Great Outdoor Blog

YARMOUTH, Maine — (March 9, 2011) — The DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator has been honored as a recipient of a 2011 Backpacker Magazine Editors’ Choice Award. The most prestigious award in the outdoor industry, it is given annually to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials, and/or performance.

The Earthmate PN-60w is a rugged, waterproof handheld GPS offering full navigation capabilities, plus the unique ability to create custom Type & Send text messages for delivery via the SPOT Satellite Communicator. Users can explore and stay connected with family, buddy lists, social network sites, and emergency responders, even if far beyond the reach of cell phone service.

The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards, bestowed annually since 1993, honor the products that Backpacker editors have chosen as the best of the year based on months of trail testing by teams of highly experienced hikers and climbers. With no set categories for the awards and no set number of recipients, the products and the testing process drive the award categories.
The Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator was one of only 13 innovative products that have been honored with a 2011 Backpacker Editors’ Choice Award.

High-Tech Trifecta
“Here’s a high-tech trifecta,” Backpacker said in describing the PN-60w and SPOT messaging capabilities. “Navigate the backcountry and call for emergency help and stay connected with those at home.”

Backpacker Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn explained how his staff, led by Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter, conducts their testing.

“With a core team that has several centuries of combined trail time, along with first descents, decades of retail experience, and expertise in every backcountry discipline, Kristin puts new products through an unprecedented level of real-world abuse in every terrain and weather imaginable,” said Dorn. “She also oversees a transparent process that has earned an unrivaled amount of trust from readers, retailers, and manufacturers. The results are reviews that lead consumers to smart, durable products that consistently prove their worth with years of best-in-class performance.”

DeLorme Vice President Caleb Mason added, “The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Award bestows enormous credibility and we are very proud to add this to the numerous honors we’ve already received for this product.”

Indeed, the Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator has been the most-honored outdoor GPS product since it was launched in September. Previous honors include Popular Mechanics 2010 Breakthrough Award, 2010 National Geographic Gear of the Year honors, and a 2011 Consumer Electronics Association Innovations Award.

>> More Info

The NC Paddle Trail Association continues its discussion with state agencies on preserving, protecting and enhancing public access to our waterways at NC DOT bridge crossings. I am looking for examples of the good, the bad and the ugly bridge crossing examples (see below). I would appreciate any photos you could share with me on bridge crossing access sites. Photos of bridges that have been replaced that had adequate access facilities but now access has been eliminated due to the replacement of the bridge would be excellent (before and after). Also where new designs have eliminated or impacted negatively access would be appreciated also. And finally, photos of any and all bridge crossing access sites you have would be appreciated.

Please include as much information as possible about the bridge location, water body name, road name or SR number, GPS coordinates if you have them, county, etc.

This information will be invaluable as we engage the state agencies in providing access to our public waterways. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tom Potter, Executive Director
tmpotter@coastalnet.com
NC Paddle Trails Association

Support the Educators of Excellence Fund, Win a Kayak!

Through the end of Teacher Appreciation Month, February 2011, support the Educators of Excellence Fund by purchasing raffle tickets for your chance to win a Hurricane Santee 116 kayak and paddle, donated by Great Outdoor Provision Co! The winner also receives a day trip for four with a Museum naturalist to try out their new kayak.

Tickets will be on sale all month online, at the Museum store, and at Great Outdoor Provision Co. stores.

$5 for one ticket
$20 for five tickets

>> Buy Raffle Tickets

If you’re passionate about sea kayaking you’ll love the new Kayak Customizer tool from P&H Sea Kayaks

http://www.phseakayaks.com/kayakCustomiser.php

Save the date for an evening of short, entertaining films related to water.  Each screening will open with a wine and cheese reception, followed by a series of short, entertaining films related to water.  Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for children or students with a school ID.

A few highlights from the 2011 Riverkeeper Film Festival will include the award winning comedy about a woman’s strange dreams after gorging herself on clam pie, a documentary short that follows a family’s journey to the glacial apron of a mountain, and Rain Down From Above, a film by Russian animator Ivan Maximov.  Festival-goers will also hear the story of a group of volunteers who risk their lives to disentangle humpback whales from marine debris.  A short documentary film created by Exploris Middle School students will also be shown at the Raleigh screening of the Riverkeeper Film Festival.  The film, Kids Can Conserve, is a clever, fun and upbeat take on how kids can make a positive impact on the environment.

Thursday, Jan 13
Raleigh Riverkeeper Film Festival in Five Points Neighborhood

An open house wine and cheese reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Third Place and the films will begin at 7:30 at the Rialto Theater.

Friday, Jan 14
Durham Riverkeeper Film Festival at the Durham Arts Council

A wine and cheese reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with music by Country Time bluegrass band.  The films will begin at 7:00.

Friday, Jan 21 — Oriental Riverkeeper Film Festival
Saturday, Jan 22 — New Bern Riverkeeper Film Festival

Visit neuseriver.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

Late in the summer I decided to enter in my first kayak fishing tournament. I have kayak fished off and on for several years, mostly fly fishing, but have recently started fishing local lakes and at the coast in S. Carolina. For my first tournament, I chose the 2nd Annual Hardcore Invitational 2010 “Back in Black” tournament hosted by the fine folks from the Hardcore Kayak Fishing Team.  The tournament this year was the same as last year’s; the upper section of Lake Wylie near Mt. Holly, NC. Even though it’s part of Lake Wylie, this section of the lake is more river than lake; which makes sense since Lake Wylie is part of the Catawba River chain of lakes.

This year’s format was limited to 40 kayaks/canoes, no motors of any kind, and was a photo catch and release event where the biggest fish could win up to $500.00. Like most photo catch and release tournaments, anglers are kept honest by drawing a marker which must be included with every photo submitted for judging; the Hardcore boys keep it simple by using a deck of playing cards. In addition to the marker, anglers were required to use an approved measuring device to record their catch.

To prep for the tournament, I was able to pre-fish the area once a few weeks ago. Ideally I wanted to pre-fish the area a few more times, but a combination of scheduling and weather meant my on the water intel was limited. Combined with the fact that I’m more of a fly fisherman than a spinning angler, and I was concerned that I would only have a fair chance at best to even place in the top 10. Most of the folks fishing the tournament have been kayak fishing for years and I was venturing into their backyard for only the 2nd time.

I arrived at the launch just after 6 am, unloaded my truck, set up my gear and waited for the day’s event to start. At sign in, I drew the 3 of clubs from the deck of cards and Tim Stewart from Hardcore wrote my slot number (27) and my nickname “I’m a Dude” on the marker. The short version of why my nickname is “I’m a dude”, is that Tim initially thought I was female kayaker and he was pumped to have more than one woman kayaker enter the tourney; sorry to disappoint you there Tim. At just after 7am, 36 anglers hit the water and waited patiently for the blessing of the fleet and playing of the National Anthem before the start of the tournament. Once the last note of the anthem played, kayakers scattered everywhere with aspirations of boating a fish big enough to win the $500 grand prize.

I decided to try my luck downstream and headed towards Sadler Island about 2 miles away. Based on my research I hoped the winning fish would be somewhere in that region. The trip to the island was brisk with the sun rising over the trees and a cool mist on the water. As I made my way to the fishing grounds, I made a few casts here and there whenever I saw something on my fishfinder that looked promising, but the day was still early and the fish were not cooperating. As I made my way around Sadler Island, I had one or two promising bumps on my line, but still no hook ups. I was starting to question my tactics, research, and my gear selection just a bit.

Just before I rounded the bottom of Sadler Island, I switched lures from a larger white spinnerbait to a white chatterbait. Paddling back upstream, I worked the docks at the Tailrace Marina, but still no fish. Few things can be more frustrating or discouraging than not catching fish. This feeling was beginning to really get worse as I became worried that I wouldn’t even catch a fish during my first tournament. But, I still had at least 3 hours to make some magic happen and I kept plugging away. Just after 10 am, I decided what I needed was a scented lure to entice the fish to bite. So, I took a Gulp worm, cut it in half and replaced the trailer on my chatterbait.

Casting my newly modified rig, I worked the seam along a ledge in an area that where some fish showed on my fishfinder. A couple of missed takes boosted my hopes and let me know my lure selection and location might produce results. After about 15 to 20 minutes of working that area, I finally felt the rod load and I made sure I set the hook knowing this could be my only fish of the day. After a short fight, I got a decent sized bass to the boat. Nothing spectacular, but I was thrilled because it was my first tournament bass and I wasn’t going home now with a shutout. Not wanted to ruin the photo of my only fish of the day, I made sure I had a good grip on the fish’s lip, grabbed my marker, camera, and my fish ruler. Three quick photos later and a fast glance to make sure they were good quality, I slipped the bass back into the water. I was on the board with a small, but respectable 14.5” bass.

The rest of the day was even tougher than the first three hours. I only caught one more fish and because it was a catfish, I couldn’t count it. So, just after 1 pm I came in, loaded my gear back on the truck and turned my photo in for scoring. Early reports from anglers coming back to the launch indicated that fishing was tough for everyone. Based on these reports, I realized that at 14.5 inches my fish might easily be a top 10 fish. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the all the scoring so I had to wait until later to find out the final results. Later in the evening I got a voicemail from Tim Stewart informing me I tied for 5th place and earned $50 for my catch. For my first kayak fishing tournament I will gladly take fifth place, especially knowing the level of competition I faced.

Gwen works in our Charlotte store where he runs the Paddlesports department. In addition to kayak fishing, Gwen is a sea kayaker and a whitewater boater. Gwen’s boat of choice for this tournament was the Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 13 Angler.

Numerous Closeout & Demo Models! Most Demos are lightly used.

Prices only vaild in Raleigh & Charlotte
Sale prices valid Sept 8-27, 2010
While Supplies last. No Rain Checks or Special Orders. No Transfers.

>> CHARLOTTE PRICE LIST

>> RALEIGH PRICE LIST

Numerous Closeout & Demo Models! Most Demos are lightly used.

Prices only vaild in Raleigh & Charlotte
UPDATE: Sale has been extended to Sept 27, 2010
While Supplies last. No Rain Checks or Special Orders. No Transfers.

>> CHARLOTTE PRICE LIST

>> RALEIGH PRICE LIST

Usually, you can find me at the Greenville shop, swapping stories, selling cool gear, or drooling over the new sea kayak models and climbing ropes. But, his summer I’m spending my time working at Pamlico Sea Base working as a sea kayaking guide. I fell in love with it last summer so I decided to spend another summer here. Pamlico Sea Base is right on the waterfront of the Pamlico River. Our little staff cabin looks out over the water and the views are always awesome. Our sea kayaking trips take place out at the outer banks. Every night I watch the sunset over the Pamlico River, or over the Atlantic Ocean while sitting on a beach. Its a pretty beautiful life.

When I’m out guiding, I lead groups of Boy Scouts and Venture Crews on multi-day sea kayaking trips out at Cape Lookout National Seashore. The national seashore consists of three islands in a chain that together equal more than 75 miles of unspoiled, protected beaches. If you’ve ever wanted to stand on a beach and see nothing but waves, sand and sea oats, this is the place for you. No houses or hotels or piers. Over on the sound sides, the wetlands teeming with life while ocean side is open, empty beach for as far as you can see. With the Boy Scouts, we paddle from island to island or campsite to campsite, sleeping on the beach every night. Everything we need we fit into our sea kayaks. Sometimes we’re stuck hiding in marsh grass during bad storms, and sometimes the bugs are a nightmare, but when you paddle with a pod of dolphins, or watch the sunrise over the ocean all the irritations and troubles fade away. When my summer ends I’ll be right back at the Greenville shop. Oh, and if you ever go sea kayaking, or beach camping, take baby powder with you. It’s a lifesaver!

Ali Williams
GOPC Greenville Staff

Ali’s blog: wayfinderali.blogspot.com

For more than a decade, paddlers in the Triangle have worked with City & County governments to bring their dream of a whitewater park to the Neuse River below the Falls Lake Dam. With nearly $350,000 already allocated by local governments, the Falls Whitewater Park Committee is working to make this dream come true. Join the committee on Tuesday, July 27, to learn more about the plans for this project.