Squeal with Delight

Thanks to years of lobbying and protests by American Whitewater, the United States Forest Service Chief reversed the boating ban on the upper 21 miles of the Chattooga River, which has kept paddlers below the SC 28 bridge since 1976. The original ban was implemented due to tense relations between anglers and paddlers during the ‘70s, and the headwaters was designated as a “refuge” for fishermen who allegedly had the stronger lobby at the time. The Chief’s decision will put a “paddling study” into effect, and the general public should be able to access the class IV-VI headwaters in two years.

A Really Long Walk

What are the odds that you’ll actually get to hike the entire Appalachian Trail? Honestly. Is your boss/spouse/dog/mother going to let you walk through the woods for six months straight shirking all your other responsibilities? Not likely.

Don’t fret. There are a number of other long distance trails you can thru-hike during your allotted vacation time. Thru Hiker’s Guide to America, by Erik Schlimmer, details 25 of these impressive trails from one end of the country to the other. Schlimmer gets in depth about the 931-mile Mountains to Sea Trail in North Carolina and the 252-mile Tuscarora Trail in the Virginias, but the true value of this book lies in learning about long distance trails in other parts of the country as well. www.raggedmountainpress.com.

Climbing the Nut

Southeastern climbers have lots of reasons to get excited these days. First, North Carolina Governor Easley recently okayed the designation of Hickory Nut Gorge State Park near Lake Lure. The soon-to-be state park will encompass Rumbling Bald, a 3,000 foot mountain whose cliff faces are a playground for local climbers. Access to the historically privately owned area has been precarious, and the designation means generations of climbers will be guaranteed access to the cornucopia of sport, trad, and bouldering routes on the Bald.

Across the street from Rumbling Bald is Chimney Rock Park, a privately owned stone mountain whose mouth-watering climbing routes have been closed to the general public. That’s about to change. The park has just signed an exclusive deal with Fox Mountain Guides, allowing the AMGA certified guide service to lead climbs all over the mountain. Check out www.chimneyrockpark.com or www.foxmountainguides.com for information about future climbs.

Biggest Boater Bash

It’s no secret that paddlers party hard, but the biggest boater bash of them all takes place Sept. 23-25 at the Gauley River Festival in West Virginia. Gauley Fest is the biggest river festival in the world, attracting over 5,000 paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The event comes at the conclusion of the six-week paddling season on the Gauley River, which features world-class whitewater. The festival started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydroelectric project that would have disrupted whitewater flows on the Gauley.

Although the festival features some intense competition, it’s mainly a laid-back gathering with an array of vendors, camping, and activities. Late nights at the campground can get a little rowdy-watch out for the unofficial boxing tournaments. www.americanwhitewater.org.

Safety in Numbers

The mother of all relays is hitting the Southern Appalachians in September. The Blue Ridge Relay spans 200 miles from Mount Rogers, Va,. to Asheville, N.C. Teams of 8-12 will attempt to run the race in under 34 hours and the top finishers will win a commemorative picture. Seriously. www.blueridgerelay.com.