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.

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:

For more information on the Banff Mountain film festival, please visit Outdoor Programs, including a list of sponsors that make this event possible, and to see clips of other films available for viewing.

Shiloh Mielke, winner of this and last year's Shut-In, with his family

I am not a runner.

I have only done one 10K in my life so my first race and my last race have the distinction of being my personal best. I chose to spend all my time on my bike.

But if you go to the “Y” everyday, you can’t help but be around runners who are going out, coming back, or talking shop in the locker room. The conversation always turns to “the time” and a palpable acknowledgement whether it be a grunt or a nod of the head offered in some approving way.

My wife and I were innocent onlookers several years ago as the famous Shut-In Trail Run was being completed on the Parkway near Mt. Pisgah, one first Saturday in November. Our reaction was then as it is now is “man, this is way cool.”

Last year was the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s first sponsorship of this race and I found it novel that the onlookers (families, friends, wannabees, and usetabees) drove from one overlook to the next to cheer for their favorites.

The culmination comes 17 grueling miles later at the top, scoreboard running but with contestants somewhat indifferent to “their time.”

Gordon Grant, a Shut-In veteran and friend of mine who ran again this year, pointed out to me the evening before, “Houck, this race is about who you do it with.”

He was right, for the people he was talking about were not only other runners but the throng of people at the finish line who cheered with as much volume and enthusism for last place as they did for first place.

The Shut-In Trail Run is for sure a shared journey.

The Parkway and this particular chain of the Appalachians — the Blacks — will always remain an opportunity to be enjoyed by all ages.

Michael Flynn, writer for the Asheville Citizen Times, shares his journey as participant and competitor.

Share the Journey!

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