Blog
GetPaddling! Resource Page
Paddling the marshlands of Falls Lake One of our favorite questions when a newcomer walks in the door: “So, is there any good paddling around here?” Well, reckon that depends...
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail in a day
The MST at Rough Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway Picture, if you will, a 1,175-mile trail hiked in its entirety in one day. And not by one person, but rather by...
GetBackpacking! Resource Page: Tips to help you get started — and keep you going
GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking Class of February 2017 We love backpacking. We sell lots of useful, essential and fun backpacking gear, our GetBackpacking! program helps you learn the ropes, then...
Let's GetBackpacking!
Let’s talk for a minute about backpacking. You mean strapping a bulky, steel-frame pack with 60 pounds of gear to your back and hiking 20 miles? No, I’m talking about...
GetHiking! Resource Page: Tips for hikers just getting started
Your first hike: So many questions! Last fall, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, in partnership with N.C. State Parks, N.C. Recreation and Park Association, Friends of State...
MST at 40: Five great hikes in the Piedmont
Sennett Hole, West Point on the Eno city park As the Mountains-to-Sea Trail celebrates its 40th anniversary, we celebrate the trail by looking at five of our favorite segments in...
MST at 40: Five Favorite Coastal Hikes
The MST through Jones Lake State Park For the Mountains-to-Sea Trail’ 40th anniversary, we celebrated the trail by looking at five of our favorite segments at the Coast. We focus...
Mountains-To-Sea: 5 of our favorite mountain hikes
Graveyard Fields As the Mountains-to-Sea Trail celebrates its 45th anniversary, we celebrate the trail by looking at five of our favorite segments in the mountains. We start with the mountains...
#PeakPanel | Some Highlights
Here are some of our favorite moments from the #PeakPanel. Thanks to everyone who came out! Climbers talk Gear: Chip on Summiting Everest: Reese on Patagonia: Matthew talks Denali: John...
Ease back into hiking with these early season options
Bluff Mountain Trail, Doughton Park Has the warm weather of late roused you from your winter slumber? If you’re the type that tends to hibernate when the weather is cold,...
MST’s 40th Anniversary: Mark Your Calendars
Got your calendar handy? Good. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is celebrating 40 years of existence and the Friends of the MST have quite a year of celebrating on tap. March 24...
Happy 40th, Mountains-to-Sea Trail!
Click here for an interactive version of the map Tradition holds that a ruby makes a nice 40th anniversary gift. Fortunately, the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail don’t stand on...
Chapel Hill’s Tom Mrotek: Bikepacking & Beyond
We often say that our staff works hard so that they can enjoy an active lifestyle in their time off. Tom Mrotek is no exception. For almost three and a...
Q & A with Johanna Breed
Meet Johanna! May 2017 marks her 7th year with GOPC. She is our Greensboro paddlesports manager, though she really enjoys working in all of our departments. What first introduced you...
The case for winter paddling
It is the escape I keep in my back pocket in winter, the one I turn to when the need to truly give civilization the slip is greatest. The winter...
Winter Backpacking: Prepare for 'me' time
Wet? Why worry? The forecast for our weekend backpack trip to the Uwharrie Mountains last weekend: rain early Friday, clearing in the afternoon, returning mid-day Saturday and staying through Sunday....
Greater Patagonia Update: Cochrane to Puerto Natales
Well, Ola Ola from the vast plains and open ranges of the deep south, PUERTO NATALES! Chile, baby! Hombres, hombras, amigos & amigas, sweet Tigre and I are back and...
Quiet, & Other Reasons to Hike in Winter
Each of the four seasons has its arguments for being on the trail. Spring offers warming temperatures, wildflowers, the promise of life renewed; summer brings trips to the cool air...