Category: Appalachian Trail

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2014 Damascus Hard Core

Carl Fritz reporting

It always seems that the volunteers (hikers, club maintainers and friends) exceed expectations during Damascus Hard Core. And the volunteers did so again for this 14th annual event. This year’s hikers enthusiastically signed up. In fact 68 were signed up in the first two hours Friday morning of Trail Days and only 50 was the target. However, fewer returning hikers came to Trail Days and we also target 50 of them. Then surprisingly with good weather many hikers did not show up Sunday morning for departure from Damascus. Continue reading “2014 Damascus Hard Core”

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Wilderness Rally September 6th – Hampton, TN

September marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Wilderness Act. Join the Wilderness Society’s Southern Appalachian Wilderness
Stewards (SAWS) program and the US Forest Service in celebrating! Two events will mark the occasion. Both will convene at the Watauga Point Recreation Area in Hampton TN on September 6th. Trail maintenance will be from 9am to 4pm at which point it will become the actual celebration of food, crosscut sawing, storytelling, games, etc. See the two attachments for the details.

Stewardship Rally Flier

Wilderness Rally Watauga Point

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Oliver Hollow Use Restriction Due to Bear Activity

The National Forest Service lands are closed to most recreation from north of Shook Branch to a half mile north of Wilbur Dam Rd.  Bears are active in this area.  Individuals are only permitted to hike through this area.  Please continue hiking through this area without stopping.  Watauga Lake Shelter is closed.  No preparation or consumption of food or overnight stays allowed.  This closure is effective until December 1, 2015.

Oliver Hollow bear closure map

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Vandalism at Cross Mountain

A report has come in from Cross Mountain that there has been vandalism of both the trail info board and a few vehicle break-ins. Local authorities have been notified and asked to scope the area at regular intervals. If hiking in this area, or anywhere for that matter, please take a moment to hide away any valuables in your vehicles or take them with you. While this is not a complete solution, as least there would be nothing around to entice someone. The trail info board will be repaired soon. Also, don’t forget to report any damage or vandalism you see while enjoying your hike. Happy hiking!

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Appalachian Trail Movie at Erwin – October 20, 2013 6-8:30PM

“Appalachian Impressions” is an epic story about hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. The movie takes you on a six-month, 2,180-mile journey along the most famous long-distance hiking trail in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet hikers who have embarked on this trek, carrying everything they need on their backs. You’ll hear their stories, experiences, and challenges of daily life traveling the Trail across fourteen states. Locally, the film is being shown at the Capitol Cinema in Erwin, TN on October 20, 2013 from 6-8:30PM. The opportunity is the 2013 membership drive, which for $30 or more donation gains a year’s subscription to the colorful AT Journeys magazine among several benefits. Youth under 13 can see the movie free. Tickets can be purchased here.

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2013 Damascus Hard Core

Carl Fritz reporting

This 13th annual Damascus Hard Core event was Sunday, May 19th and Monday, May 20st.  It was preceded by the tragic event at Damascus Trail Days during the parade on Saturday when 50 people were injured by a car.  Everyone experienced more obstacles including rainy weather during the Hard Core event.  But Monday ended spectacularly with everyone happy. Continue reading “2013 Damascus Hard Core”

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TN Announces Rocky Fork State Park

The 5th and FINAL sale of chunks of Rocky Fork from The Conservation Fund to the Cherokee NF was completed on September 27, 2012. This concludes transfer of Rocky Fork into public ownership, a goal sought by ATC since at least 1983. To top off that excitement, on Oct. 30 TN Gov. Bill Haslam and US Sen. Lamar Alexander announced that the 2036 acre TN-owned portion of Rocky Fork will become Rocky Fork State Park! Funds for this project came from a TN Heritage Conservation Trust Fund grant (obtained by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy), federal Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriations, and generous donations from private donors and foundations, notably Fred & Alice Stanback, the Lyndhurst Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (through Walmart’s 2012 Acres for America program), the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Conservation Alliance. The Conservation Fund bought and held the property pending public purchase. Look for an upcoming article in ATJourneys for more details.