The Great Smoky Mountains announced today that a 2.3 mile section of the Trillium Gap Trail, between the Rainbow Falls parking lot and the Grotto Falls parking lot, is closed due to hazardous tree removal.
The section of trail will be closed through Thursday. To get updated information on this and all temporary closures, please click here
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Monday, March 17, 2014
Kilkelly, Ireland
Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone and anyone who claims a little Irish heritage, even it's only for a day. I wanted to share a song I discovered on a PBS program several years ago. This sad and haunting song, called Kilkelly, Ireland, was taken from letters sent to a son in America by a father left behind in Kilkelly, Ireland in County Mayo. Whoever put this video together did a great job:
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Photographs from the Great Smoky Mountains
The following short film is a compilation of some excellent photos that showcase the grand beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The photos were taken by M&D Hills Photography. For some reason the video defaults to the lowest quality, so you may want to change the setting to HD. Enjoy:
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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Karl Meltzer Announces Appalachian Trail Speed Record Attempt
He made a very strong attempt at the record in 2008. Although he was hampered by injuries, he still completed the 2176 miles, and roughly 500,000 feet of vertical climbing, in just 54 days, 21 hours, and 12 minutes. That time now ranks as the fifth-fastest recorded time in history. Jennifer Pharr Davis currently holds the Appalachian Trail speed record after completing the trail in just 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes in 2011.
Here's the announcement Karl made on his website:
In other big news. I am now making a formal mention that I’ll be headed back to Mt. Kathadin in Maine for another run at the AT record. I”m sure I’ll get some negative response, but keep in mind…this is all about being on that amazing trail, moving quickly and efficiently, and giving it all the respect I can possibly give it. If I fail, or fall behind a potential record, I am jumping in our vehicle and coming home. I won’t complete it this time if the record can’t go down. There will be no blog, no circus, and no listening to people tell me that hikers are faster than runners. Or visa versa….there is no difference, one person just moves a bit quicker and takes more risks.
You can read more on his blog by clicking here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Seeks Trail Crew Volunteers
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is inviting volunteers, ages 18 and older, to join Trail Crews that will help repair and construct new sections of the famous Appalachian Trail. No previous experience is necessary – just a desire to work hard, live in the backcountry and have a great time among new friends.
The ATC’s all-volunteer Trail Crews are led by paid trail crew professionals who teach volunteers trail construction, stewardship and Leave No Trace skills during the multi-day adventure. The ATC provides food, tools and the equipment necessary to get the job completed. Multi-week volunteers are welcome to stay at our various base camps between sessions.
Trail Crews tackle projects such as relocation, reconstruction, and bridge and shelter construction along the A.T. The crews are active every year, from April through October, on projects located from Maine to Georgia. Trail Crew projects, which may last for a week or more, are planned and completed in cooperation with Trail-maintaining clubs and agency partners such as the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Konnarock, the ATC’s flagship crew, tackles projects involving trail construction from the A.T.'s southern terminus in Springer Mountain, Georgia to Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. Volunteers work a five-day week in the field and return to base camp for a celebratory dinner the evening of the fifth day. This year, crew weeks begin May 7 and end August 13, with work sites varying from Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia to Little Rock Knob in Tennessee.
The Mid-Atlantic Crew is also searching for volunteers for its spring, summer and fall sessions. Based at an old farmstead in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Crew works on the A.T. from Rockfish Gap in Virginia to the New York-Connecticut state line. Sessions begin April 3 and end October 27.
For adventurous volunteers, the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew (S.W.E.A.T.) leads workers into the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to work at the highest elevations along the A.T. Six-day sessions begin June 7 and run through August 26. Those who wish to volunteer in the Smokies may also consider the Rocky Top Trail Crew, which works exclusively along 70 miles of the A.T. following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam, North Carolina. Rocky Top Crew sessions begin August 30 and end October 25.
Additional volunteer opportunities include the Vermont Long Trail Patrol (VLTP), which works on heavy construction projects on hiking trails in Vermont, including the co-aligned A.T. and Long Trail, and the Maine Trail Crew, which focuses on projects involving reconstruction and rockwork along 267 miles of the A.T. VLTP sessions begin July 4 and end August 12, and Maine Trail Crew sessions begin June 14 and end August 13.
To learn more about the ATC’s Trail Crews, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/crews.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Trail Crews tackle projects such as relocation, reconstruction, and bridge and shelter construction along the A.T. The crews are active every year, from April through October, on projects located from Maine to Georgia. Trail Crew projects, which may last for a week or more, are planned and completed in cooperation with Trail-maintaining clubs and agency partners such as the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Konnarock, the ATC’s flagship crew, tackles projects involving trail construction from the A.T.'s southern terminus in Springer Mountain, Georgia to Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. Volunteers work a five-day week in the field and return to base camp for a celebratory dinner the evening of the fifth day. This year, crew weeks begin May 7 and end August 13, with work sites varying from Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia to Little Rock Knob in Tennessee.
The Mid-Atlantic Crew is also searching for volunteers for its spring, summer and fall sessions. Based at an old farmstead in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Crew works on the A.T. from Rockfish Gap in Virginia to the New York-Connecticut state line. Sessions begin April 3 and end October 27.
For adventurous volunteers, the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew (S.W.E.A.T.) leads workers into the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to work at the highest elevations along the A.T. Six-day sessions begin June 7 and run through August 26. Those who wish to volunteer in the Smokies may also consider the Rocky Top Trail Crew, which works exclusively along 70 miles of the A.T. following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam, North Carolina. Rocky Top Crew sessions begin August 30 and end October 25.
Additional volunteer opportunities include the Vermont Long Trail Patrol (VLTP), which works on heavy construction projects on hiking trails in Vermont, including the co-aligned A.T. and Long Trail, and the Maine Trail Crew, which focuses on projects involving reconstruction and rockwork along 267 miles of the A.T. VLTP sessions begin July 4 and end August 12, and Maine Trail Crew sessions begin June 14 and end August 13.
To learn more about the ATC’s Trail Crews, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/crews.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Tent Rocks
If you’re ever in the Santa Fe or Albuquerque area, be sure to take the one-hour drive to visit Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. This is truly a remarkable place. The best way to see this unique landscape is to hike the Cave Loop / Slot Canyon Trail. This short video will give you an idea of what this magical place is all about. For more detailed information on the hike,
please click here.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
North Carolina State Parks actively seeking volunteers for 2014
North Carolina’s state parks are actively seeking volunteers to help protect the state’s rich natural resources and serve an expected 14 million visitors this year, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
At all 40 state parks and state recreation areas, volunteers serve in many capacities including campground hosts, visitor center aids, trail workers and special events coordinators, and they provide manpower for specials projects involving tree planting, habitat improvement, inventory of rare species and environmental education.
“Throughout our 98-year history, citizen volunteers have been critical partners of our state parks,” said Carol Tingley, acting state parks director. “Together, state parks and their volunteers demonstrate strong stewardship and build stronger communities with a conservation ethic.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact a nearby park through the division’s website or contact the division’s volunteer coordinator at 919-707-9346 or tara.gallagher@ncparks.gov.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
“Throughout our 98-year history, citizen volunteers have been critical partners of our state parks,” said Carol Tingley, acting state parks director. “Together, state parks and their volunteers demonstrate strong stewardship and build stronger communities with a conservation ethic.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact a nearby park through the division’s website or contact the division’s volunteer coordinator at 919-707-9346 or tara.gallagher@ncparks.gov.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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