SOCIAL MEDIA

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GSMA Owl Prowl

Thursday, January 31, 2013

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GSMA's February special event will feature a nighttime Owl Prowl led by Kevin Burke on Saturday, Feb. 23. The program meets at 7 p.m. at Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Kevin, a Gatlinburg Nantahala Outdoor Center staff member says he has not missed a day of birding since taking his first ornithology class in southeast Ohio 13 years ago. One of his favorite birding experiences was serving as a sightings...
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Public Meeting Scheduled to Seek Public Input on Higher Camping Fees in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

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A modest increase in camping fees has been proposed for the year round Wilderness Road Campground in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. This is the only campground in the park that allows vehicle access, and provide bathroom and shower facilities. Camping rates for sites without electricity would increase from $12.00 to $14.00 and sites with electricity would increase from $17.00 to $20.00....
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Road work on Newfound Gap Road anticipated to be complete by mid-May to early June

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains officials announced today that work is progressing to repair the landslide which has closed a section of Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) within the national park. Two key steps are already underway to initiate the reconstruction of the road. A contract has been awarded for the first phase of work to APAC – Atlantic, Harrison Division to develop an access road to the slide area,...
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New or Increased Recreation Fees Proposed for National Forests in North Carolina

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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Recreation managers at the U.S. Forest Service want to make visitors aware of a proposal to increase fees or adopt a new fee at seven recreation sites within the national forests in North Carolina. If adopted, the fee changes would be implemented in two phases over a two-year period: Pisgah National Forest: * Sliding Rock Recreation Area – Daily fee would increase from $1 to $2. Annual passes...
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New Hyper-Accurate, Hyper-Local Weather App

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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Over the last several years technology has been creeping into wilderness at an ever increasing pace. The latest technological innovation actually seems to be a really good idea. A company by the name of Nooly announced on Monday that they have released the world’s most localized and reliable weather app for iPhones and Androids. They claim the app is capable of predicting the exact minute it will...
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Sunset Crater / Wupatki National Monument

Saturday, January 26, 2013

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During our tour of the southwest this past September, my wife and I visited the three National Monuments that surround Flagstaff, Arizona. About an hour north of town, located in the Coconino National Forest, is Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, which are in close proximity to each other, and are usually visited together. Our first destination during this leg of the trip was to hike the...
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Clarification on New Reservation System for Appalachian Trail Thru-hikers in the Smokies

Friday, January 25, 2013

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Earlier in the week the Great Smoky Mountains announced that changes to its current backcountry reservation and permitting process will take effect on February 13th. With that announcement came several questions on how this will impact Appalachian Trail thru-hikers as they pass through the Smokies. Thanks to Jared King for providing a link to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website that provides...
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Volunteers Needed For Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 2013 Biennial

Thursday, January 24, 2013

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Cullowhee 2013 Biennial, hosted by the five southern maintenance clubs of the Appalachian Trail, is currently seeking volunteers to assist during the event scheduled for July 19 through 26 at Western Carolina University. Volunteers are needed to lead hikes, register guests, support workshops, distribute information, and assist with parking, camping, and reception...
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Field Survey on Newfound Gap Road Landslide Completed

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have been working with the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) to assess damage to Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) as a result of a January 16 landslide. The FHWA has completed their field survey work, and are now in the initial stage of preparation work to reconstruct the 200 linear feet of road. This first phase of work will include the stabilization...
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A Primer on Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

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Are you considering a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail this year, or maybe someday down the road? Want to learn the white blazes like the back of your hand? Join REI staff thru-hiker Wes Davis for a comprehensive class on the AT in Asheville on February 16th. This is your chance to learn about all of the logistics, gear, nutrition, seasoned tricks and tips. Get the best...and the worst of the trail....
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Smokies Announces Implementation of Backcountry Camping Changes

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced today that changes to its current backcountry reservation and permitting process will take effect on February 13, 2013. As reported last March, the National Park Service approved the park's proposal to begin collecting fees for use of the park's backcountry campsites and shelters. The changes include a $4 per person, per night fee for backcountry...
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Tis' The Season

Monday, January 21, 2013

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Tis' The Season. No not Christmas, but vacation planning season. In case you haven't figured out where you're planning to go hiking during your vacation this year, let me offer two outstanding national parks to put on your radar: Glacier National Park in Montana, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Just like the Great Smoky Mountains, both parks offer a wide variety of hiking experiences. Glacier...
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CMLC Hike to Bridal Veil Falls

Sunday, January 20, 2013

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Join the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy next Saturday, January 26th, for a hike to the picturesque Bridal Veil Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Bridal Veil Falls and DuPont were prominent filming locations in the blockbuster movie, The Hunger Games. The hike will also include three of DuPont’s scenic lakes: Lake Julia, Lake Dense, and little known Lake Alford. Total hiking distance...
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Tennessee State Natural Areas Program Offers Two Mid-Winter Hikes in Middle Tennessee on Jan. 26

Friday, January 18, 2013

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The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Areas will host two guided day hikes at Middle Tennessee natural areas on Saturday, January 26, including excursions to Short Springs in Coffee County and Virgin Falls in White County. Short Springs State Natural Area Hike Tennessee State Parks Area Manager Robin Wooten will take hikers on a three-mile hike via Busby Falls,...
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Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests Issue Warning on Service Road Travel

Thursday, January 17, 2013

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The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina is encouraging drivers to stay off all Forest Service roads in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests until the storm passes. Heavy rain has produced mudslides in the two national forests. Travel conditions are also dangerous because of the potential for washed out roads and flooding, downed trees and other hazards. Road closures...
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Newfound Gap Road Landslide Update

Thursday, January 17, 2013

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The first assessment of the landslide which occurred in Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina shows that the landslide is approximately 90,000 cubic yards of material or 350-400 feet. It is around the length of a football field and 45-50 feet deep. The slide is still active and an assessment team, made up of Park Staff and Federal Highways employees, observed...
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Body Of Overdue Hiker Found In Tricorner Knob Shelter

Thursday, January 17, 2013

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The body of an overdue hiker, a man about 50 years of age, was found by rangers at Tricorner Knob Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains early yesterday afternoon. The hiker left Newfound Gap on Saturday morning, intending to hike 30 miles along the Appalachian Trail to Davenport Gap in North Carolina. He was reported overdue by a friend on Monday afternoon when he failed to show up at Davenport Gap....
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For Love of Beer and Mountains: Devil's Britches Hike

Thursday, January 17, 2013

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"Lordy, that's as red as the devil's britches," exclaimed a local rancher, awed by the vibrant canopy ablaze on what is now known as the Devil's Britches Trail. The Highland Brewing Company will be commemorating the history of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Devil's Britches Trail with the release of a new rich, red IPA. On Friday, February 1st, the Asheville brewery will be throwing a release...
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Part of Newfound Gap Road will be closed indefinitely due to landslide

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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A landslide along Newfound Gap Road near mile marker 22 has caused an extended closure of the road. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) due to a landslide which undercut the road near mile marker 22 between Collins Creeks and Webb Overlook at 9:40 am. The slide is estimated to be a 200 foot section of road extending 1000 foot down slope, but the full extent...
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TDEC Launches Tennessee State Parks Recreation “Finder” Portal

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced today the launch of its new Geographic Information System (GIS)-based site that provides up-to-date interactive maps and information about recreational opportunities at Tennessee State Parks and natural areas. Plans are also under way to incorporate GIS information about state historical and archaeological sites in the future. The...
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Cades Cove Loop Road and others closed due to flooding

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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This alert has been posted on the Smokies website: A slow moving storm is causing flooding in the park. Several park roads are closed. Hikers should exercise caution in the backcountry due to swollen streams and rivers. The following roads are closed: • Cades Cove Loop Road due to flooding • Upper Tremont Road due to flooding • Forge Creek Road • Cataloochee Entrance Road For the latest updates,...
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Smokies Warns Visitors About Erratic Bat Behavior

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife staff recently received numerous reports of unusual winter bat activity. Normally, bats should be hibernating during the winter, but bats have been described as flying erratically during the day and diving down toward people. Park biologists do not know the exact cause of this unusual bat activity, but urge all visitors to exercise caution as bats are known...
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Flood Warning Issued for the Chattahoochee National Forest

Monday, January 14, 2013

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The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for most of North Georgia that is in effect through Wednesday. Soils are wet due to recent rainfall, and periods of heavy rain are expected to continue. Flooding of streams and low-lying areas, including forest roads and recreation areas, will be possible. Before visiting the forest, check the Current Conditions page and Alerts & Notices for...
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Walnut Canyon National Monument

Saturday, January 12, 2013

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During our tour of the southwest this past September, my wife and I visited the three National Monuments that surround Flagstaff, Arizona. One of those was Walnut Canyon, just a couple miles east of town. The canyon is culturally and historically significant due to the ancient Sinagua people that once lived here, and the pueblos they etched along the canyon walls that still stand today. The Sinagua,...
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Pinnacles Becomes Number 59

Friday, January 11, 2013

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Yesterday the former Pinnacles National Monument in California received a promotion when legislation was signed, making it the 59th U.S. National Park. Legislation to upgrade Pinnacles National Monument to a National Park was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June, before finally receiving the nod from the Senate on December 30th. The Pinnacles National Monument was created by President...
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Winter Camp Comfort Tips

Friday, January 11, 2013

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Backpacker Magazine has recently published a pretty good video that offers some sound tips for making your winter camp a little more comfortable. If new to winter camping, you might benefit from this video: if (document.getElementById("i_06529e0b79234f0b8f0512fdd1059e47")) document.getElementById("i_06529e0b79234f0b8f0512fdd1059e47").setAttribute("flashvars", "file=d1e1cbe99a484dbb927bcc6d6345aea1&permalink="...
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Swannanoa Rim Explorer hiking series continues this year

Thursday, January 10, 2013

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Back by popular demand, the Swannanoa Rim Explorer hiking series will continue again this year. This is the fourth year in a row that the Swannanoa Valley Museum, in Buncombe County in Western North Carolina, will be offering their year-long hiking series. The Swannanoa Rim encompasses the ridgelines of the upper Swannanoa Valley that surround Black Mountain. The program offers experienced hikers...
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Smokies Sees Highest Number of Visitors in 12 Years

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw its highest number of visitors since 2000. This past year the park recorded 9,685,828 visitors, which represents a 7.5% increase over 2011. Visitation for the 2012 year was also the seventh highest in park history. 1999 still ranks as the busiest season in Smokies history, when 10,283,598 visited the park. The number of tent campers increased by 4.8% versus...
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Pigeon Forge Packs 304 Events into Nature-Focused January Week

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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Christmas and New Year’s Eve are in the rearview mirror, and it’s time to find some January activity. Pigeon Forge’s Wilderness Wildlife Week fills the bill with an eight-day focus on Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the outdoors in general. The 23rd annual Wilderness Wildlife Week is Jan. 12-19. Programs, all of which are free, are at the Music Road Hotel Convention Center. On tap are...
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ULA Discount Offer on Sleeping Bags

Monday, January 7, 2013

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Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA), maker of ultralight backpacking equipment, is offering $55.00 off the purchase of a 20-degree Down Sleeping Bag (regular $185) with the purchase of any of ULA backpack. If you've never heard of ULA, their website states that nearly half the hikers completing the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail are carrying a ULA pack. Since ULA only very seldom promotes discounts,...
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Cold Weather Backpacking Basics

Monday, January 7, 2013

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For anyone that might be interested, there are only three spots available for the upcoming program, Cold Weather Backpacking Basics, which will be held at the REI in Asheville next week. This show and tell class will cover backpacking essentials: choosing a backpack, selecting proper clothing, gloves, socks, the right footwear, tips on staying warm, and understanding the basic gear you need to...
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Smokies Announces Renovations to the Sugarlands Visitor Center

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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The Sugarlands Visitor Center will remain open to the public as it receives much needed renovations January 7 through March 31, 2013. The renovations will improve the layout of the main lobby and visitor contact area to better serve the 850,000 thousand visitors that come through the visitor center annually. The new visitor contact area will create a sense of arrival and enhance visitor orientation...
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Video: A Year in the Smokies 2012

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

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A Year in the Smokies 2012 - another great video from the Great Smoky Mountain Association: Jeff HikingintheSmokys....
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