Accidents in North American Mountaineering

Thursday, October 30, 2008

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The American Alpine Club just announced the release of their new publication, Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 2008.As the year in the title might imply, this is an annual handbook that offers detailed reports of climbing and mountaineering accidents that occurred in the United States and Canada during the prior year.Accidents in North American Mountaineering details what happened and analyzes...
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Video: Saving the eastern hemlocks

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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A few months ago I wrote an article regarding the eastern hemlocks and how they're being threatened by a tiny insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid. More than 95% of the hemlocks in the Smokies already have adelgids, which, if left untreated, will die in just a couple of years.Yesterday, I discovered a series of videos produced by the Great Smoky Mountains Association which they've put together...
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Video: Selecting outdoor clothing for rainy weather

Friday, October 24, 2008

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Below is a short video from MountainZone.com that offers tips on selecting outdoor clothing for rainy weather. The video explains the differences between waterproof rain gear and Gore-Tex rain gear. It also gives a short review on using ponchos.Selecting the right clothing will help you stay dry on the trail when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Having proper rain gear is absolutely essential...
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The New Marmot Wool Half-Zip

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

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The folks at Marmot are saying that their new Wool Half-Zip is “a glimpse into the future of base layers.” When you consider that they’re using coconuts in their design you may have to conclude that they might be onto something.The Marmot Wool Half-Zip uses a unique combination of natural and synthetic fabrics that provide impressive warmth and comfort. The cold weather top employs the latest version...
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How's this for a kayak put-in?

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

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This guy definitely earned some major style points!Kayaker Rides Down Staircase - Watch more Free VideosJeffHikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more....
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Upcoming Outdoor Events This Week

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

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Below are a few outdoor events occuring this week in the Smoky Mountains region that I thought you might be interested in:North Shore Historical Tour, Wednesday and Saturdays in October. A rare chance to tour the historic sites and artifacts along the shore of Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be offered by Fontana Village Resort in October. The tours depart by boat from...
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The Wonderland Hotel

Saturday, October 18, 2008

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Below is a short video from the Dan Traveling Series showing possibly some of the last footage shot of the historic Wonderland Hotel before the National Park Service salvaged parts of it and then demolished the rest. The hotel was located in the Elkmont community in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.The Wonderland Hotel was built on land formerly owned by the Little River Railroad Company. As the...
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16 years, 16,515 miles: Hiker’s dream is complete

Friday, October 17, 2008

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On October 1, 2008, Bart Smith took his final steps up to Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park. This marked the end of a very long journey in which he hiked 16,515 miles over the course of 16 years. During his incredible journey, Smith took more than 37 million steps through 34 states and shot nearly 100,000 photographs during his quest to complete all of the National Scenic Trails.During his quest, Smith...
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Just two weeks left

Thursday, October 16, 2008

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That is, there are only two weeks left if you intend to hike any of the trails along Balsam Mountain Road or Heintooga Ridge Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park before these roads are closed for the season.Both roads are located in the Southeastern corner of the park between Maggie Valley and Oconaluftee in North Carolina. The two seasonal roads will close on October 31 and won’t reopen again...
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Bush to help open national parks to mountain bikes

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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The Interior Department under the Bush administration is taking steps to make it easier for mountain bikers to gain access to national parks and other public lands before the president leaves office.Yesterday the National Park Service confirmed that it's preparing a rule that will allow decisions about some mountain bike trails to be made by park managers instead of federal regulators in Washington,...
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Video: Basic techniques for using trekking poles

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

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Below is a short, but helpful video from MountainZone.com that shows some of the basic techniques involved in using trekking poles and placing your feet while hiking. The video demonstrates that while climbing an incline you’ll want to take smaller steps and plant your hiking poles deeper into the ground. Conversely, when hiking downhill, you’ll want to extend your trekking poles ahead of you in order...
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Wilderness First Aid Course

Monday, October 13, 2008

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A Wilderness First Aid Course will be offered through the Carolina Mountain Club on November 15-16 at the Blue Ridge Parkway's Destination Center. This hands-on, sixteen-hour course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel in the outdoors. Whether you're a hiker, maintainer, or leader, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. The Wilderness Medicine Institute of the...
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Hiking the Carolina Mountains

Friday, October 10, 2008

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Hiking the Carolina Mountains is the definitive hiker's guide to the mountains of North and South Carolina. Published in April 2007, Hiking the Carolina Mountains takes you beyond the most well-known hikes in the region. This is the first hiking guidebook to include Dupont State Forest, Panthertown Valley near Cashiers, and Green River Game Lands near Hendersonville in North Carolina. It also lists...
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Foothills Parkway Missing Link Open for Weekend

Friday, October 10, 2008

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in cooperation with volunteers of the Blount County Experience Your Smokies and the Blount County Sheriff's Office, will temporarily open to traffic the unfinished section of the Foothills Parkway in Blount County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 18-19.Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson said, "People will be able to enjoy spectacular scenery along this 9.5 mile portion...
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Improvements to Andrews Bald Trail

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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Friends of the Smokies announced today on their website that they will be allocating $15,000 towards the improvement of the Forney Ridge Trail that connects the Clingmans Dome area with Andrews Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Funds for this project are a result of strong sales from the Friends of the Smokies “black bear” license plates program.Work on the two-mile section of the Forney...
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Wilderness Weekend at Shenandoah National Park

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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Shenandoah National Park will honor America’s wilderness heritage during its 8th annual Wilderness Weekend, October 18 - 19, 2008. This year commemorates the 32nd anniversary of Shenandoah’s wilderness designation.Forty percent of the park, or almost 80,000 acres in Shenandoah were designated as wilderness by Congress in October 1976, representing one of the largest wilderness areas in the eastern...
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Our Southern Highlanders

Monday, October 6, 2008

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Originally published in 1913, Our Southern Highlanders is a true classic written by the man most responsible for the existence of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Although he wasn’t a native of Appalachia, Horace Kephart was recognized as an authority on the cultural and natural history of the region. Using his abilities and reputation, Kephart was instrumental in convincing individuals on both...
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The Toughest Race on Earth

Sunday, October 5, 2008

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At least that's how the Discovery Channel is describing the annual 1151-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.Beginning on October 14th, the Discovery Channel will follow 8 of the 96 teams that competed in the 2008 Iditarod Race. This is a six-part reality type show that will air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. EST. The Iditarod series was produced by the same people who produced the highly successful "Deadliest...
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Awol on the Appalachian Trail

Saturday, October 4, 2008

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AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is the highly aclaimed book about David Miller's adventures on the Appalachian Trail. Out of 51 reviews the book has received on Amazon.com, 45 of those were 5 star-reviews.The author states that he didn't write AWOL on the Appalachian Trail because he is an expert on backpacking. Nor is AWOL a "how-to" book. Rather, he explains, it's attitude that moves hikers from Georgia...
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Vote to save a trail

Friday, October 3, 2008

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Nature Valley and the American Hiking Society have recently announced 20 nonprofit organizations from around the country that were named as finalists for Save the Trails funding. Save the Trails, in cooperation with the American Hiking Society National Trails Fund, will award $5,000 to each of the top 10 finalists, based on online votes, to restore and revitalize hiking trails in their communities....
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Win an Adventure Trip with the "Gear Junkie"

Thursday, October 2, 2008

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Check out the Gear Junkie web site for a chance to win a winter weekend adventure trip sponsored and run by REI Adventures.

If you're the lucky winner, you'll get the opportunity to choose from one of five adventure destinations sponsored by REI. Choose from one of the following trips:

• Mount Washington Winter Climb
• Sequoia Winter Mountaineering Clinic
• Yosemite Snowshoe Trip
• Ice Climbing Basics in New Hampshire
• White Mountains Hut-to-Hut Snowshoe

You and your guest will also receive airfare, and all the latest outdoor equipment and apparel needed for your trip, courtesy of REI.

The contest runs from now through December 17th. To sign up, simply click here and fill out the online form, and you'll be entered to win.

You'll be acompanied on the trip by Stephen Regenold, also known as the Gear Junkie, a nationally-syndicated travel adventure and outdoor newspaper columnist.

After the adventure, you and your guest will be invited to a party sponsored by the Lazy Man, where you'll have a chance to enjoy music, food, drinks and a hot tub. (if you by chance need any lazy advice, the Lazy Man is ready to dispense it by just asking)

Good Luck!


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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