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The Night Sky above the Blue Ridge

July 5, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

Milky Way over the Blue Ridge

The mountains of western North Carolina hold a secret that urban dwellers rarely encounter: darkness. True darkness, the kind that existed before electric lights carved up the night. Drive three hours west from Charlotte, past the last strip mall and gas station, and you’ll find yourself in a place where the Milky Way stretches across the sky like spilled sugar.

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Filed Under: Astronomy, Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Activities, Science & Nature, Travel Tagged With: astronomy, astrophotography, Blue Ridge Parkway, camping, dark sky, milky way, national parks, North Carolina, stargazing

Wilderness Fishing in Western North Carolina: Traditional Techniques for Long-Term Food Security

July 1, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

laurel creek

Western North Carolina’s mountain streams have sustained traditional fishing practices for thousands of years. The Cherokee developed sophisticated methods using handmade gear, natural baits, and deep ecological knowledge that modern practitioners can learn today. These time-tested techniques work consistently for long-term food security, from crafting hooks from bone and thorns to reading water like ancient texts. Brook trout, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass respond to seasonal patterns that wilderness anglers can exploit with patient observation and traditional skills.

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Filed Under: Appalachian Life, Environment and Sustainability, Fishing Guides, How To, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Skills, Recreational Fishing, Wild Food Tagged With: Appalachian fishing, Brook Trout, bushcraft, Cherokee techniques, handmade fishing gear, Mountain Streams, natural baits, primitive fishing, seasonal fishing, traditional fishing, traditional knowledge, Western North Carolina, wilderness skills

Mountain Biking Brevard NC: Mile of Trails in Pisgah and DuPont Forest

June 26, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

Brandon and Evan ride mountain bikes in Dupont State Forest near Brevard, NC.

600+ Trails, World-Class Pisgah & DuPont Riding, and Everything You Need for the Ultimate North Carolina Mountain Biking Adventure Brevard, North Carolina stands as the “Cycling Capital of the South,” offering over 600 trails across 400+ miles of world-class singletrack within a 30-minute radius. This Western North Carolina mountain town delivers an unparalleled combination of […]

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Filed Under: Adventure Sports, Gear, Mountain Biking, Outdoor Activities, Trail Guide Tagged With: appalachian mountain biking, Blue Ridge Mountains, brevard mountain biking, brevard nc, cycling capital of the south, Dupont State Forest, dupont trails, mountain bike trails, mountain bike vacation, mountain biking guide, north carolina trails, Pisgah National Forest, pisgah trails, Western North Carolina

Hanging Loose: A Field Test of ENO’s Most Popular Hammocks

June 24, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

We tested ENO’s DoubleNest, SingleNest, and TravelNest hammocks across trails, campsites, and music festivals in Western North Carolina. Here’s how each one holds up in the real world.

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Filed Under: Camping, Gear, Outdoor Activities Tagged With: backpacking gear, backyard gear, camping gear, doublenest, eno hammocks, hammock review, music festival gear, singlenest, travelnest

The Mushroom That Looks Like a Brain and Tastes Like Crab: Foraging Lion’s Mane in Western North Carolina

June 22, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

Lion's Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms appear in North Carolina’s hardwood forests from late summer through fall. This guide covers where to find them, how to harvest them legally, and how to cook them once you do.

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Filed Under: Appalachian Life, Conservation, Foraging, How To, Mushroom Foraging, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Cooking, Wild Food Tagged With: lion’s mane, mushroom foraging, outdoor adventures, Western North Carolina

Solo Backpacking in Western NC: Trails, Gear, and Safety for First-Timers

May 17, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

Thinking about going on your first solo backpacking trip? This guide breaks down everything you need to know from choosing beginner-friendly trails in Western North Carolina to essential gear, safety tips, and mental prep. Whether you’re craving solitude, challenge, or a fresh start, solo backpacking offers a unique chance to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.

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Filed Under: Asheville, Backpacking, Camping, Gear, Hiking, How To, Local Attractions, North Carolina, Outdoor Activities, Person Tagged With: backcountry camping, backpacking tips, beginner backpacking, hiking gear, Outdoor Safety, solo backpacking, western north carolina hiking, wnc trails, women who hike

Skinny Dip Falls: Washed Away But Not Forgotten

May 16, 2025 by Andreas Leave a Comment

Skinny Dip Falls once offered clear pools, a short hike, and a sense of peace near milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After the 2021 flood from Tropical Storm Fred, the falls were torn apart but the memories remain.

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Filed Under: Local Attractions, Natural Wonders, North Carolina, Outdoor Activities, Swimming Tagged With: Blue Ridge Parkway, environmental impact, hiking trails, natural disasters, North Carolina waterfalls, Outdoor Recreation, Pisgah National Forest, Skinny Dip Falls, Swimming Holes, trail restoration, Tropical Storm Fred

Camp Chef Deluxe Outdoor Camp Oven

The Camp Chef Deluxe Outdoor Camp Oven

First Impressions and Setup I set the Camp Chef Deluxe Outdoor Camp Oven on the picnic table and smiled at its polished steel shell. It weighed about 32 pounds but felt solid when I lifted it with the padded side handles and slipped it into its carry bag. The bag made transport easy and protected […]

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