This past weekend I had the pleasure to attend my first Gathering of Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail. It was a whirlwind of activities and a chance to finally meet so many people that I had only known previously through social media.
The meeting was held at Lake Junaluska and despite the at-times bizarre weather, it was a beautiful setting.
I began my quest to complete the 40 Hike Challenge a little over a year ago and so many of the people and resources that aided me in that journey were attending the meeting. I want to use this post to introduce you to them and point you to their resources, so they can be a benefit to you as well.
As I have written previously, my decision to finally take on the 40 Hike Challenge was after listening to Julie “Jester” Gayheart’s Section Hiker Podcast. Jester is so well informed and is an entertaining host with a multitude of topics and guests. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you include it on your playlist and as you are driving to the trailheads, go back and listen to all of the episodes. Julie is a strong supporter of hiker safety. Be sure and check out her instagram page @hikersafety , where it is all about “Prepare- Practice – Promote”. We are grateful that she was recently appointed to the board of the MST.
It is only fitting to include Austin Dufresne and Side Trail Adventures next. He has recently joined Jester as a co-host on her podcast. Austin has an incredible YouTube channel – Side Trail Adventures that includes a wide variety of hiking and paddling journeys. When you listen to his story and watch his videos, you will discover why so many of us are drawn to the therapy of the outdoors. I found especially interesting his kayaking the 177 miles of the MST on the Neuse River (Sections 11A-16A). Austin has a talent for creating captivating videos.
My friend Bill Blake has an informative and entertaining YouTube Channel as well, called Pleasant Fiction. Bill is an avid hiker and camper and is currently working on the 40 Hike Challenge. His video series on the Challenge is a great resource for anyone looking to hike these areas. Bill has a clever sense of humor- I especially like his “talking baby doll” for Episode 14.
The majority of us will probably not set out to break the FKT (Fastest Known Time) for the Smokies, but I found Nancy East’s book “Chasing the Smokies Moon” an inspirational read. You can read my review of her book here. Nancy is obviously an avid hiker, but she is also a very active speaker, educator and Search & Rescue team member for Haywood County. Her book and website both advocate for hiker safety, which we should all be heralding. You can purchase her book on her website hopeandfeathertravels.com.
Danny Bernstein really needs no introduction for those of us that follow the hiking community in Western North Carolina. Her hiking resume’ is something to be admired and to meet her, for the first time, was a pleasure for me. She is truly an inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed her book on the Mountains to Sea Trail and I highly recommend her award winning blog, hikertohiker.net
It was appropriate that the Friends Gathering was scheduled at Lake Junaluska, because it was here – on this same stage, in September of 1977 that Howard Lee, who was then the Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, proposed “establishing a state trail between the mountains and the seashore in North Carolina.” Little did he know what work and success this statement would spark. We are thankful for his leadership and dream.
The meeting included many entertaining and informative sessions, but I was amazed at the presentation on how quickly the MST has grown over the past couple of years. From 2019 to 2021 there has been a 228% increase in membership in the MST. Also, we have been blessed to be a recipient of some substantial financial grants. It is exciting to be a part of such a great group of friends. I am looking forward to next year’s Gathering and I urge you to stay tuned to updates on the MST website for 2023 meeting.
2023 North Carolina’s Year of the Trail !
40 Hike Challenge Blue Ridge Parkway Conserving Carolina Falls Lake Hickory Nut Gorge Hiking Jones Gap State Park Lake Lure Linville Gorge Mountains to Sea Mount Mitchell North Carolina Trails