SOCIAL MEDIA

What's It Like To Climb Mt. Rainier?

Friday, January 30, 2015

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Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend an RMI Expeditions seminar at a local outdoor shop. The folks at Rainier Mountaineering Inc. gave us (mostly hikers and backpackers) an in-depth explanation on what it's like to climb Mt. Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington. RMI also described to us on what prospective climbers can expect on the two-day expedition to the 14,410-foot...
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National Parks To Be Theme Of 2016 Rose Bowl Parade

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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The National Park Service and Tournament of Roses Association have recently announced that they will be partnering to kick off the National Park Service centennial during the 2016 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The theme for the January 1st parade, “Find Your Adventure,” is a nod to “Find Your Park,” the two-year public engagement campaign aimed to increase awareness and excitement about the...
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Grand Teton National Park From The Air

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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Below is some absolutely stunning aerial video footage of Grand Teton National Park, Mount Moran and Jenny Lake. The footage was taken by Skyworks during recent filming of the state of Wyoming. Enjoy: If this film has inspired you to visit this wonderful park this summer, be sure to visit our newest hiking trail website first to find out what the best hikes are - in order to get the most out...
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Coastal Crescent Trail: North Carolina's Newest Long-Distant Trail

Monday, January 26, 2015

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This past Friday the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation and the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) jointly announced the naming of the Coastal Crescent Trail, an additional option for hikers seeking to walk across North Carolina. The Coastal Crescent Trail, a new hiking option developed by FMST, will serve as an option in eastern North Carolina until the Mountains-to-Sea...
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Smokies Completes Comprehensive Stream Mapping Project

Friday, January 23, 2015

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park geographic information system specialists and scientists in collaboration with scientists from Tennessee, North Carolina, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), completed a three-year stream mapping project. Park scientists used a combination of aircraft-mounted scanners and a Global Positioning System verification system to re-inventory streams throughout...
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10 Ways to Use Duct Tape

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Everyone knows that duct tape is a miracle tool/product. It can be used for a multitude of purposes to help out in a variety of jams. In this short video Backpacker Magazine shows 10 creative ways to use duct tape while out on the trail. These are just a few examples of how this product can be used in the field. Don't like the idea of carrying a role in your backpack? My wife solved this issue by...
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Glacier National Park: The Official Trailer

Saturday, January 17, 2015

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If you haven't been yet, Glacier National Park is an absolute must visit for every hiker out there. No place else is like it! Finley-Holiday Films has recently completed a four-year filming project on this very special place. Below is a trailer from that film to wet your appetite. If this video inspires you to visit Glacier this upcoming season, the best way to explore this wonderful park is to...
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Official Re-measurements Increase Appalachian Trail By 3.9 Miles

Friday, January 16, 2015

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Re-measurements and relocations of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) have brought the total mileage of the footpath to 2,189.2 miles, an increase of 3.9 miles from last year’s mileage of 2,185.3. This mileage is carefully documented in the Trail’s official guidebooks, which include the Appalachian Trail Data Book and the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion. Both books are published by the Appalachian...
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Winter Skills: Tricks for Melting Snow

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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In this short video Backpacker Magazine offers a few tricks for melting snow. Those that are new to winter camping might find this helpful: Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlacier.com RockyMountainHikingTrails.com TetonHikingTrails....
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Backcountry Overnight Stays Up 37% in Smokies

Saturday, January 10, 2015

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To paraphrase Mark Twain, "the reports of the death of backpacking in the Smokies have been greatly exaggerated". According to data collected by the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics website, the number of backcountry overnight stays in the Smokies jumped by 37% in 2014, when compared to the prior year. Moreover, the 86,153 backcountry overnight stays recorded in 2014 ranks as the second...
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Visitation up 8% in the Smokies in 2014

Friday, January 9, 2015

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According to data collected by the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics website, visitation to Great Smoky Mountains National Park increased by 8% in 2014, when compared to the prior year. In total, the park recorded 10,099,275 visitors in 2014, versus 9,040,430 in 2013. Readers should note that visitation figures for 2013 were negatively impacted by the washout on Newfound Gap Road, as...
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Volunteers Donate More than 200,000 Hours in 2014 to Maintaining the Appalachian Trail

Friday, January 9, 2015

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce that for fiscal year 2014, 5,617 volunteers reported 241,936 hours to maintaining and protecting the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) for hikers to use. Since the ATC began collecting reports in 1983, individuals have contributed more than 5 million hours to the A.T., resulting in a volunteer network that is recognized worldwide. The number...
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Smokies Changes Firewood Regulations to Protect Forests

Thursday, January 8, 2015

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced regulation changes that will help protect park forests by limiting the type of firewood brought into the park. Beginning in March 2015, only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and displays a certification stamp by the USDA or a state department of agriculture will be allowed for use in park campgrounds. Heat-treated firewood will be available...
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Big South Fork Announces First Annual Photo Contest

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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The National Park Service (NPS) invites photographers to submit entries for an exhibit at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The NPS is looking for striking digital images highlighting the spectacular views, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life in the park. Images may show wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, historic areas, weather, or people...
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DIY: Waterproof a Rain Jacket

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

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In this short video Backpacker Magazine shows how to waterproof a rain jacket. This is a very simple process for an older jacket that's lost some of its repellent over the years: Jeff HikingintheSmokys.com HikinginGlacier.com RockyMountainHikingTrails.com TetonHikingTrails....
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25th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Smokies

Monday, January 5, 2015

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The dates have been set for one of the premier annual events in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 25th annual Wilderness Wildlife Week, an eight-day event that focuses on the Great Smoky Mountains and the outdoors in general, will take place January 24th thru January 31st. Many of this year's programs, all of which are free, will be held at the LeConte Center At Pigeon Forge, the City of Pigeon...
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