SOCIAL MEDIA

People's Choice Voting Opens for 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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The Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Opening Reception takes place this Friday, February 3rd, along with the start of voting for the AMPC People's Choice Award. 49 finalist images will be on display from February 3 through June 2 at the Turchin Center for the Visual arts on the Campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.A panel of jurors selected the images for exhibition...
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy Launches “Lodging Give Back” Program

Monday, January 30, 2012

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) recently announced a new program that offers travelers the opportunity to help support the Appalachian Trail by staying at select lodges. The program, called “Lodging Give Back”, was announced on January 20th at the Bavarian Inn and Restaurant in Shepherdstown, WV, during the retirement celebration of David Startzell, ATC’s Executive Director. The Bavarian Inn...
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Great Smoky Mountains is Top Money Generating National Park Service Unit in 2010

Sunday, January 29, 2012

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According to a recently-released National Park Service (NPS) study, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only the nation's most visited national park, it also tops the 397 national park units in visitor spending. The study estimates that in 2010 the Park's 9 million visitors spent over $818 million in the gateway communities surrounding the Park. The study also estimates that 11,367 local jobs...
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Pisgah National Forest to Conduct Prescribed Burn on Bearpen Mountain

Sunday, January 29, 2012

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Earlier in the week the USDA Forest Service announced that it will conduct a 1,200-acre prescribed burn in the Bearpen Mountain area of the Pisgah Ranger District in February or March 2012.The Forest Service will implement the prescribed burn to reduce woody debris in the forest, which will help prevent catastrophic wildfires. The prescribed burn will also improve wildlife habitat.The prescribed burn...
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Appalachian Trail Short Film Festival

Saturday, January 28, 2012

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Over the course of the next several months, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Visitor Center will host a variety of events to raise awareness about the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as well as the ATC.All events are open to the public, free of charge, and will be held at the ATC’s Visitor Center, located at 799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry, WV.The first event of the new year will be the A.T. Short...
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Smokies Officials Announce New Way to Explore Your Park

Saturday, January 28, 2012

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Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in conjunction with the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association are announcing a new opportunity to experience the Smokies. The new program, Experience Your Smokies, is a unique opportunity to get to know the park and its employees in a whole new way."If you have ever wanted to be a park ranger or get a behind the scenes look...
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Winter Rains in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Friday, January 27, 2012

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In 2011 the Great Smoky Mountains received close to 100 inches of rainfall, making it one of the rainiest spots in the entire United States. It was also one of the wettest years on record. The latest video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association captures the result of all this rainfall in this film footage of waterfalls and streams within the park:© GSMA 2011. All rights reserved.JeffHikingint...
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New Forest Planning Rule Seeks to Restore the Nation’s Forests through Science and Collaboration

Friday, January 27, 2012

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Yesterday Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signaled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s intent to issue a new planning rule for America’s 193-million acre National Forest System that seeks to deliver stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities, by releasing online a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)...
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National Park Service Funds Trail Projects in 22 States

Thursday, January 26, 2012

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The National Park Service announced today that nearly one million dollars in trail grants will be awarded to 14 trails in 22 states and Washington DC.The 2012 Connect Trails to Parks Awards will provide a total of $934,000 to 14 projects where national historic and scenic trails intersect with national parks and other federal facilities. The projects will restore or improve existing trails and trailhead...
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Hike the Wallhalla Trail at Cataloochee Ranch

Thursday, January 26, 2012

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Get a great start on 2012 by joining the Cataloochee Ranch and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for hike near the Cataloochee Ranch. The historic ranch is located on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Maggie Valley where SAHC holds over 300 acres in a conservation easement. Participants will be hiking the Wallhalla Trail, a 4-mile trail that features great views of...
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Volunteers needed for research on effects of high altitude

Thursday, January 26, 2012

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Here's pretty cool way to become a human guinea pig, while at the same time helping mountaineers, climbers and the advancement of science.As most adventurers are already aware, traveling to high altitude can result in a variety of symptoms, collectively called acute mountain sickness. The Neural Systems Group at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is currently seeking volunteers for a brain imaging...
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Join the GSMA for an Owl Prowl

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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What kind of owl is that?A common question for many people when they see one in the woods, or hear one hooting off in the distance. Now's your chance to learn about owls, and how to identify some of the more common species, on the next GSMA Owl Prowl.On Saturday, February 11th, join Butch McDade and the Great Smoky Mountains Association for a nighttime adventure into the elusive world of these amazing...
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Winter Nature Watch Opportunities in Land Between The Lakes

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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Got the winter blues? Embrace the season by taking part in one of the many wildlife-viewing van tours offered at Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area. Over the next several weeks there will be multiple guided tours offering outdoor enthusiasts a chance to witness some of nature’s greatest moments. Registration is required for all tours, and space is limited.The Land Between The Lakes...
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Caution issued for Caldwell Fork Trail

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

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Park officials for the Great Smoky Mountains have issued a caution for the Caldwell Fork Trail in the Cataloochee area. The Park's website states that "several footbridges along the trail are damaged. Hikers wishing to use the trail will need to ford the creek."The Caldwell Fork Trail is used by many people in combination with the Boogerman Trail to create a 7.4-mile loop hike.JeffHikingintheSmok...
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Win a Gregory Z45 BackPack

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

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Our friends over at MyLifeOutdoors are giving away a brand new Gregory Z45 BackPack, via LeftLane Sports. The pack is valued at $180. And, if you're a brand new member at LeftLane Sports, you'll receive a $10 in-store credit just for signing up.The Gregory Z45 features "the LTS Jetstream Load Transfer Suspension which provides true ventilation with no unnecessary points of contact on your body. Adjustable...
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy Offers Wilderness First Aid Certification

Monday, January 23, 2012

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is accepting applications for their Wilderness First Aid Course at the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg. The public is welcome to take this training opportunity alongside Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners.This two-day course will be held over February 27th and 28th, and is open to the public at a cost...
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Utility Maintenance to Briefly Close Sites in Pisgah Ranger District

Sunday, January 22, 2012

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The USDA Forest Service will briefly close small parts of Estatoe Trail, Avery Creek Road and Buckhorn Gap Trail in the Pisgah Ranger District for about a week in early February as the result of utility maintenance. Exact dates have yet to be determined.To ensure the continuity of electrical service for local residents, Progress Energy will fell a minimum number of trees along and around Hwy 276 in...
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Forest Service grants $52.2M to protect working forests, rural economies

Sunday, January 22, 2012

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Earlier in the week the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is granting $52.2 million for 17 conservation and working lands projects across the U.S. in 2012.The Forest Legacy Program has protected 2.2 million acres through public-private partnership using federal and leveraged funds of more than $562 million. The program works with private landowners, states and conservation groups to promote sustainable,...
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Driving Through Time on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Saturday, January 21, 2012

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Last week UNC Libraries announced the launch of a new website as part of the Documenting the American South project, which makes historical content digital and interactive."Driving Through Time" features roughly 2700 photographs and 76 interactive maps of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The website allows students, researchers, and digital tourists to uncover hidden stories, hear forgotten voices, and understand...
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Rock Creek Recreation Area is closed until spring

Friday, January 20, 2012

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Rock Creek Recreation Area in the Cherokee National Forest is closed to all recreation activities. Trees killed by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid have created a safety hazard. These trees along with other dead and damaged trees are being removed. The recreation area near Erwin, TN will reopen in the spring.The closing includes the campground and the Rock Creek Falls Trail.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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Hiking the Middle Prong Trail

Friday, January 20, 2012

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Take a hike with the Great Smoky Mountains Association along the Middle Prong Trail in the Smokies. This short video takes viewers on a vicarious stroll up the Middle Prong Trail in Tremont. The 4-mile hike follows the Middle Prong of the Little River, past relics from the old logging days, and on to the intersection with the Lynn Camp Prong Trail and the Greenbrier Ridge Trail:© GSMA 2011. All rights...
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Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Hosts Weekend of Trails Collaboration

Thursday, January 19, 2012

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The outcome of a groundbreaking effort by the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests to work with trail users to identify and maintain a diverse, quality trail system on the Forests will be unveiled during a weekend of public workshops and meetings beginning January 20th at Unicoi State Park near Helen, Ga. Last year the Forest Service began the Collaborative Trails Initiative, or “CoTrails,” by bringing...
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Forest Service to Restore and Improve Safety of Dry Falls Trail

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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The USDA Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina today announced that it will make significant improvements this year to the historic and scenic Dry Falls Trail in the Nantahala National Forest, providing visitors with a safer and more enjoyable forest experience. Construction will begin in early April 2012 and conclude by September 2012.“Parts of the trail degraded over the years, making...
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Visits to Smokies up 37.7% in December

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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The latest park visitation statistics show that the number of visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park jumped 37.7% in December versus the same month in 2010. A total of 471,603 visitors entered the park last month, compared to just 342,512 last December.The Cherokee entrance saw the largest improvement: reporting a whopping increase of 75.1% for the month. Gatlinburg saw a 46.1% increase,...
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Tree work to close Wears Gap Road this week

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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Great Smoky Mountains officials announced today on their Temporary Road and Facilities Closures page that Wears Gap Road will be closed this Thursday and Friday (Jan 19-20) for tree and brush removal. The project will improve sight distance around narrow curves and help with visibility of road signs.The secondary entrance connects US 321 in Wears Valley to Little River Road, roughly nine miles west...
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Get on the Trail with Friends & Missy

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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Join Friends of the Smokies and fitness expert Missy Kane again for another series of hikes this spring. Each Wednesday throughout the month of April, Missy and Friends will be hiking a different trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.Ms. Kane was an Olympic runner and a Pan American Games medalist."Get on the Trail" is a great opportunity for people who are new to the area, or are new to hiking, as well...
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Record-Level Attendance Continues at NC State Parks in 2011

Saturday, January 14, 2012

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Visitation at North Carolina’s state parks and state recreation areas continued at a record level in 2011, with 14.25 million visits, matching the all-time record set in 2009 and posting a slight increase from 14.19 visits in 2010, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.Among 39 state parks and state recreation areas, 15 reported increases in attendance in 2011. Jockey’s Ridge State...
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Man proposes to girlfriend on hike, then becomes lost

Thursday, January 12, 2012

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Saw this one on the NPS Digest this morning. Certainly a unique way to start your life as a married couple. At least they'll have a great story to pass onto their grandchildren. Also, I found it quite amazing the number of military aircraft that became involved during the SAR:On the afternoon of Monday, January 9th, park officials at White Sands National Monument learned that two visitors who had...
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US Forest Service announces 2012 fee waiver days

Thursday, January 12, 2012

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The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday eight dates for the new year when national forests nationwide will waive fees that are usually collected to support forest maintenance and amenities.“We encourage the public to get outdoors in America’s vast and dynamic playground,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We hope that visiting your beautiful national forests and grasslands will help people...
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REI Donates $10,000 To Friends of The Smokies

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

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The REI Store Asheville recently presented a $10,000 grant to Friends of the Smokies to benefit the Trails Forever, a program that supports trail improvement projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.According to a report in the Cherokee One Feather, the grant money was used to purchase a new equipment trailer to help transport tools and supplies, and to help support a seasonal trail crew...
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Introducing the Hexa Pot

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

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On the surface this sounds like a great idea. The yet to be formerly launched Hexa Pot is a single-use outdoor cookware pot formed from an ultra-light, 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly paper material to be used for picnics, camping, backpacking, and traveling.The Hexa Pot can be used for boiling water, or for cooking meals such as pasta, soup, chili and ramen noodles. The disposable pots may also...
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Oh, Shenandoah!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

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Oh, Shenandoah! is a photographic exhibition celebrating Shenandoah National Park that will open this Thursday at The Arts Center In Orange, The exhibit features finalist and winning photographs from contests hosted by communities around the park in honor of Shenandoah’s 75th Anniversary.This Thursday, January 12th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, The Arts Center In Orange, in Orange, VA, will host a reception.The...
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Free Admission to All National Parks from January 14-16

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

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The National Park Service announced yesterday that all 397 national parks across the country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.Additionally, several parks will be holding special events to honor Dr. King over the three-day weekend.The National Park Service will also waive admission fees on 14 other days in 2012:– National Park Week...
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Winter Roan Mountain Naturalists' Rally

Monday, January 9, 2012

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Mark your calendars for the annual Winter Roan Mountain Naturalists' Rally on February 11th.In addition to discussions led by guest speakers on the natural history of the Roan Mountain region, the rally is offering three guided hikes. Here’s the lineup:Hike # 1Marty Silver, a Warriors’ State Park legend with wildlife and children, will lead an animal tracking hike down near the Doe River. Marty is...
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Vacation Planning: Glacier National Park

Sunday, January 8, 2012

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"Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal. Nevermore will time seem short or long, and cares will never again fall heavily on you, but gently and kindly as gifts from heaven."- John Muir on his visit to Glacier in the early 1890sIt's that time of year again...
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Eagle Tours at Reelfoot Lake State Park

Saturday, January 7, 2012

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Reelfoot Lake State Park is offering daily Eagle Tours again this year. During the winter months Reelfoot Lake, in northwestern Tennessee, is home to approximately 200 American Bald Eagles and spectacular numbers of waterfowl.Buses leave the park's Visitor Center at 10 a.m. CT every day through the end of February. Naturalists join each tour to describe the lake's earth-shaking past and its current...
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December in Cades Cove

Friday, January 6, 2012

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December in Cades Cove, the newest video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association, makes the valid point that the month of December provides a great opportunity for viewing wildlife in Cades Cove. The short video shows the White-tailed Deer rut and the wild turkey strut:© GSMA 2011. All rights reserved.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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Forest Service to Conduct Prescribed Burn near Dobson Knob on Friday

Thursday, January 5, 2012

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The USDA Forest Service plans to implement a prescribed burn near Dobson Knob in Burke County in the Pisgah National Forest this Friday, depending on the weather.The Forest Service's Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest plans to burn approximately 1,250 acres on National Forest land. The boundary of the burn is Forest Service Road (FSR) 106 to the north and the rest of the burn...
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I Should Be Back....

Thursday, January 5, 2012

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Here's a great idea - and a free one at that. Jared Morse has recently launched a web app to help solve issues such as the one Aron Ralston ran into in Utah several years ago.After registering your trip, ShouldBeBack.com sends out an email and a text message to your emergency contacts if you're late in returning at your predetermined time.Here's how it works:You create a trip and provide ShouldBeBack.com...
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U.S. Postal Service Delays Closure of Post Offices

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

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Last July the U.S. Postal Service announced that they would be conducting a study to determine the need for some 3700 retail post offices. Potentially, the USPS was prepared to eliminate more than 10% of all their post offices around the country. Most of these closings were likely to occur in rural areas, such as those found along the Appalachian Trail.This decision would have a significant impact...
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A Year in the Smokies: 2011

Monday, January 2, 2012

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Late last week the Great Smoky Mountains Association published an excellent short film showing highlights from the Smokies in 2011. The GSMA did an excellent job of showing the beauty of the Smokies throughout the seasons:© GSMA 2011. All rights reserved.JeffHikingintheSmokys....
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