SOCIAL MEDIA

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Red Hot Lies

Saturday, November 29, 2008

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Red Hot Lies: How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud, and Deception to Keep You Misinformed, is the latest book from the author of the New York Times bestselling Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming.The book, as you might expect, based on the title alone, runs against the current thought process in the mainstream media. However, this is an important read, especially when you consider...
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Survivorman releases new book and DVD

Friday, November 28, 2008

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As you may have recently heard, Les Stroud, host of the TV show “Survivorman” on the Discovery Channel, announced he will be filming his final adventure in the wild in Papua New Guinea this month. This would wrap up his third and last series as Survivorman, although he does expect the nickname to stick with him as he moves onto other projects.“It takes a lot out of me as I really do what I do for...
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Origins of the Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

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There are roughly 850 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There’s also a lot of history underneath those trails we walk along today. How were these trails established? Who blazed them, and why?Some of the earliest trails in what would become the National Park were simple game trails created by migrating bison, elk, and other large animals. Many of these were later adapted...
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Cades Cove Loop Road Repaving Plans

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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On November 13, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson conducted a public briefing at which he and Park staff members laid out the various alternatives and time-tables for the Cades Cove repaving project.The purpose of the briefing was to get public reaction from the community regarding which method would have the least impact on the visitor and on the neighboring communities....
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The future of GPS Navigation is here

Saturday, November 22, 2008

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National Geographic Adventure Magazine has published their annual “Best of Adventure” issue online. One of the articles in this issue listed all of the new and must-have outdoor gear for 2009. The article discussed two new GPS units that highlight how technology continues to evolve and improves our odds of not getting lost.Here’s some additional information on the details and features of these two...
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Future of Shuckstack Lookout Tower in question?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

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While I was researching my article on Peter Barr’s new book, Hiking North Carolina's Lookout Towers, I discovered that there’s some uncertainty about the future of the Shuckstack Lookout Tower located in the southwestern corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.The source of this uncertainty stems from this statement made by park officials:“Since the use of Shuckstack as part of the radio system...
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Last of seasonal road closings in Smokies

Friday, November 21, 2008

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The last of the seasonal road closing for Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be occurring over the next several days.A few early snow and ice events have already temporarily closed Clingmans Dome Road on a couple of occasions in recent weeks. In fact, the road continues to be closed since last Saturday’s snow storm. With up to four more inches of snow predicted for today, I wouldn’t be surprised...
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Upcoming Outdoor Events in Smokies Region

Thursday, November 20, 2008

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Below are a few outdoor events occurring over the next two weeks in the Smoky Mountains region that I thought you might be interested in:Try A Tri, Nov. 20. The program provides training to those wanting to complete their first triathlon. The basic spring package moves athletes toward completing either the Valdese Triathlon or Haymed.Org Triathlon, which both take place in April. The programs begin...
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New hiking book aims to save N. Carolina’s Lookout Towers

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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Peter Barr has combined his love of fire towers and his passion for the outdoors into a historical/hiking guidebook to the lookout towers of western North Carolina.Hiking North Carolina's Lookout Towers describes the natural and cultural history for 26 fire lookout towers in the Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains, Central Highlands, Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of North Carolina.Among...
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Cades Cove Loop Road may close on December 3-4

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials just announced on the park website that the Cades Cove Loop Road is tentatively scheduled to be closed on December 3-4 for hemlock woolly adelgid spraying. Closure dates may be adjusted due to weather. Additional details of the closure will be posted on the park's website once they become available.JeffHikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails...
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A vicarious hike up Mt. LeConte

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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Today is going to be a cold one in the Smoky Mountains region. Some parts of the southern Appalachians are expecting even more snow today in the upper elevations. The Mt. LeConte Lodge website is reporting that there are already six inches of existing snow on the ground above 4000 feet!Clingmans Dome Road remains closed as a result of snow and ice as well.I know a lot of people don’t like hiking in...
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Trail Tested: Columbia Thunderstorm Jacket

Monday, November 17, 2008

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This past Saturday was a dreary, rainy day in Louisville. Rather than spend all day indoors, I decided to go out and take a walk on some trails near my neighborhood.A quick check of the Weather Channel showed it was 42 degrees with winds of 19 mph.I wanted to give my relatively new Columbia Sportswear Thunderstorm Jacket another test. Wearing just the jacket and my Columbia Omni-Dry Mountain Tech...
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GoSmoky.com Radio: Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont

Monday, November 17, 2008

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Tomorrow night at 8 p.m., Meredith Goins will be the guest on the GoSmoky.com Radio Show, hosted by Raymond Owens.Ms. Goins is the spokeswoman for "Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont". She will be discussing what the Institute has to offer and how people can get involved during the the 30 minute internet-based radio program.The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont provides in-depth experiences...
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Ed Viesturs discusses first aid kits

Friday, November 14, 2008

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Below is short video featuring world renowned mountaineer Ed Viesturs. In the video, Ed discusses what he has in his medical and first aid kits whenever he ventures into the outdoors.Below are some of the products that Ed discussed. If you would like more in-depth information about what is contained in each of the kits, just click on one of the links.Mountain WeekenderLight and Fast TrailUltralight...
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Riding the Spine: From Alaska to Argentina

Thursday, November 13, 2008

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If you’re a cyclist, which I happen to be, “riding the spine” would probably have to be one of the ultimate cycling adventures. In fact, I’ve often wandered if anybody else has ever done the trip, or even considered it.The ultimate trip I’m referring to takes you from the Alaskan Arctic Coast to the tip of South America.Just the other day I found out about three cyclists who are currently attempting...
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16-Year-Old attempts circumnavigation sailing record

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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Earlier this year, on June 14, 2008, Zac Sunderland set sail from Marina del Rey, California, a small harbor just south of Los Angeles.This would be no ordinary excursion.Zac, having just completed his sophomore year in high school, was embarking on a year and a half long adventure to sail around the world - alone. If he arrives back in California before January 2010 he will become the youngest person...
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The Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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With Christmas only weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about a gift for that special hiker in your life, or, maybe some new gear for yourself. Let the Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store help you. We offer quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands, including; Columbia Sportswear, Kelty, Garmin, Leki, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear and North Face.With a slowing economy, shoppers will...
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Terje Haakonsen: First snowboard descent of Peak 7601

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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In celebration of the beginning of another ski/snowboarding season, I thought I’d show an awesome snowboarding video to get you primed and ready for the new season. The video shows the first descent of Peak 7601 (near Valdez, Alaska) by Terje Haakonsen, a Norwegian snowboarder widely considered to be one of the most influential snowboarders of all time and one of the sport's early icons. This absolutely...
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PBS documentary on Appalachia in early 2009

Monday, November 10, 2008

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Sometime in early 2009, PBS will broadcast a new, four-part series that traces the history of the people, wildlife and geology of the Appalachian Mountains.Appalachia: A history of Mountains and People will be the first film series ever to chronicle the history of one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges and the diverse peoples who have inhabited them. The central theme of the series will explore...
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More Seasonal Road Closings in Smokies

Saturday, November 8, 2008

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Over the next several days there will be a couple of seasonal road closings in the Smoky Mountains that will impact a handful of trails.On Monday, November 10, the Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road will be closed for the season. The gravel road is accessed from the paved Big Cove Road, located near Oconaluftee in North Carolina. Trails impacted by this closing include the Hyatt Ridge, Enloe Creek and...
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New weapon in the war on blisters

Saturday, November 8, 2008

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I just found out about this product the other day after reading an article by the “Gear Junkie” in the Billings Gazette. He used a product called GlacierGel to treat a hot spot on his heel on a recent climb up King’s Peak in Utah.Apparently this is a relatively new product from Adventure Medical Kits. GlacierGel’s most distinctive feature is an absorbent bubble that protects damaged skin and helps...
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Trails Forever Foundation in the Smokies

Monday, November 3, 2008

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In my blog post on Saturday I mentioned an extensive interview with Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson in the most recent issue of Smokies Life Magazine.In the interview, Ditmanson mentions the creation of a $4 Million Trails Forever Foundation which will be used to fund an annual trails improvement program. The foundation is considered to be a keystone component of the Park’s 75th Anniversary.The...
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