blue ridge outdoors magazine february 2013

LOVER’SLEAPSTALL TALES FROMSEVEN CLASSIC CLIFFS

HOBIE CALLTOUGH TALK FROM

SPARTAN CHAMP

SnowSportS

trail running

road running

Mountain Biking

road CyCling

paddling

CliMBing

Hiking

oBStaCle raCeS

triatHlonS

Mud runS

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WINTER HIKING | EXTENDING THE A.T. | DAVID WAX MUSEUM

151 MuST-dO EvEnTS

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Blue Ridge Outdoors • PRInTEd On 100% RECYCLEd PAPER4

c o n t r i b u t o r sToughest race you’ve

finished?

g r a h a m a v e r i l lpisgah stage race. Brutal multi day course. Big miles. Freezing temps and river crossings.

w i l l h a r l a na 50-mile ball-kicking race with tarahumara runners across rocky river beds and steep trails

in 100-degree heat.

p e t e r b a r rBearwallow Beast 5k. it’s one of the South’s toughest short races with a mix

of hot pavement, dusty gravel, and rugged singletrack that climbs 1,500 feet.

c o l e m a n w o o dduring the first race i ever ran, a half-marathon in nashville, i learned a valuable

lesson—nipple chafing is most definitely a real thing.

c h a s e l y n eMassanutten Hoo-Ha. it’s about 40 miles of super technical terrain on mountain

bikes with a ton of climbing.

k y d e l a n e ya half marathon five months after having a baby. From breastfeeding at the put-in, to

a quick stop at mile 11 to check on my little guy, i had a lot on my mind besides the running.

s a l r u i b a l2002 24-hour Solo Mountain Bike world Championships in Canada—a brutally steep

course inundated by snow, freezing rain, and high winds the final 12 hours.

PRINTED ON RECYCLED NEWSPRINT WITH 100% POST-CONSUMER CONTENT

E d ITO R I A LEDITOR IN CHIEF WILL HARLAn

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS is the property of SUMMIT PUBLISHING, LLC. ©2013 No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS MAGAZINE116 west Jefferson StreetCharlottesville, Virginia 22902p. 434-817-2755 f. 434-817-2760

56 College Street, Suite 303asheville, north Carolina 28801p. 828-225-0868 f. 828-225-0878

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FEBRuARY 2013 • BlueRidgeOutdoors.com 5

19 RACE AHEAD 2013 EVENT GUIDEplan out your upcoming adventures with our 2013 calendar of the top 151 regional events. you’ll also find the best race to run without pants, the race with the most vomit per mile, and our favorite costumed competitions.

37 SNICKERS AND SCOTCH the recipe for male bonding: backpacking, liquor, and a campfire. Chocolate is optional.

39 WHITEOUTafter receiving unexpected news, a skier finds clarity and comfort in the soft powder of a downhill run.

41 THE SNOW CURTAINever wondered how snow is made or what it’s like to work ski patrol? peek behind the scenes of the region’s largest ski resort.

44 LOVERS’ LEAPStake your Valentine to one of these classic cliffs—Southern appalachia boasts at least seven of them—each with its own lore of star-crossed lovers.

features

departments4 CONTRIBUTORStoughest race you’ve ever finished?

7 SWITCHBACKShould outdoor parents take life-threatening risks?

9 HEADLINESBallooning across the atlantic / extending the a.t. / rafting a hurricane-flooded river / Bike thief smackdown

10 TRAILHEADStanding with a mountain / tough talk from Spartan race champ

14 THE GOODSthe best in backcountry gear

46 TRAIL MIXdavid wax Museum: band on the border

Correction: In our December Cherohala Skyway feature, Tellico Plains should have been located in Tennessee.

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 3

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800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov

Can you keep a secret? This is a great time to visit ! The trails are all ours. And we love telling stories around the fi replace. Join us next time. Love, Virginia

BRO_Feb_2013.indd 1 12/17/2012 2:11:46 PM

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Join the debate at blueridgeoutdoors.com

what do you think?

Should parents take life-threatening risks when pursuing their outdoor passions?

YES: PARENTS SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLEit’s easy to assume that those of us with a thirst for the outdoors will wind down our adventuring once kiddos come along. it’s even easier for some to think that we should trade in our skis, snowboards, and carabiners for pacifiers, strollers, and nightlights.

But many outdoor enthusiasts continue their recreational pursuits after becoming parents, some with kids in tow! at first glance, it’s easy to call the mom dangling from a 500-foot cliff irresponsible, or to accuse the dad ripping through fresh, backcountry powder of being selfish. But zoom in, and you’ll see that the climbing mom is draped in safety equipment and attached to a rope, and the snowboarding dad is well-prepared for off-piste conditions.

in my experience, most adventuresome parents are capable individuals taking calculated risks; not adrenaline junkies scoffing at danger. take rock climbing. in a sport where mistakes can be fatal, no one can say climbing is without risk. But different types of climbing have different fall consequences, from top-roping at a local indoor gym to free-soloing a big wall. if you’re okay with the consequences of a fall, climb on. if not, take up golf. well, maybe not golf – a golf ball to the head would surely leave a mark. what about chess? nope, sedentary activities are bad for the heart.

all kidding aside, every one of us makes decisions based on probable danger, whether we are climbers, skiers, soccer moms, or couch potatoes. as a parent, running late to a music lesson or sports practice, do you risk an accident by driving too fast, or do you slow down and risk being late? How many times have you faced uncertainty by getting on an airplane, swimming in the ocean, or not wearing sunscreen? these daily risks may be harder to avoid than taking up rock climbing, bungee-jumping, or skiing, but they can be just as dangerous.

according to the american alpine Club, i’m much more likely to die on the way to the grocery store than on a rock face – fatal automobile accidents reach more than 30,000 per year, compared to 1,400 climbing-related fatalities from 1951 to 2007. Being a mother doesn’t immunize me from the risks of

everyday activities like driving, so why should i stop doing what i really love? we shouldn’t raise our children in fear, shielding them from every imaginable risk.

Erica Lineberry lives and climbs in Charlotte, N.C., and is the proprietor of climbing and parenting blog, Cragmama.

NO: HAVING KIDS SHOULD

CHANGE HOW PARENTS TAKE RISKSFirefighters, police officers, and military parents risk their lives daily in service to their country. Should we deny those careers to parents? i think most of us would agree that we shouldn’t. let’s ask the question more pointedly then: should parents take life-threatening risks in the outdoors in pursuit of recreation?

i don’t believe parents need to give up all outdoor pursuits until their children have finished college. Climbing, skiing, or running trails are more than just pleasant diversions. Mountains, trails, and forests are a part of who i am. when i haven’t been outside for a while i get cranky, and my wife sends me on a trail run to come back to my senses. time spent in the outdoors recharges my spirit and helps me to be a happier person.

all outdoor pursuits involve some level of risk. we could debate what constitutes “life-threatening” risk till the cows come home. risk is, by its very nature, ever-present yet unpredictable. Bad things occasionally happen, even to cautious people. However, i think that those of us who regularly recreate in the outdoors have a pretty solid understanding of risks with serious consequences.

when children come into our lives, we

need to reexamine the level of risk we’re willing to accept. as parents, our primary responsibility is to our children. we owe them a warm bed, healthy food, and a sense of security and love. i believe parents can and should spend time in the outdoors, but we must seriously question our motivation.that line will be different for every parent. ultimately, the decision will come down to our ability as parents to subjugate our selfish desires for adventure, adrenaline, or peer recognition to our love for our families.

My wife and i recently returned home from a two-week trip to southern Chile. i will never forget the look in my four-year old daughter’s teary brown eyes as she held my face in her hands, carefully examining me as if to assure herself that i was really there. i could only imagine how much she missed us while we were away. i can’t bear the thought of risking my life for some ultimately meaningless thrill and leaving her wondering why she was less important to her dad than some mountain.

Steve Bohrer is a founder of and regular contributor to the outdoor parent lifestyle website and lives with his wife and five children in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Illustration by Wade Mickley

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ExtEndIng tHE A.t.AtlAntA, GA. a conservation group is working on a plan to extend the appalachian trail all the way to the gulf of Mexico via the Chattahoochee river. the trust for public land has already secured acreage in an effort to create a new route from the headwaters of the Chattahoochee near the southern terminus of the a.t. down to the gulf of Mexico by combining riverside footpaths and designated blue trails for canoers and kayakers. the trust has already acquired 17,000 acres of land that touch 76 miles of the river, and partners have also expressed interest in neighboring Florida, where the Chattahoochee becomes the apalachicola river and flows into the gulf. RECyCLEd LIgHtHOusEMount nebo, W.VA.there’s an interesting story behind the new 104-foot lighthouse that was recently erected above a corner of scenic Summersville lake, near west Virginia’s new river gorge. the lighthouse, which sits on the property of Steve and donna kebelesh, was made from a recycled wind turbine—salvaged after it was damaged during installation at the nearby Beech ridge wind farm project. the kebeleshes purchased the 72,000-pound tower portion of the turbine and had it hauled to their campground. local community then banded together to make the lighthouse a reality. two engineers working on the wind farm provided structural advice, while faculty and students from two nearby technical schools helped build a lamp room and weld a 10-story staircase. operators of the Summersville airport provided an old beacon light, and finally a crane dropped the lighthouse into a new concrete foundation. with 122 steps to the top, the tower now

provides vast views of the lake and nearby gauley river recreation area. a grand opening ceremony will take place this summer. WALmARt RAftERs REsCuEdFrederick, Md. a few weeks following Hurricane Sandy, news reports started surfacing about two men who were rescued during an attempt to raft down the flooded Monocacy river shortly after the storm. Marvin lee kingsbury and Charles kent Bowers told the Frederick County Sherriff’s office the mission was to float to a local walmart for some post-hurricane shopping. unfortunately the waters were too rough, and the duo’s inflatable raft capsized, forcing the men to cling to trees above the rushing river until being rescued. the men were also toting a cooler with whiskey sours that they were planning to drink in celebration of reaching their discount-shopping destination. alas, the victory toast never came. CROssIng tHE sEA WItH A CLustERrAleiGh, n.c raleigh’s Jonathan trappe calls himself a cluster-balloonist. So far the 38-year-old adventurer has had impressive success covering great distances with clusters of balloons filled with helium. He’s crossed the english Channel and holds records for crossing the alps and flying the most cluster balloons. this summer, though, he’ll attempt his boldest feat to date, as trappe is planning to cross the atlantic ocean in a lifeboat dangling from 365 balloons. He will float between 18,000 and 25,000 feet while wearing a suit with uV protection. His plan is to leave from Maine and head to paris. trappe is currently trying to raise $300,000 to cover the cost of his helium.

BIkE tHIEf gEts 14 yEARsboise, idAhoHere’s a pound of the gavel to make bike thieves think twice. at just 19 years old, Michael lawrence was recently sentenced to 14 years in prison for stealing 13 bikes from a Boise motel, just ahead of the exergy tour back in May. the rigs, valued at $110,000, belonged to team tiBCo, a women’s pro cycling team. lawrence cut the lock on the team’s trailer and stole just over a dozen high-end bikes, including some Specialized amira road rides.

PIERCIng PROBLEmsGreeley, colorAdo Firefighters received a rather unusual call to help a woman swimming in a shallow pool at the greeley Family Funplex. the female swimmer’s belly button ring piercing became entangled in the pool drain, and the woman was unable to free herself. according to the associated press, the pool was partially drained before the firefighters could release the woman from her own piercing.

AttEntIOn sHOPPERs: dEER COmIng tHROugHcorAlVille, ioWAShoppers at a kohl’s in iowa were treated to some unexpected wildlife viewing in november, when three deer strolled through the store’s automatic doors. a doe and two fawns entered the store but caused little disruption. a news story said the fawns stayed close to the entry vestibule and left the way they came, while the doe pranced through the store and exited through a back door after employees opened it.

—Jedd Ferris

BEYOND THE BLUE RIDGE

stAtEsvILLE sIngLEtRACk sCEnEstAtesVille, n.c. looking for a new place to ride? Consider checking out the recently completed 30-mile itusi trail that was made specifically with mountain biking in mind. the trail, located in lake norman State park between Charlotte and Statesville, was built thanks to a variety of grants and donations and the diligent leadership of trail coordinator Jeff archer, who hand-built many miles himself. archer, an avid rider, owns First Flight Bicycles, a shop in downtown Statesville that he also uses to house the Museum of Mountain Bike art and technology. it’s all amounted to a small fat tire scene in an unsuspecting area that’s quickly gaining traction.

StateSVille, n.C., now BoaStS 30 MileS oF new SingletraCk.


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in 2011, the founder of the Spartan race series, Joe deSena, offered $100,000 to anyone who could win all 14 of his Spartan races (including the death race) in the u.S. that year. Call won six races in a row and was on his way to a sweep until he had to drop out of the death race due to near-hypothermia. He has competed in 33 obstacle races since 2011. Here are his thoughts on one of america’s fastest growing sports.

BRO: How did you first get involved in obstacle racing?i had been plagued by injuries for much of 2009-2010, and five months before my 34th birthday i decided that i had given it my all. i decided to race a few marathons in 2011, hopefully make a few thousand dollars, and then retire my dream.

But then a miracle happened. Some crazy guy named Joe deSena was offering $100,000 to anyone who could win all of his Spartan obstacle races in the uS in 2011. as luck would have it, i just happened to be doing high-intensity upper body workouts along with my running at the time so i wouldn’t have to run outside in the dark every day. that, coupled with my strength-based running program, had me believing that i might just excel at this kind of race.

What was your first obstacle race like?For the first time in i couldn’t even tell you how many years, i felt like a kid again. never had a race proved to be as uniquely challenging, exciting, and fun as this one. immediately i knew i had found my sport. road racing, trail running and triathlons just didn’t compare. For the first time after the race people weren’t standing around talking about their times or how many miles they run a week. they actually talked about the race itself.

What is your training regimen leading up to an obstacle race? How do you train for a race that changes each time you run it?i was running three times a week and doing upper body three times a week. My leg days were more strength-based running as opposed to speed- or endurance-based, for example, running with a weight vest and doing a lot of weighted lunges. My upper body workouts were very cardio-intensive — a good mixture of dumbbell exercises and body-weight exercises, with the focus on making sure i worked every muscle through a full range of motion to eliminate any weaknesses.

to know how to train, i just need to know the amount of speed i need to have for the fastest races, the amount of endurance for the

longer races, minimum strength required for the toughest obstacles and then train to those specifications. that is why i lost the Vermont Beast both years; it takes almost twice as long to complete as the second longest race in the series, and i just don’t train for that kind of endurance.

After missing out on the $100,000 Spartan Race prize in 2011, you went on to win all but one of the remaining Spartan Races for the rest of the year. What motivated you to keep trying to win after the prize money was off the table?Money is nice — after all, we all need it to pay our bills — but if it was really about the money, i would have given up many years ago. you can’t stop living your dream just because things don’t always go your way.

What is the appeal of running an obstacle race, many of which are designed to break the spirits of even the strongest competitors?it’s absolutely awesome. to overcome such challenges makes these events life-changing moments for so many people. Just to be in the festival area after the race is very rewarding. it’s not very often that you get to be around so many people that have just overcome some of the greatest challenges life has thrown at them. Why do you think participating in obstacle races is growing at a much faster rate than traditional races?Five reasons:(1) they are more fun to train for; (2) they are more fun to race; (3) they are more uniquely challenging and, thus, a more rewarding experience to overcome; (4) they are more fun to watch; (5) the opportunity to help others and to receive help from others during the event is also very rewarding and something to look forward to. Do you think the goal of most people competing in these races is to win? If not, what is?no, only a select few are focused on winning. For most, it’s the unknown and uniqueness of the challenges, the opportunity to push yourself to a new level, and the camaraderie that you build with fellow athletes while on the course. With several serious injuries and fatalities reported at obstacle races over the past two years, do you think these events can go too far?they could, but i think they’ve done a pretty good job so far of not doing that. you as an individual still need to use good judgment while on the course and know when to skip an obstacle if you don’t feel safe. in all reality, just as many people are seriously injured and die in marathons. Safety is more about the individual using good judgment than about the course.

Hobie Call is probably not someone you would consider a “normal” runner. for years, Call ran marathons while working a full-time job and raising a family. By 2008, nearing his mid-30s, he began thinking up extreme running feats, setting the unofficial world record for the fastest lunge mile (24:56) and setting several unofficial running records while wearing a 40-pound weighted vest (he ran a 4:40 mile while wearing one).

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Tough Enough Spartan Race champ Hobie Call weighs the future of obstacle racingBy Coleman Wood

HOBIE CALL CroSSeS a riVer during a 2011 Spartan raCe.

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Jay erskine leutze was living a simple life in the mountains of western north Carolina when he was drawn into a battle against the operators of a proposed gravel quarry very close to the appalachian trail (a.t.) in the roan Highlands near his home. He chronicles the genesis of the fight and his subsequent four years in the state court system in the recently published Stand Up That Mountain: The Battle to Save One Small Community in the Wilderness along the Appalachian Trail. it integrates comprehensive legal details into a gripping storyline that includes a plethora of authentic characters, from colorful residents of the small mountain town to distinguished lawyers in raleigh to dyed-in-the-wool environmental activists. in this era of environmental calamity everywhere we look, Stand Up That Mountain is a refreshing and optimistic perspective on the power of people to speak up for places they love. i spoke with leutze the morning after he gave a public talk in asheville for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the a.t.

Give us an overview of what happens in the book.the conflict surrounded a private mining enterprise that was forced to move from its current location, and they went looking for places to mine for gravel. they managed to get a permit to mine 151 acres including the summit of a 4,400 foot peak called Belview Mountain. one day, i got a telephone call from a very articulate woman who told me that the Mining act of 1971 was being violated behind

her house. She said she had photographs that she would share with me. So i went to meet her and that’s when i learned she was a 14-year-old girl named ashley Cook. She was being homeschooled by her aunt ollie and her uncle Curly in their home, which was a defunct auto-repair shop, a cinderblock building on the side of the road. She asked me to help her because she knew i had been to law school. i felt very drawn in by their passion and the fear that they had. what followed was a four-year legal battle between a private citizens group, and public interest law firms, and two national conservation organizations, the a.t. Conservancy and the national parks Conservation association.

How did you decide to write a book about your experience?By the time we were filing the lawsuit, i knew i was living in a story that was rich with characters. i knew i was in the middle of a remarkable story with people who were confronted with conflicts, which is what makes stories move. Stories are powerful because they mimic our lives. My life had become a script for a hell of a movie. one of the joys of this story has been watching local people have an opportunity to stand up for the things they care the most about. this story is providing a lot of inspiration to people who see natural gas companies coming into their communities to do hydraulic fracturing and people who are facing threats in a nation with a growing population where we are bumping up against each other more and more.

What was the relationship like between the local community and the conservation organizations you were working with?there was a lot of distrust in the local community of the a.t. community. the trail is placed in the most remote locations that can be found, so there’s almost no contact between hikers and these communities until the trail crosses a road. So ollie and ashley and Curly didn’t really have any realization that there was a national park unit behind their house. ollie called it “that little dirt path up on the hill.” So it took some convincing to build some trust.

What are you working on now?i buy land for the Southern appalachian Highlands Conservancy in asheville. the landscape that my land trust was founded to protect was the roan Highlands. a lot of people asked me if i was going to practice environmental law after this case. instead, i started working with the land trust community, working with willing landowners who wanted to protect their own land and badly needed tools to do that. that’s what land trusts provide. the land trust movement has protected more land over the last six or seven years using voluntary conservation easements and land acquisition than land that was lost to sprawl. i wanted to be in the middle of that. one of our recent successes was partnering on the acquisition of the 10,000-acre rocky Fork in east tennessee.

What do you love about the Southern Appalachians?i live in a very sparsely populated landscape where people are still getting lost. Several times a year on foggy days the word goes out that a small group of hikers is lost in the roan. i think it’s amazing that in this fast-growing state that there are still places where reasonably competent outdoor enthusiasts can get lost. that inspires me. i love crossing a ridge and standing in a place where i’m quite confident that nobody has stood in a very long time, if ever. we can secure that experience for future generations, not only in a beautiful landscape, but in a landscape of remarkable biodiversity. a lot of my love is connected to fishing and clean water. i love drinking right out of my spring. i live at the top of my watershed, and so many people live downstream of me. we need to figure out a way to ensure that everybody’s got clean water.

Is there anyone you’ve turned to as a role model in your own work and life?Mark twain. i find something relevant in twain every time i pick up his writing. of course i love wendell Berry, a lot of nature writers, a lot of southern writers too. But i pick up twain first. He gets me in a framework of diabolical creativity.

Jay Leutze will be speaking about Stand up that Mountain on February 25 at Lynchburg College.

Stand With That Mountain Author fights for his beloved Blue Ridge in a page-turning bestseller By Laura Henry-Stone

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Jay leutze teaMed up witH loCalS near roan Mountain to Stop a graVel quarry FroM deStroying a SCeniC peak in SoutHern appalaCHia.


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s Best of the BackcountryThere’s no time where gear means more than when you are out on your own in the wild. By Doug Schnitzspahn

G E A R

1. DPS Wailer 112RPthe quick-turning wailer 112 features lots of sidecut and a touch of camber. it really can do it all—on an early-season trip, it was shockingly stable at speed and effortless in pow. But the deal-breaker is the weight—the carbon and nano verison ponies up at just 4.19 pounds each in a 190 cm ski, making it simple to schuss up the skin trail. $1,249 (Pure construction), $799 (Hybrid construction); dpsskis.com

2. Black Diamond Carbon Megawattthis fat boy—125 mm underfoot—does not move like a Clydesdale. the carbon construction keeps the latest iteration of the popular Meg down to 9 pounds, 5 ounces in a 188-cm pair. the rockered tip and slightly rockered tail give it flotation. you just won’t find another ski this wide that tours this well. $829; blackdiamondequipment.com

3. Liberty Variantliberty added titanal along the edges of its new Variant (145/113/132). pair that strength with the brand’s bamboo constructon and you get a big, stable touring ski that serves day-to-day duty in the wildly varying snow

conditions of the Blue ridge backcountry. $839; libertyskis.com

4. Jones Hovercraft Splitdon’t be fooled by the shorter length of the oddly shaped Hovercraft. this baby can lope through deep powder fields just as easily as it can rip off freestyle moves on natural backcountry terrain features. the split capability makes it an effective mountaineering tool, too. $699; jonessnowboards.com

5. Drift Innovation HD Ghostthe Hd poV cam has become required gear these days and the easy-to-operate ghost will record video and snap off still photos on the go, thanks in part to a two-way led remote control that makes it easy to focus on the riding at hand rather than futzing with camera controls. $399; driftinnovation.com

6. La Sportiva Spitfiretipping the scales at just 44 ounces per boot, the Spitfire wants to be the first up the trail. that makes it ideal for racing, but a low profile grilamid shell and a Carbon reinforced polymer cuff give the boot enough downhill

oomph for local exploration. Best of all, they switch from tour to ski mode with one easy flip of the top buckle. $899; sportiva.com

7. Dynafit One PXdynafit took its wildly popular (but insanely minimalist) tlt5 and gave it a touch more downhill guts to create a light touring boot for the mainstream. weighing in at just 27.5 ounces per boot, it features a similar one-flip buckle for walk or tour mode, but it’s warmer, roomier and more confident on the downs. $640; dynafit.com

8. Ortovox Zoom PlusHere’s an affordable beacon that’s basic and effective. it uses just two buttons and a simple display screen but still takes advantage of ortovox’s smart, three-antenna system to locate victims buried at odd angles. $299; ortovox.com

9. S.O.G. PowerlockMelding ski patrol and special ops, this is one multitool you will want in your pack when things go wrong. the clippers will cut through a quarter and the small saw is damn sharp. $114; sogknives.com

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SNOWSPORTSFREESTYLE dOuBLE CROSSWINTERGREEN, VIRGINIAJanUaRY 27, febRUaRY 10 and 23over the course of the season, wintergreen hosts three different competitions on its slopes, the results are tallied and an overall winner is crowned after the finale. the races themselves consist of multiple heats of four skiers or snowboarders at a time barreling through their specially designed terrain park over jumps, gaps, and banked turns at top speed. the inclusiveness and unpredictability of the races is what organizer Sepp kober loves about the race. “it’s open to all ages, as well as skiers and snowboarders,” he said. “anything can happen.” in the double cross, the right tactics can become as crucial as speed on the course, since, as they say, “rubbing is racing.” the event takes on a carnival atmosphere with music pumping at the top of the hill and the race director calling out the results in real time. wintergreenresort.com

TOTALLY 80s RETRO WEEKEndBEECH MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINAfebRUaRY 22-24, 2013prepare to hit the way-back button with this retro

weekend at Beech Mountain outside Boone, n.C.; you’re going to have to break out the aviators, neon, and one-pieces if you want to fit in at this party. Just be sure to stretch before you assault the mountain with spread eagles, daffies, and backscratchers. last year’s event featured a mechanical bull, best outfit competition, and hair bands lighting up the stage. deep, 80s-themed discounts are as prominent as leg warmers and chest hair throughout the resort. new events this year include an 80s trick contest and a rail jam with a dJ spinning your favorite hits from the decade. get your dance on at an after party with no cover. beechmountainresort.com

Wv OPEnSNOWSHOE, WEST VIRGINIAfebRUaRY 23, 2013Snowshoe Mountain is the largest resort in west Virginia, and the region for that matter, so it is no surprise that the resort hosts the largest slopestyle competition of its kind in the area. the wV open draws the best talent from the state and beyond to Silver Creek’s Mountaineer terrain park for one night of spins, flips, and grinds. the event takes place under lights, which only adds to the competition’s electric atmosphere. also included in the festivities is a demo by u.S. airbag, a maker of giant pads for ski slopes and terrain parks. the bags are set up in the landing

zone so skiers and snowboarders will get their chance at launching huge or practicing new tricks without the threat of a slam on the ice. snowshoemtn.com

MOTOWn THROWdOWnMORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIAHalloween weekend, 2013each Halloween, Morgantown is overrun with young kids in wacky get-ups looking for handouts and getting hopped up on sugar. no, we are not talking about trick-or-treaters; we are talking about the crowd at the Motown throwdown. the annual rail jam competition is the earliest opportunity to slide on snow, even if it is 20,000 pounds trucked into downtown. the city shuts down High Street, and the Seven Springs park crew erects an elevated tower system to launch the riders. Bails and slams are cheered just as loudly as stomps as riders push the limits of street style. a dJ is on hand to entertain the crowd and pump up the competitors, and previous musical performances include Mix Master Mike and phife dawg of a tribe Called quest, but the party does not end when the contest does. pathfinderwv.com

SuGAR FESTSUGAR MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINAdeCeMbeR, 2013

by JACK MURRAY, JEDD FERRIS, GRAHAM AVERILL, and WILL HARLAN

Plan out your upcoming adventures with our 2013 calendar of the top regional events. Race to the tops of mountain summits, plunge

down steep creeks, spin your wheels across sick singletrack, and slog through the region’s muddiest, maddest obstacle races.

RACE AHEAD

JOE

FO

LEY


north Carolina’s Sugar Mountain pulls out all the stops for its annual Sugar Fest, now over a decade old. usually held in the early season as an official winter kick off, Sugar Fest is a diverse celebration of winter activities. Sugar Mountain director of Marketing kim Jochl says Sugar Fest is designed to appeal to everyone: “we’ve evolved it over the years to be more inclusive of all winter activities, not just skiing and snowboarding. we have fireworks, live music, and performances by paul wylie, [figure skating] olympic gold medalist.” along with wylie, Sugar brings in other olympians like skier diann roffe to teach clinics and meet the crowd. a rail jam caps off the event with over $4,500 in prizes and giveaways. skisugar.com

TRAIL RUNNINGREd TOP RuMBLECARTERSVILLE, GEORGIAfebRUaRY 3, 2013the race itself is on a figure eight trail system on a peninsula of allatoona lake. this 11.5-mile course is fast and flowy; hills are numerous but with only the occasional steep climb. racers rave about the well-maintained trails and the views of the lake along the course. Vendors host raffles and giveaways and hand out hot cocoa and soup to finishers and spectators, crucial for this February event. getguts.com

SMOKY MOunTAIn RELAYBREVARD, NORTH CAROLINAapRil 19-20, 2013get off your asphalt and run the region’s toughest trail relay—a 212-mile traverse of the most dramatic landscapes in Southern appalachia. Six- and 12-person teams trek through the night, traveling in vans to relay exchanges, en route to the finish at the nantahala outdoor Center near Bryson City, n.C. along the way, runners splash through mountain streams and follow scenic singletrack

BEST OF THE REST

Cupp run CHallengeSnowshoe Mountain, West Virginiafebruary 4, 2013 • snowshoemtn.com

tHe Maryland openWisp Resort, Marylandfebruary 23, 2013 • wispresort.com

wild tHing weekendCanaan Valley Resort, West VirginiaMarch 1-2, 2013 • canaanresort.com

Snowy luau FeStiValTimberline Resort, West VirginiaMarch 15-17, 2013 • timberlineresort.com

and Forest Service fire roads with stunning vistas of looking glass rock, Shining rock wilderness, Cold Mountain, and the great Smokies. smokymountainrelay.com

HIGHLAndS SKY 40 MILE TRAIL RunDAVIS, WEST VIRGINIAJUne 15, 2013the point-to-point course with 5,400 feet of elevation gain highlights the most beautiful scenery west Virginia has to offer, including roaring plains, the dolly Sods wilderness, and Canaan Valley State park. “it’s very rocky the first half, a lot of climbing and really technical,” says Mark lundblad, one of the region’s top ultra runners. “the second half opens up a little bit.” the signature section traces the road across the Sky, a long, exposed uphill section that is a psychological strain because it is open enough to see the seven miles of trail ahead of you. the Highlands Sky also has the distinction of being one of only a handful of races that are permitted to utilize designated wilderness, a distinction that race organizers take seriously. every spring they head out into the dolly Sods to perform trail maintenance using only hand tools like axes, saws, and shovels. wvmtr.org

STuMPJuMP 50KCHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEEoCtobeR 5, 2013For the past 11 years, the rock/Creek StumpJump 50k has been testing the mettle of trail runners

SHred For tHe CupAppalachian Ski Mountain, North Carolinaall winter • appskimtn.com

Run with the LEGENDS

blueridgemarathon.com/runwiththelegends

Ever wanted to run with Bart Yasso, Frank Shorter, AND Bill Rodgers?

Well here’s your chance to join their legendary five-person relay team!

ENTERTODAY!

contest ends 2/14


on Chattanooga’s renowned Signal Mountain singletrack. one of the premier trail ultra runs in the Southeast, drawing the best runners from the region in its field of over 500. over the 31-mile course, runners encounter everything from smooth, packed singletrack to swinging bridges and rock stairs—not to mention the mile-long, boulder-hopping rock garden. the varied terrain, fickle weather, and 4,500 feet of climbing prevent runners from getting into rhythm, making this race more taxing than it first appears. rockcreek.com/stumpjump

MOunTAIn MASOCHIST 50-MILERMONTEBELLO, VIRGINIAnoveMbeR 2, 2013it’s all right there in the name: masochist, mountain, miler, 50. put them all together in the right order and you’re in for a world of hurt. For three decades, that world of hurt has been punishing runners in this race in the george washington national Forest outside lynchburg, Va. runners begin their quest under the cover of darkness, but those strong enough to gain the ridge by daybreak are greeted with a sunrise that can stop you in your tracks – just don’t or you may be run over. Combining road, jeep trail, and single track, the race route is relatively tame for the first 25 miles; after that, the abuse really begins. the course has over 9,000 feet of climbing, and most of it comes in the second half of the race, including a sadistic loop to the top of Mount pleasant and back. luckily, the course

traverses some of the most beautiful scenery in the appalachians, and the final three-mile push for the finish line is a downhill cruise. eco-xsports.com

SHuT-In RIdGE TRAIL RunASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINAnoveMbeR 2, 2013the Shut-in trail climbs 5000 feet and descends 2000 feet, making for punishing climbs and hair-raising descents. Competitors are truly tested over the final two miles before the finish, when the Shut-in ridge trail seems to go straight up. the trail parallels and crosses the Blue ridge parkway several times during its ascent of Mount pisgah, making this race very spectator friendly and a rare opportunity to cheer on runners at several points in the race. jusrunning.com

BEST OF THE REST

uwHarrie 40-Mile Mountain runOphir, North Carolinafebruary 2, 2013 • bullcityrunning.com

Bel Monte 50kBlue Ridge Mountains, Virginiaapril 20, 2013 • belmonteraces.com

proMiSe land 50kBedford, Virginiaapril 27, 2013 • extremeultrarunning.com


Run Till You Drop We double-dare you to brave dark

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The Twilight Zone®The Twilight Zone®The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. ® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. ®

and is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc. ©Disney/CBS, Inc.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend October 4-5, 2013

runDisney.com


ROAD RUNNINGMILLER LIGHT CHARLOTTESvILLE MARATHOnCHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIAapRil 6, 2013after more than a decade, the Charlottesville Marathon has become a legitimate destination race. the course takes you on a tour of Charlottesville, from the hip downtown mall to the gorgeous outlying wine country. the course isn’t flat, but it’s not tough either. the biggest hill is early on at mile six, before a vineyard. other than that, it’s all rolling. “My favorite part of the course is the section along the rivanna river, between mile 23 and 26,” says race director Francesca Conte. “you’re almost at the end, and the river gives you a boost exactly when you need it.” charlottesvillemarathon.com

FOOT LEvELERS BLuE RIdGE MARATHOnROANOKE, VIRGINIAapRil 20, 2013run one of america’s toughest road marathons. with 3,620 feet of total elevation gain and 7,234 feet of total elevation change, the marathon gives new meaning to runner’s high. around mile 6, runners climb roanoke Mountain on the Blue ridge parkway, one of the most difficult sections of the course—and also one of the most stunningly scenic. not up for 26.2? team up for a five-person relay. running legends Bart yasso, Frank Shorter, and Bill rodgers will be on a relay team this year. blueridgemarathon.com

PEACHTREE ROAd RACEATLANTA, GEORGIAJUlY 4, 2013this 6.2-mile race through downtown atlanta is well-known as the biggest footrace in the

country. in 2013 and 2014, the peachtree will host the men’s and women’s 10k uSa Championships, solidifying the event as one of the best in the nation as well.

110—number of runners at the inaugural peachtree road race in 197060,000—Current race cap, making the peachtree the largest race in the country 750—number of port-a-johns at the race. 27:04—Course record, set in 199612,000+—number of runners who will finish in under an hour. 30+—number of runners who will finish in under 30 minutes

peachtreeroadrace.org

CRAzY 8s 8KKINGSPORT, TENNESSEEJUlY 13, 2013not only was the Crazy 8s one of the first night races in the country (start time is 10:08pm), and not only is the course lit by candle luminaries, but if you beat the course record, you’ll get a check for $10,008. good luck with that though, since the Crazy 8s course record is also the 8k world record (22:02), set by peter githuka in 1996. the lure of the world record has turned the Crazy 8s, in little kingsport, into one of america’s must-run races, attracting the fastest runners from all over the world. race director Hank Brown talks about the night that peter githuka ran the fastest 8k in history: “ we didn’t have crowd fencing back then, so once the crowd heard that someone was running at world record pace, they filled the streets. you couldn’t see the finish line through the people. we had to dig a hole through the crowd for the runners. it was a crazy scene.” it’s at night, with candles everywhere, and runners finish in the football

stadium with really loud music and the stadium lights. it’s like the X games for road racing. crazy8.com

BLuE RIdGE RELAYVIRGINIA / NORTH CAROLINAsepteMbeR 6-7, 2013a dozen runners pile into two vans and take turns rotating through 36 legs as they run 208 miles from grayson Highlands State park, in Virginia, to downtown asheville via some of the prettiest country roads in the Southern appalachians. “it’s 12 hours of suspenseful, dramatic, sleepless running adventure,” says Jerad Crave, who’s been on the winning relay team four times over. “if you want to win, each person has to run three hard races within 12 hours. you run your leg with no warm-up, finish, and jump in the van. there’s a chance to grab a few hours of sleep, but it’s so exciting, you keep going to see how everyone else is doing. it’s 3:30 in the morning when you finally try to doze off, then someone slaps your leg and says, “you’re up in 15 minutes.” blueridgerelay.com

SCeniC City trail HalFChattanooga, TennesseeMay 18, 2013 • rockcreek.comMaSSanutten Mountain 100Massanutten, VirginiaMay 18-19, 2013 • vhtrc.com

JaMeS riVer SCraMBle 10k preSented By goal zeroRichmond, VirginiaMay 18, 2013 • dominionriverrock.com

eaStern diVide ultra 50kMountain Lake, VirginiaJune 22, 2013 • easterndivideultra.com

SpringMaid SplaSH 10kSpruce Pine, North Carolinaaugust tbd, 2013 • mitchellraces.com

new riVer trail CHallengeFoster Falls, Virginiaseptember 21, 2013 • dcr.virginia.gov

BEST OF THE REST

Hilton Head HalF MaratHonHilton Head, South Carolinafebruary 9, 2013 • bearfootsports.com

green legS and HaMStringSDanville, VirginiaMarch 9, 2013 • danville-va.gov

SHaMroCk 4-MilerAbingdon, VirginiaMarch 15, 2013 • werunevents.com


MartinSVille HalF MaratHonMartinsville, VirginiaMarch 23, 2013 • milesinmartinsville.com

CHerry BloSSoM 10-MilerWashington, D.C.april 7, 2013 • cherryblossom.org

knoXVille MaratHonKnoxville, Tennesseeapril 7, 2013 • knoxvillemarathon.com

ukropS MonuMent aVenue 10kRichmond, Virginiaapril 13, 2013 • sportsbackers.org

diSMal SwaMp StoMp HalF MaratHonChesapeake, Virginiaapril 13, 2013 • dismalswampstomp.com

CHarlotte raCeFeSt HalF MaratHonCharlotte, North Carolinaapril 13, 2013 • charlotteracefest.com

pariS Mountain road raCeGreenville, South Carolinaapril 20, 2013 • parismountainroadrace.com

Fig leaF 5kDawsonville, Georgiaapril, 2013 • paradisevalleyclub.com

run For tHe dreaM HalF MaratHon and 8kWilliamsburg, Virginia

June 1-2, 2013 • runforachievabledream.com

Virginia wine Country HalF MaratHonLoudon, Virginia June 1, 2013 • destinationraces.com/runvirginia

Maggie Valley MoonligHt 8kMaggie Valley, North Carolinaaugust 24, 2013 • maggievalleymoonlightrun.com

aSHeVille Citizen-tiMeS MaratHon and HalF MaratHonAsheville, North Carolinaseptember 15, 2013 • citizen-times.com

tuCker CoMMunity Foundation run For it 5kDavis, West Virginiaseptember 28, 2013 • tuckerfoundation.net

tHe genwortH Virginia 10-MilerLynchburg, Virginiaseptember 28, 2013 • virginiatenmiler.com

CHerokee HarVeSt HalF-MaratHonCherokee, North Carolinaoctober 19, 2013 • cherokeeharvesthalf.com

CHarlotteSVille Fall ClaSSiC HalFCharlottesville, Virginiaoctober, 2013 • badtothebone.biz

tuna run 200Raleigh to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

october, 2013 • tunarun200.com

FreedoM’S run MaratHonSheperdstown, West Virginiaoctober 12, 2013 • freedomsrun.org

Be a part of the most dreamed of bike tour in the East, Bike Virginia. It’s a bicycling adventure you’ll smile about

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Where will the road take you?JUNE 21 - JUNE 26

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MOUNTAIN BIKINGSnAKE CREEK GAP TIME TRIALDAHLONEGA, GEORGIAJanUaRY–MaRCH, 2013locals call it “the Snake,” and the name says it all. Beautiful, but deadly. the course is 32 miles of the pinhoti trail in north georgia, ridden three times over three months in the dead of winter. Fastest time wins. “it’s the only trail i’ve ever cursed at,” says 2011’s singlespeed champ eric nicoletti. “the first 17 miles are pretty standard. a little uphill, a little downhill. Some rocks and roots. then you’re going along the ridgeline and the rocks get bigger and bigger until eventually, you’re trying to get around home-appliance-sized rocks. then you’ve got Bruce dickman, the race announcer. He gets out there on the course with a bullhorn and heckles the racers.”snake.nwgasprba.org

MASSAnuTTEn HOO-HAMASSANUTTEN RESORT, VIRGINIAJUne 8-9, 2013the Hoo-Ha is two days of racing on Massanutten’s western Slope, a semi-private singletrack course lovingly maintained by the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. racers choose from 12-mile XC course or the 32-mile XXC course. if you’re more gravity inclined, you’ve got a short track race or the Super d, a fast race over a 3.5-mile course that begins high on Massanutten Mountain and challenges your downhill endurance. the Hoo-Ha is the jewel in the triple Crown east Series, a mountain bike event series that also includes the Bump n’ grind in alabama and the Fontana dam Jam in north Carolina. massresort.com

CHOMOLunGMA CHALLEnGESNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN, WEST VIRGINIAaUgUst, 2013one of the South’s newest races, the Chomolungma may also be one of the region’s most unique. it’s an enduro downhill event, with riders bombing laps on Snowshoe’s bike park in the steep western territory. the fastest biker to drop the elevation of Mount everest wins. Here’s a numbers breakdown to whet your appetite.

1,500 feet—Vertical drop per lap20—number of laps you’ll ride 29,035 feet—total elevation you’ll drop, the reverse height of everest. Chomolungma—traditional tibetan name for

Mount everest.ride.snowshoemtn.com

SHEnAndOAH MOunTAIn 100STOKESVILLE, VIRGINIAsepteMbeR, 2013the SM100 is the original mountain bike sufferfest. it was the first 100-mile mountain bike race on the east Coast on singletrack, founded by race director Chris Scott.

15 years ago, why put on a 100-miler? we needed a bigger, better adventure on the east Coast. it was kind of the heyday of 24 hour races, but we felt going around in circles was missing something. we wanted bigger terrain. when i came up with the 100-mile idea, my friends didn’t think it was possible. we hadn’t ridden 100 miles on trail before. this was the first trail-based 100 miler on the east Coast.

What makes the race so popular? the trails. the trails here are just so good. the beer from Starr Hill helps too.

What’s your favorite part of the course? we designed the course around the Chestnut ridge downhill. it’s 10 miles of downhill that starts so high up, so far out there in the backcountry. we put it near the end of the race so everyone remembers it. personally, my favorite trail on the course is dowells

antHeM riCHMond MaratHonRichmond, Virginianovember 16, 2013 • richmondmarathon.com

pHiladelpHia MaratHonPhiladelphia, Pennsylvanianovember 22-24, 2013 • philadelphiamarathon.com

Art by hiGh PeAk sPortsWeAr

Feb 10 - round 2Feb 23 - chAMPionshiP

& PArty!


draft. you’re surfing sidehill for five miles.

Anything big planned for the 15th anniversary?we’ll have brand new trail to ride. we just finished building two miles of trail that goes up narrow Back Mountain, the first mountain you ride on the course. it’s rocky, with huge school-bus-sized boulders. mtntouring.com

PISGAH STAGE RACEBREVARD, NORTH CAROLINAoCtobeR, 2013Make no mistake, signing up for the pisgah Stage race is a commitment. Five long days of riding infamous pisgah singletrack is not to be taken lightly. “you’re racing the best cross-country bikers in the South,” says kym Schifino, the overall women’s winner in 2012. “the climbs are brutal, but at the top, you have a world-class downhill. it’s impossible not to have fun on Black Mountain. that’s my absolute favorite trail on the course. pure downhill fun, and a lot of the stages end with it. yes, there’s some hike-a-bike. Farlow gap is the toughest part of the race. it’s full of rocks that you have to carry your bike over, and you slip and turn an ankle. it’s just as easy to wreck walking Farlow as it is riding it.” blueridgeadventures.net

ROAD CYCLINGATHEnS TWILIGHT CRITERIuMATHENS, GEORGIAapRil 26-27, 2013Founded in 1980, the athens twilight was the first nighttime cycling race in the u.S. in more than 60 years. the race saw 40 riders that first year. it’s now the premier crit in the country, with eight separate race classes and 150 fast sprint cyclists. the course is a simple 1k rectangle through downtown athens, lined with 30,000 fans cheering, drinking, and even heckling. Spectators are really close to the action. Cyclists are going 35 mph, right in front of you, and you get a sense for just how fast that is. it’s the fastest race they’ll ride all year. it’s also a rough and tumble sport. you’ve got 100 bike riders, inches apart, pushing each other. it’s like a naSCar event. athenstwilight.com

WInTERGREEn ASCEnTROSELAND, VIRGINIAapRil, 2013this classic hill climb begins at devils Backbone Brewing Company and follows Hwy 664 as it ascends wintergreen Mountain. there is no down. only up. Here’s a number’s breakdown of this short, but tough race.

6.75 miles—distance up the mountain 30 seconds—intervals that riders are sent up the mountain in classic time-trial fashion. pedal your heart out to catch the rider in front of you and stay ahead of the rider behind you. 7.4 percent—average grade incline from start to finish 15 percent—Max grade during the course 2,626 feet—total elevation you’ll gain

vacycling.org

ASSAuLT On MOunT MITCHELLSPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINAMaY 20, 2013the assault may not be the toughest road race in the South, but it’s easily the most iconic. is there any challenge more primal than trying to ride up the biggest mountain around? From 100 miles away? 750 riders accept this challenge every year, pedaling 102 miles from Spartanburg, S.C.

BEST OF THE REST

Fontana iCyCleFontana Village, North CarolinaJanuary, 2013 • icyclerace.com

CoHutta 100Ocoee Whitewater Center, Tennesseeapril 27, 2013 • trailheadoutdoors.com

dragon’S taleNew Castle, Virginiaapril, 2013 • mtntouring.com

Middle Mountain MaMaDouthat State Park, VirginiaMay 5, 2013 • mountainbikevirginia.com

piSgaH 111kBrevard, North CarolinaMay 18, 2013 • pisgahproductions.com

tHule urBan aSSaultRichmond, VirginiaMay 18, 2013 • dominionriverrock.com

Cole SuBaru Crying wolF CHallengeBluefield, West VirginiaMay 19, 2013 • cryingwolfchallenge.com

Burn 24-Hour CHallengeWilkesboro, North CarolinaMay 25, 2013 • burn24hour.com

tranS-SylVania Mountain Bike epiCState College, PennsylvaniaMay 26-June 1, 2013 • tsepic.com

gran Fondo allegHany HigHlandSCovington, VirginiaJuly 12-14, 2013 • visitalleghanyhighlands.com

georgia SingleSpeed State CHaMpionSHipHartwell, Georgiaseptember, 2013 • gsschamp.com

Baker’S dozenForks Area Trail System, South Carolinaoctober, 2013 • sorbacsra.org

Swank 65Brevard, North Carolinanovember, 2013 • blueridgeadventures.net

nortH Carolina CyCloCroSS SerieSVarious locations, North Carolinaoctober-January, 2013-14

Virginia CyCloCroSS SerieSVarious locations, Virginiaoctober-december, 2013

JOE

FO

LEY

Take advantage of our wave starts and the flat course to set a PR. Enjoy the architecture and spring blooms as you run, jog or walk along Richmond’s most scenic street. Soak in the sounds of the bands and spirit groups along the course as they cheer YOU across the finish line. Dress up in your craziest costume for a chance to win cash prizes. Choose to raise money for the Massey Cancer Center, or volunteer to help support one of the largest participation events in the country.

Run it, walk it, do it in costume or cheer for friends—however you choose to 10k, you don’t want to miss it!

AN EVENT OF THE

#1: The Dresser Upper #3: Running for a Good Cause #9: The Walker #4: The Casual Runner

#11: The Helping Hand

SM

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

#7: MUSICIAN!

RSB-26167-10kad(Bro)_v1.indd 1 12/17/12 11:51 AM


to the top of Mount Mitchell, a route that takes in 10,350 feet of elevation gain. the first 75 miles are rolling, but the last 25 miles are packed with the most brutal climbs. freewheelers.info

jeReMiah biShOp’S aLpiNe LOOP GRAn FOndOHARRISONBURG, VIRGINIAsepteMbeR 29, 2013it’s billed as the toughest gran fondo in america, 104 miles of Virginia and west Virginia back roads with 11,000 feet of climbing and two gravel roads. “i’ve been training on the route

BEST OF THE REST

roanoke twiligHt CriteriuMRoanoke, Virginaapril, 2013 • roanoketwilight.com

3 State 3 Mountain CHallengeChattanooga, TennesseeMay 4, 2013 • chattbike.com

BlaCk and Blue douBle CenturyBoone, North CarolinaJune 8, 2013 • blackandbluerelay.com

Blood, Sweat, and gearSBoone, North CarolinaJune, 2013 • bloodsweatandgears.org

tour oF page CountyLuray, VirginaJune, 2013 • pagevalleycycling.com

Bike Virginia tourBuena Vista, VirginiaJune 21-26, 2013 • bikevirginia.org

Hot dogget 100Mars Hill, North CarolinaJuly 13, 2013 • hotdoggett100.org

24 HourS oF BootyCharlotte, North CarolinaJuly 26-27, 2013 • 24hoursofbooty.org

for almost a decade. it’s a ball buster, for sure. it’s one of the hardest training rides i’ll do,” says founder Jeremiah Bishop. “it’ll find the limit of most people, but still allow them to enjoy a beer afterwards. Start in the city of Harrisonburg, then ride through the agricultural bread basket of Virginia and into the national forest in west Virginia. Sheep cling to the sides of the mountains, there are open meadows on peaks…it’s like riding in Switzerland. “it harkens back to an era when people who rode road bikes weren’t soft men who shaved their legs and rode $10,000 bikes,” continues Bishop. “road cycling used to be hard core. this gets back to the soul of the ride.” alpineloopgranfondo.com

SIx GAP CEnTuRYHELEN, GEORGIAsepteMbeR 29, 2013Some say it’s the toughest century in the South. Show up and you’ll pedal the steepest mountain gaps in georgia, following the same route that pros battled on during the tour de georgia. in the middle of the ride, there’s a time-trial race up Hogpen gap, the toughest climb on the route. the winner is proclaimed king of the Mountain. “everyone’s mellow at the beginning, but then you have this independent race up the gap where everyone has a chip and digs deep because your time is compared to everyone else’s,”says Brian toone, last year’s king. “you’re spent at the end of the koM challenge, but you’ve got half the century left to ride.” cyclenorthgeorgia.com

BR

Ad

ALL

En


tour de Burg (road dayS)Harrisonburg, VirginiaJuly, 2013 • svbcoalition.org

Blue ridge BreakawayWaynesville, North Carolinaaugust 17, 2013 • blueridgebreakaway.com

SHenandoaH Valley CenturyHarrisonburg, Virginiaseptember, 2013 • svbcoalition.org

town Mountain Hill CliMBAsheville, North Carolinaseptember, 2013 • ashevillewomenscycling.com

george HinCapie gran FondoGreenville, South Carolinaoctober, 2013 • granfondohincapie.com

Final FiFty rideGreenville, South Carolinadecember 29, 2013 • greenvillespinners.org

CLIMBINGHORSE PEnS ROCKS CLIMBInG FESTIvALCHANDLER MOUNTAIN, ALABAMAMaRCH, 2013the Horse pens-40 nature park in north alabama holds some of the oldest naturally exposed rock in the world. in the 1960s Horse pens was

used as a natural amphitheater for the nation’s best bluegrass and country artists. Hp rocks combines the music heritage and climbing pedigree of Horse pens with a shared bouldering competition and music festival. dJs spin tunes late into the night, pros show up to teach clinics and with camping on-site, the party rocks until the wee hours. the $8,000 in cash and prizes brings out the best climbers, and its close proximity to Birmingham brings the best food and craft beer in the state. horsepensrocks.blogspot.com

nEW RIvER REndEzvOuSNEW RIVER GORGE, WEST VIRGINIAMaY, 2013west Virginia’s new river gorge has drawn climbing’s elite to its sandstone faces for decades. the new river alliance of Climbers (nraC) in 2002 founded a weekend-long festival of climbing that now draws 1,000 climbers to the area every spring to celebrate the gorge and its climbing history, including the sport’s big names like Sasha digiulian and paul robinson. Clinics, demos, and comps – including the nation’s only trad comp – highlight the weekend-long event. though the nraC had to skip 2012 for a bevy of reasons, they vow to be back in 2013 with an even bigger and better new river rendezvous. newriverclimbing.net

ROCKTOBERFESTRED RIVER GORGE, KENTUCKYoCtobeR, 2013

in 2004 the red river gorge Climbers’ Coalition (rrgCC) purchased a 750-acre parcel of land in the gorge containing over 400 existing routes, and some of the hardest in the red. they have been paying off the mortgage ever since, and rocktoberfest is the main avenue for raising funds. it worked: the 2012 event marked the final payment on the tract of land, and was one of the rowdiest ever with a decidedly kentucky feel. along with traditional fare like clinics from pros, demos and comps, rocktoberfest featured arm wrestling, bluegrass mosh pitting, and crate stacking. rocktoberfest.com

TRIPLE CROWn BOuLdERInG SERIESNORTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, ALABAMAoCtobeR-deCeMbeR, 2013the triple Crown is the standout bouldering series in the Southeast, drawing the top climbers from around the region and the u.S. as the name suggests, the triple Crown is a string of three competitions at three of the best bouldering sites in the Southeast: Hounds ear in Boone, n.C., Stone Fort in Chattanooga, tenn., and Horse pens 40 in Steele, ala. three states, three boulderfields, one overall winner. even though this is a series, each individual competition stands alone as an event. Some of the boulderfields are on private land and closed the rest of the year, which only adds to the buzz of the series. “Since we’ve started the series, we’ve helped purchase several climbing

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March 23Martinsville Half Marathon,5K & Relay

September 6Harvest Moon Run 10Kand Dancing on Depot

November 28Turkey Day 5Kand Family Fun Run

December 14Girls on the Run 5Kand Fall Celebration

April 20Girls on the Run 5Kand Spring Celebration

May 26Tuff Strutter 5K Trail Runat Rooster Walk

August 10Helgramite Hustle Mud Runat Smith River Fest


areas and expand public lands,” says series founder Jim Horton. live music, free beer, vendors offering free demos and raffles, and pre-comp raves are all on the table for each. triplecrownbouldering.org

PADDLINGCHEAT RIvER FESTALBRIGHT, WEST VIRGINIAMaY 4, 2013

and paddlers exchange war stories of the day’s activities and more around bonfires that burn through the morning. americanwhitewater.org

FREnCH BROAd RIvER FESTHOT SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINAMaY 3-5, 2013Held at the Hot Springs Campground in Hot Springs, n.C., the French Broad river Fest is coming up on its 16th year and has something for everyone. the festival has raised over $100,000 for local charities and american whitewater. not bad for a festival in a town with only 650 permanent residents. the festival is held at the crossroads of the French Broad and appalachian trail, and draws thousands for its live music that has included bands such as the gourds and Snake oil Medicine Show. revelers have the opportunity to “paddle with a pro,” running Section 9 with a professional paddler, or entering a rafting race that ends at the campground. if you would prefer to stay on dry land, enter the mountain bike race, free for festival attendees. frenchbroadriverfestival.com

GAuLEY FESTSUMMERSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIAsepteMbeR 20-21, 2013For 29 years, there has been one constant through the craziness that was the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s: on the third weekend in September, gauley Fest will be happening. Held on the banks of the gauley in Summersville, w.V. the festival is the largest paddling fest in the world. paddlers

BEST OF THE REST

Float tHe BoatAtlanta, GeorgiaJanuary 19, 2013 • seclimbers.org

roCk and raVeAtlanta, Georgiafebruary 23, 2013 • rockandrave.com

Beg, Borrow, and SteelLocust Fork, AlabamaJune, 2013 • begborrowsteel.blogspot.com

Fall FlaSH FeStAsheville, North Carolinafall, 2013 • climbmaxnc.com

BoulderweenSteele, AlabamaHalloween weekend, 2013 • seclimbers.com

the festival is a large fundraiser for Friends of the Cheat river, stewards of the health of the watershed. last year’s event, the 17th annual, raised $25,000 for the organization. over the years, Cheat Fest has incorporated more family- and kid-friendly activities to supplement their environmental and conservation focus. on Friday boaters line up at the mouth for the mass start of the Cheat river Canyon to run the “Mass-occurrence” downriver race. day-long Saturday festivities kick off with a 5k foot race and live music all day on the grounds. along with last year’s record amount of funds raised, the festival saw its biggest attendance to date, with 3,300 people streaming through. cheat.org

TALLuLAH FESTTALLULAH FALLS, GEORGIAapRil 12-14, 2013in 1912, the tallulah river was dammed above tallulah Falls, once known as the niagara of the South. what had been a major tourist attraction ceased to be until the mid-1990s when american whitewater and other advocates secured a few weekends of release a year. the tallulah became an instant classic, and is celebrated with unrestrained enthusiasm at tallulah Fest, a weekend-long whitewater jamboree corresponding with one of two spring dam releases. along with paddling down the ancient, 1000-feet-deep tallulah river gorge, festivalgoers delight in one of the wildest weekends in the South. whitewater adventure films loop on huge screens, bluegrass blares through the night,

Tasting Event with Whole Foods MarketCome to the Charlottesville Whole Foods Market

to taste great pre-race and post-race foods, gather info on the marathon and grab a sample of our

sports nutrition favorites.

Special giveaways, including a pair of entries to

the Whole Foods Market Half Marathon!

FEBRUARY 26TH | 6-7:30PM

You are invited!

Francesca Conte, professional ultra runner, Bad to the Bone President and Race organizer will be there to answer any

questions about the Marathon/Half Marathon.


BEST OF THE REST

Jerry’S BaddleGreen River, North Carolinaapril, 2013 • jerrysbaddle.org

noC’S Spring FlingBryson City, North Carolinaapril 26-28, 2013 • noc.com

potoMaC wHitewater FeStiValWashington, D.C.June/July, 2013 • potomacfest.com

SMitH riVer FeStMartinsville, Virginiaaugust 10, 2013 • visitmartinsville.com

oCoee FeStiValDucktown, Tennesseeaugust 31-september 1, 2013 • americanwhitewater.org

can also sell used or extra gear, and also pick up a few things they are missing. “it’s also a big fundraiser for american whitewater, a national non-profit dedicated to conserving america’s whitewater resources. “you get three to five thousand people in a ballpark, so to speak, stuff happens,” says paddler Steve ruth. “i haven’t seen a lot of ‘bad’ crazy stuff happen, but it definitely gets festive.” americanwhitewater.org

RuSSELL FORK REndEzvOuSELKHORN CITY, KENTUCKYoCtobeR 26-27, 2013dam releases on eastern kentucky’s russell Fork turn this river from a fairly mellow run into one of the east’s premier whitewater destinations. “it’s almost the anti-festival festival,” says Steve ruth. “it’s sort of the counter-culture festival; we do weird things like a dance contest, things that don’t necessarily have to do with boating.” there is still plenty of paddling to be had at the rendezvous, however. the lord of the Fork downriver race is held in concurrence with the festival, and because it typically falls on the weekend before the green river race, many paddlers use it as a warm up. russellfork.info

GREEn RIvER nARROWS RACESALUDA, NORTH CAROLINAnoveMbeR 2, 2013this class V whitewater has been a rite of passage for paddlers since the late 1980s. at high noon on the first Saturday in november for the past 17 years, the best paddlers on the east Coast gather at the green for an iconic downriver

race that has no entry fee, no qualifications, and no prize money. How can one of the most coveted titles in the whitewater world not come with a prize purse? the race originated as a friendly, grassroots affair among friends, and that is still at the heart of what makes the green river race go. Says 10-time participant Chris gragtmans: “gorgeous fall weather and colors, a crowd of 1,000 spectators cheering you on, and one of the most challenging race courses that has ever been raced. there’s nothing like having tunnel vision and facing your fears by dropping into the notch (the crux drop of gorilla), with that many people surrounding you. it’s like a roman amphitheater.” americanwhitewater.org

HIKINGdAHLOnEGA TRAIL FESTDAHLONEGA, GEORGIAMaRCH 22-24, 2013only 70 miles from atlanta, dahlonega is the perfect site for the kickoff festival of the a.t. season. guest speakers such as author Johnny Malloy and 16-time thru-hiker warren doyle give presentations and host clinics, giving this festival a decidedly educational feel. the town started the festival following their designation as an a.t. trail Community, but it’s not just about the a.t. Canoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking workshops and activities are also planned. dahlonegatrailfest.org

HOT SPRInGS TRAILFESTHOT SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINAapRil 19-21, 2013the a.t. runs down Main Street of this hamlet of 650 people, well known by hikers as the first “trail town” for north-bounders. Virtually the whole town turns out to line the streets for trailFest, held at the end of april every year since 1995. along with music and guided hikes, trailFest has activities focused specifically on thru-hikers. these include a hiker’s chili cookoff, where each entry must include at least one ingredient from your pack. there are also Hiker games and a talent contest, and a ducky race and family flotilla on the French Broad. the festival wraps up on Sunday with a community-wide pickup soccer game. hsclc.org

SIERRA CLuB OnE-dAY 100K HIKEWASHINGTON, D.C.apRil 27, 2013Since 1974, the Sierra Club has been hosting the one day Hike, concurrent 100k and 50k hikes that take place almost entirely on the C&o Canal towpath. the 100k hikers take off from the thompson Boat Center in georgetown and hike the towpath all the way to Bolivar, w.V. just west of Harpers Ferry. this long distance hike begins at three in the morning, with hikers completing the first two hours in complete darkness. Most see the sun come up over great Falls on the potomac, one of the more memorable sights on the route. the 100k hike has an average finishing rate of around 50 percent. the hike is fully supported, with over 100 volunteers manning aid stations and bikes to make sure no one falls too far behind. onedayhike.org

TRAIL dAYSDAMASCUS, VIRGINIAMaY, 2013damascus celebrates its designation as trail town, uSa each spring with one of the largest hiking festivals in the east, drawing up to 20,000 people annually. aimed to coincide with northbound thru-hikers coming into town in the spring, trail days’ hosts and vendors provide many services for those on the appalachian trail including free gear repair, medical screenings, and hot showers. More important than the


services is the chance for a.t. enthusiasts and thru-hikers past, present, and future to mingle, culminating in a parade through downtown with thru-hikers as the stars. traildays.us

nATIOnAL TRAIL dAYSNATIONWIDEJUne 1, 2013national trail days was created in 1993 as a response to a white House report stating that all americans should live within 15 minutes of a trail through their city or town. while we as a nation are still trying to accomplish this lofty goal, trail days is a great place to start. towns and communities hold their own events that vary greatly; anything from dog walks to mass bike rides are included. each event is tailored to the needs of a particular trail or trail community. the main goal of the events is to raise awareness of existing trails, spark interest in building more, and promote trails as the path to a healthier lifestyle anyone can enjoy. in 2012, the american Hiking association reported 157,000 trail days event participants nationwide hiked a total of 375,000 miles, biked another 200,000 miles, and paddled 33,000 miles. not bad for one day. americanhiking.org

BEST OF THE REST

SoutHern ruCkWesser, North CarolinaJanuary 18-21, 2013 • soruck.net

Franklin april FoolS trail daySFranklin, North CarolinaMarch 29-30, 2013 • aprilfoolstraildays.com

a.t. Founder’S Bridge FeStiValWesser, North Carolinaapril 3-6, 2013 • noc.com

aldHa gatHeringAthens, West Virginiaoctober, 2013 • aldha.org

MULTISPORTTHE JunGLE CuP 5K SERIESWINNSBORO, SOUTH CAROLINAMaRCH 2 and 23, 2013“welcome to the Jungle!” Scream it like axl as you grind through one of the grittiest new obstacle courses. the Jungle Cup Series has recently expanded to five races with two upcoming in our footprint (March 2 at Carolina adventure world in winnsboro and March 23 in Baltimore). the 3.1-mile course is peppered with 21 unique challenges. racers will swing on ropes over water, climb steep walls, throw spears, trudge through swampy mud pits, push sleds, haul logs, and brave fire pits, as they try to complete one of the most unconventional 5ks around. tarzanscup.com

SHEnAndOAH EPIC AdvEnTuRE RACEBENTONVILLE, VIRGINIAapRil 20-21, 2013traversing the rugged backcountry of the george washington national Forest, solo racers and teams of two or four will cover over 100 miles in up to 26 hours,

navigating their way through a wild course filled with epic terrain that also finds its way into Shenandoah river State park. racers will cover the course through a range of disciplines, including trekking, orienteering, canoeing on the Shenandoah river, mountain biking, and some special team challenges. rev3adventure.com

nEW RIvER GORGE CHALLEnGE ExTREME TRIATHLOnFAYETTEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIAaUgUst, 2013the race starts with a 12-mile mountain bike leg that departs from the Fayette County Courthouse and winds its way to Cunard on the gorge’s ridgeline singletrack trail network. then it’s time to paddle an eight-mile stretch of the new’s wild class iii-iV rapids. the tri concludes with a burly 8.5-mile trail run up and out of the gorge on a series of steep switchbacks. newrivergorgechallenge.com

KInG OF THE SMOKIES TRIATHLOnLAKE JUNALUSKA, NORTH CAROLINAsepteMbeR, 2013Started just three years ago in 2010, the king of the Smokies features both sprint and international distance courses that include an open-water swim, a winding bike ride on rural mountain roads, and a run around the lake. kingofthesmokies.com

NaTiON’S TRiaThLONWASHINGTON, D.C.septeMbeR 8, 2013triathletes love to see the sites in d.C. Hence the consistent sellouts of this annual early fall olympic distance race. the popularity is attributed to the scenic course that winds past the monuments and memorials of the nation’s Capital. the race features a 1.5k swim in the calm part of the potomac river past arlington Cemetery, a flat and fast 40k bike ride past the white House and washington Monument, and a 10k run that goes by the Jefferson Memorial and u.S. Mint. nationstri.com

BEST OF THE REST

TRIATHLONStriadVenture Spring Sprint triatHlonChristiansburg, Virginiaapril 7, 2013 • triadventure.com

oVer tHe Mountain triatHlonKings Mountain, North CarolinaMay 15, 2013 • setupevents.com

allegHany HigHlandS triatHlonClifton Forge, VirginiaMay 18, 2013 • cliftonforgemainstreet.org

roCk Hall international triatHlon (a Set up Cup qualifier)Rock Hall, MarylandJune 1, 2013 • setupevents.com

JaMeStown international triatHlon (a Set up Cup qualifier)Williamsburg, VirginiaJune 8, 2013 • setupevents.com

FOR A COMPLETERACE LISTGO TO

setupevents.com/vts

2013

KINETIC Half & Sprint

MAY 11-12

JAMESTOWN Tri & Gran Fondo

JUNE 8-9

CULPEPERCULPEPER Int & Sprint

AUG 2-3

PATRIOTSHalf & Sprint

SEPT 7-8

BATTLE OF THE PTHE POTOMAC

Tri & 10K SEPT 14-15

GIANT ACORNInt & Sprint

SEPT 28-29


i loVe tHe taVern triatHlonRichmond, VirginiaJuly 28, 2013 • richmondmultisports.com

luray triatHlonLuray, Virginiaaugust 17-18, 2013 • luraytriathlon.com

tri Creek FallS triatHlonFall Creek Falls State Park, Tennesseeaugust 18, 2013 • endurancesportsmanagement.com

Battle oF tHe potoMaCNational Harbor, Marylandseptember 12, 2013 • setupevents.com

ADVENTURE RACESpalMetto SwaMp FoX adVenture raCeFrancis Marion Forest, South CarolinaMarch 16, 2013 • kandoadventures.com

Brake tHe HaBit adVenture raCeBoyds, MarylandMarch 16, 2013 • adventureaddictsracing.com

Blue ridge Mountain adVenture raCeBlue Ridge, Georgiaapril 13, 2013 • adventureracega.com

reV3 knoXVille Sprint raCeKnoxville, TennesseeMay 4, 2013 • rev3adventure.com

rundiSney eXpedition eVereSt CHallengeDisney World Resort, FloridaMay 4, 2013 • rundisney.com

HenriCuS dauBer daSH oBStaCle runHenricus, VirginiaJune, 2013 • sportsbackers.org

red riVer gorge aMeriCan ClaSSiCSlade, Kentuckynovember 2, 2013 • flyingsquirreladventures.com

MUD RUNSSpartan raCeCharlotte, North CarolinaMarch 23, 2013 • spartanrace.com

goodwill Mud runGreenville, South Carolinaapril 13-14, 2013 • goodwillmudrun.org

warrior daSHMountain City, GeorgiaMay 4, 2013 • warriordash.com

Miller ligHt FiltHy 5k Mud run, preSented By ruFF wearRichmond, VirginiaMay 17, 2013 • dominionriverrock.com

tougH MudderVirginia Beach, VirginiaJune 1-2, 2013 • toughmudder.com

triBal queStFredericksburg, VirginiaJuly 13, 2013 • thetribalquest.com

FOR A COMPLETERACE LISTGO TO

setupevents.com/mts

MARITIMEInternational

MAY 19

ROCK HALL Int & Sprint

JUNE 1-2

GENERAL GENERAL SMALLWOOD Int & Sprint

JULY 6-7

BATTLE OF THE POTOMAC

Tri & 10KSEPT 14-15SEPT 14-15

WATERMANS Half & Sprint

OCT 12-13

2013


SUPERLATIVESQUADBUSTER

“THE BEAR” 5-MILE uPHILL CLIMBHIGH COUNTRY, NORTH CAROLINAJUlY, 2013over 700 runners race uphill to the Swinging Bridge near the summit of grandfather Mountain. you pass the grandfather Mountain Highland games on the way up, and gain 1,000 feet of vert in the last two miles to the top of mile-high grandfather Mountain. hopeformarrow.org

BEST RACE TO RUN WITHOUT PANTS

CupiD’S uNDie RuNWASHINGTON, D.C.febRUaRY 9, 2013Strip to your skivvies and run through our nation’s capital on Valentine’s day weekend. the crowd is huge, enthusiastic, half-drunk, and half-naked. need we say more? it benefits the Children’s tumor Foundation. cupidsundierun.org

MOST LIKELY TO THROW UP

KRISPY KREME CHALLEnGERALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINAfebRUaRY 9, 2013run 2.5 miles through downtown raleigh, eat a dozen original glazed krispy kreme doughnuts, then run 2.5 miles back. without throwing up. good luck. krispykremechallenge.com

BEST RACE TO RUN AFTER DRINKING A BEER

HAunTEd HALFKINGSPORT, TENNESSEE oCtobeR, 2013no, don’t drink a beer before running the half. But the Boo to Brew relay, where four-person teams each take a leg? that’s a beer run folks. werunevents.com

WILDEST WATER

THE GREEn RIvER nARROWS RACESALUDA, NORTH CAROLINAnoveMbeR 2, 2013it’s the most famous creek-boating race in the world, with the country’s best boaters racing the clock through “the narrows,” a gorge packed with non-stop class V drops. it’s the toughest five minutes in the sport. greenrace.amongstit.com

BEST RACE TO RUN IN COSTUME

SuPERHERO 5KASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINAoCtobeR, 2013if you could be any superhero, who would it be? Superman? waffleman? this is your chance to live that dream, at least for 3.1 miles. ashevillebrewing.com

HelgraMite HuStle 5k Mud run at SMitH riVer FeStMartinsville, Virginiaaugust 10, 2013 • milesinmartinsville.com

Merrell down and dirty national oBStaCle and Mud run SerieSAtlanta, Georgiaoctober 13, 2013 • downanddirtymudrun.com

SCARIEST INSURANCE WAIVER

TOuGH MuddERMID-ATLANTICoCtobeR, 2013they call it “the death waiver,” and it has to be the only race insurance waiver you’ll ever sign that includes warnings about the likelihood of “encountering electric voltage.”

BEST “BRAH” MOMENT

OdYSSEY WILd And WOndERFuL 24-HOuR AdvEnTuRE RACENEW RIVER GORGE, WEST VIRGINIAMaY 17-19, 2013Somewhere between asking your teammate to duct tape the oozing sore on your foot and cramming into a plastic boat to paddle the class V whitewater inside the new river gorge, you’ll look at your teammate and think, “this guy is alright.” oarevents.com

BEST WAY TO SHOW OFF

dOMInIOn RIvERROCK SLACKLInE COMPETIOnRICHMOND, VIRGINIAMaY 17-19, 2013thousands of spectators watch as you balance on a piece of highline nylon over the Haxall Canal. Sure, most of them are hoping you’ll fall and test that safety cord around your waist, but disappointing them is part of the fun. dominionriverrock.com •


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by GRAHAM AVERILL

The recipe for male bonding: backpacking, liquor, and a campfire. Chocolate is optional.

to pick up our friendships where we left off. it’s balls cold by the time we meet, but we are

all experienced woodsmen: a Marine, an eagle Scout, and an adventure journalist. we’ve seen the world. we can handle the Southern apps with temps in the teens and a chance of snow.

this is what we tell ourselves over coffee, eggs, and hash browns at the waffle House near the trailhead. we talk about the winter treks we’ve bagged over the years and how we’re not worried about the current weather. it’s easy to put up a strong front when you have unlimited refills of hot coffee.

reality hits on the hike into the backcountry. My shoes don’t fit right and i imagine large blisters growing on each big toe. the eagle Scout keeps stopping to adjust his back brace (or is that a girdle?) and the Marine keeps stripping, peeling off sweaty layers at the top of each small hill. He’s dressed for the antarctic and it’s probably 40 degrees in the noon-day sun. Most of our conversations throughout the hike have to do with how we each combat carpal tunnel in the workplace.

the route i choose is just as lame. i handle logistics, choosing a half-ass route in the deep Creek corner of the park for three reasons. 1) there’s good fishing. 2) it has almost no

elevation gain. we’re all out of shape and the last thing i want to do is give mouth to mouth to one of these guys. and 3) there’s a waffle House near the trailhead. all male bonding trips need a plate of hash browns.

the path is more gravel road than trail, moving through a winterized hardwood forest, offering nothing but dormant trees as scenery.

i’ve never had a winter backpacking trip go well. in college, two buddies and i were supposed to spend the entire week of spring break hiking the georgia portion of the a.t. one night of trying to melt snow and shivering in our k-mart sleeping bags sent us packing for warmer environs. then there was the frost-bite incident. the “hot stone” in the bottom of the sleeping bag incident. the “too much snow to build a fire” incident. anyone can fake it through a summer backpacking trip, but sub-freezing temperatures expose all of your backcountry shortcomings.

the campsite i randomly choose has promise, though. Flat, with a nice-sized fire ring just steps from a broad, rushing trout stream. the trail may have been forgettable, and we may all be larger, sweatier versions of ourselves, but at least there will be fishing. except the eagle Scout forgot the rods. He brought the case—the one that keeps his graphite fly fishing rods in pristine condition—but no rods.

“i thought the case felt light when i was packing the car,” he says, smiling. “But look, i’ve got chocolate. and scotch.”

He reaches into his bag and pulls out a giant sack of fun-sized candy bars—leftover Halloween loot from his five kids—and a fifth of dewar’s. Combined, it’s easily 12 pounds of gluttony stuffed into the bottom of his pack. the trip is saved.

there’s an argument over the proper way to build a fire, but soon, we have a hot-burning “log cabin” going and we start passing around the scotch. the conversation is easy, moving through the typical work-wife-kids topics until we land on the topic of dream jobs. with each pull from the dewar’s, i get a little closer to the fire, relaxing deeper into my therm-a-rest chair.

Before long, we decide we’re all quitting our jobs to start a backpacking guide service. we’ll lead city folks into the woods. Show them the true Southern appalachians. this is when we are at our happiest, after all. together, next to a campfire, passing around a bottle of scotch and a bag of Halloween candy.

never mind the fact that we forgot half of our gear for this trip. our lack of cardiovascular fitness and rusty backpacking skills are of no concern either. we want, no need, to share this experience with the rest of the world.

i doze off by the fire trying to think of a good name for our guide service (three amigos? Snickers and Scotch Backcountry adventures?) and wake up when the Marine yells, “dude, you’re on fire!”

a large portion of my boot sole has melted and errant embers have burned holes in my therm-a-rest, pants, and puffy jacket.

it’s decided that when we do this professionally, we won’t let our clients pass out so close to the fire. or drink so much scotch. and we’ll have an ironclad insurance waiver. Because we have no idea what we’re doing. •

blame the scotch. dewar’s to be exact. it’s not my drink of choice, but when you’re backpacking in the winter, you drink scotch. “to keep warm.” Sure, liquor has

the opposite effect on your body temperature, but you can’t argue with tradition. what you can argue with, though, is my proximity to the fire during the bout of scotch worship. But i’m getting ahead of myself.

really, the trip went askew long before i lit up like Michael Jackson. the fact that we started four months late should have tipped us off that we weren’t on top of our game. it was supposed to be a summer backpacking trip. a chance for three high school buddies to wander deep into the Smokies and rediscover our friendship. there is no male bonding like wilderness-based male bonding. Credit the campfire, the absence of twitter, or the potential of a bear visit...whatever the reason, the recipe for forging friendships is at its most potent in the woods.

But the summer trip got pushed into a fall trip, which then got pushed into a winter trip. Blame our kids, our jobs, whatever, but play “Cat’s Cradle” because eventually we all felt so guilty about postponing the adventure that we finally just said “screw it” and met at a corner of the great Smoky Mountains national park, ready

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grows,” the docs said. as my hopes for a life full of adventure and adrenaline waned, i sunk deeper into despair.

then i received a call from my sister: “let’s plan a ski trip together,” she said.

a few weeks later, here i am. i step out onto the porch to grab more firewood, and i am greeted by the profound silence of a winter night. it’s like being in a professional recording studio; it is nature’s audio damping. i stick my tongue out just like i did when i was a kid to catch some flakes in my mouth. the foot of perfect powder on the porch is growing every second.

i throw another log on the fire, and my thoughts extend only to tomorrow and no further. tomorrow, the powder conditions will be absolutely perfect. the Mumford and Sons song, “white Blank page,” comes into my head, and i realize that is what we are going to have: a clean slate of powder and the ability to make completely fresh tracks.

i close my eyes and imagine what it will be like tomorrow: one fist punching in front of the other as my poles lead the way, the repetitive loading and releasing of energy through the edges of my skis, back and forth, back and forth—it’s such a simple but addictive motion.

Sometimes, when skiing powder, i leave the earth. i pick up speed until i silently lift into the air, carried by the mysterious certainties of gravity and physics, down the mountain, airborne over the snow.

tonight, the falling snow is soothing some sharp emotions inside me. there are things that i have control over in life, and there are things beyond my influence. i can’t do anything

about the mass beneath my skull, but i can do something about the thoughts that flow through my brain. i can make a choice to keep living life to the fullest or allow fear to cripple me.

one thing is certain. i know that i have packed everything that i possibly could have into the quarter century of my existence so far. i don’t want my story to end yet, but if it does, i will close my eyes without a single regret.

i spread the ashes of the fire, take one last look out at the blizzard, and walk to bed. as i drift off to sleep, my last thought is of the rope dropping at the top of my favorite run. i sprint out in front and carve the first tracks into an immaculate mountain of powder. •

he crackle of the fire hypnotizes me. Flames lick up and consume each piece of chopped birch. it’s been a perfect day: friends converging on

the slopes of Snowshoe Mountain. My trashed quads tell the story of just how hard i played on my skis.

Six inches have already fallen, with eight more expected overnight. it’s as if nature is creating an exclusive playground for us while we sleep, and all we need to do is wake up and clip in to our ski boots.

this experience could not have come at a better time for me. over the past few months, i have been dealing with one of the most difficult challenges of my life. it started with a headache that lasted for over two weeks straight. i wasn’t sleeping. i couldn’t focus on work, couldn’t think, couldn’t smile. Finally i broke down and went to the er. a Ct scan uncovered an unfamiliar mass in my brain. it was seven millimeters in diameter, about the size of a fingernail.

it didn’t make sense. i had put so much emphasis on personal fitness and health. why would this happen to me?

i was flooded with fear. what if my twenties was as far as life would take me? what would i miss out on?

a visit to the neurologist and an Mri were the next steps. i had recently turned 26 and gone onto my own health insurance plan. the costs were racking up at an alarming rate. worse still was the uncertainty and mental turmoil as i waited to hear the prognosis.

More Mris followed and nothing was decided with any certainty. “we need to keep an eye on this over the next few months and see if it

by CHRIS GRAGTMANS

WhiteoutT


Every Day is a Snow Day. WintergreenResort.com | 866-620-5752


tHE mAEstROken gaitor has been working his way up through the ski resort chain of command for the better part of 15 years. Following college in Vermont, the west Virginia native relocated to utah, working lifts before finding a niche in terrain park management. Following a move back to Vermont, gaitor pioneered the Carinthia park project at Mount Snow, a first-of-its-kind terrain park that spanned an entire face of the ski resort. His experiences with park management set him up well for his current position as director of ski operations at west Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain.

“Coming up through the terrain park world, you are relying on many different departments to be successful, so you learn how to communicate across department boundaries very well or you don’t succeed,” gaitor says.

although the list of departments he oversees may seem daunting – snowmaking, grooming, terrain parks, ski patrol, lift maintenance, lift operations, and vehicle maintenance – like any good manager, he emphasizes communication as the key to things running smoothly. to this end, he spends most mornings outside cruising around the mountain checking in with the overnight groomers, then ski patrol to update slope openings and skier volume, then he takes a couple of laps for a firsthand account of snow and lift conditions. all this before the resort opens for the day.

“i think if you are going to put a good product out there, you have to be [hands-on],” he said. “For me, it’s the part i enjoy so it’s easy. i’m not as good or comfortable in the office as i am outside on the slopes, so i think where i’m most valuable is out there looking around, using

the years of experience i have to spot things that maybe aren’t quite as easy for others to see.”

gaitor is all about putting a good product out there, and making sure every facet of the resort is working together towards a common goal. on the surface, during the daylight hours, a ski resort can appear to be calm and laid-back but pull back the curtain and you’ll find a controlled chaos of activity, especially after the lifts stop spinning. Most of a resort’s heavy lifting happens overnight.

tHE snOWmAkERthe most crucial job on any ski mountain in the east, and probably the most thankless, is that of the snowmaker. you may occasionally spot an active snow gun during the daytime, but the vast majority of snowmaking goes on during the dead of night. this underscores one of the harsh physical realities of making snow: you can only do it when the temperature is below freezing.

“without the snow, we’re going nowhere,” says gaitor. “the way the job works – guys out there 24 hours a day, through the dark of night, in the elements, pretty dangerous job – it takes a certain character, a certain toughness, to be able to hang in there and do that.”

this doesn’t stop some from getting snowmaking in their blood. gaitor says he has guys on staff who have been making snow for over 30 years, who have found their calling on the slopes. while most cringe at the thought of being on call 24 hours a day, working through the night dragging hoses and heavy equipment up and down a mountain in freezing temps, the job does have a certain appeal.

“i think [snowmakers] understand the importance of the job for one thing, and are

unday morning and it has not snowed in a week but you are up early anyway, waiting for the rope to drop. the air is brisk and the slope looks like a white,

corrugated highway of perfect corduroy, begging to be shredded. Moments later you are ripping perfectly groomed slopes, arcing huge turns that leave your signature on the mountain. you pick up speed over a roller and launch for a split second, confident your landing will be gentle. Maybe you duck into the terrain park to catch some more air. the lips of the kickers are on plane and the transitions buttery; take offs and landings smooth as glass.

it is an epic run, but you should have seen it yesterday.

it is a peculiar phenomenon to see a ski resort on a busy Saturday afternoon, and again on Sunday morning. in no other sport is the landscape manipulated and changed like in skiing and snowboarding: every turn shifts the snow, every run modifies the slope. Snow is displaced and bumps formed from the hundreds of riders that hit a resort each day. then, like an etch-a-Sketch shaken by ullr, the god of Snow, the slopes are wiped clean overnight. the moguls, slush, chunks, grooves, and ice are gone, ground into oblivion and replaced by picturesque groomed ribbons of flawlessly graded greens, blues, and black diamonds. yesterday’s last run had been more survival than recreation, but now that same slope is the reason you love sliding on snow.

this is the miracle of the modern ski resort, but how is it pulled off? what goes on behind the scenes every day, and night, to produce the quality product you ski each morning?

a lot, it turns out.

How do ski resorts keep the snow groomed and the lifts running?by JACK MURRAY

BEHIND THE


passionate about skiing and snowboarding and want to make their personal experience better and that helps them understand what [the snow] is supposed to do,” says gaitor. “another big thing about snowmaking i think helps people, and i know helps me, is the instant gratification. you can fire up a snow gun on a cold night and come back an hour later and you have a big pile of snow. it’s something you can touch and feel and it’s happening fast so you can see the changes that you’re affecting.”

instant gratification is great, but getting a big pile of snow is only half the battle. the other half is getting it into shape.

tHE gROOmERi am riding shotgun in a snowcat as Jamie McCourt explains the nuances of his eight-ton grooming machine. the blade in front goes up and down like the front of a snowplow, pushing and cutting the snow, but the real action happens in the back. trailing the cat’s wide double tread tracks are the tiller and the compression skirt. the tiller grinds up the uneven snow, and the compression skirt smooths it down into the familiar ribbed pattern that adorns slopes at every resort in the world. all this is controlled by a vast array of toggles, switches, and a complicated joystick that looks strikingly similar to tom Cruise’s from Top Gun, only with more buttons. McCourt’s head is on a constant swivel, checking the tiller depth, the blade’s load, and his machine’s angles. He makes continuous minute adjustments, compensating for slope angle, speed, and snow quality.

“your tiller is designed to take from the high and add to the low, but you still have to make it pretty smooth with your blade before the tiller can do its job,” McCourt explains. “you get your wet man-made snow, your dry natural snow, your old man-made snow, new man-made snow, mix it all together, and it usually makes the best quality snow.”

groomers are experts in snow quality – McCourt says some of the best groomers come from the snowmaking department because they know the snow. groomers work closely with the snowmakers to manage the snow on the slopes, but also to avoid getting in each other’s way: they typically occupy the same space at the same time during the night. McCourt tells stories

of having to navigate around snow guns based on sound because of the whiteout they create at full operation. He has been driving a grooming machine for six winters, but insists it never gets old.

“it becomes an extension of yourself over time and you never stop learning,” McCourt said. “even the guys who have been doing it for years will tell you the same thing. it actually becomes second nature, you’re hitting all these switches and you don’t even know you’re doing it.”

McCourt likes to take a few laps in the morning following his overnight shift, a well-deserved release after a night in the cockpit. a snowboarder himself, he takes great satisfaction in the product he puts out for the public each day.

“it’s one of the most rewarding jobs i’ve had for sure,” McCourt said. “when you go home it feels good to know that what we did through the night turned out right.”

Before piloting a groomer, McCourt was on the terrain park crew and uses that experience to his advantage. now a park grooming specialist, he works closely with the park manager to form good lines and transitions for features like butter boxes and kickers.

tHE PARk CREWof all the jobs on a ski hill, the terrain park crew probably gets the worst rap. you may think the park crew is a bunch of slackers who don’t take their job very seriously, but Snowshoe terrain park Manager Seth Boyd insists park crew is not all goggle tans, swag, and high fives. early

mornings are spent buffing lips and take offs, and days are spent raking, shoveling, and more raking, something Boyd says his 11-person crew takes pride in even if you see them riding during the day.

“we try and stay out during the day, raking as much as we can. on a busy day, it can get pounded out. if we keep it crisp, if the park looks awesome, we can take a lap around and make sure everything rides well, too,” he said. “that’s in our job title: testing features.”

the crew is responsible for keeping park features in safe condition for the public and this translates into a lot of planning during the off- and pre-season. during the summer, Boyd and his squad build and repair most of the hardware in-house for Snowshoe’s six terrain parks. this includes standards like rails, but also improvised features like recycling industry barrels and drums into usable obstacles. putting the features on the mountain is far from random, it takes experience and creativity to make a terrain park a terrain park and not a random assortment of rails and jumps scattered across the slope.

“we just kind of feed off each other – you know, “what do you think would look good there?” – and come to a mutual agreement between the crew,” said Boyd. “all the guys, they ride all the time and are always in the park, walking around seeing what people like to hit, what they don’t like to hit. that gives us a pretty good overview of what we think would look good there. we try to have good, flowy lines with the rails and get creative with it.”

it is remarkable what can happen between closing and opening: the hill is literally transformed overnight from a skied out mess to a glassy delight. while all this hard work may go unnoticed to the casual skier, it is not lost on gaitor even after 15 years in the game.

“a lot of what’s out there in the morning when people first hit the slopes, it almost seems like the tooth Fairy or something comes through in the middle of the night and puts the trails back together,” said gaitor. “there is all this work that happens while people are in bed or having a drink after dinner. knowing that people are out there working hard to build that product back for them the next day and make it even better is probably the most impressive thing to me.”

So the next time you set your edge on a groomed slope, session a rail, or ski a sliver of white in a sea of brown landscape give thanks to those who put the time in during the night. it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. •

POWDER PUSHIN’: Snow CatS Mold a Mountain FroM a MoleHill oF Snow.

EVERY DAY I’M SHOVELIN’: tHe park Crew workS Hard to keep it SMootH and SaFe.

Heading out to Colorado this winter?

Check out our brother mag at

ELEvATIOnOuTdOORS.COM

go outside and play.


TALL TALES FORM THE SOUTHEAST’S MOST LEGENDARY HIGH-ELEVATION SPOTS

one day, Mist-on-the-Mountain fell in love with Magwa, a handsome young visitor to her village. when her father refused Magwa’s marriage proposal, Mist-on-the-Mountain traveled to the foot of the towering rock to meet Magwa, when tall pine, who had followed them, struck and killed the younger man. Mist-on-the-Mountain ran, but tall pine cornered her on the high cliff, where she heard Magwa’s spirit call to her. She leaped into the river to join her lover, and moments later a panther struck and killed tall pine before he could escape the lurid scene.

today a popular side path of the appalachian trail, this lovers’ leap hike rewards you at the top with sweeping views of the French Broad river 500 feet below. it’s a short hike at only 2.6 miles round trip, but like most lovers’ leaps, it’s a strenuous one, gaining 1,000 feet in elevation. you’ll find river birches, maples, and oaks shading the riverside path. Begin at the Silvermine trailhead. Follow the river-side path until you see white blazes for the appalachian trail, and then orange blazes marking the lovers’ leap trail.

LOVERS’ LEAP

HAWks nEst stAtE PARk, AnstEAd, vA.the popularly accepted legend for what is now Hawk’s nest State park was documented by george w. atkinson in his 1876 book History of Kanawha County. it stars a Shawnee indian chief who, like the father in the Hot Springs tale, disapproved of his daughter’s love for a young brave. instead, the chief arranged for a marriage between his daughter and the chief of a neighboring tribe. the young maiden courageously refused the marriage, telling her father she loved a warrior in her own tribe. angry, her father ordered her to stay in her tipi under guard until she consented, but she managed to sneak out toward dawn. She fled to the tipi of her true love, and they escaped together. Soon after, the chief and his warriors picked up their trail and cornered the two lovers on the cliff that overhands the new river. rather than be separated in life, they embraced and made the fatal plunge.

in what is today Hawk’s nest State park, this

young and star-crossed lovers, determined to spend eternity together whatever the cost, cast themselves from a precipice to escape barriers to their marriage in life. So says the lore behind almost every lovers’ leap. the cast of characters usually includes chiefs, warriors, and maidens. these legends date back to early settlers, who made famous many a high cliff with tales of native american-inspired romantic tragedy. despite their dark lore, or perhaps owing to it, lovers’ leaps remain popular spots for their staggering views— worthy settings for any tale of passion.

LOVERS’ LEAP

HOt sPRIngs, n.C.Historian Hazel Moore wrote Hot Springs of North Carolina about the history of the small town she grew up in. She includes a lovers’ leap legend written in 1906 by Sally royce weir about a Cherokee chief named lone wolf, who ruled beside the tahkiostie (French Broad) river. He wanted his daughter, Mist-on-the-Mountain, to marry a powerful but old brave named tall pine.

Lovers’ Leaps

by KATHRYN STEWART


Rock CityLOOKOuT MOunTAIn, TEnn.

the story here is that young native american lovers were forced apart because their tribes were at war with each other, so

they jumped to their deaths in despair.

Sautee nACOOCHEE, GA.

Here, two young native american lovers from opposing tribes were told they

couldn’t be together, and when the brave was thrown from the cliff in punishment for their affair, the maiden jumped out of her

father’s arms to join him.

Noccalula FallsGAdSdEn, ALA.

legend has it that a Cherokee maiden threw herself from the falls after her lover was

driven from her tribe.

Natural TunnelduFFIELd, vA.

locals tell the story of a maiden who fell in love with a brave when he rescued her

from a bear, and when her father, the chief, refused to allow their marriage, the young

couple jumped to their deaths from the pinnacle at sunrise.

lovers’ leap stands nearly 500 feet above the new river gorge. “it’s a short trail, but you’ll definitely get exercise,” says gia tyree, office manager at the park. “we call it ‘nature’s Stairmaster.’” despite the grim folklore, tyree says people seek it out “to find a peaceful spot to take in the sights.” this trail starts at Hawk’s nest State park office and travels down steep wooden steps to the overlook.

LOVERS’ LEAP

BLOWIng ROCk, n.C.this towering cliff shares a similar legend, but with a less harrowing ending. it is said that a Chickasaw chief journeyed with his daughter from the plains to what is now the Blowing rock to hide her from a white man’s affection. one day the maiden flirtatiously shot an arrow in the direction of a Cherokee brave she saw in the distance. He came to her and they soon fell deeply in love. then a reddening sky made the brave think it was a sign of trouble calling him to his own tribe. as the maiden begged him not to leave her, the brave felt so torn between love and duty, he jumped from the high rock. But when the maiden called to the great Spirit to bring her lover back, the winds blew the brave up into her arms.

at 3,000 feet above the John’s river gorge, the Blowing rock offers views from Hawksbill Mountain to Mount Mitchell. the winds from the John’s river gorge blow so strongly that when it snows, you’ll see flurries rise toward the sky. this lovers’ leap offers a scenic overlook without a hike. From the Blowing rock parking lot, follow the trail with 1200 feet of gradual climbing to the observation tower. •

MORE LOVERS’ LEAPS

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avid wax Museum has taken the sounds of Southern appalachia on a journey south of the border. delivering a sonic style the

band members have self-branded “Mexo-americana,” the dynamic duo combines various elements of american roots music with a traditional style of Mexican folk called Son Jarocho to create an aggressive hybrid of acoustic rock.

Fiddler Suz Slezak grew up on a family farm in central Virginia, where she immersed herself in old-time mountain sounds and learned irish fiddle tunes. She headed north to wellesley College in Boston and in 2007 formed the band with partner david wax, who took a year off from his time at Harvard to study old folk sounds in Mexico. together they’ve created a high-energy string fusion that blends quick-paced latin rhythms and soaring, harmony-driven call-and-response vocals with an indie edge. it’s garnered the band a loyal following across the country and landed the group some big gigs with the avett Brothers and the Carolina Chocolate drops.

on stage, wax furiously strums his jarana—an eight-string traditional Mexican guitar—while Slezak switches between her native fiddle, accordion, keys, and the primal percussion of a donkey jawbone. the two core members are now augmented by greg glassman on bass and phillip Mayer on drums. they also add the loud brass accents of a horn section during bigger shows.

“we use traditional Mexican instruments, so that will always be part of our sound,” says Slezak. “But with guitar, bass, and drums we’re definitely finding a rock sound on stage.”

that’s evident on the band’s latest album, Knock Knock Get Up, which was released last fall. while the effort contains plenty of the band’s now-trademark energetic global rhythms (“Harder Before it gets easier” and “Vivian”), the album’s lead track, “will you Be Sleeping?,” gives its cross-cultural groove the melodic flair of keyboard flourishes and a tuneful hook that could easily reach beyond the underground. on “a dog in this Fight” the band lets an acoustic punk stomp swirl into some experimental weirdness.

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ixC U LT U R E B I N

the Bluegrass album Band was a beloved supergroup of picking legends that got together 30 years ago with the intention of making one album. the band was assembled by guitar master tony rice back in 1980 and featured banjo legend J.d. Crowe, doyle lawson on mandolin, fiddler Bobby Hicks, and bassist todd phillips. the band’s debut was so successful that tour dates and five more albums followed. while members eventually went back to successful solo careers and onto other projects, the band will take the stage together for the first time since 1990 this month. the Bluegrass album Band will be the Saturday headliners at Bluegrass First Class, a two-day winter festival that’s taking place February 15-17 at the Crowne plaza resort in asheville, n.C. in its 18th straight year, the fest will feature a stacked line-up of picking heroes including rhonda Vincent and the rage, the grascals, the lonesome river Band, and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. bluegrassfirstclass.com

Bluegrass History Revisited

the album incubated with some songwriting sessions in sunny Southern Mexico last winter. in a twist of contrast, the band members then flew to rural western Maine and recorded in an old farmhouse with producer Sam kassirer.

“we spent three weeks living there in the dead of winter, so we took our time and added plenty of layers,” Slezak explains. “when you’re in close quarters cooking three meals a day for each other and discussing what’s happening with the music at every step, you can flesh things out on a conceptual level.

“a lot people have told me they feel like this is a rock record. we are continuing to incorporate more electric sounds and new ideas. we still have our own sound, but to me it’s encouraging that we’re doing some growing.”

while wax handles most of the band’s singing, Slezak takes a turn at lead on the delicate ballad “wondrous love.” it’s the one song on Knock Knock Get Up that’s firmly planted in american soil, and a reminder that, much like her fiddle playing, the band’s world explorations have the Blue ridge in their dna.

“we all come from different backgrounds in music,” she adds. “when i pick up a fiddle, i think you can definitely hear the roots of where i’m from. i still bring a style that i learned from playing with people around Charlottesville. that’s still an important part of me and what i bring to the band.”

this month the band will open for alt-country songstress tift Merritt on a run of dates through the South in knoxville, tenn., (2/21), asheville, n.C., (2/22), and atlanta (2/23). •

Band on the BorderDavid Wax Museum’s multicultural strings By Jedd Ferris

DYNAMIC DUO: daVid waX and Suz Slezak

A c o l d w i n t e r d a y h e r e c a n m a k e y o u t h e w a r m e s t y o u ’ v e f e l t a l l y e a r .

F I N D Y O U R W I L D A N D W O N D E R F U L W V T O U R I S M . C O M | 8 0 0 - 2 2 5 - 5 9 8 2F I N D Y O U R W I L D A N D W O N D E R F U L W V T O U R I S M . C O M

blue ridge outdoors magazine february 2013

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