October 9-11, 2009
By RoanokeOutside.com

From haunted zip lines, hay rides to just taking a stroll through the developing fall foliage there’s plenty to keep you busy outdoors this fall weekend. RoanokeOutside.com highlights our region‘s phenomenal outdoor amenities and opportunities each week through the Weekend Update. Get Outside Roanoke!

WEEKEND UPDATE – OUTSIDE!

• Kid’s Fishing Derby 10/10
• Vinton Festival 5K/Fun Walk 10/10
• Demo Day & Tent Sale at Outdoor Trails 10/10
• AT in a Day 10/10
• Haunted Zip Line and Hay Rides 10/10
• Montvale Mayhem mtn. bike race 10/10
• McAfee Knob hike 10/10
• A Hill of a Climb road bike race 10/10
• Middle Mountain Momma mtn. bike race at Douthat State Park 10/11
• YMCA Bike Sale 10/11
• Dane Zane & Friends at Jefferson Center (kid event) 10/11
• Skateboarding Competition 10/11
• Backpacking 201 Clinic 10/13

PETE’S PICKS

What’s my recommendation?

• Saturday – if you are a hiker and want to be part of the first-ever “Hike the entire AT in a Day” then read on>>>
• Other Saturday Options – Head to Douthat State Park for some hiking or biking, and on your way be sure to stop by the Demo Day at Outdoor Trails. On your way home take a scenic back road drive (Rt. 615 off of Rt 220 in Eagle Rock) to the Haunted Zip Line and Hay Rides at Wilderness Adventure.
• Sunday – If you have kids, check out Dane Zane & Friends at the Jefferson Center (2PM) and as soon as that is over head down to the Skateboarding Competition at Wasena Park (Noon-5PM). Then go for a nice bike ride or walk along the greenway. Don’t have a bike? Rent one!

Fall is in the air and that means its time to go camping. If you’ve never been to the Roanoke Mountain Campground, now is the time to check it out. My family stayed there last weekend and we were one of four families there – what a hidden gem. From the campground you can easily access some of the best hiking trails in Roanoke – Chestnut Ridge Trail, the trails on Mill Mountain, and Explore Park trails.

Go Explore – For the past few weeks we’ve been compiling the Top 10 Hikes in the Roanoke Region. This week we add #10, and it is much more than just a hike. Douthat State Park has over 43 miles of pristine hiking and biking trails, and a beautiful lake for fishing and swimming. Click on the name and you will be able to download directions, map, and tips:

1. McAfee Knob section of Appalachian Trail
2. Dragon’s Tooth section of Appalachian Trail
3. Chestnut Ridge off the Blue Ridge Parkway
4. Star Trail on Mill Mountain
5. Roaring Run Recreation Area (and natural water slide)
6. Explore Park trail system
7. Cascades Hiking Trail (also fishing!)
8. Carvins Cove trail system
9. Tinker Ridge/Hay Rock section of Appalachian Trail
10. Douthat State Park (43 miles of hiking and biking trails)

Got an idea? Send it to pete@roanoke.org

Get OUTSIDE!

Pete (friend me on Facebook)

INTO THE DARKNESS

This is one of Roanoke’s most unique events. Into The Darkness is a 4 mile race that takes place at night with the only light source being your headlamp/flashlight. The course will take you through four miles of Explore Park trails. The course consists of 3 miles of twisty rolling single track and 1 mile of grass and asphalt roads. Trails are marked with reflective arrows, glow sticks, and an occasional surprise.

When: October 24 at 7pm
Cost: $20 before 10/10 and $30 after

Learn more>>>

DEMO DAY AT OUTDOOR TRAILS

This Saturday, come test-drive the latest in camping gear at the 7th annual Outdoor Trails Demo Day Tent & Sidewalk Sale. Over 30

different tents and tarps will be set up for your inspection. Fire up a stove and give it a try. Try out the latest portable water filters. Company representatives from The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, MSR, Kelty and more will be on hand to answer your questions and show you their latest gear.

Meet Stephen “Futureman” Otis, author of “A Road More or Less Traveled” and winner of four national book awards. Critics are calling “A Road More or Less Traveled” the funniest, most raw narrative on the Appalachian Trail to date.

There is a sidewalk sale Wednesday through Saturday but the Demo Day is Saturday only.

Free climbing wall from 10am-4pm on Saturday. Visit Outdoortrails.com for directions.

A.T. IN A DAY ATTEMPT

On October 10th the first-ever single-day hike of the Appalachian Trail will be attempted and the organizers need Roanoke’s help. The trail will be divided into segments, which will be hiked by various volunteers. Each hiker will have a printable logo to take a picture with on the hike. The pictures will be collected along with trip reports to make a document memorializing the hike. If you are interested in being a part of hiking history read the entire article>>>

GOT SOME OUTDOOR GEAR YOU WANT TO UNLOAD?

On November 1st (11am-4pm), Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing will host an outdoor gear “yard sale/gear swap” – and everyone is invited. Bring your gear and slap a price sticker on it (you are required to stay by your gear). Slightly used mountain bikes, whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks, canoes, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, skis, snowboards, fishing rods, fleeces, jackets, bike racks, camp chairs, and more will be available. Please send Patrick an email if you are interested in selling some of your gear.

You can even get a free ride down their world-famous 900′ zip line (watch a video of it in action).

10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR THE BACK COUNTRY

Our friends at Blue Ridge Outdoors put together a great article on skills needed to be safe in the back country.

1. How to hike – the right way
2. How to predict the weather
3. How to cross a raging river
4. How to read a topo map
5. How to make fire with flint & steel
6. How to find potable water
7. How to hike blister free
8. How to reduce your chance of injury
9. How to bear-proof your campsite
10. How to navigate without a compass

Read the entire article>>>

GREENWAY ETIQUETTE

Roanoke Valley Television and the Roanoke Valley Greenways have created a video on greenway (or all trails for that matter) etiquette.  Believe it or not, there is a lot of conflict between user groups and we all need to do our part to help get along. Please help by spreading this video.

Watch the video>>>

UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON

• Run For The Arts 10/17
• Haunted Zip Line 10/17
• Bridge Day at New River Gorge Bridge 10/17
• Free Fly Fishing Casting Lessons 10/17
• Backpacking 202 Clinic 10/20
• Rock Castle Gorge Hike 10/22 (must register by 10/19)
• Into The Darkness 4 Mile Trail Run (at night) 10/24
• Blacksburg Brew Do 10/24
• Greenway Memory Miler 10/24
• Carvins Cove Sea Kayaking 10/24 (must register by 10/16)
• Haunted Zip Line 10/24
• Rowdy Dog Mtn. Bike Race 10/25
• Backpack 202 Clinic 10/27
• Franklin County Parks & Recreation Community Plan Workshops 10/28-29
• Mill Mountain History Hike 10/28 (must register by 10/20)
• Alley Cat Race 10/30
• StarBomb 10/30
• Outdoor Rock Rappelling 10/31 (must register by 10/23)
• Outdoor Gear Yard Sale & Free Zip Lines Rides 11/1
• Annual Ski Show 11/4
• Odyssey Adventure Racing AR Rogaine race 11/7
• Drumstick Dash 11/26
• Blue Ridge Marathon (full & half) April 24, 2010