Horace Kephart Weekend

The second annual Horace Kephart Weekend in Bryson City, North Carolina will be held on April 30 - May 2, this year.

This special event celebrates the life and works of author and national park advocate Horace Kephart. It's sponsored by the Swain County Chamber of Commerce, the Horace Kephart Foundation, the Great Smoky Mountains Association, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All events are free and open to the public.

Friday, April 30: Park rangers or volunteers will lead two guided hikes in the Deep Creek area. The long hike will be to Bryson Place (12 miles roundtrip) and the short hike will be under 5 miles roundtrip. At 7:00 p.m. at the Arts Center in Bryson City there will be a special illustrated program on Horace Kephart and George Masa and a major announcement relating to their works.

Saturday, May 1: There will be a Ceremony at the Cemetery at 10 am. Then starting at 12 noon at the Train Depot there will be music with Daniel Gore and friends, a camping reenactment, music with Lee Knight, and a Kephart Family Book Signing with GSMA Book and photo sales.

Sunday, May 2: At the Historic Calhoun House there will be Cherokee Storytelling and music by Lee Knight.

For more information go to www.horacekephart.com.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Challenges facing the Appalachian Trail

According to a new assessment released earlier in the week by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Appalachian National Scenic Trail faces many challenges that put the experience of visitors and trail resources at risk. Adjacent land development on privately owned land, sources of air pollution, and funding shortfalls impacts the ability of trail managers to protect historic structures and preserve trail resources.

“The Appalachian Trail attracts millions of hikers each year, and we must ensure its unique American experience is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Ron Tipton, NPCA’s senior vice president of policy.

According to the new assessment, approximately 10 miles of the immediate Trail corridor are not publicly owned, and only about 150 properties remain to be acquired to protect trail resources. Many of these areas remain vulnerable to incompatible development or land use, including proposed pipelines, powerlines, residences, energy-producing wind turbines, and motorized off-road vehicle and mountain bike use. A primary way that trail managers can protect additional lands is through support from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program that provides funds for land acquisition.

“Our long-sought goal of establishing a permanent right-of-way and publicly owned greenway surrounding the Appalachian Trail is now within reach, with less than 10 miles and 150 properties remaining to be acquired,” said David Startzell, ATC’s executive director. “But the goal of protecting those lands, the natural and cultural resources within them, and the adjacent landscapes surrounding them remains a never-ending challenge - one that requires on-going public and private support.”

While Congress has funded AT land acquisitions consistently over the past 30 years, additional public/private funding is critical for resource protection. The National Park Service and the ATC have a unique management partnership, in which these organizations share resources, but are forced to make difficult decisions on how limited funding is spent.

For example, staffing and funding is needed to interpret historic sites and expand community-outreach programs. Report findings indicate the trail could benefit from National Register of Historic Places designation, which could make the trail eligible for additional funding.

Another challenge facing the trail in some locations is poor air quality, which has a profound effect on hiker health and enjoyment of the trail. The NPCA and the ATC are advocating for stronger regulations on nearby coal-fired power plants and other sources of pollution to improve air quality and protect the health of hikers, wildlife, and trail resources.

To view a copy of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail: A Special Report, and take action to help protect the park, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Bear Grylls: Fan vs. Wild Challenge

Bear Grylls: Love him or hate him. If you love him, this is your chance to meet your hero. Hate him, and maybe this is your chance to possibly show him up and prove you're tougher.

The Discovery Channel is running a Fan vs. Wild Challenge contest now through April 30th. Before that deadline, those interested must submit a photo and brief essay explaining how you embrace the thrill of adventure every day and why you'd make a great candidate for the Fan vs. Wild program.

Four fans will be selected to participate in a Bear Grylls'-led boot camp with pro athletes in western Canada this June. Throughout the adventure, Bear will assess the fans' ability to embrace various adrenaline-pumping challenges. This portion of the contest will air as a multi-part video series on Discovery.com in August.

At the end of the competition, one of the four participants will be chosen to go with Bear on a full-length Man vs. Wild adventure to air on the Discovery Channel this fall.

Since this is a promotion involving Degree Men Deodorant (I assume this is the reason), only men 21 years of age and older are allowed to participate.

Please click here for more information and to enter the contest.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

The GSMA is looking for suggestions

The Great Smoky Mountains Association is in the process of scheduling outdoor activities and they're looking for some input from you on what YOU would recommend for a great outdoor program. What are YOUR interests... including topics for indoor programs?

Birding, history hikes, wildflower walks, salamander forays? Have a favorite trail you'd like to visit again, but with an interpretive guide? The possibilities are endless, limited only to the imagination!

Pass on suggestions by calling Judy at 865-436-7318 ext. 222 or Marti at ext. 254 or e-mail Judy at Judy@GSMAssoc.org. The GSMA can't promise they'll honor your request, but they'll do their best.

You can also use the same contact information if you're interested in volunteering at GSMA or the Wildflower Pilgrimage events. There may be times when a helping hand would be a welcomed asset.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Hazards remain at Grandfather Mountain

Although the 12-mile trail network has reopened at Grandfather Mountain State Park, rangers warn that extremely hazardous conditions remain in the park’s backcountry area, according to a press release from the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Downed trees and debris remain on some sections of trail, and at higher elevations, ice and snow remain with drifts up to four feet deep. More than 81 inches of snow has been recorded on the mountain this winter. Trails could be dangerous when hiking through debris and on ice, and trail markers on rock faces may not be visible, making navigation difficult.

Due to conditions on Grandfather Mountain, hikers should allow extra time to complete the selected hike.

In spring, the weather can change quickly, and hikers should be prepared for winter conditions. Hikers should carry a pack with essential gear including water, extra socks, hat, gloves, rain protection, extra food, a flashlight and basic first aid supplies. Hiking boots are necessary, and proper clothing includes layers of insulating and moisture-wicking synthetic fiber.

For more information on hiking at Grandfather Mountain State Park, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

GSMA hike to the Sugarlands Stone House

Join avid and knowledgeable hikers, Roger and Mae Snyder, for the Great Smoky Mountain Association's first Spring hike to the Sugarlands Stone House.

Believed to have been built by the CCC as a lodge, the building's walls are constructed almost entirely of stone and are 18 feet in height, not a small task considering it was built somewhere between 1933 and 1942.

Though the building has been considerably damaged by fallen trees and plunder, and the roof and loft have been removed, it still remains an archeological remnant of the park's history.

While the round-trip distance is about 6 miles, participants should be aware the last mile or so is off-trail and requires some rock-hopping over a stream and some steep climbing prior to arriving at the house.

Plan on wearing appropriate clothing and hiking boots, and pack a lunch and water.

The hike will take place on Saturday, May 1. It's limited to 20 people. Reservations, along with a $10 fee, are required. To avoid disappointment please call early: 865-436-7318, extension 222 or 254.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Scout admits to steroids use

In a shocking revelation that's rocking the hiking community today, Smoky Scout has publicly admitted to using steroids during her quest to hike all 800+ miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Last year during her Girl Scout Challenge to raise money for the Girl Scouts, Sharon (a.k.a. Smoky Scout) began using steroids in order to boost her performance and endurance on the trail.

Although steroids as of now aren't considered to be a banned substance for hikers, officials of the 900 Miler Club are considering stripping Smoky Scout of her club membership. In a statement released earlier today, Smoky Scout said that she intends to appeal this decision immediately. She is also asking for mercy on humanitarian grounds from 900 Miler Club officials, and is asking that they simply put an asterisk next to her name in the records book.

Rightly so, Smoky Scout points out that there is no way of knowing how many other hikers have resorted to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs while hiking all of the trails in the Smokies.

During her interview on the Oprah Show this morning, Sharon revealed for the first time that she was approached by an undercover ranger late last February while hiking on the Gregory Bald Trail with two other companions. The ranger stated that he was acting on an anonymous tip that she was using steroids during her quest to hike all 800+ trails in the Smokies and needed a urine sample to prove otherwise.

In typical fashion with most Oprah interviews, Sharon began crying at this point in the interview as she described what happened next. As you might expect, this would be quite an embarrassing situation. However, Smoky Scout wasn't embarrassed due to fear of mockery or shame from her two hiking companions. No, as you see, there aren't many trees up on Gregory Bald. Her concern was over where to conduct her test in such an open setting.

After a lot of sobbing and a few mumbled words we couldn't really understand, Sharon blurted out to Oprah; "For the love of God, it's not like I'm riding in the Tour de France!"

True. But fairness is fairness.

Dale Ditmanson, Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said in a press release this morning that he was shocked and dismayed that hikers are now resorting to performance-enhancing drugs. "Hiking was the last major sport to be plagued by steroid use. I guess it was only a matter of time before it became a reality in this great sport of ours." He hopes this is just an outlier and that officials can nip this problem in the bud.

Personally, my only hope is that this incident doesn't taint our chances of hiking being added to the 2016 Olympics. If the hiking community is committed to seeing our sport elevated to Olympic status, I suggest that we come together and start doing random drug testing at all the major trailheads on federal lands, including all trails in our national parks. I agree with Mr. Ditmanson, we need to clean this sport up once and for all.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.