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Tennessee Votes on Scenic Vistas Tomorrow. CALL TODAY!

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013 - posted by jw

Call today and Urge Tennessee Legislators to Protect the Beauty and Economic Vitality of the Cumberland Plateau.

Tennessee legislators are scheduled to take up a critical vote tomorrow on the Scenic Vistas Protection Act — a good bill with broad, bipartisan support that would help one of Tennessee’s most important assets – our mountains.

Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) will be carrying the bill (HB 43 / SB 99) in the House Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Senator Lowe Finney (D-Jackson) in the Senate Committee on Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

Appalachian Voices urges you to call committee members and ask them to support the common sense “Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act (HB 43 / SB 99)“.

House:
Chairman Ron Lollar (R-Bartlett) / 615-741- 7084
Curtis Halford (R-Dyer) / 615-741-7478
Andy Holt (R-Dresden) / 615-741-7847
Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) / 615-741-7448
Billy Spivey (R-Franklin) / 615-741-4170
John Tidwell (D-New Johnsonville) / 615-741-7098
Ron Travis (R-Dayton) / 615-741-1450
Brenda Gilmore (D-Nashville) / 615-741-1997 [This is a “Thank you!” as Representative Gilmore is a cosponsor of the Scenic Vistas bill.]

Senate:
Chairman Steve Southerland (R-Morristown)/615-741-3851
Mae Beavers (R-Mt Juliet)/ 615-741-2421
Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) / 615-741-4499
Mike Bell (R-Riceville) / 615-741-1946
Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey) / 615-741-3978
Ophelia Ford (D-Memphis) / 615-741-1767
Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) / 615-741-6682
Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) / 615-741-2368
Frank Niceley (R-Knoxville) / 615-741-2061

Tell these legislators your name and let them know you are a Tennessean who cares about protecting our mountains. And please pass this along, so that legislators hear from as many Tennesseans as possible.

Talking points and bill information below… (more…)

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Posted in Front Porch Blog | 2 Comments »

Environmental Summer Camps — The Sequel!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 - posted by Madison

Spring is here and that means it’s almost time for summer camp fun! From the coast of North Carolina to the mountains of West Virginia, there are camps tailored to young nature lovers. We’ve compiled a list of summer camps to get your kids outside, where they can meet lifelong friends and learn about protecting ecosystems and enjoying the great outdoors.

By Madison Hinshaw

Sea Turtle Camp
Location: Topsail Island, N.C.
Age: 13-17; Session: 11 days
Cost: $2,700
Sea Turtle Camp is an 11-day program where campers will care for and explore the habitat of sea turtles at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. Campers will earn up to 20 community service hours working on eco-service projects describing the challenges facing all sea turtles and studying the coastal habitats from the muddy marshes to the ocean floor.
www.seaturtlecamp.com

Green River Preserve
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, N.C.
Age: 7-17; Session: 1-3 week sessions
Cost: $1,200-2,800
Located on a 3,400 acre wildlife preserve, this co-ed overnight camp experience hiking scenic trails, exploring beautiful waterfalls and tracking the preserve’s wildlife. Campers will learn to fly fish, rock climbing, gardening, and will spend one night camping under the stars.
www.greenriverpreserve.org

Eagle’s Nest Camp
Location: Pisgah Forest, N.C.
Age: 5-14; Session: 1-3 weeks
Cost: $1,400-3,300
Eagle’s Nest Camp is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Eagle’s Nest encourages campers to live simply and reconnect with the core values of nature. All activities promote community awareness and a connection with nature whether they are learning about art, music, biology or forest survival.
www.enf.org

UNC Wilmington MarineQuest
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Age: 5-17; Session: 1-3 weeks
Cost: varies
Spend a week, or three, exploring some of North Carolina’s coastal wildlife from the tiniest microbes to the largest whale. Learn about chemistry, video production or how to scuba dive in MarineQuest’s various summer camp programs.
www.uncw.edu/marinequest

Camp Explore
Location: Greenville, Tenn.
Age: 5-14; Session: one day, two days (overnight stay), three days (overnight stay)
Cost: $250
Camp Explore, located at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center, is committed to enhancing children’s awareness of the environment. Students learn by hands-on, experiential activities like studying wildlife, observing and sampling stream water, and orienteering with maps and a compass.
www.clydeaustin4hcenter.com/CampExplore

Smoky Mountain Adventure Camp
Location: Smoky Mountains, Tenn.
Age: 8-18; Session: 5 days to 4 weeks
Cost: $700-2,500
An adventurous summer camp a stone throw away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smoky Mountain Adventure Camp takes advantage of all that the environment has to offer. From backcountry hikes, to rock climbing, to horseback riding, each session is sure to pack in the fun.
www.SMACamp.com

Tate’s Day Camp
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Age: 3-13; Session: 4-5 days
Cost: $221-276
Tate’s Day Camp provides campers with traditional camp activities like swimming, canoeing, along with hands-on nature studies and group initiative activities. Tate’s sits on 50+ acres of land that includes a fishing pond and recreational fields.
www.tatescamp.com

Camp Idyllwild
Location: Duck River, Tenn.
Age: 5-11; Session: one week
Cost: $2,000
Inspiring a love of nature, campers will build forts, explore creeks, hike, make arts and crafts, watch birds and learn about organic gardening. Camp Idyllwild is located on a rural 30 acre piece of land surrounded by a spring-fed creek serving as a daily main attraction for most campers.
www.campidyllwild.com

Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass
Location: Versailles, Ky.
Age: 7-18; Session: 1 day or 2 days (overnight stay)
Cost: $25-275
Life Adventure Center is situated on a 575 acre farm in the heart of horse country. They offer various programs from environmental education, to wilderness living, to the challenge course. Life Adventure Center strives to engage, educate and empower each participant.
www.lifeadventurecenter.org

Bear Creek Aquatic Camp
Location: Kentucky Lake, Ky.
Ages: 10-18; Sessions: 1-2 weeks
Cost: $300+
Bear Creek Aquatic Camp is a Girl Scout camp located on Kentucky Lake, featuring over 200 acres of waterfront property and 2 miles of shoreline. Campers learn sailing, windsurfing, archery, horseback riding, hiking and more.
www.kygirlscoutcamps.org/bear_creek_aquatic.htm

Camp John Currie on Kentucky Lake
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Location: Kentucky Lake, Ky.
Age: 9-12, Session: 5 days
Cost: $215
While at Camp John Currie, campers begin intensive and basic instruction in the safe pursuit of outdoor activities like outdoor survival, boating, fishing/casting and swimming. Completion of camp activity entitles each camper to an achievement patch or award.
www.fy.ky.gov

“Geology Rocks” Camp
Location: Henderson, Ky.
Age: 10-12; Session: 3 days (9 a.m. to noon)
Cost: $15
Located in John James Audubon Park, Geology Rocks Camp will teach campers about minerals and how they are formed. They will also study the earth’s layers and plate techtonics and fossils found in the Ohio River Basin.
www.kentuckytourism.com

West Virginia State Conservation Camp
Location: Webster County, WV.
Age: 14-18; Session: 5 days
Cost: $185 (with sponsor)
Campers enjoy an action packed week filled with interactive workshops, group assemblies, recreation opportunities, evening campfires and social events. Located in the rustic mountains of West Virginia, Conservation Camp teaches campers the importance of fish management, forest protection along with other skills to become more aware of nature conservation.
www.wvconservationcamp.com

Burgundy Center For Wildlife Studies
Location: Capon Bridge, WV.
Age: 8-15; Session: 1-2 weeks
Cost: $835-1,445
Located in a remote valley of the West Virginia Appalachians, the Burgundy Center’s purpose is to educate its campers about the natural world. Campers will handle plants and animals, participate in hiking trips and will go on a couple overnight camping trips.
www.burgundycenter.org

Camp Greenbrier For Boys
Location: Alderson, WV.
Age: 7-18; Session: 3 or 5 weeks
Cost: $2,675-4,625
Camp Greenbrier is an all boys camp located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virgina. From kayaking, to rock climbing, to woodcrafting, the sessions are full of adventurous activities that each camper can enjoy.
www.campgreenbrier.com

Camp Rim Rock For Girls
Location: Yellow Spring, WV.
Age: 7-17; Session: 1-4 weeks
Cost: $1,600-4,200
Camp Rim Rock is an all girls camp with a well-rounded program. Campers participate in activities like performing arts, arts and crafts, horseback riding and various sports. While campers learn to work with others in these activities, they also learn to work individually, building self-esteem.
www.camprimrock.com

Nature Camp
Location: Rockbridge County, Va.
Age: 9-18; Session: 2 weeks
Cost: $750
Nature Camp is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and teaches its campers the importance of conserving and protecting the environment and to become more informed on the earth’s natural resources. Campers will explore nature through hands-on, outdoor and experiential learning.
www.naturecamp.net

Browne Summer Camp
Location: Alexandria, Va.
Age: 3-13; Session: 8 weeks (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Cost: $270-390 per week
Browne Summer Camp is a day camp with a new theme each week. From exploring the arctic, to working some magic, this camp is filled with fun from the beginning to end of summer. Campers will engage in sports, arts, and crafts, along with taking various field trips.
www.browneacademy.org

Virginia Aquarium Summer Camp
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.
Age: 5-15; Session: 2-5 days
Cost: $75-300
Virginia Aquarium camps focus on marine science, other types of science and nature. Campers will learn through animal interactions, outdoor investigations and hands-on activities. Located along Virginia Beach, campers will participate in dolphin watching, snorkeling and other activities tailored to each program.
www.virginiaaquarium.com

Outdoor Discovery Trip
Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing
Location: New Castle, Va.
Age: 8-12; Session: 1 week
Cost: $895
The Outdoor Discovery Trip allows campers to explore the outdoors and the wildlife that comes with it. Campers not only learn to camp and canoe, but they also gain other skills like caving, rock climbing and outdoor survival skills.
www.wilderness-adventure.com

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Posted in 2012 - Issue 2 (Apr/May), The Appalachian Voice | No Comments »

Perusing Kentucky’s Pine Mountain Park

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 - posted by Madison

By Joe Tennis

High above Pineville, Ky., near the start of the challenging Laurel Cove Trail, an old joke straddles a rock at Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

Local lore suggests that the people of Pineville were worried about the menacing-looking boulder coming loose and rolling off Pine Mountain. In the 1930s, shortly after Pine Mountain opened as Kentucky’s first state park, members of the Kiwanis Club of Pineville devised an unusual safety strategy and fastened a comically large chain to the boulder so residents could see the reassuring chain from town.

Reassuringly secured by a hefty-chain, Chained Rock looms over the town of Pineville, Ky. Photo Credit: Helen Gulgun Bukulmez


The so-called “Chained Rock” makes an intriguing first stop on the Laurel Cove Trail at Pine Mountain State Resort Park – a site named “resort,” according to park naturalist Dean Henson, simply for boasting both a restaurant and lodge. Despite the name and amenities, this is a wild place, as anyone exploring the rock houses, mossy boulders and trickling streams of Pine Mountain will see.

“This park is primarily a natural and cultural history park,” Henson says. “In many ways, it’s a time capsule. It’s a chance to go back and see the landscape as it was in the time of Daniel Boone.”

A famed frontiersman, Boone marched through these woods in the late 1700s, marking a road through the nearby Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky. From 1769 to 1810, Henson says, more than 300,000 settlers passed through this region as they slipped past what is now the state park.

Today, the 1,700-acre park is home to white-tailed deer, bobcats, skunks, raccoons, red and gray foxes, black bears, a variety of snakes, around 130 year-round bird species, 6,000 plant species and perhaps as many as 40 types of trees, Henson says.

“I refer to it as one of Kentucky’s last, great natural places,” Henson says. “I call it scenic geology — vistas, views and overlooks where you can see the Cumberland Mountains.”

Starting near a natural rock shelter, Laurel Cove Trail slides away from the well-worn path leading to the Chained Rock. The trail marches down a narrow set of rock steps, beside rock walls and, at times, challenges hikers to navigate an obstacle course of fallen trees. “Trail work is never done,” Henson says. “It’s always ongoing.”

The Laurel Cove Trail winds its way through a range of plant communities. Photo Credit: Helen Gulgun Bukulmez


With an elevation drop of 1,100 feet, the Laurel Cove Trail ranks as the most challenging and diverse path in the park, especially for those who skip the shuttle and choose to walk down and back up. “Most people walk that trail in one direction,” Henson says, noting that the uphill walk is steep.

The top of the mountain boasts oak and hickory trees. At the midway point, the trail passes beneath a natural rock bridge called the Powderhorn Arch, which stands about eight feet high and stretches 40 feet across the trail. “If you look at it, it resembles a powderhorn from the flintlock rifle days,” Henson says.

Below that arch, the trail descends through a wider mix of trees, including beech, tulip poplar, hemlock and maple.

“From there on down is what I consider the transition zone,” Henson says. “Going from the top to the base of the mountain is the equivalent of walking from Southern Canada to Northern Georgia, in terms of the zones that you find for plants and animal species.”

Thickets of rhododendron, mountain laurel and azalea bloom near the lower end of the trail at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater, outlined by stones and used in the 1970s for an outdoor drama called “The Book of Job.” Today, that World War II-era amphitheater is a popular site for weddings. It is also used each year, during the last full weekend of May, for the queen’s coronation during the park’s annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Pageant.

Park-goers who come for special events can also find hikes less challenging than the Laurel Cove Trail among the park’s dozen miles of trails. The Honeymoon Falls Trail might be the
park’s most popular walk in the woods. This 1.5 loop passes a 25-foot-tall — but sometimes nearly dry — waterfall. Other paths include the Rock Hotel Trail, named for a natural rock shelter, and the Living Stairway Trail, which once traversed steps carved into the side of a tree.

For more information on Pine Mountain, visit: parks.ky.gov.

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Posted in 2012 - Issue 2 (Apr/May), Hiking the Highlands, The Appalachian Voice | No Comments »

Plant your Feet on the Battleground

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 - posted by Jamie G. -- AV Communications Coordinator

By Robert Sutherland

shelter

Listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, the famous Blood Mountains stone shelter welcomes hikers at the summit. Photo by Robert Sutherland

Google “Blood Mountain” and you’ll find enough fodder for any armchair traveler. But like any other escape to the outdoors, Blood Mountain cannot be appreciated online.

Named for a battle waged nearby between the Cherokee and Creek Indians, Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and the sixth highest spot in the state. The mountain majestically graces northeastern Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, peaks included as part of the American colonies by King George III when he defined the boundaries of England’s occupation in 1763.

The southern sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains enjoy one of the world’s most botanically rich mixtures of temperate climate plants, with northern species mixing with their southern kin. Once alpine tundra, the ridge line of Blood Mountain is now blanketed in Catawba rhododendron, mountain ash and dwarf willow.

Along the trail to the summit, a variety of rock await the amateur and expert geologist alike. Hikers will pass over low-to-high-grade metamorphic rocks, including igneous deposits of Corbin metagranite, Fort Mountain gneiss, mafic and ultramafic rocks, and Proterozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks.

Trivia about the trail, however, isn’t much better than showing a dry garden a picture of rain. You must hike Blood Mountain to see for yourself.

Hiking Blood Mountain is more like a team sport than lonely immersion into the wild. If you’re not in the best physical shape, you can still make it to the top – although you’ll be surprised by how many “old” people pass you along the way. Before you hit the strenuous sections of the summit trail, spend some time taking in one of the most celebrated portions of the Appalachian Trail’s southern reaches.

Unfortunately in 2008, the trail gained some notoriety when a woman named Meredith Emerson was murdered while hiking alone. In Meredith’s memory, a group called Right To Hike, Inc., was created. The group works tirelessly to keep trails safe by purchasing emergency solar and wireless phones for greenways, parks and trailheads and encouraging hikers to defend themselves and protect others.

Hike a Piece of History

Blood Mountain Trailhead

At the Blood Mountain trailhead, "thru-hikers" leave their boots behind to celebrate completing the 2181 mile Appalachian Trail. Photo by Robert Sutherland

There are no gurus atop Blood Mountain purporting to have answers for your soulful questions. It’s easy, however, to find families, Boy Scout troops, friends – and the occasional man asking his girlfriend to retrieve a treasure hidden in her backpack so that he can propose to her in a most gloriously memorable moment on a most gloriously memorable mountain.

If you spend the night at the summit, you might dream of the struggles of the famously mighty mice who dwell within the ruggedly handsome stone shelter constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and restored by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club in the 1980s.

Perhaps you’ll find inspiration from the shoes in the trees, tossed there by “thru-hikers” after trekking the more than 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail.

Tie your boots tight and take off up the steep and rocky trail. It may be a challenge for beginners but the path is well-worn and easy to follow. The views waiting at the summit are worth every step.

In truth, the wilderness area surrounding Blood Mountain is 7,800 acres of peaceful pulchritude. Hike beautiful Blood Mountain. Plant your feet on the summit, and take a stand for your health and for the right to hike safely in Appalachia.

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Posted in 2012 - Issue 1 (Feb/March), Hiking the Highlands, The Appalachian Voice | No Comments »

Friends of Smokies Receives $10,000 from REI for Trails Forever Program

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 - posted by Jamie G. -- AV Communications Coordinator

The Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have received a grant for $10,000 from the national outdoor retailer REI. The grant will benefit the Trails Forever program, which supports trail improvements throughout the park. Funds will help finance a new equipment trailer to transport tools and supplies needed for trail improvement projects. The Trails Forever program is a campaign effort by the Friends of the Smokies working to create a permanent fund for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park trail improvements.

Va State Parks’ 75th Anniversary Sets Overnight Visitation Record

Contests, special events and near-record attendances highlighted the 75th anniversary of Virginia State Parks in 2011 and resulted in record overnight visitation. A three percent increase in overnight attendance in state park cabins, campgrounds and lodges raised numbers to 1,055,875 visitors in 2011. The overall attendance in 2011 of 7,836, 246 visitors was the second highest in Virginia State Parks’ 75-year history after its record high of 8,065,558 in 2010. Virginia State Parks say that by attracting visitors from in and out-of-state, they provide economic stimulus to the state, through the purchase of local products and supplies.

King’s Grant Causes Controversy Over Jackson River Rights

The developer of the River’s Edge golf community in Covington, Va., filed a civil trespassing lawsuit against three Virginia anglers fishing lawfully on a section of the Jackson River that runs next to his land.

Citing two different outdated land grants, the developer is claiming ownership of the section of the Jackson River. The anglers cite a Virginia statute that is more than 200 years old, that makes clear the beds of all rivers and streams “are the property of the Commonwealth.”

The three anglers accused of trespassing unloaded their kayaks at a public access point and remained along the banks of the river while fishing.

During a failed criminal trespassing lawsuit against the anglers, it was revealed that the developer’s land grants do not explicitly reference the bed of the Jackson River or mention fishing rights when describing the property conveyed.

Concerned residents say the burden of proof has been put on the shoulders of the three anglers and are asking all fishermen, hunters and paddlers to contact Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to support ability of the people of Virginia to fish, boat, and recreate in these rivers.

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Posted in 2012 - Issue 1 (Feb/March), Across Appalachia, The Appalachian Voice | No Comments »

SELC’s Top 10 Endangered Places List Shows Threats in the Southeast

Friday, February 10th, 2012 - posted by Madison

The Southern Environmental Law Center recently released its fourth-annual Top 10 Endangered Places list of 2012, highlighting the scenic, ecologically and culturally rich areas throughout the Southeast that are being threatened by development, water issues and the environmental impacts of mountaintop removal and hydraulic fracturing.

The Catawba-Wateree River system originates in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina traveling into South Carolina and has been negatively impacted by the presence of coal ash in leaky unlined ponds along major tributaries.

The SELC works to protect its six-state region in the Southeast. Their programs include Global Warming, Clean Energy & Air, Land & Community, Coast & Wetlands, Clean Water and Southern Forests.

But that’s not all that is threatening this network of waterways. Water withdrawal used by power plants for steam production and cooling has had severe effects on the Southeast’s water supply.

Meanwhile, on the North Carolina Piedmont, a law that bans horizontal drilling throughout the region is being attacked by the gas drilling industry and their political allies.

Virginia may be the most threatened state in the Southeast. The Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee are being destroyed by mountaintop removal. These mountains are some of the oldest on earth and more than 500 have been destroyed by mountaintop removal.

Across the state, the Chesapeake Bay estuary has been polluted for decades. What some may not know is that this pollution creates dead zones incapable of supporting aquatic life.

Plans to construct and renovate highways have disrupted many distinguished recreation spots in Charlottesville, Va., and in Chilhowee Mountain, Tenn. Chilhowee Mountain is part of Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest and known as a destination for outdoor lovers around the country.

More southern states such as South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama are experiencing severe environmental threats as well. The Savannah River, which stretches from South Carolina to Georgia, may lose many aquatic habitats as the Army Corps of Engineers plan to deepen its shipping channel.

The Dawson Forest, located just north of Atlanta, is threatened by a proposed $650 million reservoir that would drain 100 million gallons of water from the Etowah River each day to support Atlanta’s increasing water supply needs. Alabama’s coastline is on SELC’s Top Ten list for a second year because of the potential reoccurrence of spills like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion — the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

The SELC has released its Top Ten list for fours years now, hoping to raise awareness among residents of these areas and others in the U.S. The environmental law organization has nearly 50 attorneys and is involved in more than 125 cases and projects in its six-state region to fight against these potentially irreversible threats.

For more information about SELC and what it does, visit: www.southernenvironment.org.

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Posted in Events, Front Porch Blog, News Alerts and Updates | 2 Comments »

Another Nordic Revolution

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 - posted by brian

By Kristian Jackson

It’s 5 a.m. and outside the truck, headlights reveal driving snow squalls and drifts as high as the pickup’s hood. Our crawl up Roaring Creek Road near the Toe River of North Carolina comes to a sudden halt in a wall of whiteness. We abandon our attempt to dig out the beast and don skis.

Chris Curtin and John Fennell shush along the Appalachian Trail en route to the Hump Mountain. Photos By Kristian Jackson

Minutes later we are skiing up the Overmountain Victory Trail in search of an adventure higher up in Roan Highlands, a 20-mile group of mountain peaks straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Winter is palpable and immediate here. The wind scours its way through bare tree limbs and whips up the powdery snow, creating an atmosphere that is felt as much as seen.

We seal our zippers and pockets to keep winter out and stay moving to stave off the bone-chilling cold. Further into the Highlands we pass through a sheltered cove near 5,000 feet in elevation where the trees hang heavy with snow. We reach the open expanse beyond the trees. In calm weather, the nearby open balds of The Hump and Little Hump Mountains would provide outstanding views, but now everything is white, threatening and loud. We turn our backs to the wind, eager to make some teleturns in the deep powder.

Telemark skiing (also known as nordic or cross-country) has been practiced in the South for decades. The style refers to both a technique and a type of ski and boots. Fixed in the front and free at the heel, the free heel allows the skier to kick and glide uphill (sometimes with the use of skins that help grip the snow) then drop a knee and perform elegant “telemark turns” to descend.

The New Revolution

Devotees of telemark skiing have waxed and waned over the years. The style almost died out in the 1970s but experienced a resurgence in the 1980s. During that decade, the peaks of the North Carolina High Country region were so popular that cross country ski rentals were available in several places and a company called High South Nordic Guides offered tours to Roan Mountain and telemark lessons at a nearby ski resort.

Here there are no lifts, no lines, no crowds, and only a fraction of the environmental impact of the ski resorts. Nordic skiers in the High Country are rewarded with solitude, unspoiled beauty, and the exhilaration of human powered fun.

Drought and warmer winters in the 1990s and early 2000s brought another slump to the sport, until the high snowfall totals of the past few winters sparked a new telemark revolution. Downhill devotees, snowboarders and cross country traditionalists quickly rediscovered the beauty and excitement of ski touring. Now, formerly obscure pockets of powder are often covered with ski tracks as soon as a winter storm is over, and the word has spread about “secret stashes,” where skiers and boarders.

New technology has also added to the latest telemark revolution. In the 1980s, nordic enthusiasts sported skinny skis, leather boots, and floppy three-pin bindings. Today’s backcountry skiers use technology that resembles downhill gear and allows for more efficient touring in varied conditions.

But ask any skier about the most critical component to back country touring in the South and the answer will invariably be “snow.”

Prior to the past three winters, the common refrain of regional nordic skiers was, “It was snowier back in the day.” In fact, the first telemark boom in the 1980s ended when “the winters changed,” according to High South Nordic Guide co-founder Jeep Barrett.

A look at weather charts from Ray’sWeather.com, a popular amateur weather website that covers the western part of North Carolina, reveals a dramatic decline in snowfall amounts since the mid-80s. Although the past three winters have brought impressive snow, the numbers show that trends over the past two decades simply do not measure up to the dumps of 30 years ago.

Snow in the South, even at the highest elevations, will likely remain hit or miss. Perhaps this is what draws the attention and enthusiasm of the Southern skier: When the snow is good, it’s really good, and then it’s gone. However, even in low snow fall years, nordic skiers will still find enjoyable tours in the Southern highlands.

Fun Events & More Info

The High Country Nordic Association was formed in 2010, when a group of nordic skiers met to plan a “Tele-Fest.” The association is planning many activities this season, including a Film Festival, the 2nd Annual Telefest Jan. 21 at Beech Mountain, N.C., and updates on regional skiing conditions. Visit their group and page on Facebook to find ski partners and ask for tips. To find the best backcountry spots in your area, check with local ski shops or area outdoor outfitters. If you can find it, get your hands on a copy of Randy Johnson’s book Southern Snow to discover the vastness of our winter world.

Now go make some tracks.

TOURING THE ROAN HIGHLANDS

No southern skier should go without a tour of the Roan Highlands. Regarded as Nordic Nirvana, when the snow is right the Roan Highlands are the crown jewel for ski touring in the Southeast. The Highlands rise like a weathervane above the hills of Tennessee and catch the full force of arctic weather systems moving in from the northwest. Gale force winds howl through the evergreens, breaking branches and driving snow into massive drifts. On the balds, wind scours the open country nearly clean of snow and deposits enormous snow fields on the lee side.

The High Country Nordic Association's Justin Studt finds the flow of the telemark turn in the trees.

Tours in the Highlands are as varied as the weather, passing through a unique combination of evergreen forests, hardwood glades and open balds. Some can be moderate winter excursions, others can cause the most die-hard snow freaks to question their love of extreme conditions. Several classic tours begin from Carver’s Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina line:

– For a short out-and-back tour, ski along the road to Rhododendron Gardens, tour the gardens, then return. To lengthen this tour, head out the old Balsam Road, the first road on the left when heading up from Carver’s Gap. This is a pleasant, quick tour with little elevation change.

– For a more ambitious route that requires a few tele-turns, head up the road to the old Cloudland Hotel site and continue on the Cloudland Trail. After passing the first gate, check the Appalachian Trail on your right for snow depth. If the creeks are frozen and the snow is at least 12 inches, this should work as a return route. This trail undulates along the top of the massif and climbs to its terminus at Roan High Bluff. Often the winds at the bluff can be heard well before reaching the top. After a snack at the bluff (stay in the woods and out of the wind) head back down the Cloudland Trail. This requires deep snow and a solid tele-turn.

– For a fast and exciting downhill from the Cloudland Hotel site, head into the spruce trees and down the Appalachian Trail. This run requires quick reflexes to handle the switchbacks and other surprises.

– For more experienced adventures in the Highlands, try the Roaring Creek Area. Flanked by the Yellow Mountains and the crest of the Highlands, this impressive watershed on the North Carolina side rises from the low elevations of the Toe River to the massif crest. For tours beginning on Roaring Creek Road, you will need to be prepared for skiing up and down steeper terrain, turning in trees, route finding, and self-rescue. (Note: the road to Roaring Creek is not plowed, so you may also need to ski to the trailhead). From the Overmountain Victory Trailhead, skiers can access the Appalachian Trail, Little Hump and the Hump. Look for open downhill runs on the lee sides of the fields and be prepared for brutal conditions.

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Posted in 2011 - Issue 6 (Dec/Jan), All Posts, Hiking the Highlands, The Appalachian Voice | 1 Comment »

Pickers of all Ages to Take the Stage at RiverFest

Monday, May 9th, 2011 - posted by parker

Appalachian Voices’ 2nd annual RiverFest is coming up on June 4th at the beautiful park in Valle Crucis, N.C. With lots of great activities – from storytelling to fly tying, primitive skills to facepainting – and a variety of vendors, RiverFest promises to be a great day by the river.

Local and regional musicians will provide foot-stompin’ tunes from a solar powered stage. Festival goers can hear blues and bluegrass throughout the day and can even bring their own instruments and join in at the Pickin’ Parlor.

Bill Adams, Banty RoosterBill Adams from Charlottesville, Va., will start the morning off with some solo, acoustic guitar picking. His unique fingerstyle arrangements blend old time and blues and even a little ragtime. His country blues approach to traditional fiddle tunes makes for a fun, one-of-a-kind sound that everyone can enjoy. Sample some of his songs online at www.fngrpkr.com. (11 am – 1 pm)

Boone is full of talented performers of all ages, and some of our younger musicians are taking the stage at RiverFest to show off their skills. Jammers from the Watauga Junior Appalachian Musicians program range from third to eighth grade and attend weekly classes at the Jones House Community Center where they learn traditional folk tunes on guitar, banjo, and fiddle. (1:15 pm to 1:45 pm)

Upright & Breathin'
The mountain sounds of the Boone-based band Upright & Breathin’ will round out the afternoon. The core of Upright & Breathin’ consists of Jeff Moretz, Brian Kreher, and Chris Capozzoli, but the group is frequently joined by other talented musicians. Their songs are some of the best bluegrass tunes around, though they also spice things up with elements of jazz, gypsy swing, and good old fashioned rock & roll. (2 pm – 4 pm)

So, bring your dancing shoes and an instrument if you’ve got one, and don’t miss the Appalachian sounds of these regional acts at RiverFest 2011!

Learn more about RiverFest at www.AppalachianVoices.org/Riverfest.

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Posted in Front Porch Blog | 1 Comment »

Radio Interview: Environmental Concerns for Shenandoah National Park

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 - posted by Tom

A babbling brook.

A fall ridge view in the park.

Appalachian Voices’ Virginia Director Tom Cormons was a guest yesterday on a public radio program focused on the impacts of climate change on Shenandoah National Park. A new report from the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and the Natural Resources Defense Council focuses on impacts to the park and other special places in Virginia. Tom joined the report’s lead author, Stephen Saunders, and park service Ecologist Jim Schaberi on the program.

You can listen to the program here or here.
(more…)

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Posted in Front Porch Blog | No Comments »

GET Going–Trekking The Great Eastern Trail

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 - posted by derek

Story by Derek Speranza

It is only fitting that poet Robert Frost took “the road less traveled by” in his poetry collection entitled Mountain Interval – and now long distance hikers everywhere have a new opportunity to do exactly that.

The Great Eastern Trail is to be a 2,000- mile alternative to the well-worn Appalachian Trail, and it’s growing toward that goal everyday. Volunteers on the GET project are taking a series of existing trails that run parallel to the AT and creating one contiguous route from Alabama to New York.

Becky Morris, West Virginia coordinator for the GET, is working hard to fill in the gaps of the trail, the largest of which are in West Virginia and Alabama.

“In expanding the trail I have to consult with delegates about current and future legislation, work with parks and wildlife management to see which trails will work, and all that good stuff,” said Morris.

She also helped create a hiking club to support the creation of the trail in West Virginia. The newly formed TuGuNu club (a portmanteau of the Tug (Tu), Guyandotte (Gu), and the New (Nu) Rivers) has received a positive response from the community.

“[For the first meeting] we had 40 people show up, and in a town of 800 I’d say that’s great participation.”

The GET is not just another version of the AT – it is unique and exciting because a large part of it is new territory to explore, and it will be completely free of motorized vehicles for the entire length of the trail.

“Our biggest goal is to have people going out and walking, getting physical and healthy,” said Morris, “as opposed to riding ATVs or sitting in front of the TV.”

While a large part of the GET is meant to be hiked, some places will include mountain bike and equestrian trails. Morris also intends to make some sections of the trail wheelchair accessible, because, as she said, “Anyone who wants to get on the trail should be able to.”

According to the GET Association, between 70 and 80 percent of the trail is complete and connected, and the project is well on its way to making the dreams of hikers everywhere come true.

“I guess the biggest thing we want people to know is that it’s an alternative, 2000-mile, challenging trail of beautiful wilderness,” said Morris.

So if you’re out hiking and two roads diverge in a yellow wood, the Great Eastern Trail looks like your best bet.

For more info, contact Becky Morris at queenbecky@mail.com, 304-732-6707, or visit www.greateasterntrail.net

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Posted in 2010 - Issue 2 (Summer), All Posts, The Appalachian Voice | No Comments »

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