Great Outdoor Blog

Women’s Lifestyle Product Line Director Helena Barbour discusses the performance virtues and relatively low environmental impact of the Kamala Tops organic cotton/Tencel® fabric.

Lenzing Fibers Project Manager Tom Burrow discusses the performance, aesthetic and environmental benefits of Tencel, a synthetic cellulose fiber derived from sustainably grown trees.

Check out the Kamala Top by Patagonia at your local shop. New Spring clothing arriving daily.

Raleigh’s new Downtown Circulator bus began service today. Check out the route map on the Raleigh Downtowner/Raleigh Chronicle & this cool Google Map.

UPDATE 2.16.09: Look for improvements by this summer changing standard signs to automated real-time signs and shelters at bus stops to keep you comfortable on rainy days.

Press Release from the Raleigh, NC website:

The name of the new downtown circulator service is the R-Line. A logo also has been developed for the R-Line. Commuters will be able to ride the bus for free. The R-Line will connect employees, residents, conventioneers and other visitors in the central business district to retail and entertainment venues, restaurants and parking. Two environmentally friendly hybrid electric buses, both with 36 seats, will be used on the route. The R-Line will run every 10 to 15 minutes. Hours of operation for the new service will be 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The route for the R-Line will begin at the Raleigh Convention Center and then head south on Salisbury Street. From there it will go: Left on South Street. Left on Wilmington Street. Left on Peace Street. Left on West Street. Right on Tucker Street. Left on Glenwood Avenue. Left on Morgan Street. Right on Dawson Street. Left on Cabarrus Street. Right on Salisbury Street. Conclude at the convention center.

After 6:30 p.m. each day, the R-Line route will be extended to include the City Market area and the Warehouse District. This route extension will have little, if any, effect on the bus’ headway of 10 to 15 minutes.

A majority of restaurants and other attractions are within one block of the R-Line’s route, making the service convenient to commuters. Stops for R-Line are strategically located to better serve attractions and parking venues.

by Evan Thomas Moore, Winston-Salem Staff

You’ve been itching to get outside all week; the weather has been unbelievable, and your hiking boots in the corner of your closet are collecting more dust than mountain dirt. You’ve got to go hiking! But time is precious, and there aren’t enough hours in the day. The Appalachians are too far, you think. Maybe next weekend… Fortunately, for those in Winston-Salem and surrounding cities, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Parks are within close driving distance, so there’s no excuse for delaying that day hike!

As a native of Virginia with a brief track record in North Carolina, I have much exploring still ahead of me; but so far, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock have provided several fun-filled days in the outdoors.

Pilot Mountain, located between Pinnacle and Mount Airy, NC, towers 2,421 feet tall. It is a giant monadnock amongst a heritage-rich landscape and part of the Sauratown Mountain Range. On a clear day, it can be seen miles away, incoming on Route 52 out of Winston. I first visited “Jomeokee,” as the Saura Indians once called it, in October, 2008. While visitors are more than welcome to park at Little Pinnacle Overlook and forego the arduous climb, my friend Jennie and I attempted the Grindstone Trail, which takes hikers from the bottom up with a 500-foot plus elevation gain in under two miles. On this breezy October day, the trees were painted red, orange, and yellow, and as we neared the summit, the tree line thinned to reveal an expansive view of azure skies and vibrant countryside. Immense, white cliffs border the Ledge Spring Trail, which forms a loop with the Grindstone, taking hikers to the overlook. There, visitors are presented with a clear view of Big Pinnacle (Pilot Mountain), home to raptors and ravens.

Jomeokee Trail leads hikers down and around the knob-shaped mountain, but climbing the steep rock walls that make Pilot such a unique monolith is forbidden to ensure the survival of the birds that inhabit it. However, rock climbers frequent the aforementioned cliffs along Ledge Spring Trail. Jennie and I traversed the Jomeokee Trail, awed by Pilot’s bold presence, and assailed by legions of lady bugs, a sign – I am told – of good fortune. And if my first visit to Pilot Mountain is any indication, you better believe I’ll be back in the spring.

Read More in PART II

January 9 – April 19, 2009
NC Museum of Natural Sciences – Raleigh, NC

Update: The Museum has expanded its current exhibit of Wildlife in North Carolina competition photographs to include winning images from the past. Opening Friday, February 6, the “Best of Wildlife in North Carolina Photos” exhibit, now including 65 outstanding images of the natural world in the old north state, will be on display in the main exhibit hall on the second floor through April 19.

View 31 amazing images of North Carolina and get a fresh perspective on our state when the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh exhibits winning entries of the Wildlife in North Carolina 2008 Photo Competition, beginning Friday, January 9, 2009. Jared Lloyd, of Kitty Hawk, won the grand prize with his image of Tulls Creek in Currituck County at dawn, which currently graces the January cover of “Wildlife in North Carolina” magazine.

Now in its fourth year, The Wildlife in North Carolina photo competition is intended to encourage high-quality nature photography and to identify talented wildlife photographers working in North Carolina. This year’s field totaled 6,368 photographs — the largest number of entries to date — submitted by 1,160 photographers, including 156 young nature photographers with entries in two youth categories. The most popular subject was Birds (1,069 entries); followed by Invertebrates (919); Peaks, Valleys and Plains (910); Wild Plants (809); Reptiles and Amphibians (660); Animal Behavior (615); Outdoor Recreation (576) and Mammals (481).

The competition is a collaboration between the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the NC Division of Parks & Recreation, with generous sponsorship by Great Outdoor Provision Co. More information about this and future competitions can be found at www.ncwildlife.org.

UPDATE: Joe Miller has posted a review of the event

Burt Kornegay is on Tour across NC with GOPC this week. We had a great crowd at the Cameron Village shop for his presentation: “By Foothpath & By Paddle.” You can see him tonight in Greensboro & Thursday in Charlotte.

>> More about the show

Feb. 11: Great Outdoor Provision Co., Friendly Shopping Center, Greensboro
Feb. 12: Great Outdoor Provision Co., Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte

Emily (Winston Staff) learns to roll in 15 minutes at the Winston-Salem Pool Session. Check out the video! Way to go, Em! There are three pool sessions remaining this winter: Sundays, February 22, March 1 & 8, from 1-4PM. Bring your boat, paddle, PFD, and skirt (demo equipment available for small fee), and come on out to the Gateway YMCA in downtown Winston-Salem to hone your skills and practice your roll. Contact Don or Ward at the Winston shop, 727-0906, with questions.

by Rudy Hayden, Charlotte Manager

Endurance Magazine is proud to announce North Carolina’s Premier 10 Miler, featuring the Corporate Challenge to be held Saturday, April 25th. Sponsored by Great Outdoor Provision Co., The Tar Heel 10 Miler is a landmark running event that showcases downtown Chapel Hill, downtown Carrboro, and the beautiful surrounding regions.  The shorter and very popular Franklin 5000 (5K) will also take place on the same day.  This event benefits the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign.

Event information and online registration available at endurancemag.com/tarheel10.  Register today! Registration fees increase on February 15th.

3/30/09 UPDATE: ESPN Posted a video story

St. Mary’s & Johnson…just before the hill climb on St. Mary’s this morning.

About the KKC: The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an annual, student-operated race in Raleigh, North Carolina benefiting the NC Children’s Hospital. Beginning in 2004 with a mere 12 participants, the race  has grown exponentially to a whopping 3,000 runners in the 2008 race and has rapidly become one of NC State University’s newest traditions.

Beginning at the NC State Belltower, each runner runs 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store located on Peace St. in Raleigh. After downing a full dozen of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner must run the two miles back. All in one hour.

The challenge attracts a wide range of runners from beginners to serious competitors hailing from all corners of the country. With an expected participation of 5,000 runners, we are expecting the 2009 race to be our greatest (and most beneficial) race yet.

For the 12th straight year, the ECU Adventure Program hosts the Flatlander’s Fling Rock Climbing Competition, held on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 and open to all climbers. Registration for the competition starts at 11am and goes till 12noon, with the competition beginning at 12noon. Pre-registration is not required.

The climbing competition serves as a central gathering point for the climbers in eastern North Carolina. “The Fling allows climbers to challenge themselves and challenge each other in a lively, fun and warm atmosphere,” says event organizer, Kyle Slosek, one of three organizers, “this type of an event brings together people with a variety of skill levels from all over central and eastern North Carolina. We often have brand new climbers coming to compete.” “With this event growing more and more each year we expect to see many new and old faces come out again.” says event organizer, Sean Hanehan.

For ECU students, faculty and staff with a valid ECU identification, the Flatlander’s Fling is $15. For the general public, registration is $20 for adults and $15 for students under the age of 18. Spectators are welcome.

“We host the competition,” says Pam Andrae, event organizer, “in order to promote a supportive climbing community, as well as to educate climbers on climbing access privileges.” The Flatlander’s Fling Climbing Competition is open to all climbers, regardless of ability level. The venue for the indoor competition is the Student Recreation Center (SRC) building; parking is free, click here for parking map.

Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Greenville, NC is proud to sponsor this event.

MORE INFO @ flatlandersfling.org