is a certified Grand-Prix race and the largest night-time race in South Carolina. This year’s event will be held Friday, August 23. The 1 mile will begin at 8:15 p.m., the 5K at 9 p.m. and the 10K at 10:00 p.m. andersonareaymca.org

A VISIT WITH TEDDY ROOSEVELT

August 24

Lost River, WV

Hear Teddy’s take on the history of his administration and establishment of our national parks. A strong advocate of the “life of strenuous endeavor”, of national parks, he said, “It is not what

TASTE OF THE MOUNTAINS MAIN STREET FESTIVAL

August 31

Main Street, Madison, VA

Come celebrate 50 Years of Love at the 27th Annual Taste of the Mountains Main Street Festival! Arts, crafts, food, fun, bands all day, games, historical displays, pony rides and so much more!!

Over 150 vendors on Main Street in Madison, always Saturday before Labor Day! Rain or shine. madisonva.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 17TH ANNUAL PAPA JOE SMIDDY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

September 1

Natural Tunnel State Park, VA

The Festival honors the tireless work of Dr. Joseph Smiddy, Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, banjo picker, and entertainer, AKA “Papa Joe.” This family friendly event features a handful of blue grass performances and helps provide scholarships to local students. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Call 276-940-2674 for more information. coveridge.com/papa-joe-smiddymountain-music-festival

LIGHTtheNIGHT Friday, August 23, 2019

Anderson Area YMCA | Anderson, South Carolina 1 mile • 5K • 10K

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Andersonareaymca.org | runsignup.com | 864.716.6809

Like us on facebook!

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF MARATHON & 5K

ANNUAL HEART OF VIRGINIA BIKE FESTIVAL

Townsend, TN

Courthouse, VA

September 6 & 7

Taking place in the nation’s most popular, but serene, national park, the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5k are the perfect escape with races through the woods and countryside.

It features captivating panoramic views against the backdrop of the Smokies. The start and finish line are in Townsend, Tennessee, where the pre- and post-race activities will take place. vacationraces.com/half-marathons/great-smokymountains

September 14

The Richmond Area Bicycle Association presents the annual Heart of Virginia Bike Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2019.

Cycle multiple lengths fully supported through central Virginia’s historic terrain. Proceeds benefit the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and RABA Foundation’s Bikes for Kids program. More information and registration available online. heartofvabikefestival.org

3M BIKE CHALLENGE

45TH STOKES STOMP FESTIVAL ON THE DAN RIVER

Cumberland, MD to Frostburg, MD

Danbury, NC

September 7

Think you have what it takes to cycle faster than a diesel train?

The 2nd Annual 3M Bike Challenge is a face-off with mountain versus machine. Teams will race on the Great Allegheny Passage, trying to beat the train’s time on the adjacent tracks from Cumberland to Frostburg, Maryland. Money raised supports Mountain Maryland Trails. bikereg.com/3m

CLAYTOR LAKE TRIATHLON

September 7

Claytor Lake State Park, VA

Race solo or in a relay in the most popular event in Virginia State Parks Adventure Series that brings out over 200 racers annually for a 500 meter swim, a 12.5 mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run.

Duathlon and aquabike formats are also offered. Proceeds benefit the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors (CLSPA). Visit their website for more information. claytorlaketriathlon.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

September 14

The Stokes Stomp Festival on the Dan is a FREE outdoor music, arts, vendor and food event. Showcasing local vendors and demonstrations, interactive activities for all. The day kicks off with the Stokes Stomp Parade and music on the main stage throughout the day. stokesarts.org

OUTER BANKS TRIATHLON

September 14–15 Manteo, NC

This USAT Sanctioned event includes custom designed finisher medals, SWAG, and post race party with free beer and food for all Finishers. Be a part of a relay team or join in on the 2-day challenge. Come to the Outer Banks Triathlon and experience it all! obxse.com

IRONKIDS ALPHARETTA TRIATHLON

September 14–15

Wills Park, Alpharetta, GA

One of the largest youth triathlons returns to Alpharetta! IronKids allows children ages 6 to 15 an opportunity to test their strength with a swim, bike and run competition. Register the kids and bring the whole family to Alpharetta for a family-friendly weekend getaway. awesomealpharetta.com/ironkids-triathlon

ASHEVILLE VAN LIFE RALLY

September 20–22

Elysium Center, Fletcher, NC

The 5th annual Asheville Van Life Rally is a celebration of the #vanlife community, but welcomes adventurers of all kinds for camping, connection, and family-friendly fun. Join for the weekend, or as a visitor Saturday and check out the kids activities, panel discussions, DIY workshops, community-led activities, live music, yoga, bonfires, local craft beer, and more! ashevillevanlife.com

HOOVER RIDGE HOPS FESTIVAL

September 21

Hoover Ridge Park, Madison, VA

Hoover Ridge Hops Fest returns to Hoover Ridge Park (Madison) September 21, 2019 from 1:00PM – 6:00PM. Festival features craft beer from all over Virginia. Tasting Tickets are $40, with Early Bird Tickets ($30) available. Tasting Ticket provides tasting glass and unlimited tastings. General Admission Tickets ($5) required for guests over age 12. Family-friendly event has live music, bounce house, food, and retail vendors. hooverridge.com

NEW RIVER TRAIL CHALLENGE

September 21

New River Trail State Park, VA

In Virginia State Parks Adventure Series’ longest triathlon, competitors will run, paddle, and bike their way along—and in—the scenic New River. Solo and relay option available. The challenge, known for its festive atmosphere, attracts world-class athletes and family teams alike.

Cornhole, food, and local brew round out the day. Visit their website for more information. dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/nrt-challenge

30th ANNUAL WORLD CHICKEN FESTIVAL

September 26–29

Downtown London, KY

Enjoy four fun-filled days at one of Kentucky’s largest festivals featuring top-notch entertainment as well as activities for the entire family like thrilling amusement rides, outrageous contests, and many craft and food vendors including the world’s largest stainless steel skillet that fries up delicious chicken! Join us for an “egg-ceptionally” great time! chickenfestival.com

FLOAT LIFE FEST 3

September 26–29

Asheville & Brevard, NC

Southern Raft Supply’s FloatLife Fest is the largest gathering of Onewheel enthusiast in the world! Races, rides, ramps, radness and ridiculousness will transpire! Riders of any level welcome! Expect trail races, Float with the Pros clinics at REEB Ranch Bike park, a full on ramp and freestyle competition, group rides in Asheville, music, camping, demos, vendors, sponsors, and a lot of fun! Visit Asheville and experience FloatLife Fest! floatlifefest.com

REACH THE PEAKS HIKING & TRAIL RUNNING CHALLENGE

September 28 Danbury, NC

7th annual premier single day hiking and trail running challenge in NC, AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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2nd annual 3m bike challenge

30TH ANNUAL

Cumberland, MD B

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 LU

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DGE

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2019

TOp

ADVTOENWTNURE 1st Runner

Up

Human versus Machine versus Mountain The 3M Bike Challenge will take place along the internationally-recognized Great Allegheny Passage, a cycling timed ride from Cumberland to Frostburg, Maryland.

SEPTEMBER 26–29, 2019

While you are in our mountains, be sure to expand your experience and enjoy the great outdoors in our Top Adventure Town.

Registration at bikereg.com/3m

Experience all the egg-citement of four fun-filled days at one of Kentucky’s Largest Festivals!

In Beautiful Downtown London, KY • Top-notch entertainment • Thrilling amusement rides • Outrageous contests

• Craft & Food vendors • Delicious fried chicken from the world’s largest skillet

CHICKENFESTIVAL.COM • 608–878–6900

OCTOBER 12, 2019

at Walnut Creek Park | North Garden, VA

REGISTER NOW blueridgeburn.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

set to be toughest yet offering a strenuous 11 mile world class route testing participants from banks of the Dan River to Moore’s Knob, the highest NC peak east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. reachthepeaks.org

OCTOBER 2019 SHAKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & DANCE

October 3–6

Pittsboro, NC

Join us for the 16th Annual Fall Festival! Known as a music lover’s paradise with a family-friendly atmosphere, the festival features four music stages and a mind-boggling selection of programs and workshops in the fields of sustainability, music and dance, and healing arts. Children under 12 are free. shakorihillsgrassroots.org

INTO THE WOODS

October 4–6

Charleston Woodlands, Charleston, SC

Into the Woods is Charleston Pour House’s inaugural camping festival.

It will feature three days of premium lakeside camping and two nights of music by national and regional touring acts. Festival attendees will feel completely transported into another world while only being a short 20-minute drive from all the conveniences of Charleston. intothewoodscharleston.com

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL

October 5–6, 12–13 & 19–20

Graves Mountain Lodge, Syria, VA

Celebrating 49 Years–2019 – 10am-4:30pm daily Free Admission, Free Parking, rain or shine. Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival. Enjoy fun filled days complete with good Food and Entertainment including Bluegrass Music, Cloggers, over 70 Arts and Crafts Vendors, Hayrides, Hay Mountain, Hay Maze, Moon Bounces, Horseback, and Pony Rides.

Experience the days of yesteryear watching apple butter being cooked in kettles over and open fire with gorgeous fall foliage. gravesmountain.com

OUTDOOR MARKET

October 11–13

Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC

Outdoor Market is a 3-day festival that offers a unique setting to demo the latest and greatest outdoor gear from top brands in the outdoor industry in one place. Test out new mountain bikes, trail shoes, kayaks, climbing gear and more or participate in group rides/runs/paddles, and educational, participatory, and tech clinics. Unwind with craft beer, food, and films. usnwc.org/relax/festivals/outdoor-market

THE FESTY

October 11–13

IX Art Park, Charlottesville, VA

The 10th annual Festy celebrates music & mindfulness at Three Notch’d Brewery and IX Art Park in downtown Charlottesville October 11-13th, with Dawes, Della Mae, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Samantha Fish, Langhorne Slim, Rubblebucket, and more! Tickets and information online. Kids get in free! thefesty.com

BLUE RIDGE BURN

October 12

North Garden, VA

Hosted by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, this 5K/10K race is headed back to Walnut Creek Park in North Garden, VA! Come meet the Blue Ridge Outdoors team, run a great course, win awesome prizes and AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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support a great cause, all proceeds will benefit the Southern Environmental Law Center. burn.blueridgeoutdoors.com

2019 CHESSIE TRAIL MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K

October 19

Lexington, VA

Run the trail with more locks and dams per mile than any other trail in the United States! The Chessie Trail, situated at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, parallels the scenic Maury River, and connects historic Lexington, Virginia, with the boom-town community of Buena Vista. Enter discount code BRO5 for $5 off. runthechessie.org

BIG ELKIN BREWFEST

October 26

Elkin Park, Elkin, NC

On the banks of Big Elkin Creek, cold brews and fall temperatures are on tap for Big Elkin Brewfest. Festivities include live music all day, NC craft beers, and food trucks. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Dozens of craft breweries will participate! bigelkinbrewfest.com

DOMINION ENERGY HIKE FOR KIDS

October 26

Virginia War Memorial, Richmond, VA

Dominion Energy Hike for Kids is a unique event benefitting the youth of Blue Sky Fund! Hikers will enjoy some of the country’s best urban trails with either a 3-, 8- or 14-mile loop on the James River, followed by food, beer, and live music. blueskyfund.org

NOVEMBER 2019 GRAINS & GRITS FESTIVAL

November 2

Townsend, TN

Grains & Grits is a festival of southern spirits and gourmet grub.

It provides the unique opportunity to experience the area’s thriving craft spirits and food community, while discovering some of the region’s legendary distillers and blenders, taking place in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. This intimate sampling event offers something for consumers, foodies, bartenders, and spirit professionals alike. grainsandgritsfest.com

ALPHARETTA WOMEN’S WEEKEND HALF MARATHON & 5K

November 2–3

Avalon, Alpharetta, GA

The banked slalom snowboard race returns for its third year.

Technically Alpharetta will host the 2nd annual Alpharetta Women’s Half Marathon and 5K, finishing in the family-friendly atmosphere of Avalon. This woman’s only half marathon and 5K will showcase a $1,000.00 prize purse for the top female finishers in the half marathon. Register now and plan a weekend getaway with the gal pals. awesomealpharetta.com/alpharetta-womenshalf-and-5k-race

OUTER BANKS MARATHON

November 9–10 Kitty Hawk, NC

An event for all ages and for the inner explorer in all of us! This flat point-to-point (Boston Qualifier) course will take you through

the beautiful 3 mile off-road maritime forest and breathtaking coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks! Join us for a 5k, 8k, Southern Six, Southern Fried Half or the Full 26.2! obxse.com

RICHMOND MARATHON/HALF MARATHON/8K

November 16

Richmond, VA

With street art, river views, historic architecture, and beautiful parks, the race routes treat runners to a unique and unforgettable tour of RVA that ends with their renowned downhill finish and party on the riverfront! #RunRichmond and see why they are known as “America’s Friendliest Marathon!” richmondmarathon.org

DECEMBER 2019 SUGARFEST

December 6–8

Sugar Mountain Resort, Banner Elk, NC

Participants can expect to rub shoulders with Olympians Paul Wylie & Andrew Weibrecht, test drive this season’s skis & snowboards, view a wintery fireworks show, listen to live music, and partake in an apres ski/snowboard party or the mini snowboard games. An intensive three-day ski clinic shakes campers into physical shape. Lodging deals are abundant.

A hot chocolate with whipped cream bar and North Carolina BBQ headline SugarFEAST. And of course, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort features skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, and snowshoeing. skisugar.com/sugarfest

NOVEMBER 16 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

#RunRichmond and take in historic architecture, river views, iconic street art, a downhill finish, and riverfront party!

RICHMONDMARATHON.ORG

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LEADING THE CHARGE MEET 16 YOUNG ATHLETES AND OUTDOOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF ADVENTURE

ALICE CLAIR | PHOTO

BY CLARA CASTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ADDIE OLDHAM AND ELLIE BOWEN

I

n a time where our environment faces threats from every angle, it is encouraging to learn that not all hope is lost. We searched high and low for young environmentalists, athletes, musicians, and outdoors fanatics who will carry the next wave of Blue Ridge enthusiasts. These young individuals are just a few of countless others who are staying true to the spirit of the region, while simultaneously adapting to the modern world.

Alice Clair, 22

MUSICIAN/ACTIVIST, @ALICECLAIRMUSIC Combining a passion for music and the environment, Alice Clair is an unstoppable force in the central Virginia community.

While juggling a double major in music and biology at UVA, she garnered recognition in the central Virginian music scene, released her first album, managed the student radio station, and remained active in the fight against the proposed Atlantic Coast pipeline in her home of Nelson County.

Clair’s passion for music began at age eight when she started taking guitar lessons and grew exponentially as the years passed. By the time that she was 14, she performed her first paid gig and was a regular at open mic events. At 17, Clair joined The BLNDRs, a band she regularly performs with, and never looked back.

Nowadays, Clair is a regular in the Charlottesville music scene, playing consistent gigs with the BLNDRs or on her own at local bars, restaurants, vineyards, and breweries, as well as bigger venues in the area.

“There are a good number of flavors of art and music here, and I have an appetite,” she said.

Clair released her first solo album, Loop, this February, featuring her own powerful vocals and guitar skills backed by an array of local musicians.

However, music isn’t the only driving force in Clair’s life. She is also deeply connected to her roots in Nelson and is a passionate protester of the proposed Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines. Clair attends meeting and protests pertaining to the pipeline and uses her music as a platform to share information about it.

“Activism is plain citizenship,” Clair said. “My home, my friends and family, my land, my water, my community, and my neighbors have been threatened.

I was not given the opportunity to choose.”

Clair’s deep connection to Nelson County is an intrinsic part of her persona that shines through in her music, even in songs that aren’t directly related to environmental issues.

In “Patience,” a folky single from the album Loop, Clair sings, “These hands of mine have lost their softened spots Gouging out the rotten weakened parts

And all of the patience In the world, I find, Is our love’s only cost I pray that this patience won’t lead me ‘til I’m lost.”

LAUREN Later on, Clair reflected on how patience helped her wait to “see our triumph at the end of this dark, dark tunnel.”

HUGHES

Lauren Hughes, 24 NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER

Born in the suburbs of Virginia Beach, Lauren Hughes was raised with a respect for nature that continued to grow as she got older.

“My dad did a lot of surfing and fishing, and by tagging along with him, I discovered an appreciation for nature,” Hughes said.

Her appreciation for nature hit its peak when 17-year-old Hughes watched 180 Degrees South for the first time. The documentary film follows Jeff Johnson's travels from California to Chile while he retraces the travels of Yvon Chouinard. Chouinard, an American rock climber and environmentalist embarked on this journey in 1968 with his close friend AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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Doug Tompkins. Seeking new climbing adventures, this journey inspired Chouinard to create the brand Patagonia.

After watching the film, Hughes began to look at adventure in a new way.

“It really opened my eyes to what outdoor recreation looked like and how critical the conservation of nature is,” Hughes said.

Chouinard’s philosophies regarding the connection between outdoor recreation, sustainability, morals, and business acted as an inspiration for Hughes to begin a more personal relationship with nature.

Hughes lives this philosophy of simplifying your life in order to live a more examined life in JOEY NOONAN the natural world. Living minimally, Hughes spends more time focusing on the natural world rather than the material products of society.

“I’ve strived to simplify my life by focusing my energy on the things that are most important to me,” Hughes said. “Really examining my life and asking myself, ‘Does this make me happy?’ And getting rid of things that don't.”

Now living in Asheville, North Carolina, both Hughes’ professional and personal life revolves around nature. Working as the Nantahala Outdoor Center Logo Merchandise Buyer, Hughes can explore her passion for adventure through sharing it with her customers.

When she’s not working, Hughes spends most of her time in Asheville hiking through the Black Balsam forest. With her passion for the outdoors, she carries a newfound respect and responsibility towards the land.

Joceanic has donated to the Surfrider Foundation, a network focused on hosting local, volunteer-based beach cleanups, and Project Aware, an organization advocating for policy that will preserve the oceans from pollution and overfishing, specifically the protection of shark and ray populations.

Noonan said she “hopes that her shirts and business model encourage people to look deeper into what’s going on in our world.”

The company hosted its first clean-up in April of 2019 and hopes to organize and host many more in the coming months and years.

In addition to creating and selling tee shirts CASH REACHES through Joceanic, K ATA H D I N . P H O T O B Y JOHN MCCURRY Noonan is extremely passionate about conservation and sustainability in all aspects of her business and daily life. She posts blogs with advice for those looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle, including a tutorial on making beeswax wraps to replace plastic cling wrap or aluminum foil.

Noonan’s “recipe” for beeswax wraps is simple: 100% cotton fabric, parchment paper, and beeswax pastilles combined with the aid of an iron.

Josephine (Joey) Noonan, 22

Caet Cash, 29

Joey Noonan came up with the idea for her t-shirt company, Joceanic, as a way to combine her two passions: art and environmental conservation. She likes to joke that “the whole business started by accident” after she posted a few pictures of shirts she made herself on Instagram and friends “reached out saying they loved my designs.”

“I didn’t want to promote the consumerism that our culture is so obsessed with, so instead I chose to use shirts from thrift stores to encourage people to reduce their consumption,” Noonan said.

The thrifted t-shirts are printed with silk screened designs, including seals, sharks, jellyfish, and sea dragons. A portion of the proceeds go to a designated environmental nonprofit, changing every six months.

“I wanted Joceanic to be about more than me selling repurposed shirts,” Noonan said. “My goal is to educate because knowledge is a huge part of making a change.”

For long-distance backpacker Caet Cash, what began as an inexpensive resume “gap-filler,” quickly developed into a lifestyle.

“After college, I didn’t find a job right away, and I was mortified about having a gap on my resume,” Cash said.

After exploring her options, she decided to hike the Appalachian Trail. In July of 2014, she set out on the trail heading south for her first real backpacking trip, starting off with Mount Katahdin.

“Everyone was very taken aback,” Cash said. “I hadn’t been camping since age seven, and I hated it.”

Now, she’s hooked. Cash is currently challenging herself to “grid” the Southeast’s 40 peaks above 6,000 feet by hiking each peak once a month for the year, a total of 480 summits.

Cash describes her “gridding” challenge as an adaptation of the South Beyond 6,000 peak bagging challenge. She hits the trails two or three times a

FOUNDER OF JOCEANIC, @JOCEANIC_

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

week, sometimes hiking as many as 50 miles in one day, and plans on finishing her challenge over the course of about two years.

Most impressively, she’s doing it all from the lessthan-26-square-foot van that she calls home.

“I think [living out of a van] is probably easier after coming back from a thru-hike,” Cash said. “Because you go from living out of a backpack to living out of a van, which feels very luxurious.”

Her key tip for staying sane while living out of her tiny van is to get out often—either onto the trails, into local coffee shops, or just into parks around Asheville.

Cash’s favorite place to hike? North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains. Piece of gear she can’t live without? Her hiking dresses from Lightheart Gear, which she says have amazing ventilation.

“We need more outdoor gear made by women, period,” Cash said.

Matt Reilly, 23

FISHING GUIDE/ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER, @ MATTREILLYFLYFISHING Operating in the Southwest region of Virginia, Matt Reilly is an accomplished fly fishing guide who dabbles in journalism for magazines like Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine and The Rural Virginian.

Reilly became an avid fisher at a young age, fishing the Rivanna in his hometown, as well as in the Shenandoah National Park on trips with his father.

“I just love to fish, and I love to be outside,” Reilly said. “I’m not sure how the passion evolved, but it did pretty quickly.”

M AT T R E I L L Y W I T H A M U S K Y. P H O T O

BY CONNOR TA P S C O T T

BACKPACKER/VAN DWELLER, @WOODSWOMYN

Reilly began his guiding business, Matt Reilly Fly Fishing, during his senior year of college at Randolph College and “worked out the kinks” during his first few months. After graduation, Reilly began guiding full-time, offering guided smallmouth bass, trout, and musky trips in Virginia’s southwestern region, often on the New River.

“It is a world-class smallmouth bass fishery and a world-class musky fishery,” Reilly said of the New River.

From late March to early October, Reilly leads smallmouth trips on the New, and during the other half of the year, he takes clients fishing for musky.

Reilly says he was lucky to form connections and friendships in the guiding community during his teenage years, finding a mentor in experienced

Charlottesville fishing guide Chuck Craft, before breaking into the guiding business. Now, Reilly is a mentor in his own right to his clients and friends.

“They continue to inspire me every day to spend more time outside and to respect our environment, wherever we may be,” Ta said.

CLIMBER, @BJARIEL

ULTRA RUNNER/SUSTAINABLE CHEF

Bella Jariel, 17

It wasn’t easy to balance a rigorous training schedule with high school, but top climber Bella Jariel somehow managed. The 17-year-old came out of Riverrock in Richmond, Va., with first place wins in both the Boulder Bash and speed divisions this year.

“Depending on the season, I usually train 3-5 days a week,” Jariel said. “While ideally my schedule would be more regular, juggling climbing with school can sometimes be difficult, and I have to occasionally prioritize my studies.”

Jariel’s passion for climbing started when she was seven as a fun weekend activity that she did with her parents. Eventually, she joined her gym’s climbing team and started attending practices and competitions.

“The climbing community is super collaborative,” Jariel said. “Even though competitions can be intense, competitors are quick to help each other and constantly cheering for one another and are always sharing information about how to ascend climbs.”

Jariel’s favorite spots to climb are Hueco Tanks in Texas and Red Rocks in Nevada.

“The rock quality and features are incredible, and the locations are also picturesque,” Jariel said. “I also enjoy fun day trips to local areas like Great Falls and Carderock on the Potomac River when I can. While indoor competitions can be fun, I love the outdoor aspect of climbing.”

The Blue Ridgers PHOTOGRAPHERS, @ THEBLUERIDGERS

DALTON PERRY

In 2017, a group of young photographers came together to create The Blue Ridgers. Together, this collective of photographers seeks to showcase the beauty of the Southeastern United States by connecting with young artists from the Smoky Mountains to the foothills of Appalachia.

This group is comprised of 9 young photographers, including Dalton Perry, 29, and Hung Ta, 22. Although Perry and Ta, have only known each other since 2017, they share a bond through their mutual passion for capturing the beauty of the outdoors.

Perry's career in photography stems from his appreciation for travel and adventure. In 2016, Perry decided to buy his first camera before taking a trip out West to visit a few national parks.

“I wanted to get involved with photography for the sole reason that my wife and I love to travel,” Perry said.

Knowing only the basic information about photography and cameras, Perry taught himself how to use manual mode. As he got more into photography, he started connecting with other photographers through Instagram, including Ta. 48

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

Luke Paulson, 27

BELLA JARIEL | PHOTO BY JENNA JARIEL

L U K E PA U L S O N PHOTO BY JUSTIN KEEFE

Ta moved from Vietnam to Boone, North Carolina, ten years ago, later attending Appalachian State University. He fell into the photography business because he wanted to show his family the beauty of Boone.

“The majority of my family still lives in Vietnam and may never have the opportunity to travel here,” Ta said.

Perry, Ta, and other area photographers began going on hiking and H U N G TA photography trips together. In 2017, they formed The Blue Ridgers on Instagram.

They host meet-ups to form relationships between like-minded photographers. In the long run, The Blue Ridgers hope to collaborate with local businesses, tourism boards, and outdoor apparel companies to promote the region and the outdoors.

Both of these photographers' careers have been deeply impacted by their relationship with the outdoors. For Perry, his career has allowed him to experience the beauty of hiking, traveling, and experiencing other cultures while deepening his desire to do his part in caring for the earth.

Ta is grateful for the friendships that he has gained through his career.

Luke Paulson never expected ultra running to become an essential component of his lifestyle.

While he competed in shorter races, it wasn't until he spontaneously signed up for the Lookout Mountain 50 Mile race in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2017 that he attempted an ultra race.

Ten races later, the sport has become one of his top priorities. Of those races, Paulson has placed either first or second in every single one, including a first-place finish at the 2019 Mt. Mitchell Challenge with a time of four hours and 29 minutes.

Paulson first began his running career in middle school after joining his cross-country team in 6th grade.

“I have always loved the outdoors and running on trails,” Paulson said.

Depending on what phase of training he’s in, Paulson tends to run anywhere between 80 to 115 miles a week. Typically, he saves his long run for Sundays, which can range anywhere between 16 to 36 miles.

While racing, Paulson is able to use his competitive personality as a tool for self-motivation.

But that competitiveness can only take him so far in a race.

“At that point, all my thoughts pretty much go straight towards literally just finishing the race,” Paulson said. “I like to remind myself that the pain is only temporary. I sometimes also think back to all the training that I have put in in preparation for the race, which serves as a reminder of what I know is possible.”

When Paulson is not on the trail, he is working as a sustainable chef at Rhubarb, a restaurant in the heart of downtown Asheville. The restaurant serves local dishes, supporting the farmers of Western North Carolina. He seeks to minimize his impact on the environment through buying meat and produce that is grown in the least destructive way as possible.

“One of the best things you can do is to eat lower on the food chain,” Paulson said.

He began his career in the food industry during college, working at commercial kitchens near Colorado College. Since then, he has spent time at various establishments.

Paulson's interest in sustainable food grows from his love for the natural world.

“Growing food, living a healthy lifestyle, and cooking all come together to help form my interest in sustainable food,” Paulson said.

Want to cook the best things possible?

“Use locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible and make sure they are in season,” Paulson said.

The Asheville community has provided Paulson with the perfect environment to grow his passion for both running and sustainability. Looking forward, Paulson is training for the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run in Asheville and the JFK 50 Mile in Maryland, both taking place this fall.

TRAIL MIX

SWEET SUMMER MUSIC

FRESH SPINS FOUR NEW ALBUMS YOU NEED TO HEAR

BY JEDD FERRIS

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors Dragons—Released August 16

Tennessee tunesmith Drew Holcomb has never been one to dwell in the mire. His brand of sturdy Americana often offers uplifting perspective on overcoming life’s turmoil, and he’s in fine form on his latest record, Dragons, thanks in part to help from an impressive cast of collaborators. Holcomb co-wrote six of the 10 songs on his new effort, working with fellow songwriters Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, and Sean McConnell, and in the process took the chance to expand his sonic palette beyond the typical roots realm. Upbeat opener “Family” is a melodic stompand-clap celebration of the endearing moments and occasional messiness that make up a happy home.

The title track is even more poignant, a carpe diem folk song that features hair-raising harmonies from the Lone Bellow. In the similarly themed ”End of the World,” Holcomb veers off his rustic path to embrace airy modern pop production. It comes across as an earnest move on a record that’s about welcoming new perspectives.

Holcomb performs at the Railbird Festival in Lexington, Ky., on August 11, and hosts his own Moon River Music Festival in Chattanooga, Tenn., with special guests Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and Brandi Carlile on September 7-8.

Penny & Sparrow

Finch—Released August 2 Frequent Holcomb tour mates Penny & Sparrow also return with a new album, Finch, this month; the indie folk duo’s sixth overall. Musical partners Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke thrive with minimalist acoustic arrangements with powerfully hushed vocals that call to mind Bon Iver and Iron & Wine. With campfire sparseness and emotional unease, “Stockholm” and “Gumshoe” could fit on Bon Iver’s breakout For Emma, Forever Ago, but these melancholic moments brush up against joyful songs too. “Don’t Wanna Be Without Ya,” for instance, uses an upbeat, Paul Simonminded world groove to propel lyrics about being able to follow your true love into the afterlife.

Penny & Sparrow performs at the Orange Peel in Asheville, N.C., on September 7 and the Harvester Performance Arts Center in Rocky Mount, Va., on September 15.

Tyler Childers

Country Squire—Released August 2 Kentuckian Tyler Childers became a fast-rising Americana star behind the success of his 2017

debut Purgatory, a record that told vivid tales about the seedy side of modern Appalachia through hardscrabble country-rock with shades of bluegrass.

Childers picks up where he left off on the highly anticipated follow-up, Country Squire, which like its predecessor was co-produced by Sturgill Simpson and Johnny Cash’s former engineer David Ferguson.

The title track is a fiddle-driven honky-tonk ramble with Childers singing personal lyrics about grinding through blue-collar jobs and living in a trailer with his wife when they were newlyweds. Lonesome ballad “Peace of Mind” takes a more mournful approach to characters stuck in a rural rut, with the achingly sung lines, “Days are darker down in the holler, waiting for the sun to shine.” Childers directly addresses his wife, Senora May (an excellent songwriter as well), in the soulful love song “All Your’n,” which adds a funky, heartfelt step to an effort he self-describes as a “working man’s country album.”

Childers performs at the Railbird Festival in Lexington, Ky., on August 11, the Anthem in Washington, D.C. on December 13, and the Fillmore in Charlotte, N.C., on December 19.

Los Coast

Samsara—Released Jun 14 Emerging Texas outfit Los Coast is a must-see live act, and the quintet’s eclectic, high-energy sound translates well on its debut album, Samsara. The stew here is a wild mix of old-school soul, funk, R&B, hip-hop, and rock, led by the hearty growling vocals of front man Trey Privott—whose gritty singing at times evokes that of another great Texan, Black Joe Lewis. “Simplify” chugs along with anthemic Sly Stone swagger, while “(Everything But) The Kitchen Sink” digs into the wonderful weirdness of Parliament.

A true stunner is the acoustic-based existential meditation “Chesapeake,” which sounds like Otis Redding singing on an Appalachian front porch.

Los Coast performs at the Marcus King Band Family Reunion on a bill with the host band, as well as Jason Isbell, Josh Ritter, Amanda Shires, and Futurebirds, at Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, N.C., on September 28.

AUGUST 2019 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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THE GOODS

FAVORITE GEAR

GEAR THAT ROCKS BOONE BOULDERER AARON PARLIER’S FAVORITE CLIMBING GEAR

BY IAN DZILENSKI

If you’re a rock climber from central Appalachia, you’ve probably heard the name Aaron Parlier.

This prolific climber has notched some 2,000 first ascents throughout central Appalachia. He is also a devoted developer of numerous boulder fields, a guidebook author, and the owner of Boone, North Carolina’s premier climbing gym, Center 45 Climbing and Fitness.

One of Parlier’s most notable achievements comes in regards to the work he’s done in Grayson Highlands State Park. Between 2010 and today, Parlier has spent nearly 1,400 hours inside GHSP blazing trails, cleaning new boulders and mapping hundreds of climbs. Grayson Highlands Bouldering, which Parlier published in 2013, features over 400 problems and a second edition is on the way.

In the past few years, Parlier’s main focus has been on the development of multiple boulder fields in the southeast corner of Virginia.

Endless swaths of riverpolished sandstone keep the 32-year-old plenty busy when he’s not managing the gym.

With a climbing career that spans nearly a decade and a half, Parlier has learned the ins and outs of the game and knows what he is doing when it comes to building trails and developing boulders. Here are his favorite pieces of gear for a day on the rock.

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1. Getting there.

The first step in developing boulders is building a sustainable trail. This involves a bit of thought and planning, but when it’s time to get to work, the Pulaski tool is one of Parlier’s go-tos. Great for digging soil and chopping roots, the Pulaski combines an axe and adze into one tool great for tackling multiple parts of the trail building process.

• Pulaski Tool ($50)

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2. Check ‘em out!

A lot of the development process takes place hanging from a rope and harness while you scrub moss from holds too high to reach.

Parlier, who has spent countless hours in that exact position, has his set-up dialed in for a safe and comfortable time. To get the job done, Parlier racks up a Misty Mountain Threadwork Turbo harness with a Petzl GriGri2 and a BlueWater Spec-Static rope.

• Misty Mountain Turbo Harness ($109.95) • Petzl GriGri 2 ($97.95 on Amazon) BlueWater Spec-Static Rope ($155 for 45m)

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recommends climbing with friends you trust and who you know care about safety.

And when it comes to pads, Parlier says you can’t beat the foam and durability of a Misty Mountain Highlander crash pad.

• Misty Mountain Highlander Pad ($299.95)

3. Clean ‘em up!

5. Good rubber = Good sends.

Also attached to that Misty Mountain harness is an assortment of steel wire brushes. These brushes and a small towel will be some of your best friends when cleaning boulders. Look to stock up on a variety of sizes and styles of these brushes, since having options comes in quite handy.

Climbing specific shoes make a world of a difference, but with so many options out

4. Safety first.

Bouldering is an inherently dangerous activity, especially since—unlike other forms of climbing—you hit the ground every time you fall. Making sure you are safe when bouldering starts with good spotters and good pads. In terms of spotters, Parlier

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS | AUGUST 2019

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there, it can be hard knowing where to start. Overall, climbing shoes are very specific to each individual, so trying out different brands and models will help you figure out what’s best for you. But when it comes to the steep, overhung sandstone of central Appalachia, Parlier turns to the aggressive toe and solid rubber of the Scarpa Dragos to keep him on the wall.

• Scarpa Dragos ($199.95)

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MORE GEAR Grangers Active Wash, $13 It’s a must-have for any sweaty, dirty outdoor adventurer. Active Wash removes sweat, dirt, and odors from any clothing, including garments made from merino, Lycra, polyester, and cotton. It also improves wicking performance of sportswear, and it’s Bluesign certified, which ensures there are no harmful chemicals used.

Deuter Compact EXP 12, $135 Looking for a versatile, durable pack? The EXP 12 is a do-it-all hydration pack geared for mountain biking (but is so supportive and comfortable that it works well for hiking and trail running, too).

With three liters of water carrying capacity and a well-organized, roomy cargo area, it is built for long adventures in the backcountry.

Tilley T3 Wanderer Hat, $80 Enzyme-washed for a worn look, the Canadian-made Wanderer Hat features a versatile brim style with snap-up options, UPF 50+ protection, water-repellent finish, ventilation grommets, buoyancy in the water, and a moisture-wicking sweatband.

Foehn Brise Shorts, $80 These climbing shorts blur the lines between function and style.

But they’re not just for climbers; they’re perfect for hiking and mountain biking, too. Lightweight, rugged, and durable, they’re built for adventure.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Mattress As the absolute lightest insulated air mattress available, the 8.8-ounce UberLite keeps your pack featherweight on the trail. With 2.5 inches of rugged, durable padding, the minimal UberLite makes a big impact during nights in the backcountry.

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