SOCIAL MEDIA

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The Grandma Gatewood Project

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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In 1955, after raising 11 children, Emma "Grandma" Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail - at the tender age of 67!Then, in 1960, she hiked it again. And, just to prove those first two weren't a fluke, she hiked it again in 1963 - at the age of 75! After that third adventure Emma became the first person to hike the trail three times.Some claim Gatewood was a pioneer...
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Five-Star Trails: Asheville

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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Overall Appalachian Trail speed record holder, Jennifer Pharr Davis, released her brand new hiking guide book today.Five-Star Trails Asheville: Your Guide to the Area's Most Beautiful Hikes explores the best 35 trails in and around Asheville, NC. The book provides in-depth trails descriptions, directions, and commentary on what to expect along the way. Each hike features an individual trail map, elevation...
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Help Support HikingintheSmokys.com This Season

Monday, November 28, 2011

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With today being Cyber Monday, I wanted to ask everyone, if you're planning to purchase anything from Amazon, REI or Backcountry.com this Holiday Season, to please shop from our store. You get the exact same great prices as if you went directly to their websites, plus you help support HikingintheSmokys.com as a free resource for hiking trail information in the best national park in the country!Just...
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Celebrating Christmas in the Smokies

Sunday, November 27, 2011

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Over the next couple of weeks the Great Smoky Mountains will be celebrating Christmas with two events on two separate weekends. Both events are free to the public:Festival of Christmas Past:Dates: 12/10/2011Times: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PMLocation: Sugarlands Visitor CenterPhone: (865) 436-1291Celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling and reminiscing, craft demonstrations...
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Trail Talk with Ranger Bob Miller

Saturday, November 26, 2011

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Earlier in the summer the National Park Foundation announced a new interactive website feature called Trail Talk, which provides an opportunity for the public to get an insider’s perspective on a national park - from the experts themselves. Every two weeks, NPF features a different national park on their Facebook page. Fans of NPF then have the chance to submit any and all questions they have about...
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Outdoor Gift Ideas & Black Friday Deals

Friday, November 25, 2011

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Looking for some gift ideas, or maybe just trying to find a simple stocking stuffer for that outdoor lover in your life? Let me offer a few ideas that would make any hiker or fan of the Great Smoky Mountains a happy camper on Christmas morning.How about a wall calendar to enjoy the beauty of the Smokies throughout the year:This is great way to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day on the trail! The...
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Almost There - The Muir Project

Friday, November 25, 2011

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Earlier this summer a group of multimedia artists spent 25 days hiking the 219 mile long John Muir Trail. The intent was to capture their experience on the trail and bring it back to the general public in the form of a gallery exhibit that includes photographs, video installations and hands-on displays that allow visitors to truly get a feeling for the beauty and majesty of the trail - without the...
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Cades Cove Loop Road Closed for Spraying Operation

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced plans to close the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to all vehicular traffic on Tuesday, November 29, and to impose a partial closure on Wednesday, November 30. During that time, Park forestry technicians will treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)-infested hemlock trees with a horticultural oil sprayed from large truck-mounted units as they have been...
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High Vistas: New release from George Ellison

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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Local and prolific writer, George Ellison, released his newest book today, High Vistas: An Anthology of Nature Writing from Western North Carolina & the Great Smoky Mountains.This new release is actually the second and final volume covering nature writings from the region. His latest book focuses on writings from 1900 to 2009, and includes well-known names such as Donald Culross Peattie, Roger...
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Senate Bill could force Cyclists off Roads in some National Parks

Monday, November 21, 2011

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Cyclists may want to make note of legislation in the U.S. Senate that could force cyclists off roads in some national parks.The draft of the Senate's transportation authorization bill, S. 1813 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, includes language that would introduce a mandatory sidepath law on roads in our National Parks and other Federal lands.Section § 203 (d) (p. 226), states:(d)...
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Smokies Visits Down, But BRP Up

Monday, November 21, 2011

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The Great Smoky Mountains recorded another significant decline in visitors last month. Compared to the same month last year, visitation to the park in October declined a whopping 9.5%. Strangely, October is one of the busiest months of the year because of the fall foliage, and this year ranked as a very good year for fall colors.For the year-to-date, park visitation is down 6.7% when compared to the...
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Wilderness Wildlife Week Announces Hiking Schedule

Sunday, November 20, 2011

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The folks at Wilderness Wildlife Week have announced the hiking schedule for the upcoming annual event, which will take place during the week of January 7-14, 2012.Considered to be the ultimate Smoky Mountain experience, Wilderness Wildlife Week is a series of activities designed to connect visitors with the great outdoors. Participants will learn from more than 100 experts who will share their knowledge...
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Prescribed burns scheduled for Pisgah National Forest

Saturday, November 19, 2011

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This week the USDA Forest Service in North Carolina announced plans to conduct prescribed burns near the areas of Max Patch and Harmon Den in Haywood County, as well as near Dobson Knob in Burke County. All three burns will occur between now and early December, depending on the weather.The Forest Service’s Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest plans to burn a total of 950 acres...
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Who inspires you to enjoy the outdoors?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

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Who inspires you to enjoy the outdoors? What program or people are breaking new ground and getting people active outdoors?The Outdoor Industry Association would like to recognize these individuals and organizations with an Outdoor Inspiration Award. The outdoor trade organization is now accepting nominations for individuals, groups or companies that inspire the enjoyment of, participation in and support...
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Guided hike on the Mingus Creek Trail

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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Hiking enthusiast and local author Danny Bernstein will lead a four-mile hike along the Mingus Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains in next month.Along the way Bernstein will discuss the historic Mingus Mill, the Mingus family cemetery and a slave cemetery.The hike is considered to easy to moderate in difficulty, and has a total elevation gain of 700 feet. Hikers should come prepared with food,...
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Win a Chance to Be a Gear Editor for Backpacker Mag!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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Backpacker Magazine is looking for two exceptional men, and two exceptional women, who share their fascination with new products, cool gear, and upcoming trends.If selected, you will become an elite member of the inaugural Backpacker Reader team and will be sent on assignment to Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, 2012, in Salt Lake City to write, blog, photograph, and maybe even star in a video or two...
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Jennifer Pharr Davis is one of National Geographic's nominees for Adventurer of the Year

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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"Clingmans Dome in Tennessee. I got there just after sunset. There was this afterglow in the Smokies. You could see the lights of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Usually there are a lot of tourists, but I was up there all alone. It was still and silent."That quote is from Jennifer Pharr Davis in an interview on the National Geographic website. The North Carolina native has been named as a nominee for...
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Glacier Park Website Launch

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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Last week we officially launched our brand new trail website: HikinginGlacier.com.If you haven't been to the site yet, we provide details on more the 60 hikes in Glacier. To find any given hike we use four directories to help you can find trail by area of the park, difficulty, payoff (great views, waterfalls, lakes), as well as an alphabetical listing. The new site is modeled after our HikingintheSmokys.com...
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Colorful Characters of the Great Smoky Mountains

Monday, November 14, 2011

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Today marks the release of a brand new book from local author Bob Plott, a third-great-grandson of Johannes "George" Plott, who first brought the Plott bear hounds to America in 1750, and a great-great-nephew of Henry Plott, who introduced the breed to the Great Smoky Mountains in 1800.Plott's new book is called Colorful Characters of the Great Smoky Mountains. Here's a summary from the back of the...
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Transportation network could threaten Blue Ridge Parkway

Sunday, November 13, 2011

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This past Thursday the Blue Ridge Parkway concluded their series of meetings regarding their proposed General Management Plan. The plan will guide resource management at the park for the next twenty years.In essence, the Blue Ridge Parkway's preferred plan seeks to reinvest in the parkway's aging infrastructure, update inadequate visitor services and facilities, and protect a biologically diverse...
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Tennessee State Parks Announce Special Winter Rates

Saturday, November 12, 2011

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Tennessee State Parks recently announced that they will be offering special winter rates for 360 villas and cabins, along with six state park inns, from Nov. 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012. With a Tennessee State Park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in the state, families and groups seeking unique recreation opportunities and high-quality accommodations can find the perfect getaway...
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Forest Service maps link healthy drinking water to healthy forests

Saturday, November 12, 2011

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Earlier in the week the U.S. Forest Service unveiled a comprehensive series of maps that illustrate for the first time the crucial role forests play in sustaining the watersheds that are most important to the quality of American surface drinking water.The Forests to Faucets interactive maps also identify the extent to which those watersheds are threatened by development, fire, insects and disease....
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NPCA Report Finds National Parks at a Tipping Point Leading Into Super Committee Deadline

Friday, November 11, 2011

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As Washington policymakers await action by the Congressional Super Committee, the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) released a new report yesterday titled “Made in America: Investing in National Parks for Our Heritage and Our Economy,” which details how national parks and visitors could be impacted if the Super Committee fails and mandatory across-the-board cuts are made to...
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How To Survive a Bear Attack (Don't get your head ripped off!)

Friday, November 11, 2011

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A humorous look at a serious subject from the "Howcast" series. Does anyone else think the claymation figure looks a little like Bill Clinton?For more in-depth information concerning hiking with bears and what to do if you come in contact with one on the trail, please click here.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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New Trail Website for Glacier National Park

Thursday, November 10, 2011

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As many regular readers are already aware, my wife and I spent more than five weeks in Glacier National Park back in August and early September. Since returning I’ve posted several blogs about our hiking adventures. What I didn’t mention was the reason why we spent so much time out there.Today we’re proud to announce the launch of our brand new hiking website: HikinginGlacier.com.During our time in...
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Just a tease....

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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Not to be a big tease, but I have a big announcement coming tomorrow morning that I think will be of interest to many of you hikers out there. Stay tuned……JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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Pinnacle Mountain Fire Lookout Tower now open

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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Back in April of 2010 officials from Cherokee National Forest announced a project to rehabilitate the historic Pinnacle Mountain Fire Lookout Tower near Johnson City, TN. In late October of this year, the tower was officially reopened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.The 40-foot tower is located atop 3520-foot Buffalo Mountain on the Unicoi and Washington county line in the Cherokee National Forest....
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Stop Sticks deployed to end pursuit on Newfound Gap Road

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

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NPS Digest is reporting that stop sticks were used on Newfound Gap Road to stop a man fleeing from rangers last week.Last Wednesday morning, November 2nd, supervisory park ranger Bobby Fleming contacted a man in a parked vehicle in the Chimneys Picnic area. While talking to the man, Fleming saw drug paraphernalia in plain view and ordered the man out of his vehicle. He refused to do so, and instead,...
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Talking "Hiking Through History"

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

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Leanna Joyner, AT thru-hiker, amateur historian, and author of “Hiking Through History: Civil War Sites along the Appalachian Trail.,” will be speaking at UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union Grotto next week.

“Hiking through History” enables hikers to speculate about trailside murders and mysteries which provide a glimpse at how mountain communities experienced the Civil War.

The event will occur at 6:30 p.m. on November 15th, and is free and open to the public. For more information, click here or call 251-6415.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Coyote-wolf hybrids coming to a park near you?

Monday, November 7, 2011

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National Geographic News just posted a pretty interesting story about how coyotes are breeding with wolves in the Great Lakes area, and are now moving southward. These "hybrids" migrated east into New England, and have moved down the Appalachian chain and into Northern Virginia.A DNA study published in the Journal of Mammalogy last month, "found evidence that Virginia coyotes have mated with Great...
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Controlled burns in Cades Cove this week

Monday, November 7, 2011

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If weather permits, the Great Smoky Mountains will be conducting prescribed burns in Cades Cove between Monday and Thursday of this week. The Loop Road will remain open, but delays may be possible. Fires may be visible from the roadway and visitors may encounter smoke in the valley and along the roadway. Temporary closures of the Primitive Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, and Abrams Fall trailhead...
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Visitor use surveys to be conducted in the Daniel Boone National Forest

Monday, November 7, 2011

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If you plan to visit the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky over the next several months, you may be asked to participate in a national visitor use survey. The U.S. Forest Service just announced that they will be conducting surveys to determine the recreational interests of its visitors.“We want to hear what our visitors think about our recreation facilities and services provided,” said Forest...
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Black bears causing property damage in Pisgah National Forest

Sunday, November 6, 2011

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The U.S. Forest Service website is reporting that a black bear has caused property damage in the Turkey Pen Trailhead area in the Pisgah Ranger District near the Transylvania/Henderson County line. Property has also been destroyed by bears at a campsite near the intersection of South Mills River Trail (#133) and Poundingmill Trail (#349). Campers, hikers and others visiting the national forests should...
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Veterans Day Designated a Free State Park Day for Tennessee Veterans, Including Complimentary Golfing and Night of Camping

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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Earlier this week Tennessee State Parks announced its annual free state park day for all Tennessee veterans on Friday, Nov. 11, offering one free night of camping and complimentary greens fees for 18 holes of golf with appropriate identification.Passed by the General Assembly in 2010, the policy calls for a yearly, special state parks day to honor Tennessee’s resident veterans.“This is our way of...
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New Hours for Bandy Creek Visitor Center in Big South Fork

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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The Bandy Creek Visitor Center in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be changing to new hours for the late fall and winter seasons. In the interest of better serving visitors travelling from the Central time zone, the Bandy Creek Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day beginning Sunday, November 6, 2011. The visitor center will be open...
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US Forest Service waives fees during Veterans Day weekend

Friday, November 4, 2011

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The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday that they will be waiving fees at most of their day-use recreation sites over Veterans Day weekend.The fee waivers - the third this year - are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Forest Service. Concessionaire operated...
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Ten Years of Global Fire Observations From Space

Friday, November 4, 2011

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NASA recently released a series of new satellite data visualizations that show tens of millions of fires detected worldwide from space since 2002. The visualizations show fire observations made by the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS, instruments onboard NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites.The short video below takes viewers on a narrated global tour of fires detected between July...
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More Big Deals

Thursday, November 3, 2011

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As we get closer to Black Friday, retailers are already getting an early jump on big sales. Here are a couple you may be interested in taking advantage of:> Backcountry.com is now offering a FREE Mountain Hardwear Advance Lightweight Zip Top - valued at $45.00 - when a purchase is made on one of more than 20 different Mountain Hardwear products. Click here for details.> The Nantahala Outdoor...
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Shenandoah to Implement Night Closures of Skyline Drive During Virginia Hunting Season 2011

Thursday, November 3, 2011

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Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Martha Bogle announced yesterday that portions of the Skyline Drive, the famed mountain road through Shenandoah National Park, will be closed at night during hunting season. She noted that this is the thirty-first year that this closure has been undertaken and stressed its importance at reducing illegal hunting activity within the park during the Commonwealth's...
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Two Great Deals

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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There are two great deals being promoted through a couple of affiliates that I work with that I thought you might be interested in:* Backcountry.com is giving away a Free baselayer, valued at $50, on all Mountain Hardwear DRYQ Elite purchases (while supplies last). For more information, please click here.* Also, for any skiers out there, Mountain Reservations is offering one night free in Winter Park,...
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Blue Ridge Parkway Begins Final Phases of Reconstruction of Historic Stone Guardrails

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced yesterday that the Parkway will be closed to all traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians, in three locations beginning November 14, 2011, and lasting until Summer 2012. The locations are:* From Milepost 217.8, just south of Cumberland Knob, to Milepost 220.4 at NC Route 1460* From Milepost 226.3 at NC Route 1433 to Milepost 229.7 at US 21* From Milepost 232.5...
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Long Distance Hiking Clinic

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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This Thursday evening the Little River Trading Company will be offering a Long Distance Hiking Clinic.Bert (Wildcat) Emmerson, a "Triple Crown Holder" who has thru-hiked all three US long distance trails; the AT, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, will be giving a clinic on long distance backpacking.The event will be held this Thursday, November 3, from 7:00pm - 10:00pm at the LRTC...
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Two Park Partners Receive National Recognition

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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The leaders of the Great Smoky Mountains two primary partner organizations were recently presented with the Department of Interior Citizen’s Award for Exceptional Service. Terry Maddox, executive director of the Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), and Jim Hart, president if the Friends of the Smokies, were recognized for the outstanding support to the Smokies and the National Park Service.Since...
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