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mountaineering – Im climbing the Atlas mountains for 2 weeks in march and need to know what food to take up with me?

skywalker — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:12:19 +0000

Question by Neil M: Im climbing the Atlas mountains for 2 weeks in march and need to know what food to take up with me?
We will be trekking through the range without guides or Sherpas and will have to carry most of our food with us. Can any body with mountaineering experience tell me the best foods to take for maximum calories minimum weight/volume and anybody who has been there if you can buy food from the locals and the best places to buy from whilst there, thank you.

Best answer:

Answer by Justin
the best is dehydrator food, trail mix, anything like that, no can food. You can also pre-make food and cook it up there if your bringing a cooker with you. Make sure to bring plenty of food and water just in case.

Give your answer to this question below!

mountaineering – Enjoy Nature With the Family at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

skywalker — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:12:02 +0000

While visiting Pigeon Forge, you must make a trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountains receive over 9 million visitors a year making it the most visited park in the United States. There is so much to see and do in the park including overlooks that give you a view of the spectacular mountain ranges, hiking trails, camping, fishing, historic sites and wildlife. There are five different forest types throughout the Smoky Mountains and over 4,000 plant species. Because of the rainfall accumulations in the higher elevations, some sections of the park are actually classified as rain forest. The park totals over 500,000 acres in size.

Most visitors to the Smokies are there for a one day visit. However, if you enjoy the outdoors and enjoy camping, there is no better spot in the country to camp than the Smoky Mountains. The campgrounds in the park are primitive on purpose. There are ten campgrounds and all of them have running water, flush toilets and charcoal grills. There is a charge for staying at these campgrounds but they are low cost. There are no camper hookups available at these campgrounds.

Hiking is another enjoyable thing to do in the park. Not only does it give you a chance to see the beauty of nature but also is a great way to exercise. There are over 850 miles of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains. The trails range from easy half hour walks to strenuous trips. Many provide beautiful scenery, historic sites and waterfalls. The Appalachian Trail stretches 70 miles along the top ridge of the Smoky Mountains.

Wildlife viewing is excellent in the Smokies. Early morning and late evening are the best times to see wildlife. There are over 65 mammals living in the park with the Bear and Red Wolf being the favorite of tourists. Coyote and Bobcats are skittish and their sightings are rare while the Deer are the most commonly seen in the park. Other critters that you will see are red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, opossums, red and gray foxes, skunks, and bats. Elk, river otters, beavers, wild hogs and of course snakes also reside in the Smoky Mountains.

There are over 230 species of birds in the Smoky Mountains and 110 that reproduce in the park. As far as snakes, the Copperhead and the Timbler Rattler are the only poisonous snakes in the Smokies but neither have lethal poison. The most common non-poisonous snakes are black rat, garter, and the common water snake. Other reptiles include frogs, toads and salamanders. The Smokies 27 types of salamanders make this area the salamander capital of the world.

Fishing is another thing to do in the park. Anglers 13 and over need a valid fishing license to fish in the Smokies which needs to be purchased before visiting the Smokies. The national park does not sell licenses. Fishing is allowed year round and there are more than 40 species of fish including darters, dace, suckers, bass, shiners, and trout. Brook trout are the only trout native to the Smoky Mountains. Stop by a visitors center for fishing regulations.

The weather in the Smoky Mountains can change quickly. The climate is moderate but because of the higher elevations, you can experience changes in the weather rapidly. Elevations in the Park range from 800 feet to 6,643 feet and the temperature can drop from 10 20 degrees from the lower elevations to the higher ones. Also just because it is sunny and nice when you leave for the park, doesnt mean it will remain nice weather through your entire trip. There is an average of 55 inches of precipitation a year in the lowlands compared to 85 inches of precipitation in the higher elevations of the Smokies. If you have questioned why the Smoky Mountains are Smoky it is a result of the precipitation and evaporation from the trees. The upper elevations of the Smokies are classified as rain forest.

The beautiful plants in the Smokies is one of the main reasons why it has been classified as a national park. The vegetation is what makes the Smokies so unique. Because of the many elevation levels, rainfall and temperature, these mountains provide a great habitat for over 1,600 different types of flowering plants, 100 types of trees and over 100 kinds of shrubs. The Smokies are sometimes referred to as the Wildflower National Park. There are more types of flowering plants in the Smokies than any other park in the United States. And of course the changing colors of the autumn leaves in the park is absolutely beautiful!

There is no cost to enter the Smokies. Due to deed restrictions imposed when the Smokies were established it was decided that entrance charges would never be allowed. There is limited food and supplies available in the national park so it is recommended to pack a picnic and drinks and rest at one of the several picnic spots in the Smoky Mountains. Pets must be on leashes at all times and are not allowed on the trails. Horseback riding and bicycle riding are also available in the park.

There are many visitors centers in the Smokies to assist you about the park and offer ideas on experiencing the most out of your visit to the park. Many offer exhibits about the history and culture of the Smoky Mountains. Many tours with guides are offered and most have facilities and shops. The Sugarlands Visitor Center offers a free 20 minute Dolby Digital Surround Sound film about the Smokies which is very interesting. There are many places to go in the Smokies to show you the extraordinary nature and cultural history of the Smokies. If you want to learn more about the culture of the early mountain settlers, then make a visit to the Mountain Farm Museum, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, or the Roaring Fork area. At these stops you can tour homes, farms, churches and other structures built by the early settlers. The best places to view wildlife because of the wide open areas are Cades Cove and Cataloochee. For the most beautiful views of the Smoky Mountain range, head for the tops of the mountains at Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap. For a stop in a cool shady forest location, you may want to visit Deep Creek or Roaring Fork.

No matter what you want to do or see while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will experience a fun filled day. Plan your visit and be ready to experience the beauty of the mountains!

mountaineering
Fascinating footage of mountaineering penguins in the Andes trying to search for a safe mountain nesting ground. Also featuring weird and wonderful animals such as the Andes possum, the littlest deer in the world known as the pudu, and the tiniest wild cat in existence – the cod cod. Brilliant nature video from BBC animal wildlife show ‘Andes – The Dragons Back’.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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mountaineering – Mountain Walking Holidays In The Eastern Rhodope Mountains

skywalker — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:12:20 +0000

There are few places in Europe as beautiful as landscapes in Bulgaria. It is the ultimate destination for adventure seekers who love mountain walking holidays. The country has the most exhilarating, inspiring and exciting mountains which can mesmerize anybody. A holiday here is quite a breather far from the everyday routine amid noise and traffic.

Activity Choices

Mountain walking holidays offers adventure, beauty and an escape from the hustle of city life. A person can enjoy fresh air and breathtaking scenery venturing on trails according to their taste. These holidays can be customized according to the needs of the traveler.

One can opt for adventurous activities like kayaking, biking, mountain climbing or can also choose a package for a more relaxed vacation. Distant hikes, easy strolls, or local rambles are other activities offered by the travel company. Every activity can be enjoyed amid the most beautiful variety of flora, fauna and the mountains.

Lodging:

Accommodation at a good mountain retreat in Bulgaria is extremely comfortable with modern facilities, double and twin beds, kitchenette, attached bathrooms and dining area and large living spaces. Besides, the view of the mountains from the balcony is simply breathtaking. Tourists can select from meals delivered to their doorstep or self-catered meals. The accommodations are very comfortable with room for 2 to 4 guests and are furnished with modern furniture and fittings. Towels and linens are provided and there is a steady supply of fresh mountain water. Lodging, activities and food are all environmentally friendly.

The Great Mountains

Mountain walking holidays is a rich experience of slow pace life amid splendid natural beauty. There are delightful mountain hikes in the eastern Rhodope Mountains where you can see a huge variety of fauna and flora. Captivating waterfalls, streams and lakes welcome travelers to this heavenly abode.

One can experience bird-watching or take a trip to the glorious Slavyanka, Pirin, and Rhodope Mountains and several historical, archeological, architectural and sites too. One can see rare plants, herbs, species of reptiles, mammals and amphibians, and the like. One can also enjoy overwhelming views of the caves and gorges and discover story book villages nestled in these mountains.

The Tours

Mountain walking holidays give the freedom to discover easy tracks that lace in and out of the pinewood forests. One can also choose from more demanding trekking options. If the trek is long and rigorous, you can expect to be walking the whole day. Excursions are normally customized to suit every traveler’s needs.

Travelers are also allowed to select a holiday with private accommodations and can explore the place on their own. They can explore whatever region they like and will be provided with directions and maps.

There are many packages for exploring this beautiful region. From strolling to treading rigorous tracks, mountain walking holidays is a perfect mixture of relaxation, adventure and enjoyment. It will give you the much needed break from punishing routines and stress of urban lifestyles.

mountaineering – Biking and Other Outdoor Adventures in the Blue Ridge Mountains

skywalker — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:11:52 +0000

Take a hike. Ride a bike, or a horse, or a river or even a snow covered mountainside. The Blue Ridge mountains offer a wide variety of memorable outdoor adventures. Leave the everyday anxiety of deadlines and commitments behind and immerse yourself in any number of outdoor activities in the mountains.

Biking

From little known back roads to the famous Blue Ridge Parkway no matter your style or skill the Blue Ridge mountains are a bikerâ??s bliss . Each year, hundreds of bikers navigate the many first-rate trails that make their way throughout the region. Most come for the pleasure and fun of the ride, but many compete in demanding races.

The Blue Ridge mountains offer some of the finest mountain biking in the country.

Whether you prefer road biking or â??off roadâ? trail riding, exhilarating rides with spectacular mountain scenery await the biking enthusiast.

Several organized bicycling tours can be found on the internet. Just do a search for Carolina Blue Ridge biking . Tours are available from spring to fall and cater to starters as well as well as experienced riders.

Take the time to discover the mountains at your own pace in your own style; on two wheels.

Hiking

The Blue Ridge mountains are a popular destination for hikers. Youâ??ll find hundreds of hiking trails of all skill levels and endurance.

Most trails are self guided but a quick internet search of , Carolina Blue Ridge hiking will result in many guided tours as well.

Discover a field of wildflowers on rolling pastures, cascading waterfalls, or experience the well earned reward of a spectacular view of wave after wave of blue tinged majesty. Hiking provides a close-up look at some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country.

So strap on your hiking boots, prepare yourself for sudden weather changes, and enjoy an all season awe-inspiring mountain adventure.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are magical places of serene beauty and elegant splendor. The Blue Ridge mountains offer no shortage of waterfalls and miles of hiking trails to view them. You can seek out a different waterfall every day. They are all individual and each has its own story to tell , stories that change with each season.

In the spring waterfalls are different from the flow of a summer or fall cascade. A winter visit to your favorite waterfall may provide a completely new experience.

Visitors, as well as those who call the mountains home are sometimes surprised to learn of the many extraordinary waterfalls in the Blue Ridge. Waterfalls to walk behind, slide down or simply bask in the glory of their beauty and relax to the hypnotic music they produce.

Fishing

Some of the best fishing lakes, rivers and mountain streams to be found anywhere in the world are found here in the Blue Ridge mountains.

Our cool, clear mountain streams and lakes support one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world. Rainbow and brown trout; smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass; giant stripers and white bass; bluegill, crappie and shell cracker, sauger, walleye, and catfish are all abundant in the area.

Whether its fly fishing, spin fishing or bait casting, your fishing adventure starts here and ends with great memories and plans for a return visit.

Whitewater Rafting, Canoeing, Tubing

River fun for the entire family; are you searching for a few rapids, an exciting whitewater adventure, or a lazy float down a cool refreshing river? the waterways of the Blue Ridge mountains are just what you are looking for.

There’s nothing more relaxing than drifting slowly down a crystal clear mountain river in an inner tube. Your everyday cares just float way like magic as the sounds of nature take you away on a peaceful journey . However, if youâ??re feeling more adventuresome, you can catch the surge and rush of the whitewater rapids. Experience the beauty and adventure of whitewater river rafting excitement through guided day trips along the most scenic rivers in the Southeast.

For a great weekend get-away you can choose from a variety of canoe, kayak, & tubing trips; a mountain experience to please all paddlers.

Horseback Riding

The Blue Ridge mountains offer many riding stables and qualified guides for exploring the mountains by horseback. Tailored for every age, youâ??ll experience wilderness rides, moonlight rides and overnight rides with camping. There’s something for everyone, even the most inexperienced rider. Several outfitters offer riding lessons and long and short-term boarding.

Saddle up to enjoy a unique wilderness adventure where you can to canter through a shady forest trail laced with mountain laurel in bloom or relax as your horse drinks from a cool mountain stream.

Skiing

Some of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains are located in the northwest corner of North Carolina .The high country of the Carolina Blue Ridge offers the visitor a winter sports paradise. During the winter, when it comes to outdoor activities skiing is priority one. Visitors can expect first class slopes that can handle beginners and families, as well as slopes for expert skiers and snowboarders.

January and February are by far the most popular time for snow lovers, accounting for fifty percent of the yearly snowfall. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the cold temperatures allow the slopes to make their own.

The best conditions for skiers and snowboarders are when there is a healthy combination of natural and man-made snow. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating and snow-shoeing day and night are just one part of an all season adventure in the Carolina Blue Ridge.

Whether itâ??s a two-day get away or a week-long journey to renew the inner spirit,

you’ll always find a reason to come back for more Blue Ridge mountain memories.

mountaineering – The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

skywalker — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:14:22 +0000

Misty clouds, rising from the dark green faces of the Great Smoky Mountains during the morning, appeared like smoke tendrils. The twelve-car train, wearing the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s tuscan red and Rio Grande gold livery and pulled by an EMD GP-9 diesel locomotive, vibrated and clanged its bell atop the gravel-imbedded rails next to the gray, wooden Bryson City depot, as it prepared for its imminent, 44-mile, round-trip departure to Nantahala Gorge. Passengers, many of whom had dislodged from buses, inundated the tiny portico waiting area, lulled into a North Carolina mood by a guitar-strumming trio. I would make the journey in the MacNeill Club Car, number 536, today, attached to generator car 6118 and trailed by Silver Meteor dining car 8015. That journey, inextricably tired to these western North Carolina mountains, could trace its origins to the mid-1800s.

Although the ruggedly beautiful area had been rich in natural resources, such as timber, fertile soil, and minerals, the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, peeking at 6,000 feet, had rendered it isolated and inaccessible, with a rough, wagon-plied route its only connection with the rest of the state. After considerable efforts to persuade the state legislature of North Carolina to rectify this deficiency, it had agreed to subsidize the construction of track between Salisbury and Asheville in 1855, to be used by the Western North Carolina Railroad.

A smooth development period, spanning six years, had been thwarted in 1861 by the Civil War, at which time some 70 miles of rail had yet to be laid, but momentum had ultimately been regained 16 years later, when convict labor had been employed for the first time. Five hundred tracklayers had been subdivided into 150-men camps, each of which had been led by a captain, a foreman, and several guards.

An erroneous route survey, revealing that existing topography had been unsuitable for track, had required another decade to properly determine, and had been exacerbated by crude, hand tool usage and primitive rock removal methods, the rocks themselves expanded by fire-created heat and cracked after drenchings with cold water.

The rails, following Indian trails and cow paths, entailed an 891.5-foot elevation gain with an average two-percent grade, and passed through five tunnels, and the precarious route had hardly been forged with safety. Indeed, on March 11, 1879, the Swannanoa Tunnel, which had been being bored from both ends, had collapsed and instantly crushed 21 workers.

Murphy, already the eastern terminus of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, served the same purpose in 1891 when the tracks for the Western North Carolina’s Murphy Branch had been laid, albeit six years later than planned, and traffic interchange between the two had been facilitated when the former had changed its gauge from narrow to standard. The 111 miles from Asheville had, for the first time, been connected by rail.

Despite the delays incurred by its construction, its crude method, topographical obstacles, rough roadbed, and lack of ballast had often caused derailments, a condition partially alleviated with the addition of culverts and abutments.

Rapidly becoming the lifeline to the communities lining it, it carried supplies, agricultural products, and timber, and connected with other, existing shortline railroads, such as the Alarka Valley, the Appalachian, the Carolina and Tennessee Southern, the B&B, the Smoky Mountain, the Ritter Lumber Company, the Sunburst, and the Tuckasegee Southeastern, but it had always been plagued by steep grades, sharp curves, low-capacity locomotives, and inferior maintenance.

Three years after its completion, the Southern Railway took control of it, and, in 1907, it had been reorganized as the “Murphy Division,” with Bryson City serving as its headquarters. Its local businesses and industries, manufacturing pulpwood and pallets and selling propane, had heavily relied on rail transport to support their activities, routinely requiring feed, cross ties, lumber, and sand.

Improved road access, however, gradually replaced the need for the rails. In 1937, for instance, two daily trains had departed Murphy—a freight service at 0600 and a passenger run at 0800—but by 1944, only a single passenger train had plied the line, leaving Murphy at 0715 for Asheville and returning at 1415. Aside from offering increased western North Carolina access, road development had been necessitated by the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Diminishing timber resources, coupled with the completion of the nearby Fontana Dam, had finally resulted in the permanent discontinuation of passenger services on July 16, 1948. Thirty-two years later, in 1980, 2,239 freight car loads had plied the rails, yet by 1987, the number had dwindled to 817. During the last three years, by which time the railroad had been acquired by Norfolk Southern, regularly scheduled service, of no more than five cars, had only been maintained between Waynesville and Andrews, with stops in Murphy only sporadically made.

Maintenance costs, already high because of the 34 bridges connecting Dillsboro with Murphy and the excessive track curvature, had escalated without a commensurate increase in revenue, and in 1984, the Champion Paper Mill, long dependent on the line for its business, had converted its traditional pulpwood product to woodchips, packaged in a cube whose size had precluded its rail transport through the Dillsboro and Rhodo tunnels. Costs to either lower their roadbeds or increase their ceiling heights had been prohibitive, particularly for use by only a single company. As a result, the papermill had been forced to truck its products to Canton and Norfolk Southern, unable to stem its losses, had been forced to abandon the 67 miles of track between Dillsboro and Murphy in 1988.

Although several prospective operators had explored both passenger and freight uses for it, none had been financially self-sustainable, and on July 18 of that year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had forcibly purchased the track for 0,000 for the intended introduction of a passenger excursion train operated by the newly-established Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Its initial equipment, two GP-9 locomotives from Burlington Northern and Union Pacific, along with several converted, open coaches, had been joined by a 1942 Baldwin steam engine originally built for the US Army and two more GP-7 diesels from Chicago and North Western by 1995.

Its present fleet, comprised of open cars, coaches, “Crown” coaches, club cars, dining cars, and cabooses, had been acquired from several railroads and extensively refurbished. Track modifications, whose 80- and 85-pound ratings stipulated 25-mph maximum speeds, have entailed heavier rail and track side lubricator installations on sharp curves, the reinforcement of many trestles, and the redecking of the bridge crossing the Tuckasegee River at Dillsboro.

In 1996, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad purchased the Dillsboro-Andrews section of track from the state of North Carolina, while the state itself continued to own the remainder of it, from Andrews to Murphy.

Acquired three years later, on December 23, 1999, by American Heritage Railways, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad became one of three excursion trains owned by the new company, which operates similar ventures in Colorado and Texas.

Bryson City, origin of my own Nantahala Gorge excursion, is a mountainside community of 1,400 located on the Tuckasegee River and named after Colonel Thadeus Dillard Bryson. Incorporated in 1887, it had been laid out in accordance with the ancient trails and roads of the Cherokee, who had originally referred to it as “Big Bear Springs,” and today serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and is the hub for the railroad. Because of its proximity to the Fontana Dam, it had temporarily burgeoned during its construction period.

The current railroad depot, built during the 1890s, is the only one remaining from the Southern Railway’s operation of the line, although its freight storage portion had since been removed and replaced by an open portico. A one-and-a-half mile long rail yard, of four tracks, had facilitated the town’s many industries, including the Carolina Wood Turning Company, the Carolina Building Supply, the Southern Concrete Company, and a petroleum dealer, while a turntable, a water tank, and a coal chute had been instrumental in the then-present use of steam locomotives. Bryson City is located at mile marker 63 on the track running from Asheville to Murphy.

My train’s complement had included the 1955-manufactured diesel engine, a generator car, the MacNeill club car, the Silver Meteor dining car, the Dixie Flyer dining car, the Conductor’s Café, the Bryson City coach, the Wildwater open car, the Cherokee coach, the Fontana open car, the Crescent Limited coach, and a caboose.

A car coupling-created lurch preceded the train’s initial movement at 1030, as it slowly glided over Everet street-imbedded track, soon mirrored by the stationary, red and gold Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s chain of coaches cradled by the freight yard, before it plunged through dense, almost tunnel-like foliage at increasing, although still-gentle speeds.

Re-emerging from the dense forest, whose tall, thin trees stood like sentinels guarding the single track, the chain of cars inched away from Bryson City, paralleling the north bank of the Tuckasegee River. The original roadbed, curing to the right at mile 64.5, had been replaced by the present route in 1944 because of dam construction-created flooding.

Traversing a steel truss bridge, which had been constructed in 1898 and spanned 426 feet, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad crossed the Nantahala River, and thence arced into a 12.1-degree curve, commencing an almost-imperceptible climb up a 1.3-percent grade, before reaching its summit by means of a horseshoe curve to the left. The Alarka Creek, a blue sheen amidst the blur of deep forest green, flashed through the left windows.

The train’s gentle rock, lulling me into relaxed serenity, prompted closer internal inspection of the MacNeill club car in which I rode. The line’s newest addition, it had been built in the 1940s and had previously been designated the “Powhatan Arrow,” operating Norfolk and Western’s service of the same name on its Premier line until 1982, at which time it had been transferred to the merged Norfolk-Southern’s Steam Program. Although it had been refurbished in 1993, it had been subsequently damaged the following year in a collision in Lynchburg, Virginia.

No longer needed after the Steam Program had been discontinued in February of 1995, it had been auctioned and acquired by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, renamed in honor of Malcolm and Jean MacNeill for their years of service and dedication, and for their vision of an economically viable western North Carolina scenic railway. It had been inaugurated into this service in mid-1999 on the very Nantahala Gorge run I had currently made after meticulous restoration.

Opulently decorated, it had featured a serving area; single, swivelable, tan-upholstered, opposed easy chairs separated by round tables on one side, and pairs separated by rectangular ones on the other; wood-grained wall paneling; brass lamps above the tables; and thick, red carpeting. Fruit salad, blueberry muffins, and coffee had been served shortly after departure.

The sun, finally managing to tear the billowing white, gray, and silver cloud deck open, revealed patches of blue. The pine green, glass-reflective surface of Fontana Lake, once a fertile valley, flicked through the dense foliage before opening up to a full water body, at mile 72.2. Its very creation had dictated the current railroad’s route.

The Murphy Branch track, having been 8.5 miles longer, but with gentler grades, had followed the north bank of the Tuckasegee River to Bushnell, the small community located at the converging point of the Little Tennessee River and the junction of the Carolina and Tennessee Southern Railway Company’s track. But World War II-necessitated demand for increased electrical power to facilitate production of vital war materials had sparked the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Fontana Dam Project and the Murphy Branch’s track rerouting.

Fontana, a town 1.5 miles from the construction site, had been nucleic to its successful completion and the Carolina and Tennessee Southern’s track, extended 2.84 miles along the Little Tennessee River, had formed the temporary lifeline to it, facilitating material and machinery transport. A timber trestle had been built over Eagle Creek. A four-track rail yard, long enough to support 100 cars on each of its spurs, along with a machine shop, a carpenter shop, a warehouse, and storage areas, had formed the base of the project, and cement-filled boxcars had run from Bryson City to the dam, conveying 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and 15,000 tons of sand and gravel per day.

The war had carried two stipulations: the dam had to be completed within a two-year period and steel could not be allocated for it, requiring relocated or reconstructed bridges and enormous amounts of fill to substitute for otherwise needed trestles.

Three different rivers had formed the bottom of the newly-created Fontana Lake when the resultant reservoir had flooded 24 miles of former Murphy Branch track from Bryson City to Weser, and the dam, at 480 feet, had been the highest in the eastern United States and the fourth-largest in the world when it had been completed in 1944.

The old line, discontinued by the Southern Railway between mileposts 64.5 and 88.2 on September 25 of the previous year, had been replaced by the new one on July 30, 1944.

Eating away the steel girder, concrete stanchion-supported Fontana Lake Bridge, the present Great Smoky Mountains Railroad crossed the evergreen-reflected water.

At milepost 76, orchard remnants, location of the former Southern Railway president’s summerhouse, moved by. Following the azure of Fontana Lake, the diesel locomotive negotiated the 14.2-degree curve to the right at mile 77.8, the relocated line’s sharpest, which could only be safely traversed at five mph.

The Nantahala River, a fluid life force exploding into small fumes of white anger with every rock and boulder obstacle thrown in its path, paralleled the 12-car link.

Lunch, served in the Silver Meteor dining car attached to the MacNeill club car, had included grilled vegetables, portobello mushrooms, and creamy goat cheese on a hero, served with seasoned potato wedges and a side of lettuce and tomato. The two-axle, lightweight car, built in 1940 for Seaboard Airline Railway and restored by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 1994, had featured a forward galley; twelve, four-place, black lacquer tables with upholstered, floral motif-sporting chairs; small, brass lamps; and gray, geometric textured carpeting which had adorned the bottom half of its sidewalls.

The Conductor’s Café, a snack car constructed in 1949 and an alternative eating venue, had been operated as a dormitory on the Atlantic Coast Line Railway and had also seen brief service with Amtrak before being converted to its present configuration in 1997.

Plying the last mile of relocated track, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad passed Weser Creek Falls and the Nantahala Outdoor Center before crossing the Appalachian Trail at milepost 80, now cradled by steep mountains which formed Nantahala Gorge and impeded all but the high, afternoon sun’s rays from penetrating it. The track, paralleling the river, had been laid close to the mountain’s side with the aid of nothing more than picks and shovels and seemed to bore through cool air and nature’s dense, perennially-green, vegetation-created tunnel.

The caves beyond the coaches’ right windows had once been used by hunters and settlers and had been instrumental during the Cherokee’s exile to Oklahoma in its Trail of Tears period.

Maneuvering through the line’s sharpest curve, of 17 degrees, at milepost 83.2, the train approached Talc Mountain, approaching Nantahala, once the last location of a water tank, a coal chute, and a sand tower for replenishing steam engines, thus necessitating sufficient provision for the 56-mile round-trip to Murphy and back. Today, it had served as my own journey’s terminus.

Diesel locomotive 1751, disconnecting from its 11-car chain, passed it on the Stanley track to its right before reconnecting in front of the caboose and reinitiating motion, now in the opposite direction, after a barely perceptible lurch, destined for the Nantahala Outdoor Center and a one-hour interlude.

Gently lurching and rattling, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad retraced its path, boring through the forest green walls which reeked not of soot or coal, but instead of dense vegetation.

Amid the rushing of the river, where the tracks briefly doubled, it inched into the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Immediately above the green canopy, tiny specks of blue had rendered the otherwise white and silver cloud blanket an afternoon mosaic. The center itself, starting point for rafting excursions and permanently suffused with the heavy scent of pine, had been comprised of several wooden, rustic cabins housing gift ships and restaurants.

After having been pelted by a fierce, but quick rain shower during its one-hour rest, the diesel locomotive, once again signaling imminent departure with its whistle, released its brakes at 1400 and reinitiated momentum, each car induced into coupling-snagged motion like a chain in mimicked reaction.

The Nantahala River, now paralleling the train on the right side and a reflection of the mountain-covered vegetation, appeared a crystal green mirror. The gentle blue of the sky crested the towering trees.

Traveling in a northwesterly direction, the long chain of cars thread its way through the dense forest toward the almost-blue peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains ahead, their wheels screeching in protest as they adhered to the track’s curvatures.

The cork on the champagne bottle had been popped and cheese and crackers had, in the meantime, been served in the MacNeill club car.

Fontana Lake, draped by green-carpeted hills and dotted with houseboats, once again glided by, now visible through the long, rectangular windows on the left side, as if they had served as large television screens depicting a world from which one had been temporarily disconnected in the self-contained coach.

Following the dense, green mountain valley-cradled tracks, the train once again traversed the steel truss bridge and inched past the railroad yard, crossing Evert Street in Bryson City and snagging its brakes for a final time abreast of the gray depot.

Climbing down from the MacNeill club car, I stepped back on to the gravel and caught glimpse of the last car. Behind it lay a track comprised of light rails laid by convicts through mountainous, river-abundant terrain, having requiring restricted bridges, small tunnels, tight curves, and varying grades. Behind it lay a story of the Murphy Branch, which had provided the lifeline to the Great Smoky Mountains’ isolated communities, facilitating their growth and development, and connecting town to town. And behind it lay the ultimate connection—the one from soul to soul.

Opening the door, I stepped into the Bryson City depot.

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mountaineering – Road Trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina: Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain

skywalker — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 03:12:21 +0000

One hot, sweltering day last summer in the flat lands of North Carolina, me and my biker buddy thought it was about time to plan for a weekend road trip. Not wanting to spend too much time getting there, but definitely wanting a change of scenery and to escape the stifling summer heat, we decided to check out the Grandfather Mountain area in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain Range, just about an hour and half drive from home in Mooresville N.C.

That Friday we took off work two hours early, packed our saddlebags and hopped on our hogs heading up 77 to I 40, destination Banner Elk, North Carolina. We turned off the Interstate in the foothills at Morganton, and after some cruising through the small Mayberry like town, soon found ourselves leaning into the curves, past Table Rock and numerous mountain vistas, the summer heat already melting away. Occasionally getting trapped behind a local, never in a hurry to get anywhere, we soon encountered a passing lane and sped on our way.

We got on 105 in Linville and we knew we were almost there. Cruising the next 7 miles in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain, we arrived at the stone buildings of Tynecastle, turned left heading down the valley past Sugar Mountain and into the town of Banner Elk. We had made reservations at the Banner Elk Inn Bed & Breakfast, so we turned right at the only stoplight and were soon checking in.

Being the cocktail hour, we stretched our legs with a nice cool walk into town and visited some local bistros, then crossed the street and headed to Stonewalls were we enjoyed an excellent steak dinner.

Saturday was to be a day to cruise the area. After a hearty breakfast at the Inn, we saddled up and headed back to Linville Falls, were we caught up with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Heading north towards Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway is chocked full of winding roads and beautiful mountain views, one of the best ways to tour the mountains of North Carolina.

Shortly after hitting the Parkway we came upon the Linn Cove Viaduct. An engineering marvel, the viaduct is an elevated bridge that wraps around Grandfather Mountain for some eight miles, and has some of the best mountain views on the Parkway. Designed to blend in, the bridge is a fine example of Mother Nature and the man made coexisting. We stopped to take a hike on the trail that goes underneath the Linn Cove Viaduct to get a better view of some truly impressive architecture.

Julian Price Park was the next stop on the Parkway, with a primitive campground and a beautiful lake that offers some excellent trout fishing. The park covers over 4000 acres and has 25 miles of hiking trails. An amphitheater, picnic grounds, and canoe rentals make Julian Price an excellent place to spend the day. We spent a couple of hours, then moved on towards Blowing Rock.

We exited the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Moses Cone Memorial Park, checked out the Crafts Center, and moved on to Blowing Rock for lunch. On the way back, we took the road to Boone, home of Appalachian State University, and turned up 105 back to Banner Elk.

Back at the Inn, there was plenty of daylight left so we took a little break, hopped back on our bikes and headed up the mountain to Valle Crucis. A really fun narrow winding mountain road with one really mean switchback at the top, the ride down the mountain had some great mountain views as we passed farm houses, retreats, horse farms, and some quant little bed and breakfasts tucked away in there own mountain nooks.

Valle Crucis is a very rural community, its hub being the Mast General Store were we stopped for a look see. The Mast family has a large presence here with two stores and the Mast Inn, one of the best of the many Bed and Breakfast Inns in the area. This is where you come when you really want to get away from it all. A mountain retreat with 2 quality horse farms for those who like to ride the live things.

On the way back to Banner Elk via 105, we were having so much fun on these tight little roads that we decided to head on up to Seven Devils, a vacation resort area with the Hawksnest Ski Resort and Golf Coarse at the top of the mountain.

After a full day of riding, back in Banner Elk we headed to happy hour at the Bayou Smokehouse and Grill and stayed all night, scarfing down brewskis, Texas style Bar-B-Que, and some great Louisiana Cajun Cuisine.

Sunday was the day to conquer the big daddy of them all, Grandfather Mountain. Having been on the road all day Saturday, today we were going to do some serious hiking.

With the tallest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain sits on the eastern continental divide and is host to the annual gathering of Scottish clans, and the Highland Games. We passed McRae Meadows and paid the per person to enter the privately owned mountain. We parked briefly at the nature museum and took a quick tour of the wildlife habitat, which features animals native to the region on display in their natural habitat.

As we headed up to the mile high swinging bridge, we could see the clouds racing through the gaps between the peaks. It was a cool, foggy overcast type of day as it so often is in the mountains of North Carolina, and visibility was patchy at best. But we were here for a hike, and hiking is what we did.

We started the trek towards Calloway Peak, and being in the middle of the summer, we had plenty of company. The well marked trail led us through some easy to difficult terrain with ropes and wooden ladders to aid us in climbing the rock faces, and several open vistas where we could recognize Mt. Mitchell on the horizon, and the Sugar Top condos at Sugar Mountain as we viewed the cloud cover below us.

We never made it to the very top of Calloway Peak, the higher you go the harder it gets, but we did wind up getting a good workout, and the hike down was just about as hard as going up. We got back to the swinging bridge parking lot, caught our breath, then mounted our bikes for the trip back home. It was good to have the vibration of the road under us again, and by the time we left the foothills of Morganton, the cool mountain breezes were already becoming a fond memory.

Whether by motorcycle, car, or truck, a road trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is a great way to beat the heat. The area surrounding Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain is peppered with vacation homes of people from all over the south east, a large proportion escaping the hot, humid summers of Florida.

Outdoor activities abound all year round with skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, tennis and golf, camping, or just plain cruising the roads in the spring, summer and fall. Whatever your pleasure, Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a great destination for the great American road trip.

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For more go to: www.agonybooth.com William Shatner filming Star Trek V: The Final Frontier at Yosemite, theorizing on what draws people to climb the big monolith El Capitan
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