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!
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.
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”
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.
A Biennial Celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013
Plans have been underway for over a year for the biennial celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013. It will be held at Western Carolina University (WCU) July 19-26, 2013, in Cullowhee N.C. The five AT trail maintaining clubs in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee have been working on all aspects of this event. TEHCC is responsible for organizing the workshops while other clubs are handling volunteers, hike selection, excursions, entertainment, housing, etc. We expect near 1000 people to attend this week long event. Continue reading “A Biennial Celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013”
Appalachian Trail Community designation event in Abingdon
The Town of Abingdon joins the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club in cordially inviting you to participate in the official designation of Abingdon as an Appalachian Trail Community™. This event will take place in Abingdon, VA on September 11th at 6pm at the Abingdon Farmer’s Market. Come out early to the Higher Education Center for a “Hikers and Bikers” presentation and hear from ATC’s Executive Director, Mark Wenger, about his Appalachian Trail section hike. The presentation begins at 4pm. We’d love to celebrate with you and hope to see you on Tuesday, September 11th!
The Appalachian Trail Community™ program recognizes communities who are taking extra steps to promote and protect the Appalachian Trail. Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ is intended to:
- Engage community residents, Trail visitors, and stewards
- Thank communities for decades of service to hikers
- Catalyze sustainable economic development
- Aid local municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning
- Raise local awareness of the Trail as a community resource and asset
Please RSVP by September 1, 2012 to Tenille Montgomery (tmontgomery@abingdon-va.gov) 276-676-2282.
Special AT Gravel Project on Round Bald, Trip Report
July 9-12. 2012
Last summer we hauled 37 tons of gravel from Carver’s Gap to between Round Bald and Engine Gap. This summer we hauled another 110 tons of ABC aggregate (crusher run) from Carver’s Gap to between Round Bald and Carver’s Gap.
Continue reading “Special AT Gravel Project on Round Bald, Trip Report”
Biennial Celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013
AT: Hughes Gap to Little Rock Knob, Sunday August 26, 2012
This hike is along the [[Iron Mountain Gap to Carver’s Gap|Appalachian Trail]] through hardwood forest to great views at Little Rock Knob (elevation 4918′). The round trip distance is 4.6 to 5 miles with 900’ rise (similar climb to Bays Mountain Firetower trail but over 3-4 times the distance). Let’s leave promptly at 1pm from the parking lot below [[Meeting locations for TEHCC hikes|McDonalds in Colonial Heights]] for the hour (45-mile) drive. Bring water, snack, comfortable footwear, rain gear, bug spray, and trekking poles. Expected return is by 7pm depending on our hiking speed and desire to tarry at the overlook. Please call/e-mail the hike leader for headcount to arrange transportation.