The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: December 2010

I just received my email copy of the Know Before You Go newsletter from the Friends of the Smokies. In this issue they included a link to their "Needs List" as approved by their Board of Directors on November 8th.This year Friends is looking to fund programs benefiting the Smokies that total more than $1.2 million. Many of the programs are probably very familiar to fans of the Great Smoky Mountains,...

Laurel Mountain · logging · Max Patch

Agreement reached on logging project just outside of Smokies

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Southern Environmental Law Center announced yesterday that the U.S. Forest Service has agreed to limit logging in the Cherokee National Forest after several conservation groups raised concerns.The logging project was originally proposed for about 355 acres in the watershed of Big Creek, a tributary of the French Broad River. The area is located northeast of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park...

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont · Wilderness First Responder

Wilderness First Responder Course

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Do you know how to respond to backcountry emergency situations? The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont will be offering a week-long course next month for anyone interested in wilderness travel or in emergency medical training.The course offers hands-on training for dealing with bites, burns and other injuries. It will also teach participants how to manage conditions brought about from extreme...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sharp drop in visits for Smokies in November

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park reported a sharp decline in visitation for the month of November. Overall, the number of visitors dropped 12.4% for the month, with Gatlinburg reporting the largest decline, a drop of 25.3%, when compared to November of 2009.The Townsend entrance was down 12.3%, while the Cherokee entrance saw a decline of 2.5%. Fortunately the park's 13 outlying entrances reported...

Bryson City · gatlinburg · Top Hiking Towns · Townsend

Top Hiking Towns

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

5 comments

The folks over at besthike.com recently concluded a series of posts outlining their Top 10 Hiking Towns in the world. Many of the towns on their list I had never heard of, but if you’re a world traveler this series would certainly provide some great ideas for future hiking trips.Since only one town from the United States (Moab, Utah) made the list, I thought I would offer my own list of hiking towns....

outdoor gear sale

Outdoor Gear year-end clearance sales

Monday, December 27, 2010

All the major outdoor gear retailers are advertising their big year-end clearance sales right now. Here's a quick run down on a few of the sales in case you're looking to save on some new outdoor gear and apparel for the new year:> The Sierra Trading Post is offering an extra 20-30% off on more than 6000 items. This is on top of their every day savings on all the top name brands.> REI is offering...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · road closures · snow closures

Snow closes most roads in Smokies

Monday, December 27, 2010

The winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow in the higher elevations of the Smokies has forced the closure of most of the roads in the park. The following are the current road closures:• Newfound Gap Road• Little River Road• Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove• The Gatlinburg By-Pass• Cherokee Orchard Road at the Park Boundary• Greenbrier Entrance Road• Cataloochee Entrance Road• Toms Branch...

Backpacker Field Scout · Backpacker Magazine · Dream Job

Win a Dream Job as a Backpacker Field Scout

Monday, December 27, 2010

Here's another opportunity to get paid for hiking. This isn't just any other hike either. This can be any hiking destination you can think of - your dream hike.All you need to do is convince Backpacker Magazine that your planned adventure is the best, and that you have the trip-recording skills (GPS, photo, video) to share it with readers. The winner will land an assignment as a Backpacker field scout,...

Share Your Adventure · Video Contest

Vote on the Share Your Adventure Video Contest

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sierra Trading Post is now in the process of the final leg of their "Share Your Adventure" Video Contest. Late last week they announced their Phase 3 winners, and now final voting begins for the best adventure video. The best video, chosen by the public, will win a $2,500 Grand Prize.Voting closes Dec. 29 for the 15 finialists, and Sierra will announce the Grand Prize Winner on Dec. 30.Here's a sample...

Merry Christmas · Smokies

Merry Christmas from the Smokies

Friday, December 24, 2010

5 comments

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas this weekend. Here are a few snow scenes from the Smokies to help you get into the Christmas spirit:JeffHikingintheSmokys....

Civil War · Fredericksburg · Santa Claus · Spotsylvania National Military Park

Civil War-era Santa

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Check out the NPS photo below of the portrayal of Santa Claus during the Civil War.Park volunteer Kevin Rawlings plays an 1862 version of Santa during his recent annual appearance at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. His costume was inspired by an old Harpers Weekly rendition of Kris Kringle by artist Thomas Nast.Decked out in the stars and stripes, the old-time Santa appears...

75th anniversary · shenandoah national park

Shenandoah Historical Timeline

Thursday, December 23, 2010

On July 3rd, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Shenandoah as a national park in a ceremony at Big Meadows. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the park.Just as the Great Smoky Mountains did last year, Shenandoah National Park has published a special website for its 75th Anniversary. Since launching the site the park has been steadily adding content, such as upcoming events. And,...

hiking · Monowalker · trekking

The Monowalker

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

How many times have you said, "Man, why didn't think of that?!"Introducing the Monowalker:Although climbers, photographers and hunters would find this useful, the Monowalker is specifically geared towards hikers, trekkers and backpackers who want to hike without weight on their shoulders. Instead of busting your back and shoulders to the next campsite, the Monowalker places all of the weight of your...

Chattahoochee National Forest · Cohutta Wilderness Area · Conasauga Ranger District · Winter Road Closures

Winter Road Closures in the Chattahoochee National Forest

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Forest Service officials of the Chattahoochee National Forest are planning to close some roads on the Conasauga Ranger District this winter. The closures will begin on January 3, 2011 and last until mid-March. As a result, the Grassy Mountain, Lake Conasauga, Betty Gap, and Three Forks areas will be inaccessible by vehicle.The roads that will be closed are West Cowpen Road (FS 17) at the intersection...

Countdown to Christmas · National Park Foundation · Sweepstakes

National Park Foundation: Countdown to Christmas Sweepstakes

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The National Park Foundation has just launched the Countdown to Christmas sweepstakes. From December 20 through December 25, the National Park Foundation will be celebrating the holiday season by giving away exciting prizes to three lucky entrants daily. By going to the National Park Foundation Facebook page, visitors can enter to win one of eighteen National Park Foundation prize packs.Some of the...

Fisheries Biologist · Steve Moore

Smokies Biologist Receives National Recognition

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Supervisory Fisheries Biologist Steve Moore was recently recognized with two national awards for his leadership in native trout stream restoration at the Smokies and in national parks across the nation. Moore recently received the Aldo Starker Leopold Medal by the Wild Trout Symposium and the Trout Unlimited Trout Conservation Professional Award.Both awards recognized...

photographic competition · The Prize of a Lifetime · Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race

The Prize of a Lifetime

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Prize of a Lifetime. That's what the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race photographic competition is being billed as.The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race takes place February 8-16, 2011. Adventure racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through Chile's pristine southern Patagonia region by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and backcountry navigation....

Gift Cards · Last Minute Gift Solutions

Last Minute Gift Solutions

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

What gift is always the perfect size, color and ideal for every occasion? A Gift Card of course!So, for you last minute shoppers, here are a couple of gift solutions to save the day:Outdoor gear and apparel company, Patagonia, offers both E-Gift Cards and Traditional Gift Cards. Their E-Gift Cards are delivered free of charge via email within 24 hours of purchase, and their traditional Cards are mailed...

Full Moon · total lunar eclipse · winter solstice

Total eclipse of full moon tonight

Monday, December 20, 2010

Weather permitting, almost anyone in North America will be able to see a total lunar eclipse of the full moon tonight.Moreover, tonight's eclipse will fall on the same day as the winter solstice, the first such occurrence since 1638.A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon, Earth, and the sun all line up, with Earth in the middle.Around 1 a.m. EST tonight the Earth will begin casting a faint shadow on...

snow closures · video

A Touch of Snow in the Great Smoky Mountains

Monday, December 20, 2010

1 comment

A Touch of Snow in the Great Smoky Mountains is the latest video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. If you haven't had a chance to make it to the Smokies in the last couple of weeks to see some of the beautiful winter scenes, this video provides a quick look at some of the falling snow near Maloney Overlook on Little River Road:JeffHikingintheSmokys....

Columbia Sportswear

Up to 70% off on Columbia Sportswear

Saturday, December 18, 2010

For today only Altrec.com is offering up to 70% off on all Columbia Sportswear.This includes fleece, jackets, base layers, convertible hiking pants, shorts, and all the apparel you need to keep you warm and dry on the trail this winter.The sale includes discounts on their Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable line of gear, their Titanium Premium Series of outdoor apparel, and their Omni-Grip Premium Footwear...

Appalachian Trail Conservancy · Caretakers · Ridgerunners

The ultimate hiking gigs?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

1 comment

For those looking to get paid while pursuing their passion for hiking, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is now accepting applications for seasonal Ridgerunner and Caretaker positions on the Appalachian Trail.ATC Ridgerunners are assigned to hike specific sections of the A.T., while Caretakers remain at specific overnight sites. The ATC is looking for candidates who can work independently, with minimal...

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower photos

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Check out the photos of the Geminid meteor shower from earlier this week on the National Geographic website.The five photos were taken from different spots around the world, but the article stated that in the United States, between about 12:30 and 4:30 a.m., as many as three to five meteors per minute were seen!JeffSmoky Mountains Day Hiker St...

porters creek trail · temporarily closed

Porters Creek Trail temporarily closed

Friday, December 17, 2010

Park officials just posted a blurb on their website that the log footbridge on the Porters Creek Trail above its junction with Brushy Mountain is damaged. They ask not to use the trail until the bridge has been repaired.I assume they mean only the portion above the Brushy Mountain junction is closed.JeffSmoky Mountains Day Hiker St...

Alpine Lakes Pass · Angel Pass · Indian Pass · Knife Point Mountain · Mount Douglas · Wind River Range · Wyoming

Friday's Video

Friday, December 17, 2010

1 comment

Follow along vicariously with a couple that spent three days exploring some of the most rugged and remote country in Wyoming's Wind River Range. Amy and Forrest McCarthy covered over 50 miles - much of it off trail - that took them to Indian Pass, Alpine Lakes Pass, Angel Pass, Mount Douglas, Knife Point Mountain, as well as Wyoming's highest unnamed and most obscure 13,000-foot peak:JeffHikingin...

Amicalola Falls · Baa-tany Goat Project · Big Bald · hiking · Iron Mountain Trail · Len Foote Hike Inn · Max Patch · Sewanee Natural Bridge · Shining Rock · southern appalachians · Virginia Creeper

Top Unique Reasons for Hiking in the Southern Appalachians

Thursday, December 16, 2010

5 comments

What makes hiking in the Southern Appalachian Mountains so special? Or, put another way, what are the things that make hiking in the Southern Appalachians unique?I’ve been giving these questions some thought for sometime now, and have come up with a list of eight reasons that set the Southern Appalachians apart from the rest of the country. I must admit that some of these are not totally unique, but...

ACT Lite 40 · ACT Lite 45 · backpacks · Deuter · Fox 30 · Fox 40 · outdoor gear

One Day NOC Sale on Backpacks

Thursday, December 16, 2010

For today only, the Nantahala Outdoor Center is offering 31-39% off on Deuter Backpacks: the ACT Lite 45, ACT Lite 40, Fox 30, and Fox 40 models.---------------------------------------------Altrec.com Deals:* Marmot Jacket Sale - Save up to 20% on some Marmot Jackets.* As part of their 12 Days of Deals campaign, Altrec.com is offering 30% - 80% off on select ski wear - today only - sale ends tonight...

2011 · Appalachian Trail Conservancy · Appalachian Trail Data Book

It's official: The A.T. is now 2181 Miles

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy just announced in the new 2011 Appalachian Trail Data Book that the official length of the Appalachian Trail is now 2,181.0 miles. Relocations and re-measurements in 2010 meant an additional 1.9 miles for the legendary pathway.Every December, the latest mileage and shelter information for the 11 official guides is updated from volunteers who are constantly improving...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · road closures · snow closures

Almost all roads in Smokies still closed

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The winter storm that passed through the Smokies over the weekend still has most of the roads in the park closed as of this morning.Here are the current road closures:• Newfound Gap Road (US-441) is open ONLY to vehicles with 4WD or chains.• Little River Road• Foothills Parkway East (Cosby to I-40)• Foothills Parkway West• Old NC-284 between Big Creek and Cataloochee• Cataloochee Entrance Road• Cherokee...

Christmas · Free Shipping

Time running out for Christmas FREE Shipping

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

There are just 2 days left to order to receive FREE Super Saver Shipping in time for Christmas at Amazon.com.* Tomorrow is the last day to receive Free Shipping, and Standard & USPS Priority Shipping, guaranteed for Christmas, from Backcountry.com. Order as late as 5 p.m. EST.* The 12 Days of Deals continues: Altrec.com is offering 25% off on all Icebreaker and Acorn outdoor apparel - today only....

Adventurer of the Year · People's Choice · Top 5 Adventure Hoaxes of All Time

Hoaxers and Real Adventurers

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Remember Rosie Ruiz’s Boston Marathon win? Or, how about Jennifer Figge swimming 2,100 miles last year, from the Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean’s Trinidad — in just 25 days?Actually, neither of those really happened.These are just two entries from Outside Magazine's list of the Top 5 Adventure Hoaxes of All Time that were posted on their blog yesterday.Then, after reading about the phonies,...

National Parks · Wheel Of Fortune

National Parks featured on Wheel Of Fortune this week

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The NPS announced this morning that national parks will be featured each day this week on the “Wheel of Fortune.” The show will feature park-related props, puzzles, prizes, and photography on episodes airing from today through Friday.Now in its 28th season, “Wheel of Fortune” is the longest running syndicated game show in U.S. television history. It averages 11 million viewers each night and the show’s...

Helly Hansen · Patagonia Capilene Baselayers

Today only: 25-70% off Helly Hansen outdoor apparel

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

As part of their 12 Days of Deals campaign, Altrec.com is offering 25% - 70% off on all Helly Hansen outdoor apparel - today only. Items on sale include base layers, jackets, fleece, gloves and more. This sale ends tonight at midnight PST.* Altrec is also offering 2 Day Free shipping through 12/20/10. The coupon code for this offer is Holidayair.* For today only, the Nantahala Outdoor Center is offering...

Appalachian State · Awards · outdoor programs · Polartec

Polartec Awards Appalachian State Outdoor Programs $10,000

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Polartec, the leading global manufacturer of performance fabrics, announced this week Appalachian State University as the winner of its Made Possible College Challenge. The contest, which began in early October, was aimed at promoting collegiate outdoor programs, with the winner receiving a $10,000 grant and Polartec apparel.After accepting submissions from around the country in early October, and...

Bartram Trail · Florida Trail · Foothills Trail · Longest Trails in the Southeast · Palmetto Trail · Pine Mountain Trail · Pinhoti Trail · southern appalachians

The Top 10 Longest Trails in the Southeast

Monday, December 13, 2010

1 comment

Some would argue that the Appalachian Trail is getting a little too crowded. So if you’re in that camp and you’re looking for a little more solitude, or possibly just some new places to explore, I thought I would present long distance hikers with some other choices in the southeast - some you may not be aware of. The following represents the top 10 longest trails in the southeast: The Florida Trail:...

Mountain Hardware

Today Only: 20-70% off all Mountain Hardware

Monday, December 13, 2010

For today only, Altrec.com is offering 20% - 70% off on all Mountain Hardware outdoor gear and apparel. This sale ends at midnight PST.Altrec is also offering 2 Day Free shipping through 12/20/10. The coupon code for this offer is Holidayair.JeffSmoky Mountains Day Hiker St...

El Capitan · Fire Waterfall · Horsetail Fall · Yosemite National Park

Yosemite's "Fire Waterfall"

Monday, December 13, 2010

Check out the photos of the "Fire Waterfall" in Yosemite National Park. The waterfall is actually Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan.

At first I thought that maybe this was a hoax, or maybe they were photo shopped images, but apparently they're real. The spectacular view of the waterfall is created by the reflection of sunlight hitting the falling water at a specific angle, and can only be seen during a 2-week period towards the end of February. Thus, seeing and photographing this phenomenon is fairly rare.

>> Just 4 days left to order for Christmas with FREE Super Saver Shipping at Amazon.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

road closures · Smokies · winter weather

Winter weather road closures in Smokies

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The winter storm that passed through the Smokies yesterday and overnight has shut down most of the roads in the park. As of 7:30 this morning, the National Weather Service website is reporting that 10 inches of snow are on the ground at Newfound Gap, and 8 inches atop Mt. LeConte.Here are the current road closures:• Newfound Gap Road (US-441) between Gatlinburg and Cherokee• Gatlinburg Bypass Road•...

Albert "Dutch" Roth · backcountry shelters · Great Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains Shelters: then and now

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Most of you are probably aware that the backcountry shelters in the Great Smoky Mountains have undergone extensive renovations over the past several years. Many of those shelters date back before the park was even established.Fortunately, one of the most prolific early photographers of the Great Smoky Mountains, Albert "Dutch" Roth, left us with an invaluable visual record of the mountains from his...

HAPE · High Altitude Pulmonary Edema · Martina Navratilova · Mt. Kilimanjaro · rescued · tennis

Martina Navratilova forced to abandon Mt. Kilimanjaro due to HAPE

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Extreme Adventure News is reporting that tennis great Martina Navratilova was forced to abandon her bid to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro yesterday after suffering from HAPE, or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema.Navratilova, 54, was assisted down Africa's highest peak by porters and taken to a hospital in Nairobi where she'll spend the next 2-3 days recuperating from a build up of fluid around her lungs as a...

apparel · outdoor gear · sales

Outdoor Gear & Apparel sales

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Bargains on outdoor gear and apparel are heating up as we enter the home stretch of the Christmas shopping season:Altrec.com started their 12 Days of Deals yesterday, which will feature deep discounts on name brands each day (up to 60% off). They're also offering 2 Day Free shipping through 12/20/10. The coupon code for this offer is Holidayair.(Altrec is also giving away a Nuptse Jacket from The...

Friends of the Smokies · Scripps Networks · vote

Friends of the Smokies needs your vote

Friday, December 10, 2010

Scripps Networks will be making a special holiday gift to one of their charitable partners next month. The winner of the gift will be based on the number of online votes.The four non-profits in the running for this gift, including Friends of the Smokies, will receive a minimum donation of $5,000 and a maximum donation of $10,000 based on voting percentages.Votes must be received by January 15, 2011...

ARAMARK · concessionaires · Delaware North Companies · Forever Resorts · jobs · National Park Service · seasonal · work · Xanterra

Friday's Video

Friday, December 10, 2010