Extreme Skiing Avalanche

By Jessica

Remarkably and thankfully, all three skiers survive this avalanche. Can you image being the one (or ones) to trigger the avalanche that you end up getting stuck in? Scary stuff.

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Top 10 Adventures in Georgia

By Jessica

Finding adventure doesn’t have to send you traveling across the world or even across the country. Georgia residents are fortunate enough to have many adventures waiting just around the corner. Here are my top 10 adventure spots in Georgia (in no particular order). Some are free and others cost a chunk of change. No matter what type of adventure you’re interested in, you’ll find something on this list.

1. Rocktown: Located at the top of Pigeon Mountain on the border of Georgia and Tennessee, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. Whether a serious rock climber or just like playin’ around, Rocktown is a great place to spend a day or weekend adventure. Read more about Rocktown. Cost: free!
2. Skydive the Farm: In Rockmart, Georgia, there isn’t much going on … except for your run of the mill jumping out of an airplane! Choose tandem or the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program. Both offer a huge thrill and an unforgettable experience. The jump masters at The Farm are professional, personable, and a hoot! You’ll have a blast! My fav jump master is Edvaldo, the Brazilian. Cost: Tandem $159 on special and AFF $269. If you have a group of friends interested in jumping, ask about their group discounts. You can even camp out at the farm.
3. Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding: Head to Lookout Mountain and get a great view from the air. Take hang gliding lessons and start the day on the baby slope (if you are physically active and can tote a glider on your shoulders) or just hang on for the ride and do the tandem flight. If you’ve never hang glided, it is a serene and peaceful experience (the tandem flight, that is). The Introductory Experience is much more labor intensive but an awesome time. Flying on your own, even only a foot off the ground, is an exilerating experience! Camping is also available near this area. If you’d rather, plenty of cabins are available for rent in the nearby town. Cost: Introductory Experience $199 (which includes the tandem) and tandem only $149. Also ask about group rates. Read more about hang gliding at Lookout Mountain.
4. Petty John’s Cave: Great cave for new or non-cavers, this cave is located on Pigeon Mountain. In fact, if you’ve been to Rocktown, you will pass by the sign for Petty John’s. Be sure you know SOMETHING about caving before heading here and at the very least bring three sources of light, food, and water. This cave goes about 6 miles in, so there is a potential to get lost in the cave. And if you enjoy yourself, consider doing more caving. The Dogwood City Grotto is a local cavers organization that hosts trips each month. Cost: free.
5. Tallulah Gorge: Take a hike, literally! Head to north Georgia and hike the Hurricane Falls staircase trail to the bottom of the gorge. It’s a strenuous hike so be sure you are up for it. Obtain a permit (free) before hiking to the bottom of the gorge. Rock climbing and repelling are also allowed, with a permit. Leave the pups at home for this hike. Pets are not allowed down to the gorge (but are permitted on the rim trails). Cost: $4 for parking. Camping, biking and fishing are also available. Also check out the suspension bridge (check out the monthly full moon hikes over the bridge).
6. “Little Grand Canyon”: Providence Canyon, known as the “Little Grand Canyon,” is located near Lumpkin, Georgia. The views are spectacular and although the name implies small, it is not (it is little compared to the Grand Canyon). Take a hike on the trails or reserve a backcountry backpacking site. Either way, be sure to bring your camera! Cost: $3 for parking and $6 for backcountry camping sites.
7. Brasstown Bald: At 4, 784 feet above sea level, this is the highest peak in Georgia. From the top, you can see four states. To make this an adventure, don’t drive to the top, hike it. Better yet, plan a backpacking trip to include Jack’s Knob. Cost: $3 if you drive to the parking lot and free if you take a longer hike to get there.
8. Sea Kayaking: Head to Tybee Island area and take a trip on the water. For a laid back adventure, choose the Salt Marsh Paddle. For more excitement, surf the Triangle and choose the rough water kayaking package. Cost: $55 for Salt Marsh Paddle (half day) and rough water kayaking starts at $135.
9. Raft the Chattooga: Sections III and IV of this river offer adventurous white water rafting. Rapids are rated from class IIs to IVs. Section IV is more intense and requires experienced guides. Check out overnight trips. This is a great way to cool off and get adventurous on those hot Georgia summer days. Cost: Varies during season and outfitter but ranges from $80 to $130 for day trips.
10. Wilderness Canoeing: Head south to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for canoeing and camping. Paddle through the “Land of the Trembling Earth” and witness the alligators and herrings firsthand. The swampland touts 120 miles of canoe trails with seven designated camping areas along the trail. Cost: To camp along trail is $10 a night.

While these adventures made my top 10 list, many came in close. Georgia is full of adventure, if you take the time to look for it. Have recommendations for other top 10 adventures in Georgia? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Playing on Rocks … ROCKS!

By Jessica

Head to Lafayette, Georgia, and take Highway 193. Turn left on Chamberlain Road (Jed’s something gas station will be on your right). After a few miles, turn right on Rocky Lane (you will see a sign before the turn for a wildlife area). Follow this road up to the top of Pigeon Mountain. You will pass many campsites along the way. A the fork, turn right. Follow the dirt road until you see a turn off to the left. Take this road to the trailhead. The Rocktown Trail is a mile long and a flat, easy hike. How will you know when you hit Rocktown?

The ROCKS!

You will soon find yourself winding through tall boulders and rock formations. And the temptation to climb the rocks will surpass your need to follow the trail. Many boulders are easy enough to scramble up but also offer hard climbs for those looking for a challenge.

Rocktown is dog friendly and kid friendly. Be sure to bring a lunch and a camera. The formations offer great picnic spots and picturesque views! Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours at Rocktown, although I suggest planning a longer (even overnight) trip. You could spend days at Rocktown without getting to explore it all.  

Pigeon Mountain is also home to Pettijohn’s Cave. Check out Pigeon Mountain’s trail map.

A Word About Safety

• Plan to do more serious bouldering? Bring a helmet and mat.
• Want to get in some rock climbing? Bring your helmet, rope, and harness. Be sure you have training before tackling the tougher climbs. There are no trainers at Rocktown … it’s climb at your own risk.

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Can Horses and Backpackers Share the Trail?

By Jessica

Many favorite backpacker trails are also favored by horseback riders. Can backpackers and horseback riders share the same trails? Is there animosity between the two groups or do they coexist in their passion to enjoy the outdoors? I’m not sure how horseback riders feel about backpackers? Are they annoyed by our presence on the trail or do they enjoy running across us on the trail? While I don’t know how they feel about us, I know there are mixed feelings among backpackers regarding horseback riders. And I’m saddened to report it.

Some hikers do tout a sense of snobbery against horseback riders. Their point is that hiking is much more strenuous an activity than horseback riding. Thus, hikers have a sense of entitlement to the trail, sort or we-work-harder-so-we-deserve-more attitude. But I’m not necessarily in this group of hikers. I love riding horseback riding. While I wasn’t fortunate enough to have one of my own, my best friend growing up did have horses. And we rode together ALL the time. So, I appreciate the fact that horseback riders want to enjoy the trails as much as hikers and backpackers. And I also realize that horseback riding is much more strenuous than it looks. I even enjoy seeing horseback riders on the trail. I just love horses and I get a kick out of being near them. (My dog is not so much a fan though. I’m not sure if he thinks they are big dogs and that’s what sets him off, but he seems more interested in fighting them than anything.)

Another and I feel quite legitimate case that backpackers take against horseback riders is the damage they cause to the trail. Horse hooves tear up the trail making backpacking less pleasant for those behind them. And speaking of horse behinds, horses leave quite large, quite unpleasant “gifts” on the trail that backpackers face the challenge of dodging.

While a similar case can be made against dogs on the trail, the damage and “gifts” dogs leave are much less severe. Plus, my dog, like most I would imagine, goes OFF the trail to take care of his business. But horses don’t go off trail. They their business while they are walking, ON the trail. And I understand that it would be too much to ask a horse to stop, go off trail, do their thing, and then return to the trail. I’m not necessarily OFFENDED by the horse gifts, but it does detract from the beauty of the trail, not to mention the unpleasant smell.

So what’s the answer? Should there be designated horse trails and backpacker trails so that the two will not cross paths? Either that or we all have to take this as a lesson in tolerance.

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