The Wednesday night ladies group had a blast in Dupont State Forest last week! After meeting at Sycamore Cycles, we headed to the Reasonover Parking area.
Fawn Lake Road>Mine Mountain>Laurel Ridge>Corn Mill Shoals>Shelter Rock>Bridal Veil Falls
This waterfall never fails to calm your soul! It is gushing with water right now and remains gorgeous as ever.
Shelter Rock>Airstrip Trail
The view from the airstrip had the added bonus of wild turkeys and wildflowers. This is a great vantage point to see multiple ridgelines and the "smoky" quality of Pisgah National Forest.
Airstrip Trail>Fawn Lake>Reasonover Parking area
Thanks to Julia and Bracken Mountain Bakery for providing us with some yummy fuel!
The gear shop feels like a candy store right now with all of the new spring inventory. Come check it out! Black Diamond 50 Caliber- This genius pack holds everything you need and has a bomber, haul-bag-esque bottom to make sure it lasts longer than your last backpack.
La Sportiva FC Eco 3.0 GTX - These comfy, Gore Tex Hiking Boots for men and women seem to have virtually no break in period and they offer great value in a waterproof, leather hiking boot. Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pant - These tried and true MHW pants are made to hike and travel, plus they have UPF 50.
Sterling Marathon Sport 10.4 - Looking for a climbing rope that will go the distance? Sterling Marathon is the answer.
Join us this Saturday May 22nd for a Nepalese Slideshow by Ed Maggart of the Asheville School. Ed recently spent a sabbatical in Nepal climbing and treking.
$5 at the door includes beverages! 7:00 PM Call Looking Glass Outfitters for details. 828.884.5854 All proceeds go to the Carolina Climbers Coalition.
It had been too long since we headed to The New, so it felt great to hit the road and spend three days in Fayetteville for this year's Rendezvous. Ocho Loco was a ton of fun, and we kicked it off Thursday night with the Mountain Khakis Pants Pageant. Emcee Jay Young always does a good job of keeping the crowd entertained while a bold few lose their pants.
The weather vacillated quite a bit throughout the weekend- from sunny and gorgeous to downpours and thunderstorms. Still, there was plenty of climbing and fun to be had with a little motivation. Phil did a great job on Handsome & Well Hung at the Bridge Buttress despite muggy conditions and Jessica finally hopped on the phenomenal Super Crack. We even made our annual foray into some out-of-the-guidebook crags. We had a great time seeing so many North Carolinians represent! Our new dog Vinca passed her first craggin weekend with flying colors and had a Weim play date with the Smith's Weims Elvis & Daisy. She's the cutie in the middle! Our Daisy is supervising out of view!
The weather this past weekend was spectacular for just about any activity imaginable. Phil has spent the last three days freshening up on his AMGA skills and taking the SPI Course with Appalachian Mountain Institute. I hear it is a very experienced group of climbers and guides and that Patrick Weaver is doing a great job at balancing the crew and refreshing their skills.
Meanwhile, I headed into Pisgah on Saturday with Daisy and our new dog, Vinca. As you make your way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway on 276, you can still see a lot of the tree damage that occurred thanks to this past winter's storms. Still, everything is blossoming and budding like crazy in the forest. The mountain laurel is starting to bud, and the rhodos and irises in Pisgah Forest proper are spectacular right now.
We parked at Black Balsam and headed up to Sam's Knob, which is a phenomenal spot to take in the views and eat a trail lunch. It was surprisingly breezy in the parking lot, though it was truly perfect hiking weather. The two girls and I then headed to Flat Laurel Creek and over to Little Sam's Knob for a total of roughly 8 miles, which was more than enough to tucker us out for the drive home.
Occasionally my motivation falters before I head to this popular area of the parkway, but once I get there, I am always 100% rewarded for making the drive and battling the crowds. Even though the parking areas were busy, the trails provided plenty of peace and quiet.
As Mother's Day edges around the corner, look to Looking Glass Outfitters for great Mother's Day Gifts. Here are a few suggestions for your hard-working, well-loved mom:
Chaco Sandals: These rugged sandals last forever and look flattering when mom is on the trail, headed for summer vacation or biting her nails while whitewater rafting. Both the Zong & Flip versions are on sale at LGO.
Sigg Water Bottles: These Swiss water bottles are stylish and eco-friendly. Perfect for conscientious moms on the go.
Prana Tops: The Prana Quinn Top is a versatile top- equally at home heading to yoga or paired with a skirt for dinner on Main Street.
Aviator Sunglasses: The Serpico by Smith will have mom looking as hot as the coach's wife on Friday Night Lights.
The North Face Daypack: If mom's 2010 goals include hitting the trails, this daypack will go the distance dayhiking in Pisgah and touring waterfalls in western North Carolina.
Remember, Mother's Day is Sunday May 9th!!
Looking Glass Outfitters is a full service gear shop specializing in hiking, climbing and camping equipment located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and around the corner from Hendersonville, Brevard & Asheville. www.lookingglassoutfitters.com
Currently in effect impacting some climbing at Whitesides Mountain and Looking Glass Jan15- Aug 15th Please respect these areas! Details here
North Carolina's Best Climbing Shop
Favorite Places to Climb in NC...
Rumbling Bald RB has it all- Trad climbing, bouldering, slab, steep, stellar cracks-- you name it. This area was recently incorporated into Hickory Nut Gorge State Park and is best climbed in fall through spring, as summer brings on intense heat and oodles of poison ivy. Be sure to park considerately in the newly completed parking lot.
Looking Glass Looking Glass is truly around the corner from our shop! It has everything from classic multipitch moderates like The Nose, to long aid climbs, and steep, classic cracks like Cornflake Crack. The Nose Area and The South Face are popular for groups and moderate climbers. Bring your trad gear- particularly tricams for the tricky eyebrows that Looking Glass is known for!
Linville Gorge Shortoff is a fabulous area to check out some of the steeper routes in western NC. Dopey Duck is a great classic to get your feet wet and Ship Rock, just off The Blue Ridge Parkway, stays cool in summer.
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