This 3-in-1 kit, recently reviewed in the 2009 Outside Buyer’s Guide, covers all the basics of outdoor safety. Containing medical supplies, survival tools, and gear repair items, the S.O.L. 3 enables you to survive almost anything that Mother Nature throws at you.
“It’s like having MacGyver in your pack.” – Outside Magazine
S.O.L. 3 by Adventure Medical Kits
Check out all of the details of this kit in our store: Product Detail
These pictures were a special request from one of our readers who studies fungus/mushrooms. I hope she will tell me what we found on this trail in the Pisgah Forest at about 3500’.
This little guy was 1.5"
It is nice to have a helping hand when planning an activity in a new area, or when you are teaching a novice. This weekend we planned to do some rappelling in the Pisgah Forest of North Carolina. Though I have been rappelling for years, this was totally new to my husband. I didn’t feel comfortable teaching him without a helping hand, nor did I know any good locations to teach a first rappel. In some ways I had to swallow my pride and admit I would have a better time if I had some help; even though I used to do this for a living.
For an easy solution, I contacted Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School. We were able to hire a guide who not only taught my husband the basics of rappelling but also introduced us both to rock climbing. Even better; all we had to bring were our helmets and a bar rack that I love. If it weren’t for my personal preference, we wouldn’t have needed to bring a thing. Our guide, Billy, took us to a great beginner rock to climb and rappel. Here we spent time reviewing knot tying, belaying and rappelling. Next we were off to a great rappelling rock. It provided a nice free hanging drop and easy access for multiple rappels. It was a great next step and Billy’s professionalism showed in his helpfulness and rigging skill.
By mid-day rain started moving in and we headed for the car. Billy made sure we knew that we could call if we ever needed suggestions or tips on good locations to continue our sport. I felt good having learned some new techniques and refreshing the old and I really appreciated Billy’s team minded attitude. My husband now had a good start on the sport so that he and I can have fun together on our own.
Rock climbing and rappelling can be a great family sport and it is not as intimidating as most people think. Try something new on your next vacation! As a former rope rescue instructor, I can safely say that we had a very competent guide and I would highly recommend Fox Mountain Guides to anyone visiting the Pisgah Forest/ Brevard NC area.
You can contact Fox Mountain Guides at:
Email: info@foxmountainguides.com Toll Free: 1-888-28-GUIDE (48433)
Lovin' Life on the Ropes!
As the spring flowers bloom it is time to get out and do some backpacking. This bag by Ledge Sports, is warm enough to keep you comfortable during the still cool nights. Where would you like to hike to this spring? Let us know!
 |
86″ x 32′ x 22″ Mummy Sleeping Bag. 1.8 lbs featherloft fill. Single layer. 190T Nylon shell and liner. #5 two-way full-length zipper. Comes with stuff sack. Pack weight 3 lbs. |
| PRICE: | $34.95 |
Flower Gap in October
Next week we are headed to Brevard, NC to hike and camp in and around the Pisgah National Forest for four days. This area has been one of my favorite areas for over twenty years. Most of the time we stay in the Davidson River Campground but last time we choose a Bed & Breakfast in Brevard. Either option provides a convenient base to hike from.
Just a short drive up Highway 276 is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way you will enter the Cradle of Forestry a 6500 acre historic site in the Pink Beds Valley, definitely worth a visit. You will also pass numerous trail heads along either side of the road. One favorite short hike is Moore Cove Falls. This is an easy and kid friendly hike from 276 to a scenic waterfall. Waterfalls are plentiful in the area and an entire trip could be spent just seeing a fraction of them. In fact, Transylvania County has more waterfalls than any other North Carolina county.
If you need some maps or books on the area stop in and see Looking Glass Outfitters. Even though we offer an online outdoor retail store; we always try to support the local businesses wherever we go. Without them we would loose our local experts. This outfitter also offers guide services.
Once up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, head to Graveyard Fields for another easy waterfall hike or hike the Art Loeb Trail out to Shining Rock. On the way to Shining Rock you will pass Flower Gap. By far, this is one of my favorite places for a picnic in the spring or fall. High on a ridge, it offers fantastic views.
Next week I will gather more pictures and trip reports to share. In the meantime I would love to hear about your favorite N.C. hikes. Maybe we call all fine some new destinations. If anyone would like to know more about the hikes in Pisgah, feel free to email me. I have spent a lot of time on the trails there and would love to share!
For Central Florida residents the Seminole State Forest offers a variety of options for outdoor activities. Near the parking area visitors enjoy fishing in Bear Lake. From the same location, hikers may head down a section of the Florida Trail which passes through the Forest. There are also options for bicyclists and horseback riders.
On Saturday, April 4th, we headed to the forest to do some hiking. The day was a perfect blend of cool temperatures and a pleasant breeze. As we approached the trail head we overheard a father at the self pay station explaining to his kids that he didn’t have the cash to pay for entry. Now he could have set a bad example and parked without paying, but he wouldn’t do it. I heard him reply to one of the kids “you can’t just forget to pay for a candy bar in a store, this is no different.” We were so touched by his honesty that my husband called him over and gave him the entry fee. This father’s honesty was more refreshing than the beautiful morning and helped restore our faith in society.
Back to the trail….
We headed a mile up the Florida Trail to the first camping shelter. The shelter is reminiscent of those found on the Appalachian Trail, with a roof and three sides. Nearby are a fire ring and a large open grassy area for tents or just hanging out. From here we branched of on the white blazed loop, hiking it halfway to the next shelter before cutting over to the yellow blazed horse trail. To this point the trail is graced with oak hammock and many birds. Some areas were open scrub. The horse trail is almost completely comprised of a sandy road bed so we returned to the orange blazed Florida Trail at the first opportunity. We remained on this for the remainder over the hike back toward the parking area. Along the way we noticed numerous animal tracks including turkey, some kind of cat and lots of raccoon. All together our loop was approximately 6 mi according to the map. My IPhone logged it at 7.2 mi Every Trail logged it as 4.6. Either way it was just over two hours of very pleasant hiking and we look forward to returning soon to hike one of the many other trails in the Seminole Forest. View a map and more pictures of this hike on EveryTrail.com.
Hiker's Hut in the Seminole Foreslt
Both Ron (my husband) and I love to hike. Our favorite destinations include Brevard, North Carolina and Estes Park Colorado. But these are destinations for when we go on vacation. Closer to home we have been making an effort to find the gems in our own backyard.
To begin we started with a favorite haunt of mine for the past decade, Wekiwa Springs State Park. Starting at the parking area near the springs you find the beginning of a 13 mile trail system that leads through forest, past a lake, through low pine scrub and along the river for while. From there it’s back into the scrum and pine. It is great place to hike or trail run. Hike as much or as little of the trail as you like and take a picnic to enjoy next to the lake.
Two weekends ago we poured through 50 Hikes in Central Florida, by Sandra Friend for a new destination. We headed to Eustis to hike in the Hidden Waters Preserve. This trail descends from the parking area into a huge 105 foot deep sink hole with a stream running through the bottom. It is a GREAT place to build endurance thanks to its inclines. If a workout is what you are after you may want to hike it twice using a different trail option the second time around. At only a mile, it left me wanting for more. I do plan to return and run this trail. It is so wide and clear its perfect!
The following day we headed to the Seminole Forest. We were pointed there by a park ranger who we met while checking out Rock Springs Run State Reserve. Parking is next to a large lake where we saw several people hanging poles hoping to catch some fish. I stayed away as I have learned that fish run from me! The trail system is extensive, spanning from the highway 46 entrance to Highway 44. The Florida Trail passes through the park. Along the trail there a couple of shelters built in the style of those you would find on the Appalachian Trail. Three sides and raised off of the ground. Nearby sits a fire ring. The whole setup has us planning a backpacking trip there in the near future. There are so many options I suspect we will be exploring this park for awhile.
So far, Ron and I are very pleased with the results of our quest. We will be busy exploring each of these areas whenever we have some spare time. To see some trip reports please visit my page on EveryTrail.com. This once again reinforces that Central Florida is a great place to live!
