Guest Appreciation Festival 2012: Recap

Cascades, Cascades, Cascades
Some paddlers described it as pure chaos, or even a circus, but the Cascades release was definitely one of the biggest highlights during GAF weekend.  Providing entertainment, personal "first D’s" and what seemed like endless whitewater laps for some, the Cascades were on a-whole-'nother level this weekend.

Hunt Jennings (Yellow) and Matt Anger (Blue) during one of their thirty laps down the Cascades

Being the first recreational release for the Upper Nantahala and Cascades, this past weekend felt like Christmas for many. Boaters came from all over the region to paddle this section of river that is usually dependent on rain fall.

Many of you have requested the photos and video from the release so here they are! To find your photo click here and enjoy!

On Saturday night, The Pourover Pub hosted everyone to watch the Carnage Video from the Saturday release. If you happened to miss it, you can witness some of the chaos for yourself here:

NOC would like to thank everyone who helped with the safety of both spectators and paddlers on the Upper and Cascades during the event. With the extra efforts put in by many, the majority of the release went very smoothly.

Mini Music Festival
With 5 bands performing at GAF, NOC campus felt like a mini music festival!  From mid-afternoon to the wee hours of the night, guests were dancing on the banks of the Nantahala River. The bands fueled the crowd for hours resulting in smiles, laughs and very unique dance moves.

After the live music, the GAF attendees took over the stage during the Ride Garden Dance Party. After a day full of paddling it's amazing so many folks had multiple hours of dancing in them!

And of Course, The Gear Sale
With the combined 30 vendors, 15 private vendors and the Outfitter's Store sales, there were TONS of great deals from this weekend.  If you were looking for boats, gear, or accessories, hopefully you found it in the Marketplace.

The Marketplace was buzzing with energy during GAF.  The atmosphere was full of guests interacting and sharing memories, stories and advice.  It was a great chance to learn about folks interested in similar activities and meet some all around good people!

Take a look at some scenes from GAF 2012 here:

These are just a few highlights from GAF 2012, some others include: learning from Steve Longnecker's birds of prey, wilderness fire starting clinics, stories from Ms. Connie Regan-Blake and much more.  Let us know what you liked the most! GAF 2013 is just around the bend.

Transforming NOC's Outfitter's Store: Expanding Beyond Paddling

With a storied paddling history, former Olympians on staff and a thriving rafting business, you might make the mistake of thinking NOC’s Outfitter’s Store is just your run-of-the-mill paddling establishment.

Think again.

This spring our Outfitter’s Store is prepped for its own extreme makeover. The store recently underwent new wall construction that increases the strength of the walls, enhancing merchandising capabilities and resulting in a completely redesigned layout. With the expansion of all departments and the introduction of multiple new product lines, the store will confidently dive deeper into markets like backpacking and trail running.

NOC’s new Outfitter’s Store General Manager Doug Wright thinks they’re poised for a season unlike any other in Wesser. “It’s exciting. We’re headed in a new direction that builds on our paddling background, but allows us to service a wider range of customers participating in all kinds of activities available in this area.”


Backpacking / Camping / Hiking

This spring NOC reintroduces a comprehensive camping department, catering to the unique needs of thru-hikers, while also supporting and servicing the many day hikers and casual campers utilizing local trails. With a focus on better service, Wright’s staff has greatly increased the quantity of camping products and consolidated them into one functional area.

Building on the background of his 2006 Appalachian Trail thru-hike, Wright is bringing in a number of new product lines popular with serious backpackers. “With our store being directly on the AT, we need to be able to enhance the experience of thru-hikers and service the many backpackers coming through our store with ultralight backpacks, stoves, water purifying options and apparel.”

NOC is now carrying Ultralight Adventure (ULA) packs, becoming one of seven dealers in the US. These comfortable and durable packs are favorites among long-distance backpackers and weigh in at a mere 17 to 48 oz. In addition to the current insulation options the store carries from Patagonia and The North Face, the store is bringing in the “Light and Fast” Mont-Bell line of synthetic jackets, known for their incredible weight to warmth ratio. Alcohol stoves from Etowah Outfitters, cooking options from Anti-Gravity Gear, hydration options like Aquamira droplets and bladders from Platypus are among other ultralight offerings available at the Outfitter’s Store.

As the store gears up for the 2011 AT thru-hiker season, NOC is positioned as one of the premier backpacking and hiking shops in the Southeast.

Paddling

NOC is synonymous with paddling, but the retail staff continues to push ahead making the paddling department bigger and better. Wright notes, “We’ve re-vamped paddling, creating a well-defined department showcasing premier brands.”

NOC continues to boast the largest selection of whitewater Werner Paddles in the country. The store’s new spring offerings include a selection of stand-up paddleboards, one of the largest selections of Shred Ready helmets with a rainbow of 2011 colors, and a brand-spanking new fleet of demo boats. NOC is one of the first paddling shops in the country to carry the new Pyranha Varun whitewater boat and the new 2011 Jackson kayaks. The store will be the only dealer in the Southeast to carry the 2011 Prijon Pure kayak as well. “We remain the go-to paddling location in the Southeast, and will always be on the cutting edge when it comes to serving paddlers.”

Apparel and Outerwear
The new layout will also lend itself to a diversified apparel department. A wider selection of casual apparel and travel wear, as well as more technical outerwear perfect for backpacking, hiking and other activities will make a strong appearance. More insulation pieces like those from Mont-Bell and Patagonia will keep visitors warm in cooler seasons, and lightweight and waterproof rain shells from Marmot and Go-Lite will not only keep you dry, but the high breathability factor will keep you comfortable in winter or summer temps. A full line of Go-Lite and The North Face multi-sport apparel and a wider offering of base layers will service active customers, as well as those just looking for casual comfort.

Trail Running

Trail running opportunities in Western North Carolina are endless, and the community of local runners continues to grow by leaps and bounds. To appeal to the growing popularity NOC will carry a wider selection of trail running shoes from Brooks, Salomon and Vasque. Staples like Smartwool and Keen socks will continue to be available, along with new options like handheld hydration bottles for tackling longer miles. Runners can fuel their runs with an all-new employee-approved assortment of gels, chews and Nuun electrolyte replacement tabs.

With over $90,000 of product coming in before March, the store’s makeover will be complete in time for a busy spring filled with backpackers, paddlers and rafting guests. Wright wants to make sure all customers know this is their destination store. “We are a paddling store, but now we’re also a backpacking store, a trail running store, a gear up for bad weather store, and a casual tourist-friendly store.”

And you thought NOC was just a paddling store. Think again.

Store Winter Hours
Sunday – Friday: 11-5
Saturday: 10-6

Glacier Breaker Event Hours
Saturday, February 26: 9-6
Sunday, February 27: 9-5

Spring Hours – Beginning February 28
Monday – Friday: 9-5
Saturday: 9-6
Sunday: 10-5

One Hour To GAF.....

GAF's about to start. Here are some photos of the gear spread...

GAF Prep Wednesday 9/23

Check out the inflatables getting lined up for the Big Used Gear Sale:

Bartram Trail Section 7: Ledbetter Creek

Flowing into the Nantahala River not far after the river's first significant rapid, Patton's Run, Ledbetter Creek is an almost negligible feature on the river trip. Paddlers are usually still settling down after the shuttle, and the creek is just another part of the abrupt transition into a (mostly) natural setting.

But despite its modest enhancement to the Nantahala River trip, Ledbetter Creek is probably the most amazing part of the Nantahala Gorge, though to see it boaters will have to drive back up the gorge after the river trip. The trailhead is just down the road (east) of the Patton's Run pull off. You can park at the picnic area on the north side of the road (where I always park), or at the parking area by the bridge on the south side. Coming from the west, when you see the Mystic Lands development slow down, you're about there. The hike heads north, so you may as well park at the picnic area unless there's no room.

The trail begins winding through a camping area which the Forest Service seems to have marked "no camping". This is a bit maze-like, but you'll be working left (or west) to the creek, spanned by a Bartram Trail Society bridge:

After the bridge the extra side trails through the campsites consolidate into the one yellow-blazed Bartram Trail, and you're off. From here you the trail begins an uphill trek that disappointingly leads away from the creek. It's still very beautiful, but after your first experience with the lush, verdant, soothing creek, you don't want to leave. This portion of the hike gains elevation, and this is where you pay your dues for the beauty ahead. Section 7 of the Bartram Trail gains well over 3,000' in its last four miles, making it one of the most strenuous hikes around the area, and while the hike up to Bartram Falls doesn't do a third of this, it does give you a taste of that climb. This isn't extraordinarily difficult, but if you're not in good shape be prepared to take extra time and bring plenty of water. In summer heat this extended climb can challenge people. I'm in pretty good shape, and I have to pause a few times on the way up myself. This is a typical view on the uphill:

On the way up you'll be treated by some good views of the Gorge. There's no grand overlook, but you can see the other side through the trees, and you can tell you've gained a good chunk of elevation. Unfortunately, you can hear traffic pretty well on the way up too, but when you've put most of the climb behind you, you turn off to the north and this noise immediately vanishes. In late July you start to see some blackberries on the way up too. Here're some from yesterday:

After topping out, you'll wind through a rhododendron tunnel fortified by large rock formations jutting starkly of the side of the mountain. If it's hot this is a pleasant place to cool down after the climb. In here the trail winds back down to the creek. Keep going and eventually you'll reach the first of a series of creek crossings. For me this is where I stop "hiking" and start "loafing", meaning that from here on I'm admiring/marveling more than going anywhere expeditiously. This crossing is where you'll be thankful you either a) hiked in river sandals or all condition shoes or b) brought some in your day pack to change into. There are plenty more to come, so you may as well just leave the sandals on. (I did the whole hike in Chacos yesterday and never stubbed my toe and only once or twice got debris in my shoe, so I recommend those.)

From here, you begin a gradual uphill climb along Ledbetter Creek. This gorge-in-a-gorge features lush flora (including mushrooms--there must have been 25 different types of mushrooms yesterday), lots of wildlife (we saw turkeys, salamanders, songbirds and a bunch of crazy-looking bugs) and countless picturesque cascades. Below are some of the best photos, but for a full gallery go to the Nantahala Outdoor Center Facebook page. These and many more are between the first creek crossing after the climb and the 50' Bartram Falls:

The piece d'resistance, and more or less the end of the day hike, is Bartram Falls. This is a great place to chill out, and it's worth walking up the trail just beyond the falls to see the mini-falls right above it. As always, don't go too close to this (or any of the falls). The rocks are slick, and sadly a few people die every year in North Carolina trying to get a bit too close to waterfalls, so be careful!

Here and back you're looking at a six-mile round trip. The Bartram Trail Society estimates the hike at around four hours, but give yourself a bit more time to mosey about if it's a pretty day. I recommend going in the middle of the day since you'll be in a mini-gorge with lots of shade. Things can get dark quickly, so you probably don't want to get caught in twilight without a light. Though the Bartram Trail map won't be a very helpful navigational tool for this hike (it's a map of the entire trail), it has interesting contextual information that may enhance the hike (William Bartram info, other day hikes, natural history, etc.). You can get a copy of the map, and any other necessary supplies, at Nantahala Outdoor Center's Outfitter's Store about seven miles east on US 19/74. Every hiker of this section should be grateful to the Bartram Trail Society for their diligent trail maintenance.

For more photos visit Nantahala Outdoor Center on Facebook and look for the Ledbetter Creek photo album.

The Pourover's Grand Opening Celebration Saturday Night

So, here's the scoop. There's a beer tasting starting at 6pm featuring French Broad Brewing Company, Highland Brewing Company and Starr Hill Brewery. Not only will you get to sample some cool beers (my favorites from each: Altbier, St. Terese's Pale Ale, Jomo Lager), but there's probably going to be a bunch of schwag too.

Also, the Outfitter's Store is offering shoppers a free NOC pint glass with any $25 purchase between 6-8pm on Saturday, so you can even go shop for some sandals or a backpack while you're here and get a souvenir.

Then at 8pm is the main event, The Trainwreks, WNC's favorite Alt/Country band. This won't be background music; it's going to be a hard-driving, hoop-and-holler kind of thing, so leave your sport jackets and bow ties at home. You can check out The Trainwreks' sound here.

If you're tired of hot, stuffy summer shows, this one will be right beside the Nantahala. The deck is covered, so don't worry about weather, but otherwise open.

See you there!