Great Outdoor Blog

Guided hikes, trail building and raffle tickets for outdoor equipment will launch the first Mountains to Sea Trails Month in October co-sponsored by Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail (FMST) and Great Outdoor Provision Co.

The Mountains to Sea Trail is a linear state park that will eventually stretch from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Approximately half of the 1,000 mile length has been completed, most on federal and state lands.

“October is one of the best months to experience the trail,” said Kate Dixon, FMST executive director. “The temperature is cool for hiking or trail building and the fall colors will be terrific.”

Throughout the month FMST will offer guided hikes at some of the most scenic spots along the trail. There will also be trail construction days. Some of the handful of people who have hiked the entire trail will be making presentations across the state. The trail is roughly the equivalent of the distance from Raleigh to Boston.

Great Outdoor Provision Co.. a local outdoor retailer based in North Carolina, will conduct a raffle during the month with all proceeds going to help pay for additional construction of the trail. Great Outdoor Provision Co. will raffle prizes with a total value of more than $5000.

“The Mountains to Sea Trail is everything that’s good about the outdoors,” said Tom Valone, president . “It provides opportunities for families for a great selection of day hikes and the challenges and multi-day wilderness experience that backpackers are seeking. Our company is pleased to be part of this effort.”

Starting in mid-August more detailed information about Mountains to Sea Trail Month will be available on the FMST website at www.ncmst.org and www.greatoutdoorprovision.com.

We had 70 volunteers out working at Falls Lake this past Saturday - what a HOT Day!  We put in over 550 hours of work in one day on the MST!

We built about 1 mile of trail, 3 boardwalks, and carried two dump truck loads of trash out of the woods. We had a cookout afterwards courtesy of the Corps of Engineers.  Bruce Wisely received a plaque from the Army Corps - Partnership Award for all of his hard work at Fall Lake - Congrats Bruce!

Thanks to Parks and Rec for allowing us to use the shelter for free at Rolling View.  FYI - if you would like to camp out the same weekends as we work at Falls Lake - Rolling View will allow you to camp for free since we are working on the Falls Lake Trail.  Prior arrangements will need to be made for this - so please plan ahead as needed.

Thanks to Wildlife for the truck to remove trash - we have about 2 more loads to go.

Next workday is July 19, 2008 - Let’s hope its cooler than 102.

Thanks to everyone that worked on the MST at Falls Lake - what a great National Trails Day!

Jeff Brewer
FMST
www.ncmst.org

The Tar Heel state is a treasure trove of superlatives: she is home to the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains (Mt. Mitchell, elevation: approx. 6,684 ft.), and sports the highest sand dune on the Atlantic coast (Jockey’s Ridge). As luck would have it (or perhaps, fate?), we have also been blessed with a trail that not only provides an opportunity to experience the highlights of North Carolina’s “great outdoors,” but also serves as an enjoyable tour for the points in-between.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, established in 1973 with the approval of the North Carolina Trails System Act, has sought to connect the western and easternmost reaches of the state. According to Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the nonprofit organization charged with maintaining the trail’s integrity and original vision, the trail runs over 1000 miles, “consisting of footpaths, roads, and state bike routes.” And fortunately, most of the trail is easily accessible – perfect for the outdoor enthusiast with a busy schedule.

Over the next several months, Great Outdoor Provision Co. will reveal some of the best “weekend getaway” trips along the MST. Additionally, experts who have experienced the trail firsthand will discuss helpful hiking tips to make your backwoods experience in North Carolina, be it a simple scramble to the summit of Dare County’s looming sand dunes, a “dart” to the top of one of North Carolina’s many rhododendron-covered peaks, or something in-between. Guided hikes, trail workdays, and information sessions will also be held by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail organization on a regular basis, with updates posted on our website at frequent intervals. Ultimately, it’s all about getting you “there and back with gas left in your tank.”

-TFV

» Next Workday is July 19 INFO

Celebrate National Trails Day by helping to build the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

May 24-25, 2008 - Blue Ridge Parkway - US-421 south towards US-321 - Come help the Chargers and Rechargers Task Force build the MST.

Boone/Blowing Rock – Blue Ridge Parkway : Saturday, June 7
8:30 a.m.
Meet on Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of US 421 entrance
RSVP to Allen de Hart — (919) 496-4771 or adh4771@aol.com

Wilkesboro – Blue Ridge Parkway : Saturday, June 14
8:30 a.m.
Meet at the Lump Overlook (MP 264.5) just south of NC 16 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
RSVP to Jim Hallsey – (336) 877-8831or jhallsey2@cs.com

Morganton – near Grandfather Mountain : Monday, June 2
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meet at K-Mart parking lot in Morganton
RSVP to Bob Benner — (828) 437-6635

Triangle – Falls Lake : Saturday, June 7
Workday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cookout for all volunteers: 4:00 p.m. after the workday!
Meet at Rolling View State Recreation Area off Highway 98 in eastern Durham County
RSVP to Jeff Brewer – (919) 868-6274 or jdbrewer@bellsouth.net

Tools are provided for all workdays, but extra loppers, bowsaws and mattocks are always welcome. Please wear work clothes and bring a bag lunch, plenty of water, work gloves, hiking boots and sunscreen. Sorry no dogs allowed at workdays for safety reasons. Please consult us before bringing any children under the age of 12.

Flower Hill Rhodo Ramble Open House
May 3, 2008, 9 a.m. - noon
Join us for our traditional early May visit to this Johnston County jewel for the magnificent blooms of Catawba rhododendron and other wildflowers. In the mid-1930s, thousands of visitors flocked each year to behold the bountiful blooms. B.W. Wells, the prominent early 20th century naturalist, called Flower Hill a “freak of nature” for its natural stands of Catawba rhododendron, a mountain species out of its element amid the flat farmland of the Coastal Plain.

The Flower Hill Rhodo Ramble this year is one of our 25th Anniversary Outings. To make this year’s outing special we’re trying something new. In addition to the traditional interpretive walk led by local naturalists, we’re holding the event as an Open House. Volunteers will be on-site from 9 a.m. to noon to talk about the history of Flower Hill and its unique ecosystem.

Visitors can explore the preserve on their own or sign-up for the guided walk (begins at 10 a.m.; limit 30).

Registration is required for the guided walk due to the limited number of spaces available. Click here to register.

Registration is not required for other visitors to the Open House.

For Flower Hill directions and a locator map, click here.

They ask that you please leave your pet(s) at home for TLC outings.

Come help FMST extend the Falls Lake Trail to Durham!

Wake and Durham Counties - All land agencies have approved the MST routing from Old Boyce Mill Road to Rolling View (Phase II - 6 miles). The Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail (FMST) will host a work day at Falls Lake, a segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on Saturday - see above dates from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will also consist of new trail construction (natural surface - hiking only) such as clearing brush, moving logs, and picking up debris. Additional volunteers and volunteer groups are welcomed. Volunteers must RSVP to 919-868-6274 or jdbrewer@bellsouth.net so we can plan work projects and have enough tools. Tools needed for the day include loppers, bowsaws, and mattocks. The FMST will supply most of the tools for this event. Please wear work clothes and bring a bag lunch, plenty of water, work gloves, hiking boots, and sunscreen. Sorry no dogs allowed at our workdays for safety reasons. If you are under the age of 12, please consult us before attending workdays.

All interested should meet at the Rolling View State Recreation Area at 9:00 AM shart. To get to Rolling View take Highway 98 to Baptist Road (at Neal Middle School) and follow it to Rolling View. Look for signs on the road that say “MST Work”.

Great Outdoor Provision Co. will be providing Chick-fil-a breakfast for the workers!

Next workday - June 7, 2008 - National Trails Day

Local artist & Wilmington customer, James Davis, is sill going strong after seven weeks on the Appalachian Trail. He’s north of Hot Springs and his “hi-ly-larus” adventure (with pics) can be followed at his web site myxolydian.com

High performance meets high capacity. Mobilize your party with Jetboil’s latest cooking system.

Helios is an all-in-one cooking system that covers the gamut, from melting snow to prepping robust meals for you and your crew. Helios lights quickly and reliably with the click of a button. The system burns liquid fuel, so you can use every last drop in your canister and every boil is consistent. Clip on the windscreen for a steady burn in 10 + mph winds.

Includes:

• 2L FluxRing Pot (3L optional) with neoprene cozy
• Pot-supporting burner base
• Push-button igniter assembly
• Fuel can stabilizer
• Snap-on windscreen
• Lid and bottom cover that doubles as a plate (lid makes a good ‘flying disc’ for added fun around camp)

Features and Benefits:

• Easy to use, all-in-one cooking system for uses ranging from melting snow to preparing gourmet meals. For groups up to five.
• Liquid fuel canister injection for convenience, reliability, and consistent output
• High efficiency, low carbon emission
• High capacity cooking- 2 liter Fluxring Pot included with standard edition. Guide additional also includes a 3 liter pot.
• Heat-resistant nylon lid can be used as a plate
• Easy Push-button ignition.
• Lights quickly and reliably in 10 + mph/ 16 + kph winds
• Kit includes: 2 liter pot (3L optional), lightweight burner base, remote push-button igniter, fuel can stabilizer, and windscreen.

Technical Specifications:

• Boil Time: 3 min for 1L at 68oF
• Average Efficiency: 72% (24 1L boils per 230g / 8 oz canister)
• Boil Time Consistency: 23 sequential 3-min 1L boils
• Useable temperature range: -10oF – 100oF (measured range)
• Volume: 2 liters, with optional 3L pot as accessory or with purchase of Guide Edition
• Dimensions: Standard- 4.5” x 8.25” diameter, packed ; Guide - 5.1” x 9.5” diameter, packed
• Weight: Standard 28 oz; Guide 48 oz

Helios 2L system: $149.95

Released by Nalgene 4.9.08:

We are confident that Nalgene polycarbonate bottles, which contain the chemical BPA, are safe for their intended use. For many years, scientists, government officials, industry groups and consumer groups have examined the question of whether BPA poses a health risk to people. The great weight of scientific evidence from such studies demonstrates that the risks from exposure to BPA in polycarbonate bottles are negligible and theoretical.

The recent study reported in Toxicology Letters confirms our longstanding position that the amount of BPA released from polycarbonate bottles – regardless of whether the water in those bottles is hot or cold – is extremely small and far below established safety standards. The agencies that have set these standards include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the European Food and Safety Authority, and the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

We have been making our polycarbonate products in the USA for more than 15 years; the safety and integrity of our products are supported by several key practices:

• We only use FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) compliant materials and resins.
• Our manufacturing facilities are quality certified by ISO; as a result, we believe we offer higher-quality products than those made overseas.
• All of our products are manufactured here, in the United States.

Therefore, we are confident that it is safe for you to drink from our bottles.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to those customers who are committed to our brand and products. We are, and have always been, deeply committed to creating a safe, high quality, environmentally friendly product to meet our customers’ needs.

We also recognize that our customers want a variety of choices and make their decisions based on a wide range of factors, including functionality, style, convenience and safety. As such, we continue to offer the broadest product line in the industry, with a range of choices (both with and without BPA) to meet the needs of every consumer.

Backpacker Get Out More Tour
Cameron Village Shop
Thu, April 17
4-5pm

Join Backpacker’s all-star Get Out More Team for an engaging 60 minute seminar full of trail-tested tips and the latest in outdoor gear and apparel. Seasoned tour hosts Sheri and Randy Propster will share their personal stories and extensive outdoor expertise to help you get the most out of your next outdoor adventure.

From packs, poles and sleeping bags, to jackets, socks and guides, Backpacker’s Get Out More Team will provide you with useful information about the gear and skills you need to get out more.

» MORE INFO