Hiking News - September 2009

Our Hiking News Desk stays up-to-date with all the camping events and news items from around the globe. This is the news archive of September 2009. Get your daily hiking news updates right here. You can use the Display Mode changer below to view our news in different formats:

Feed

Display Mode: Headers Only Headers + Snippets Full News Stories

AMC Presents at Youth Outdoor Education Conference

Monday, 28 September 2009

As part of the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) continued commitment to getting youth and families outdoors, the AMC's Director of Education, Pam Hess, will present at the upcoming New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition Conference and Boston Youth Environmental Network Summit.

NH Children in Nature Coalition "Building Nature-based Communities" Conference On October 1, Hess will o ffer two interactive workshops designed by the AMC to help parents feel more comfortable outside with their kids:

• AMC's "Hiking as a Family" workshop will address common parental fears for taking kids into the woods and offer proper planning and outdoor safety advice for families to enjoy the benefits of hiking together.

• AMC's "Staying Safe and Found" workshop for parents and kids will cover preparation and safe travel in the woods through hands-on activities and a demonstration of what kids should carry to stay safe and avoid getting lost.

Materials for both AMC workshops will be available for free to individuals and groups interested in sharing these programs in their local communities.

For conference details, visit wildnh.com/ChildrenInNature.

Boston Youth Environmental Network "Environmental Education" Summit

On October 16, Hess will discuss the AMC's work with Boston Public School teachers to incorporate the outdoors into classroom curriculum through the AMC's Youth Opportunities Program and A Mountain Classroom program. Hess also will facilitate a session between local non-profits and teachers to further this effort. For conference details, visit www.environetwork.org/EESummit.

Pam Hess holds a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont. Her areas of expertise as the AMC's Director of Education for the past eight years include outdoor education and skills for grades K-12 and urban youth programs, No Child Left Inside federal legislation, state and local environmental education initiatives in the Northeast, and engaging youth and families in the outdoors.

Each year, the AMC serves nearly 40,000 young people through lodge- and hut-based family programs, school programs, guided teen adventures, and programs for at-risk youth. These AMC programs include A Mountain Classroom, Moosehead Area Schools Project, Youth Opportunities Program, destination-based opportunities such as AMC Jr. Naturalist and Family Adventure Camps, Teen Wilderness Adventures, and teen volunteer trail crews. In addition, many AMC chapters offer local, close-to-home programs for families in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

For more information about AMC's education programs for youth and youth workers, visit www.outdoors.org/education. The AMC's free "Hiking as a Family" and "Staying Safe and Found" workshop materials will be available soon on the AMC's website.

Source: www.outdoors.org

Two Hiking Trails Added to Coon Creek

Sunday, 27 September 2009

The State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has opened two new hiking trails at the Coon Creek Forever Wild Tract, the Wood Duck Trail and the Overlook Loop. The trails are near Yates Reservoir in Tallapoosa County.

The Wood Duck Trail is an easy 4-mile round-trip that begins near the Coon Creek Forever Tract parking lot. The trail heads east hugging the slough of Coon Creek to a picnic area and loops back to the parking lot.

The Overlook Loop also begins near the parking lot and heads west creating a 1-mile loop along the slough to the highest point on the property and back to the trailhead. Overlook Loop is relatively step in one area, but its short length makes it an easy trek.

Both trails are free to use by the public and provide ample opportunity to observe wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, wood ducks, and several other bird species. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Coon Creek Tract can be accessed by taking Tallapoosa Co. Rd. 6 north (Macedonia Rd) for 3 miles off of Highway 14. From Tallapoosa Co. Rd. 6, turn left onto Hicks Store Rd. Follow Hicks Store Rd. for 1 mile and turn right onto Gravel Pit Rd. Take an immediate right onto Coon Creek Landing Rd., which leads to the boat ramp and parking lot.

The 320-acre Coon Creek Tract was purchased by the Forever Wild Land Trust in February 1995 to provide recreational opportunities in the form of hunting, fishing, and ecological education. For more information visit the Web site at www.outdooralabama.com/public-lands/stateLands/foreverWild.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Incentive From Campground Owners of New York

Saturday, 26 September 2009

Pittsford, NY - It is not too late to plan a vacation on a budget, with the "Camp Two Nights, Get a Third Night Free" promotion at participating campgrounds and RV parks in New York State. This special summer promotion has been extended from its scheduled end date of September 7th (Labor Day), and is now available through October 12, 2009 (Columbus Day).

Campground Owners of New York (C ONY), an association of privately owned campgrounds and RV Parks, is offering a free night of camping with two paid nights at affiliate parks across New York State. A complete listing of campgrounds and RV parks in the promotion, as well as booking details and restrictions, are available at www.ilovenycamping.com.

"CONY joined up with I LOVE NEW YORK's summer vacation promotion offering a free night of lodging or camping with two paid nights, and it has been such a great promotion we decided to keep going past Labor Day so campers and RVers planning to enjoy the fall colors have a cost-saving incentive to do it in New York State," said Donald G. Bennett, Jr., Executive Administrator of CONY.

There are a variety of campgrounds and RV parks participating in the "Camp Two Nights, Get a Third Night Free" promotion. By clicking the links on www.ilovenycamping.com, tenters and RVers alike will easily find something to suit their needs.

Campground Owners of New York, founded in 1963, is an association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State. More information about the association and its campgrounds – including a free camping directory - is available at www.nycampgrounds.com.

Dia de la Familia on National Public Lands Day

Friday, 25 September 2009

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - This year National Public Lands Day at Grand Canyon National Park will be commemorated with more than free admission and volunteer opportunities. Park staff and friends will also be celebrating the park's first Dia de la Familia.

Dia de la Familia will be held on September 26, 2009, as a part of National Hispanic Heritage Month and the National Park Service's eff orts to recognize the diverse experiences of all Americans. National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15 and is a time when Americans pay tribute to the generations of Hispanics who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and our society.

The Grand Canyon has a rich history of Spaniards and Mexicans exploring, pioneering and working in the region. That history goes back over 400 years to the arrival of part of the Coronado expedition in 1540. Led by García López de Cárdenas, these men were the first Europeans to set eyes on the Grand Canyon.

Today, people of Hispanic heritage serve at every level in Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service and the Department of Interior, participating in and directing the day-to-day management and operation of many of our nation's public lands.

Dia de la Familia is a bilingual celebration commemorating the Hispanic heritage of Grand Canyon National Park and the American Southwest and celebrating the daily contributions of Hispanics to the public’s enjoyment of America’s public lands. This year's celebration will include:

• special exhibits highlighting the Hispanic heritage of the park and the Southwest;
• bilingual walks and talks along the rim and into the canyon;
• bilingual children's programs that meet some of the qualifications to become a Junior Ranger;
• demonstrations of traditional handicrafts by Mexican artisans;
• a special bilingual program presented by rangers from Sierra de San Pedro Martir National Park in Baja California, highlighting the ongoing condor reintroduction in Mexico;
• a recruitment and information table staffed jointly by the National Park Service and US Forest Service; and
• the debut of portions of the Ken Burns series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea", in both Spanish and in English.

In honor of National Public Lands Day (NPLD), service opportunities will be made available for those who would like to participate in the NPLD tradition of volunteering to make their public lands a better place for all. In addition, entrance fees at all national park units, including Grand Canyon National Park, will be waived.

In order to make the park as accessible as possible and to provide additional parking during this celebration, free shuttle service will be available from Tusayan, Arizona (on Highway 64 just outside of the park entrance) to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center where free shuttles to many of the South Rim’s primary attractions are readily available.

To learn more about Dia de la Familia or for a schedule of events, please contact District Interpreter David Smith at 928-638-7765. To learn more about National Public Lands Day, please visit www.publiclandsday.org.

Source: www.nps.gov

Multinat'l Trail Team at Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc

Thursday, 24 September 2009

Red Wing, MN — Returning competitor and Vasque-sponsored trail athlete, Krissy Moehl, of Seattle, WA and Bend, OR, set a female course record as she placed first among women and 11th overall at the North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. The renowned race takes runners on a 166-k course that crosses through France, Italy and Switzerland.

The other four members of Vasque's team performed impressively with a combination of skill, stamina and courage. The multinational team mirrored the international flavor of the event, which attracts thousands of runners, thousands of volunteers and thousands of spectators.

Moehl’s time of 24 hours and 56 minutes beat the competition by an hour and nine minutes and shattered the existing course record which stood at 25 hours 19 minutes 41 seconds. In this grueling event, which included an ascent of 9,400 meters, Moehl finished 11th overall, the highest place ever for a female runner.

"What a race. It was purely awesome to be here to experience her gallant win," Vasque's European sales manager, David Harrison says.

Finishing in the top three women in the race was one of Moehl’s goals for the year. "Every race is an opportunity to learn something more about the mind and body. This year's UTMB taught me to harness the energy from supporters both present and abroad and draw on that energy to help me accomplish my goal. I had some significant rough patches and finding this as a focus to pull me through was an amazing feeling. Fortunately my training has been solid, my feet were healthy, and I was able to jump when the opportunity to go for the win presented itself. Lizzie pushed me to one of my best performances to date and I am super thankful for her as a competitor and new friend. I am thrilled at my race, and am thankful to all those who helped get me through to the finish line in good form," Moehl says.

The event consists of four races of different lengths that start in France and Italy and attracts a total of 5600 + competitors from all over the world. 2400 competitors, alone, left the starting line simultaneously for the UTMB course which is 166k with a 9400m ascent. There were 1600 volunteers on hand to help organize and administrate the successful race.

This year, the weather was generally dry with a cold snap at one point. Runners endured freezing nights, dense fog, traversing mountain passes and multiple ascents. Lizzie Hawker, two-time champion of the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc and the North Face athlete, built a lead in the early hours of the race. But by the 94-k point, Moehl caught Hawker. The lead switched on and off between them until Moehl stretched out a lead in the latter stages of the race.

The other Vasque team members were Japanese runners, Kenichi Yamamoto, Hiroko Suzuki, and Chiharu Watanabe and Mandy Calvert of the United Kingdom, all in their first attempt at the races.

Yamamoto finished eighth among men in a time of 24 hours and 17 minutes. Yamamoto appeared strong throughout the race. He moved up steadily from the 50s at La Contamines to the 20s at Courmayeur to 11th at Col Du Ferret (99-k), a fantastic result for a first attempt, resulting in a very emotional Yamamoto.

Suzuki finished the race in a time of 36 hrs and 11 minutes, 14th among women and 303rd overall.

Calvert, who raced the Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie course (106-k) finished in 106th place and 9th place among women in a time of 21 hours and 51 minutes. Experienced aided Calvert to her fine finish as she used her skills cultivated from her three previous UTMB 166-k races.

Watanabe ran until the 120-k point at Champex, when he retired in 46th place because of stomach problems.

Huge congratulations to the entire Vasque trail team for their fine finishes at the 2009 Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc.

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

For the latest news, tips, trivias and special offers, sign up to the ABC of Hiking newsletter.

All News Archives

advertisementadvertising info

Latest Hiking News

More Hiking News

For a complete list of all discount coupons with our merchants, subscribe to our Discount RSS Feed:

Search for an item: