Backpacking Class Grand Prize Awarded! · 1 day ago by Kurt Peterson
Congratulations to Chris Soukup from Richmond, VA who attended our Backpacking 101 & 201 classes and was picked from nearly 100 entries to win the Mountain Hardwear gear package valued at nearly $800!
Intention 75 backpack
Twin Arch 2 tent
Ultralamina 15 sleeping bag
Primus LiteMax stove & fuel canister
We’ll continue to offer Backpacking 101 & 201 classes each Spring & Fall in all of our store locations. And we’re stoked that Mountain Hardwear will continue to sponsor the classes including more of these wicked giveaways.
Trail Love · 8 days ago by Kurt Peterson
We are travelers in the desert of life and the best we can find in our journey is an honest friend.
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Seven years ago today, I hiked north on the Appalachian Trail out of Harper’s Ferry, WV with my old friend, Evan, and my dog, Maggie. I had just returned from a couple of days off in Baltimore and was excited to stumble into Evan, better known as “Polish Ninja” on the Trail. I hadn’t seen him in several hundred miles, since somewhere in North Carolina, shortly after we began our thru-hikes. After 3 months, we both had our trail legs under us. But like the rest of 2002, it was a hot, humid day, and a late afternoon departure seemed best, something I knew Maggie would appreciate. But before leaving, another thru-hiker named Rebecca, also known as “Kali-Frodo,” decided to join us on our hike out of town. Evan and I had both met her briefly back in Georgia, but neither of us knew her well.
Little did I know as wet set out on that hot and sticky day where the three of us would find ourselves seven years later.
The next 3+ months and 1,000 miles of hiking I formed one of the deepest, most unique friendships with the both of them, sharing a once-in-a-lifetime journey on our way to Mount Katahdin, Maine. And in that time, I had the privilege of watching these two amazing people fall deeply in love.
So I was filled with an immense sense of honor when they asked me to officiate their wedding on top of Max Patch Mountain near Hot Springs, NC and appropriately—right smack on top of the Appalachian Trail.
Evan & Rebecca, may life continue to bless you in all the ways you have already experienced, and in all the many ways you’ll undoubtedly continue to discover within yourselves.
Intro to Women's Backpacking Tuesday night at 7pm · 10 days ago by Kurt Peterson
Don’t think for one second that backpacking or the beautiful backcountry is a man’s world. In the wilds, women rule! Discover all it takes to get outside and learn about women’s specific gear and all the skills you need to hike and camp safely and comfortably.
FREE! Tuesday night (6/23) in stores at 7pm.
Family Camping 101 tonight! · 16 days ago by Kurt Peterson
Have you ever wondered where to go camping in your neck of the woods? Find out tonight (6/16) in stores at 7pm to discover all the best state and national parks unique to your region and what gear you need to make your next car camping adventure a blast.
Run Like a Girl 8k raises $9,100! · 22 days ago by Kurt Peterson
After tallying the 1,000 race entries from the 2nd annual Run Like a Girl 8k trail race, we’re proud to announce that it raised $9,100 to benefit the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation.
After seeing a 150% jump in race attendance from the 2008 race, we certainly look forward to a 2010 race. Check back here for details.
Run Like a Girl 8k! · 35 days ago by Kurt Peterson
If you’re in the vicinity of Pocahontas State Park southwest of Richmond, VA this Sunday, you might notice a large contingent of women descending on the park for the 2nd annual Run Like a Girl 8k trail run sponsored by Blue Ridge Mountain Sports and Montrail!
So if you have a friend, mother, grandmother, daughter, or sister running in the race, go out and support them. All proceeds from the race go to the HERA Women’s Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Unfortunately, race registration is closed due to (fortunately) very high turnout.
But keep an ear out for this race next year!
Our Parks · 56 days ago by Kurt Peterson
If you’re a fan of documentary film-making then you’re no stranger to the name Ken Burns, the virtuoso of the genre. He even has a slideshow effect named after him. Most of his film series’ touch on particular elements of American history and culture like jazz, World War II, the Civil War to name a few. So back in March, a few of our store managers and some of the corporate office staff had the privilege of attending a fundraiser for the Shenandoah National Park Trust where Ken Burns spoke about his upcoming documentary series due out on PBS in September, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
I expected to hear him speak about the beauty and majesty of our national parks, and he certainly painted that part of the tale with great effect. But it was his focus on family that caught me re-living some of my own trips as a child, packed away in my parents’ old ‘72 Ford pickup. With a big camper strapped on the bed, we traveled out west visiting family and linking up a national park or two like Yellowstone or Mount Rushmore or the Smokies each time we took a trip. His clips from the upcoming series included interviews from people of all walks of life remembering their own childhood national park visits and how these trips molded them into the people they were today. How oddly familiar that seems…
But most of all Ken reminds us of how important these resources are not just because of their recreational potential, but in how they inter-weave so deeply within the American psyche and culture as we know it. Or as Ken put it, how the landscape of these parks is a reflection of who we are as Americans—incredibly diverse, beautiful, free and open, and yet at times not so pretty, as is served by Manzanar National Historic Site where Japanese-Americans were imprisoned during World War II.
It can be easy to lose sight of the importance these parks represent when you have one in your own backyard. Sadly, I sometimes take Shenandoah for granted. Fortunately, I don’t think I’ll make that mistake when I have children of my own. Camping will most certainly be a part of our children’s lives just like it was for my family.
After all, they are our parks. So why not go out and use them?
Be sure to make it out for our Family Camping 101 class being held June 16th at 7pm in all store locations.
Blackwater Paddling · 60 days ago by Kurt Peterson
I consider myself quite lucky to have visited some true wilderness gems in this country. The wild views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness in New Hampshire, the lush biodiversity of the Great Smokies in North Carolina and Tennessee, and the jaw-dropping scenery of the High Sierras in California being my favorites.
But last weekend a group of old college buddies and I ditched the packs in favor of paddles and lit out for a bachelor weekend on the Roanoke River Trail in eastern NC, and I discovered the surreal beauty of blackwater paddling and the backwater swamps that are unlike any wilderness I’ve ever experienced.
I had always heard stories of the Roanoke River Trail and the 14 tent platforms that make the camping experience that much more fun, but experiencing it firsthand is so much more enthralling.
Camping in these backwater coves isn’t just a visual treat, but an auditory experience that will keep you up at night listening with rapt attention to the “who-cooks-for-you?” monkey-call of barrred owls and the sound of what I only can assume is bowfin slapping the water like angry parents at the pool.
With my recently unlocked interest in birding, some of us would skim out in the dim mornings, quietly paddling our canoe with ears open to a forest chock full of birdlife. With dagger-like beaks, great egrets could be seen stalking fish among the immense black tupelo and bald cypress while bright streaks of yellow prothonotary warblers zipped about us in their pre-mating zeal.
We spotted dozens of great blue heron soaring above the tree canopy, but we were best treated by a couple of barred owls that came within 50 feet of our platform. As if their call isn’t creepy enough, just stare into those black eyes that say “I would eat you if you were only smaller.” I only regret not having a telephoto zoom to capture all the birdlife. One thing I didn’t regret was my choice of boat for the trip. The Mad River Synergy is the perfect boat for these waters with the added benefit of hauling extra gear—even a cooler.
The Roanoke River Trail tent platforms, put up through the immense volunteer effort of the Roanoke River Partners, highlight a perfect example of how we can best protect wilderness—conservation through recreation. By encouraging recreation through the use of these platforms, you can experience a wilderness area I would almost certainly have never considered visiting before. And because of this trip, I’m much more interested in seeing that Roanoke River Partners gets the financial support I know they deserve. Just be sure to follow the strictest Leave No Trace ethics while visiting the area, and be sure to pack out everything. Yes, everything.
Your Mountain Dog · 71 days ago by Kurt Peterson
We all know this is the time of year to start getting out to hike, run, climb, and paddle. My hope is that you’re also thinking the same thing for your canine companions that happily follow us up any trail, river, and sometimes rock.
So we’re throwing out a call for pictures of your lovable mountain dog. You know—the furry love of your life that goes with you everywhere, that shakes with excitement when the pack comes out or jumps in the car every time you open the door, just to go somewhere, anywhere with you.
We’ll award the best mountain dog photo with a FREE piece of dog gear appropriate for your dog’s favorite sport. Email me here with your entry by no later than May 4th.
I’ve included one of my favorites of Kona to get the inspirational ball rolling.
Backpacking 101 starts Tuesday! · 84 days ago by Kurt Peterson
Signs of Spring are emerging everywhere, and I’m sure you’re as excited as I am to see it coming. If the daffodils, redbud, and dogwoods don’t excite you, hopefully the resurgence of our in-store Backpacking 101 classes will.
Backpacking 101
Apr 14: Clothing, Boots & Poles
Apr 21: The Pack
Apr 28: The Sleep System
May 5: Tents & the Kitchen
Backpacking 201
May 19: LNT Outdoor Ethics
May 26: Packing Smarter & Lighter
June 2: Trip Planning & Navigation
June 9: Wilderness Safety
Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear, the 101 classes touch on all the applicable choices of gear and clothing for getting out and having a grand ole outdoorsy time this Spring & Summer. The 201 classes will focus on honing your outdoor skills of navigation, safety, Leave No Trace ethics and more.
We hope to see you there!
