Great Outdoor Blog

Join us for a slide show and question & answer session about thru-hiking the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail.  John Pugh spent six months on the AT, and has over 6,000 miles of long-distance  backpacking and paddling experience. His trips include hiking the Appalachian Trail (2000), paddling the Mississippi River (2005), Cape Fear River (2006), and Neuse River (2009). Come on out and learn all the tips and tricks to having a successful thru-hike.

All talks begin @ 7pm

• Greenville – Thu, Feb 25
• Chapel Hill – Wed, Mar 3
• Greensboro – Tue, Mar 9
• Raleigh – Tue, Mar 23
• Wilmington – Thu, Mar 25
• Charlotte – Tue, April 6

Great Outdoor Provision Co. is proud to sponsor these great events:

• 13th annual ECU Flatlanders Fling Climbing Competition – Sat, Feb 20
• UNCG Climbing Competition – Sat, Feb 20
• UNCW Seaside Scramble Climbing Competition – Sun, Feb 21

The Carteret County Wildlife Club seeks volunteers to improve and repair one of the major bridges on the Neusiok Hiking Trail in the Croatan National Forest near Havelock, on Saturday February 27, 2010. Work will begin at 8:30 am but participants may come later if necessary. Workers should meet at the Neusiok Trail parking area on NC Hwy 306, approximately 2 miles north of the junction of NC 306 and NC101, which is about five miles east of Havelock, 16 miles west of Beaufort.

We welcome volunteers of every skill level. If you can carry a board, drive a nail, operate a post-hole digger, or are a master at drinking coffee, your presence will be appreciated. Hammers, crowbars, chainsaws, tape measures, and post-hole diggers will be useful. Wear mud-resistant footwear (or plan on wet feet).

A free lunch will be prepared on site. Work is expected to be complete by 4pm, but workers can leave at their pleasure. For more information contact Gene or Sue Huntsman: (252) 447-4061, feeshdr@embarqmail.com, or Roger Mays at (252) 222-0434, mays52@yahoo.com.

We know you have a heart for adventure so check out the upcoming fishing classes, boat demos and kayak sessions. It’s a great time to sharpen up some skills and get ready for the spring. While you’re in the shop check out the new spring arrivals.

Classes will be held at the Cameron Village shop from 6:30-8:30 P.M. Cost is $25 per class, with all materials provided. Payment in advance is required to reserve a place in each class. Call 919-833-1741 or sign up in the Raleigh Shop. New to Tying? The March 2nd or 4th class will be a brief introduction into fly tying and a prerequisite to following 3 classes which can be taken a la carte.

• March 2: Introduction & San Juan Worm, Wooley Bugger
• March 4: Introduction & San Juan Worm, Wooley Bugger
• March 9: Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail
• March 16: Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Thunderhead
• March 23: Saltwater: Clouser Minnow, Murdich’s Wiggler

Fly Tying Classes are also scheduled for Greenville & Winston-Salem

Redfish, Red Drum, Spot tails, Puppy Drum and Blue Tails are just a few of the names describing one of the most popular inshore gamefish saltwater anglers chase. Made famous, and almost extinct, by Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme’s recipe for blackened redfish these great fish have suffered years of abuse at the hands of the commercial fishing industry from Texas to North Carolina, where it is the state fish.

Join a few salty anglers on their journey as they uncover the good, the bad and the ugly facing this invaluable resource on North Carolina’s coast.

“Redfish Can’t Jump” Raleigh Showings
Wednesday, Feb 24
The Pour House Music Hall
224 South Blount Street

7:30 Doors open
8:00 Music from Jason Andre and friends
8:30 First showing
9:30 Second showing

Admission is $5 – you will be entered into a drawing to win some cool stuff.

Film trailer:

Wednesday, March 10
7pm @ Raleigh Shop

Why not have a lofty goal, right? Well, Dan and Bethany did. Ever since Dan was 15, he wanted to kayak the entire east coast of the United States. Once they were married and had the time, Dan and Bethany decided to make that dream a reality. After 15 months of adventure they completed the goal on December 11, 2009. Come here the story of two people who packed their lives into 17 foot long sea kayaks and paddled away.

D & B stopped by the shop last August while paddling off the NC Coast and sent in testimonials for the Spot Messenger & MSR Mutha Hubba Tent.

Read more about their adventure on their blog & facebook page.

Raleigh, NC, January 28, 2010 – SNEWS and Backpacker honored Great Outdoor Provision Co. as the recipient of the 2010 Retailer of the Year Award for Conservation, a recognition given annually to the outdoor retailer who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and who serves as visionary for the outdoor market in the area of conservation.

SNEWS President Michael Hodgson and Backpacker Editor In Chief Jonathan Dorn presented the award on Thursday, January 21, the first day of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City.

“With sales of active outdoor recreation gear and accessories on the rise, specialty outdoor retailers are playing a significant and influential role in the growth and development of our outdoor community, “says Michael Hodgson, president of SNEWS.  “We’re happy to honor their efforts, not only on the retail level, but in the way they are making the outdoors more accessible to consumers.”

“We’re flattered and, quite frankly, stunned to be considered on a par with the other specialty outdoor retailers considered for this award,” said Tom Valone, founder and president of GOPC. “All the credit for earning this honor goes to our customers who are passionate about the outdoors and enthusiastic about supporting our outreach efforts to help the environment.”

The Second Annual Retailer of the Year Award for Conservation was carefully selected through a rigorous judging process that first began in July of 2009 with a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. Over 100 stores across the country received nominations. ? After reviewing all nominations, a slate of finalists—determined by a first round of voting by SNEWS and Backpacker editors—was then presented to a panel of judges who evaluated each store based on personal and customer experience, reputation in the outdoor community, quality of customer feedback from the nomination forms received, and overall store excellence based on demonstrated excellence in community involvement, sustainability efforts, store training levels and more.

About Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Founded in 1972 the Great Outdoor Provision Co. now has seven stores in seven North Carolina cities. The store sells clothing and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts, including those who enjoy hiking, backpacking, paddling, rock climbing and fly fishing. It also carries sportswear and shoes. Great Outdoor Provision Co. supports environmental, youth and human-services organizations in the communities in which it operates. For more information, go to greatoutdoorprovision.com/culture/wesupport.

To thank you for your support and show some love back to the community for being such great customers, we’re having a Customer Appreciation Party!

PLEASE JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
When: Tuesday, May 11th
4:30 – 7:00 PM

Where: Great Outdoor Provision Co.
2017 Cameron Street, Raleigh, NC 27605

What: Raffle Prizes, Free Giveaways, Food and Spirits, Live Music

UNCW Continuing Studies Course

Learn about fishing opportunities in North Carolina, the appropriate gear for fly fishing and some of the skills required to get started. The three-part course covers:

March 3: Fly Fishing Gear – compare and contrast types of fishing in taking a closer look at the gear and discussing some of the many fly fishing destinations in the state.

March 10: Fly Tying – learn the basic techniques required to tie flies by completing one fly pattern.

March 17: Casting – a two-hour, hands-on session which covers the basic components of fly casting. (All equipment is provided. This session meets from 2 – 4 p.m.)

For 11 years, Tim Glover has managed the Great Outdoor Provision Co.’s Wilmington store. He began his fishing career early, learning to fish with his father on trips to the Outer Banks and by fishing in every farm pond within biking or walking distance from his home in Chapel Hill. Glover has taught numerous fly fishing classes, including courses on casting and fly tying.

$89 Osher Members; $99 Non-Member

Register Online – Deadline March 1

From The Brooks Blog:

The Cascadia 5 for Men and Women is now officially available. Special thanks to Brooks-sponsored ultra runner  Scott Jurek for his insight into the design process and insider’s view on this award-winning trail shoe’s updates.

What is your role in the design process at Brooks?
I work closely with the Brooks footwear design team on all steps of the design process from planning, reviewing sketches and early shoe samples, wear testing, and relaying feedback from the field (i.e. retailers and customers). The footwear team is very interested in new ideas and receptive in designing shoes that provide optimum function and performance. I feel fortunate to be a part of this team process

How is designing a trail shoe different from designing a road shoe?

In designing a trail shoe it is important to take into account all the surfaces and environments that a trail user encounters. In addition, the biomechanics that the foot and ankle encounter running on these surfaces is critical so that the trail shoe provides normal movement and function while assuring stability and performance in a varied trail environment.

Trails offer more obstacles and uneven surfaces than roads. How does the Cascadia 5 help keep a runner stable while staying flexible and light?
The low profile design of the midsole and outsole, base of support through footprint surface area, and the independently stabilizing Pivot Posts in the Cascadia 5 create a very stable trail shoe. The spacing in the one-piece outsole lug design, minimized outsole thickness, flexible Ballistic Rock Shield, and light BioMoGo midsole all contribute to a flexible and light ride.

W’s Cascadia 5 – $100

What updates do you think people will notice the most in the Cascadia 5?

Cascadia 5 users can expect the same ride and feel in previous versions of the Cascadia, as we kept the same award winning midsole and outsole. The Cascadia 5 update story is in the upper where we improved the midfoot wrap to create a better connection between the foot and the midsole-outsole complex. This will make for greater stability and a feeling that the shoe is a part of the foot. Cascadia 5 users will notice greater stability where it matters most: downhills and technical trail sections.

Are there any features people won’t notice at first but you’d like to call out?

A lot of runners ask about waterproof uppers, and an often missed feature of the Cascadia 5 is its ability to drain water and dry quickly. Because trail users often encounter above-ankle deep water (creek crossings) or water enters above the collar (because of puddles), waterproof shoes are not a solution to the problem. It is inevitable that trail shoes will get water inside them.  And if you are in a hot dry environment, moisture from sweat and heat retention are the issues. It’s not a matter IF the feet will get wet, it’s WHEN. We designed the Cascadia 5 upper with hydrophobic microfibers and meshes that allow optimal water escape, maximum breathability, and quick dry time.

Most importantly, the Cascadia 5 is not only performance driven, it is making strides towards being “lighter” on the earth. The HPR green rubber outsole and BioMoGo midsole are key components that are “lighter” on the earth during production and post consumer. I feel it is important that our gear we use to enjoy the trail is produced with the least impact so we and our future generations can enjoy it as much as we do. I am excited that Brooks is taking strides towards this goal.

What makes you Run Happy, Scott?

Running a ribbon of single track trail on a ridgeline as the sun is rising or setting…Happy Trails!

M’s Cascadia 5 – $100

Also in stock: Brooks Adrenaline ASR 6