Blue Ridge Parkway Journeys

Grandfather Mountain’s interpretive rangers are offering guests two new opportunities to learn by doing.

“Hiking 101″ is designed to teach beginners how to successfully complete a day hike.  Presented Saturday, August 20 at 11 am, the class will cover equipment, clothing, footwear and what to pack for a day in the woods.   Whether you consider yourself a seasoned outdoorsmen or a novice, everyone should find this class a great planning discussion before striking out into the unknown.

“There are a lot of variables that one should consider while planning a hiking or camping trip,” said Chief Interpretive Ranger Gabe Taylor. “Having the proper equipment and being prepared for a variety of weather is a must.”

“How High Is That Tree?” will teach visitors to identify the types of trees they encounter and how to use a clinometer to measure the height of a tree.   Participants will make their own clinometers (an optical device for measuring elevation over horizon) and apply the tool not only to trees but also to a variety of other calculations. The program will be offered Saturday, August 27 at 11 am.

Programs with Grandfather’s interpretive rangers last approximately one hour and are free with the price of admission to Grandfather Mountain ($15/adult and $7/children ages 4-12).

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation merged its trails and naturalist departments in June in order to create an interpretive ranger staff that provides visitors with additional ways to experience and learn about the mountain’s diverse environment.

The rangers are also offering guided hikes along the Mountain’s famed Grandfather Trail. A half day hike to MacRae Peak and back (0.9 miles) is $15 per person and a full day hike to Calloway Peak and back (2.4 miles) is $30 per person. A minimum of two people are required to book a guided hike.

These hikes allow participants to learn more about the history, geology, flora and fauna of Grandfather. The Grandfather Trail is strenuous and has some extremely steep sections where hikers use in-place cables and ladders.

To book a guided hike or for any questions on interpretive ranger programming please call 828-737-0833 or send an e-mail.

(Asheville)—The Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) is seeking public input, through September 12, 2011, on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a trail plan for the Roanoke Valley section of the Parkway. The purpose of this EA is to describe the affected environment and analyze potential impacts associated with a no action alternative and two action alternatives.  Recommendations within the EA to be implemented would impact the Roanoke Valley trail system within the lands administered by the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The intent of this project is to determine whether development of an integrated trail system that would provide critical linkages between the Roanoke Valley Greenways trail network and the Parkway is appropriate after consideration of project impacts.  This trail system would provide the public with a greatly enhanced range of trail opportunities as well as provide the Parkway with rehabilitation and general maintenance assistance from the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission and associated trail groups.

Those who wish to review and comment on this document may do so by visiting the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/roanokevalleytrailplan. Even though using this website is recommended, written comments may also be submitted to:  Blue Ridge Parkway, ATTN:  Suzette Molling, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803.  Comments must be sent by September 12.  Ideas and concerns expressed by those who comment will be used to prepare the final proposal and impact analysis.

Comments are typically treated as a public record and made available for public review.  Individuals may request that the National Park Service withhold their name and address from disclosure.  Such requests will be honored to the extent allowable by law.

Comments will also be accepted at a Public Meeting to be held on Thursday, September 1, 2011. The public meeting will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Virginia’s Explore Park Visitor Center Auditorium, Milepost 115.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Members of the public may stop by at any time during these hours to meet with Parkway staff and provide comments.

For the past four years, Virtual Blue Ridge has sponsored the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition.  As part of our partnership, we created an online process for photo submission that helped to grow the competition by leaps and bounds.  We’re proud of those results and having been given the opportunity to work with Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs .  One of our perks in the sponsorship is that our team gets a few tickets to go to The Banff Mountain Film Festival on it’s tour in Boone.

This year it comes to Boone for the 15th annual “best of the festival” world tour on Friday April 1st and Saturday April 2nd @ 7:30 pm at Farthing Auditorium. The Banff Mountain Film Festival features the world’s best films on mountain adventure, culture, and the environment selected from hundreds of entries submitted from around the world. Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs choose screenings designed to educate, entertain, and inspire you. Tickets are currently on sale at Farthing Auditorium and Footsloggers in Downtown Boone for $7 (students) and $9 (all others).

It’s always been the case that the Boone stop for the tour has had the biggest turnout, and more importantly those that watch the films show the most enthusiasm for the festival and the filmmakers that make it possible.  It’s definitely a must-see event for the travel and outdoor enthusiast.

Here are some more clips from this year’s films:

I look forward to seeing you there!

Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs is seeking your help in identifying the High Country’s role models and young mountain sports stars. These young men and women will be recognized through the first ever A4 inititiative – Appalachian Adventure Achievement Award. Honors will include recognition on stage at the Banff Mountain Film Festivals, and a selection of prizes made possible by project sponsors.

There are two age categories for the A4: 17 and under, and 18-24 years old. Nominees must either reside or attend school in the High Country of NC (Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties) to be eligible. Nominations can be submitted for individuals in successive years, but a nominee can only receive the A4 once for their age category. The April 1 screening of Banff will recognize the 17 and under A4 winner, while the April 2 screening will honor the 18-24 year-old A4 winner.

Deadline for nominations is March 18, 2011. For more information on nominations, and to actually submit a nomination, please check out the A4 Nomination Form.

Outdoor Programs is bringing the 15th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival back to Boone for the “best of the festival” world tour Friday and Saturday, April 1-2, 2011. The films will be screened at Farthing Auditorium on the campus of Appalachian State University.

These films focus on themes of environment, culture and adventure in the mountains and represent the best of the best. Hundreds of entries were submitted from around the world and Outdoor Programs has selected films for this viewing that will not only educate, but will also inspire and entertain you.

Online ticket sales for Banff can be purchased through Farthing Auditorium, or if you’re in downtown Boone, NC you can pick up your tickets at Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters. Tickets are $9 (students can grab tickets at $7).

Check out the Banff Mountain Film Festival trailer for 2010-2011: Read more »