Category Archives: Hiking

Next weekend, long hike

If you’re a hiker who’s been sidelined by the cold and snow, you must be looking at the warmer forecast for this week, licking your chops and thinking, “I’ve got a lot to make up for.” Well, next weekend there are opportunities aplenty for making up. So you like to hike 20 or so miles in a month? How about covering it all in a day? Your options … . read more

Weekend plans? (Other than freezing?)

Not sure about you, but sometimes when the temperature isn’t supposed to get much above freezing I need a little extra incentive to get out and get going. Like Saturday’s “Kickoff to a Healthy New Year” event planned for  the American Tobacco Trail in southern Wake County. They’ve got all sorts of events planned to keep you warm. Rex UNC Health Care will offer free health screenings, nutrition advice and — this is the part that’ll keep you warm — exercises. Wake County Parks will lead guided nature walks, the Triangle Off Road Cyclists will lead guided bike rides, Harmony Studios in Apex will lead a Yoga demo (alas, not Bikram),  the NC Geocachers will lead a search and discover mission — all kinds of ways to keep … well, from freezing. read more

Umstead in a day: Calling all Iron Hikers

A key ingredient for any self-improvement program is setting a goal, something to strive for.  Otherwise, it’s all too easy to throw up your hands one day and say, “All right, good enough. I’m done.”

If your goal is to lose weight, you have a target — 20 pounds by spring, for instance. If you’re trying to get in better shape, maybe you’re aim is to walk a 5K by summer. A cyclist? The MS 150 in September is always a laudable goal. And if you’re a hiker, then maybe your aim is to earn Iron Hiker status by hiking all 24 miles of trail at Umstead State Park on March 20, the first day of spring. read more

Start 2010 with a hike, a run, a ride — even a chilly dive

I can almost guarantee that your resolution to be more active in 2010 will last at least through New Year’s Day. That’s because there are way too many activities scheduled to keep you on the move.

Sure, some fall into the intense category. The Triangle Scuba Group plans to dive the frigid waters at Fantasy Lake at 10 a.m. The North Carolina Bicycle Club plans to get together for a little ride — of 62 miles at an average pace of 19 to 20 miles per hour. And no doubt someone has plans to lead a winter assault on Mt. Mitchell or Clingman’s Dome. read more