10 Essential Skills For the Blue Ridge Backcountry

Our friends at Blue Ridge Outdoors put together a pretty sweet piece on the skills needed to be safe in the back country. It is chalk full of great tips.  Below is a list of the 10 tips – be sure to read the entire article.

1. How to hike – the right way
2. How to predict the weather
3. How to cross a raging river
4. How to read a topo map
5. How to make fire with flint and steel
6. How to find potable water
7. How to hike blister-free
8. How to reduce your chance of injury
9. How to bear-proof your campsite
10. How to navigate without a compass

Upper Chattooga River Reopens for Kayaking

“The Upper Chattooga River will be open to paddlers for the first time in more than three decades starting Dec. 1. The U.S. Forest Service announced this week their final decision to allow limited, non-motorized boating on seven miles of the river during times of high flow, which the Forest Service estimates would amount to an average of six days a year.

Paddling had been banned by the Forest Service on 21 miles of the upper portion of the river since 1976. The Forest Service decided to reexamine recreation on the river after American Whitewater challenged the a 2004 decision by the Forest Service to continue the ban. The Chattooga, designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1974, is 57 miles long from its headwaters near Cashiers, N.C., to Lake Tugaloo, and is one of the few such designated rivers known to ban non-motorized boating.” – From our friends at Blue Ridge Outdoors

The Upper Chattooga River is a classic American whitewater run that has quietly remained on many whitewater kayakers “must paddle” list – including my own. This December many boaters will hope to cross the Upper Chattooga of their list. Visit AmericanWhitewater.org for details.

Non-boaters may recognize the Chattooga River from the 1974 film Deliverance (insert dueling banjo music here).

Get Paddling!

Pete

Simple improvements for greening the home

From Blue Ridge Outdoors • August 4, 2009

Dear EarthTalk: What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? – Stefan Lonce, via email

According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to save energy and other resources around the home without spending a lot of money. And taking action sooner rather than later will lead to ongoing savings on utility bills, so a little cash outlay now will more than pay for itself in the long run. Read the complete article on Blue Ridge Outdoors’ website

Best of the Outdoors Ballot – Vote!

Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine just launched its “Best of the Outdoors Ballot!” This is your chance to get the Roanoke Region of Virginia the recognition it deserves!

Vote for your favorite swimming hole, best bike trail, favorite section of the AT, and more – VOTE NOW!

I recognize that the Roanoke Region can’t win every category but here is a breakdown of how I voted in a few key categories that I feel are truly worthy – but don’t let me sway you!

Blue Ridge Marathon on the parkway!!!

Picture Yourself Running Here

On April 24, 2010 Roanoke will play host to the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon on the Parkway in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The proceeds will go to the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There will be a half and full marathon. The full marathon will not be recommended for first-time marathoners as it is not going to be easy – but it will be absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Visit www.BlueRidgeMarathon.com for details!

Get Outside

–Pete (pete@roanoke.org)

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Last Chance to Register For a Package Full of Awesomeness

The deadline to register for the Boating in Botetourt giveaway is July 15.

This is an awesome package! I can say this with confidence as I know just about everyone/everything involved. The Upper James River is one of the most scenic floats in all of Virginia. Even if you don’t win you need to go float this river!

• Visit the Blue Ridge Outdoors site to enter!
• I’ve paddle a Liquid Logic Tryon and they are awesome – strong, comfortable, handle well, etc.
• Mark Futrell at Outdoor Trails is even more awesome than the Liquid Logic Kayak. If you’ve never been to his store you need to
• The Mays brothers with Twin River Outfitters put together some of the most awesome river trips I’ve seen
• I haven’t been to the Fincastle Vineyard Bed and Breakfast but I know the area and it’s awesome…and my parents own an awesome B&B
• A driving tour of the Botetourt Wine Trail! – I can only guess that this means a designated driver – which is awesome – as the  3 wineries are situated in some of the most picturesque settings and produce some great vino

Give us your thoughts on our first ad!

RoanokeOutside.com placed its first ad in this month’s issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors and we’d like to know your thoughts before we run the ad again. See the poll below! Use the “other” section to provide a suggestion! Click on the ad to see a larger version.