CMC Weekly News
11/24/04
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CMC Members Foot/Ankles Workshop at Diamond Brand Nov 30th
Reservation Required
Do you ever wonder why your legs get sore at the beginning and sometimes throughout your time on the trail? One reason is that we spend the majority of our time on flat earth. Because of the fact, we have developed an instability in our foot and ankle biomechanics. Simple put, we are not standing on a solid foundation. If this is a concern of yours and you would like to know how you might change the stability of your foot and ankle, we invite you to join us to discuss “Active Ankles.” Southeastern Fitness and Rehabilitation (SEFR) and Diamond Brand Outfitters (DBO) are hosting this educational clinic on Tuesday, November 30th. The clinic will begin between 7:00pm and will be hosted at DBO. DBO is located in Arden on Hendersonville Road, about a mile south of the Airport Rd/ Hendersonville Rd intersection. Food and drinks will be provided (not a sit down dinner). There will be 2 speakers:
Wesley Miller (PT of SEFR) will be briefly discussing ankle anatomy and the importance of having a strong and balanced ankle.
David Burns (Head of Footwear at DBO) will teach us about wearing proper footwear on the trail and on the street and how this pertains to injury prevention.
Both speakers encourage questions and discussions following the talks. Between food, speakers, and discussion, the clinic will run about 1 ˝ hours or less. There will be discounts on footwear and door prizes for those who attend.
We hope that with a little knowledge and a few simple exercises for the fall and Winter seasons, you will see the miles fly by underfoot! We hope to see you there! Matt McLean Marketing Director @ Southeastern Fitness and Rehabilitation
Email donwalton@bellsouth.net for a reservation. Limited seating. Reserve before Nov 25.
Website Comment
Your services are SO AWESOME! I have just moved to Asheville and started going to UNCA, and I don't feel like I'm quite ready to take backpacking trips on my own. I need a little bit more group experience, and that is exactly what the CMC provides. FOR FREE! I am so enamored with the Club; you are so well-organized and you offer an awesome service to people. I would love to help with trail work, and I will be contacting Piet Bodenhorst tomorrow. I am so excited about the coming hikes! this is great! thank you so much, you've really helped out a newcomer to Asheville. all my thanks, Nina Collins
Sign Up Now for a Volunteer Vacation and Save
Start planning your 2005 vacation now and enjoy the savings. If you sign up now for one of our early 2005 trips you will pay the current price of $80. (There will be a modest price increase after November 15.) We have just posted our early winter-spring Volunteer Vacations schedule at www.americanhiking.org/events/vv/index.html . Click on the link under Early Bird Special for available trips. For the full 2005 schedule check back on our web site in mid November. You may also sign up for one of several great opportunities we have left for the 2004 season including projects in Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Ohio. If you have questions about the program send an email to Shearn@AmericanHiking.org or call 1-800-972-8608, ext. 206.
Thanksgiving Day History!
One of the tastiest holidays is quickly approaching, so I thought it'd be interesting to find out a little more about how Thanksgiving was actually added to our calendar of yearly celebrations.
As you remember from Thanksgiving pageants in kindergarten, the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. This was a milestone for these early settlers who were adapting to a new land, having to learn about new foods, and accepting the help of the local natives. The celebration resembled an English harvest festival and lasted three days. The date is up for debate, but most historians believe that it took place between September 21st and November 9th.
The festival was largely forgotten for a number of years until George Washington declared a national day of prayer and thanksgiving for November 26th, 1789. Again, this was a one-day affair. For several years, if Thanksgiving was celebrated at all, it was on a localized basis with several states and communities proclaiming days of thanksgiving.
In the mid 1800s, magazine editor Sarah J. Hale began an editorial and letter-writing campaign to have a national day of thanksgiving. Her dream became a reality when the nation was immersed in the Civil War. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving. In ensuing years, the date has been proclaimed by every president since. The day was recognized as a legal holiday by Congress in 1941 and established as the fourth Thursday in November.
Did you know that it is customary for the president to grant a pardon on the eve of Thanksgiving each year? In a White House ceremony, the president issues a reprieve to a lucky turkey each year, thus saving him from the roasting pan. After the ceremony, the turkey is taken to Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Park, in Herndon, Virginia. There he joins other farm animals recreating farm life as it was from the 1920s through the 1940s.
Thanksgiving is one of the most universal and oldest of human celebrations. As we draw closer to the holiday, take a few minutes...or a little longer...to be thankful for our many blessings. We truly have much to be thankful for.
What do you think the definition of "Hiking" is?
Hi, my name is Graham Averill--I'm an associate editor at Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. I'm working on an article about the fundamental nature of hiking, and I was wondering if you could help me out. Basically, I'm wondering how you define "hiking." Specifically, I'm wondering if you think a very short, like .5 mile nature walk, is really a hike. Or if there has to be a greater distance covered before you would call it a "hike." For example, a .25 mile trail is just a walk in the woods, but a 25 mile trail is a hike. Does that make any sense? Of course, this is all a matter of opinion. I'm just trying to get the perspective of a hiking club member. Thanks for your help. Graham Averill Associate Editor Blue Ridge Outdoors
A couple of answers
Crazy at is sounds, I tend to think of a "hike" not so much in terms of distance, but in location and elevation change. For example, if I walked from Kingsport to Knoxville, I would likely say I "walked", mostly because I would do most of the traveling along roadways. If, however, I took off-road trails over hills and mountains to the same location, I would likely say I "hiked". Also, if a .25 mile path went straight up the side of a hill, then I will likely say I hiked the trail, where as a 1 mile path that is relatively flat is more of a "walk". How about this: if you have to put on your hiking boot/shoes to do it, then it is an official "hike". Keven Shipp
I would define hike in terms of "communion with nature" and focusing on the "journey rather than the goal"; so, to me it wouldn't be in terms of time, distance, or location. A toddler could take a small step, or crawl, and notice a wildflower or insect, and would be hiking. A person who tries to set a new record for hiking the South Beyond 6000 peaks in the Smokies and does not "stop and smell the roses" to me isn't hiking. Garry Luttrell
I am a member of the CMC and lead Friday Hikes for the Pisgah Hikers of Brevard. I typically hike 20 miles a week and mostly agree with your definition as described perhaps by adding “ To go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise while communing with nature” A hike in terms of "communion with nature" and focusing on the "journey rather than the goal"; so, it wouldn't be in terms of time, distance, or location. So one could go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise along a beach perhaps on Cape cod or even along the waterfront of San Francisco going under the Golden Gate. David J. Gunther
Hiking in England is called "hill walking" and is hard to translate into other languages except as walking. To me, hiking is a recreational or renewing experience, often in beautiful places. If the purpose is practical or necessary, it is walking. "I am walking to the store", as opposed to riding. The Spanish call hikers on the St. James Camino "peregrinos" or pilgrims, regardless of purpose. Certainly, here in Western North Carolina, hiking is just plain fun and one of the best values in recreation there is. -- Gerry McNabb
Send you opinion to: cmcinfo@carolinamtnclub.org
Trails Advocacy Week!
American Hiking Society invites you to participate in our annual Hike the Hill: Trails Advocacy Week, scheduled for February 27 - March 2, 2005, a pivotal time in the federal budget cycle. Congress needs to hear from you about the issues that affect your trails and trails nationwide.
Advocacy Week includes sessions on policy issues, training in lobbying and advocacy skills, a lobby visit debriefing, and an event on Capitol Hill. Training takes place on Sunday, February 27 and participants begin lobbying on Monday, with the rest of the time devoted mostly to your congressional meetings. We offer guidance for scheduling these appointments once you register. Our advocacy efforts for 2005 will focus on full funding for trails and recreation management within the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management and other trail-related legislation and policies. American Hiking Society’s Board of Directors invites all Advocacy Week participants to a reception and silent auction on Saturday evening, February 26 to welcome you.
Advocacy Week 2005 will take place at the Quality Hotel Courthouse Plaza, located at 1200 N. Courthouse, Arlington, VA (just outside of Washington, DC), near the Courthouse Metro station. Room rates are $109/$129 for single/double occupancy, and all rooms have a microwave and small refrigerator. For reservations, call 1-888-987-2555 by February 4 and refer to American Hiking Society and code “HIKIN” to get the group rate.
Register online at http://www.americanhiking.org/policy/advo_week.html or download and return the registration form. The agenda and supporting materials will follow.
Some great reasons to attend:
You are the best advocate for trails and hiking, familiar with the health, economic, environmental, and cultural benefits of trails and hiking in your community and your state. The efforts of Advocacy Week participants over the years have contributed to notable funding increases for a number of the national scenic and historic trails and increased funding and awareness for hiking trails and recreation programs across the nation. Advocacy Week helps increase the credibility and capabilities of trail organizations and advocates through strengthened relationships with congressional and federal agency staff. Network with trail leaders from around the country about critical trail funding and policy issues and learn how to create longer-term positive relationships with legislators and decision makers after you return home. Organizations that have participated consistently over several years and with more than one person attending have benefited enormously.
Feel free to contact me (301-565-6704 x 205, cmontorfano@americanhiking.org with any questions. We hope to see you at this important event.
CMC Education and Training Report – November 2004
Past projects:
Together we Read The CMC offered a hike to Horace Kephart’s last campsite as our contribution to the Together we Read program. Then we went to visit his grave in Bryson City. There was a great article about the CMC in A-C-T on the Friday before the hike. Only two people came as a result of the publicity.
Wilderness First Aid Course CMC sponsored a Wilderness First Aid course on November 13-14. 23 members took the course which was well received. The committee will discuss what we will do in the future about offering WFA.
Greater Smoky Mountain Coalition Danny represented CMC at the fall meeting of the Greater Smoky Mountain Coalition in Knoxville. This coalition, headed by the National Park Conservation Association, consists of outdoor and environmental groups concerned about the Smokies. A representative of the GSMNP updated us on the Smokies issues including: 1. The fate of the Elkmont houses – Should they be torn down or restored? 2. Cades Cove – How to deal with the two million people who drive around the Cades Cove loop. 3. U.S. 321 – There is a proposal to widen the road from Cosby towards Gatlinburg which will affect the park. 4. The (everpresent) North Shore Road issues – four of the five Swain County Commissioners attended.
Future activities:
Foot and ankles at Diamond Brand – Nov. 30
Hike Leaders appreciation and training meeting – February 11, 2005. All leaders who led a hike in 2004 will be invited.
Map reading course – Date not yet set
Submitted by Danny Bernstein On behalf of the Education and Training committee
Dues Increase!
The members at the Annual Banquet almost unanimously voted in the increase from $12 to $20 for individual members and $30 for family members. Dues paid between now and December 31 are accepted at the old $12 rate for individual or families. Dues already paid for next year at the $12 rate are effective for the whole 2005 year at the $12 rate. The new $20/$30 rates will be effective for all dues paid after January 1, 2005.
I personally thank everyone who supported this change. This will be good for our club. Don Walton
