Archive for the ‘Outdoor Activities’ Category

New River Gorge Camping Essentials: The Must-Have List

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Camping is one of many ways to commune with nature here in New River Gorge country. Lots of folks visit and make camping part of their trip. It’s a fun and relatively inexpensive way to stay during your visit.

The Gorge has some great campgrounds with amenities, along with some primitive camping areas as well.  Many campgrounds are located close to adventure activities. But just as important as where you camp will be what you bring with you to camp.

A sleeping pad makes for a more comfortable camping trip

We are going to look at some of the essential items that will help make your camping experience as comfortable (and memorable) as possible.

Essentials

We assume tents and sleeping bags are already on your camping list. Here are some other items that you may not have considered:

  • Sleeping Pad – These come in all shapes and sizes and make a huge difference when compared to sleeping on the hard ground. Air mattresses are great for this as well.
  • Tarps – These help in case of inclement weather. Hang them over your table, tent, and gathering areas in case it decides to rain. A small one under your tent helps keep ground moisture away and protects the tent floor.
  • Lanterns – Battery powered ones are fine, but if you plan on being up long after dark, a propane or Coleman fuel lantern will work better and last longer.
  • Flashlight – A couple of lights for the group is the minimum we recommend.  If you can, make sure everyone in your party has their own light. This is even more important if you’re camping in primitive areas with no external lighting.
  • Water – A few gallons of water will be necessary to help with cleanup, cooking , and of course for drinking.
  • Chairs – Camp chairs make a huge difference in your comfort level. Otherwise it’s rocks, logs, or the ground for you.
  • Firestarter Logs – These make getting a campfire started much easier and can be a must if you have wood that isn’t quite dry.

Other Items

Here are some other items you probably don’t want to be without during your stay in the great outdoors:

  • Coolers
  • Camp table
  • Throw rug
  • Can opener
  • Twine or cord
  • Rake and shovel

Good planning and a little research of camping areas around the Gorge can make for a great visit here with us. Have fun and enjoy your stay.

What other camping essentials do you recommend?

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The New River Birding and Nature Festival is Almost Here!

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

One sign that spring is here is the sound of birds singing their distinct morning tunes. Another sign of spring is a bunch of bird enthusiasts wandering around the New River Gorge looking, listening, and trying to identify said birds, sometimes just by their song.

The end of April means the New River Birding and Nature Festival is approaching. Bird watchers and nature lovers from far and wide infiltrate this area for a “summer camp” of  sorts with similar-minded folks. With world-class instructors hosting daily field trips as well as evening presentations, this event is a wonderful showcase of the Gorge’s beauty and natural resources.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the New River Birding and Nature Festival.

About the Festival

In its 10th year, this week-long gathering takes advantage of the wonderful nature that is preserved in and around the Gorge. Festival chairman Dave Pollard said he expects close to 175 participants this year and that most of them sign up for the whole week of activities. The event is from April 30 to May 5 and focuses on the birds and ecology of our area.

There are 4 or 5 field trips offered per day, and many of them are already full. But you can still get into some of the sessions. Here’s an example of a few of the talks and trips the festival offers.

  • Nature Photography
  • All Things Cerulean
  • Birding by Boat
  • Fields trips to Buery Mountain, Long Point, Kanawha Falls, Cranberry Glades, Sugar Creek

There are also short presentations after the field trips and dinner presentations, both at Opossum Creek Retreat. Definitely plenty to keep even the most zealous nature lover entertained.

The Experts

This festival taps the expertise of many scholars and accomplished individuals and lets the participants learn from them in a beautiful environment. Presenters include:

  • Dr. Scott Shalaway – Wildlife Biologist with Ph. D. in Wildlife Ecology and M.S. in Biology.
  • Bill Thompson III -  Editor of Bird Watchers Digest and author of many birding and nature books.
  • Mark Garland – Naturalist with B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture.
  • Jim McCormac – Ohio Division of Wildlife specialist dealing in nongame wildlife diversity, particularly birds.
  • Julie Zickefoose – Artist, naturalist and writer, specializing in natural history. Also NPR contributor.

These are just a few of the various professionals that help make the Birding and Nature Festival a great event. This festival also boasts the best guide to guest ratio of any of the birding festivals around.

The event is a great promotion of this area, its beauty, and resources. According to Dave Pollard, “Another great thing about this festival is it has helped bring about other events in the area like the Fall Birding Weekend and the August Hummingbird event.”

Whether you are a nature lover, birdwatcher, or just want to learn a new hobby, think about attending the New River Birding and Nature Festival.

Will we see you there?

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Play in the Trees at TimberTrek at Adventures on the Gorge

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

The area’s newest New River Gorge adventure will be just a stone’s throw from the New River Gorge Bridge. TimberTrek Adventure Park at Adventures on the Gorge is a supervised aerial escapade, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

What Is TimberTrek?

Situated on 4 wooded acres at the resort, TimberTrek is a conglomerate of 5 aerial ropes courses that combine a series of 60 different challenging elements. The 5 courses vary in difficulty, from very easy (the yellow course) to extremely challenging (the black course). It uses the elements of wood, rope and cables to form bridges, swings, ladders and zip lines. These obstacles require balance agility, strength, and focus; each level of the course will challenge users more than the last.

The Angry Plank: One of the TimberTrek Elements

The courses increase in height as they increase in difficulty.  At the highest point you’ll be 50 feet off the forest floor. Professional staff will be located throughout the course for help, but TimberTrek is a self guided adventure that allows users to progress at their own pace.

How Does TimberTrek Work?  Who Can TimberTrek?

A short safety orientation on how to use the equipment and the rules of the park is followed by gearing up for your adventure. Guests wear a harness, which has a double lanyard system for safety.

Trips last about 3 hours, and you can do as many courses as you are able to in that time frame.  You must be able to fit in the specially designed harness, and for safety reasons, 265 pounds is the upper weight limit. The yellow course can accommodate kids as young as 7, but adult supervision will be required for anyone under the age of 14.

There are a few rules about loose hair and clothing, phones, shoes, and behavior.  Gear up correctly and you are guaranteed to have a blast.

When Can You TimberTrek?

TimberTrek is set to open in April and will remain open through Thanksgiving. Trips will begin around 8am and go until almost dark. Reservations are encouraged; groups of up to 40 can be handled fairly easily. The park will be open rain or shine, and only high winds, lightning or ice will cause a cancellation of a trip.

TimberTrek is just the third aerial adventure park of it’s kind in the United States, so it will be a unique experience for most folks.

Are you ready to TimberTrek?

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Conquering the New River Gorge Bridge – Bridge Walk

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

The New River Gorge Bridge spans a canyon that is both deep and wide and steeped in history. For over 30 years, people have been crossing the Gorge in less than a minute, thanks to the Bridge.

But what you might not know is that a metal walkway is built into the bridge’s internal construction, originally intended only to allow engineers and inspectors to examine all the pieces and parts of this enormous erector set.  Now you can step onto this catwalk thanks to Bridge Walk, one of the newest adventures in the Gorge.

Ready to go under the Bridge?

From the catwalk, you’ll get some unique and spectacular views of the Bridge and the Gorge below it. Bridge Walk gives folks the opportunity to take a stroll across the New River Gorge Bridge, just 15 feet under its deck. To take in both the form and the function of a design (one time the longest single span steel arch bridge) is a pretty amazing experience.

The History 

This monstrosity of a bridge was completed in 1977, after 4 years of building and a $37 million price tag. It was designed by the Michael Baker Company and built by American Bridge Division of US Steel.

It was built from COR-TEN steel, which is designed to form a rust layer for protection.  This technique eliminates the need to paint this behemoth. It also helps the Bridge blend in with its beautiful surroundings. The Bridge is 3,030 feet long and stands 876 feet above the New River below.

The Walk

The Bridge Walk is an endeavor undertaken by a few local entrepreneurs.  It was envisioned as a possibility years ago by the National Park Service in their original park plan.

The concept is simple and safe. Get harnessed up and attached to cables that run the entire length of the Bridge and then take a leisurely stroll under the Bridge’s deck from one side to the other.  The equipment is top of the line and the tour includes guides that ensure guest safety and share local knowledge, history and interesting Bridge facts and figures.

No matter how many different angles and views you have seen the Bridge from before, this one is definitely the most interesting and unusual. Remember to bring your camera as pictures are allowed and encouraged.

The tour is available to most people from about the age of 9 to 90 and is even set up to accommodate folks with disabilities, as they have a wheelchair that will fit on the walkway.

Have you experienced Bridge Walk?

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Winter in the New River Gorge – Get Outside and Get Active!

Friday, December 9th, 2011

The New River Gorge is a summertime paradise for the outdoor adventure seeker. But just because winter has pushed summer aside doesn’t mean its time to hibernate in these parts.  In fact, some activities you’d think of as summertime pursuits can be a bit more pleasant and rewarding this time of year.

Here’s a look at some of the winter activities in and around the New River Gorge:

Winter Wonderland - Photo by the New River Gorge National River

  • Bridge Walk- The chance to go underneath the New River Gorge Bridge doesn’t end with warm temperatures. The deck of the Bridge gives great coverage from precipitation.  The Gorge is a different kind of beautiful this time of year.
  • Zip Lines- An exhilarating, year round activity that offers a much different perspective when the leaves are gone. There are several zip lines in the area, and each one is different. Zipping through the snow sounds like fun to us!
  • Hiking- This is one of those activities that often becomes a bit more pleasant with cooler temperatures. And now that leaves are gone, you’ll be able to see the many old coal mining structures that are along Gorge hiking trails. In the winter they are exposed and easier to locate and explore.
  • Cross country skiing- These same hiking trails, with enough snow cover, can provide some very diverse cross country skiing terrain.
  • Biking-  Lots of new biking trails were built in the Gorge this summer. A cold, dry winter can mean lots of mountain biking opportunities.

These are some adventures that many of us can participate in.

But, there are extreme weather paddlers who will raft or kayak the areas rivers and streams almost every month of the year. Because winter is a wet season, some of the best paddling begins in November.

Hunting and fishing are also popular wintertime activities.  Trout are still somewhat active.   Grouse, rabbit, and duck and goose seasons extend into late January and February.

And of course, Winterplace Ski Resort is about 45 minutes from the Gorge.  This ski resort offers a variety of slopes for all expertise levels.  We love the tubing park, which will be a hit with everyone in your group.

So there’s really no excuse.  Get outside and play!

What are you doing this winter in the Gorge?

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Whitewater Is Only The Beginning: Other Outdoor Adventures in the Gorge

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers used to be the main draw for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers visiting West Virginia.  But there are many ways to enjoy the rugged nature this area has to offer.   And now visitors have a chance to experience even more of it.
Over the past few years, lots of new adventures have become available here in the New River Gorge:

Off-road riding is a popular adventure in WV

  • Rock climbing
  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain biking
  • Kayak clinics
  • Paint ball
  • Canopy Tours
  • Stand up Paddle Boarding
  • Fishing trips

The Don’t Miss Activity

One of the fastest growing activities here has been ATV and UTV riding. Some of the best ATV terrain east of the Mississippi River is right here in southern West Virginia.

The Hatfield and McCoy Trail system offers well over 500 miles of off-roading for ATVs, dirt bikes and UTVs.  The trail system has been around for a decade now and is still growing.  It has a future goal of someday offering over 2,000 miles of trails.

Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park offers over 100 miles of trails and has major expansion in its future plans. With over 8,000 acres to develop and a close proximity to Beckley, this system is easily accessible for those visiting the New River Gorge.

Area ATV trails give you the option to rent your ride, or you can bring your own vehicle.

Have you ever explored the New River Gorge on an ATV?

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New River Gorge Campgrounds and Fall Camping Essentials

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Fall in West Virginia is a great time to camp. The summer crowds have diminished, the temperatures are cooler and  the bugs have all but disappeared. There are many camping options in the New River Gorge area,  but camping in the fall can be a much different experience. Knowing what to expect and what you need to bring can help you stay comfortable and have a trip to remember.

Essentials for Comfortable Camping

What follows is a list of necessities for comfort while enjoying autumn camping in the Mountain State.

Make Camping Comfortable

  • Tarps – An essential item as the weather in WV changes about as often as the hour does. Normal fall showers can dampen even the most stoic camper’s spirits. Having good tarps above and below one’s tent and camping area can be the difference between camping or floating.
  • Temperature rated sleeping bags - Fall temperatures can dip into the mid to low 30′s at night. Make sure the sleeping bag you are using is designed to accommodate these temperatures for comfort while you sleep.
  • Propane or gas lantern- It gets dark pretty early here in the mountains, especially if you’re camping down low. This style of lantern provides quality, long-lasting light. Hang one or two in camp and you can cook, eat or just relax and talk for hours.
  • Headlamp or small flashlight - Whether you are camping in a campground or a more a remote area, when nature calls in the middle of the night you are going to have a hard time finding your way around without light.  Everybody should really have their own flashlight of some sort.
  • Comfortable slip-on shoes - An essential piece of camping gear if you are tent camping. They save the tent floor from grime or wear and tear.  Added bonus: slip-on shoes save you from tying sneakers every time you go in or out of your temporary home.

These are just a few of the essentials you should consider when packing for a camping outing.

Camping Opportunities

Curious about where to camp in the New River Gorge?  Here are some options:

These are just some of our area campgrounds.  The New River Gorge also has plenty of remote camping spots. No matter what type of camping experience you’re looking for, rest assured: you’ll find it around the Gorge.

Do you have any other suggested camping essentials?

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