Coast: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic

Head on down to Wrightsville Beach this weekend to participate in (or watch) the 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic! Lots of standup paddleboarders competing in different divisions: based on age, gender and height. Friday, there is a pig pickin’ and music fest, followed by the races on Saturday. Registration ends this Friday!

There are two races, a 3.5-mile recreational race, and a 7-mile elite race with cash prizes for winners! All racers must bring a USCG approved PFD in order to participate. Registration fees differ based on category.

Weather policy: there will be a weather call Saturday morning. Canceling will occur only if paddling conditions are unsafe.

Vital stats: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic, Friday and Saturday, more information here or here. ColdStroke@coastalurge.com or head here.

Saturday forecast: High of 42, chance of rain. Might wear a wetsuit. Or a dry suit.

Looking ahead: Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon Madness; marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K, 1-mile run, March 18-20. More info here.

Piedmont: Mount Rogers Hike

Weather permitting, this Saturday the Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club is hiking the Mount Rogers Trail to intersect with the Appalachian Trail, Northbound, in the popular Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwestern Virginia. Before signing on, the club advises that you be prepared for cold temperatures, high winds and possibly deep snow!

If you can’t make this hike, the club is one of the more active outdoors groups in the region. Check their website for a schedule of activities; individual membership fees are $20 per year, family memberships are $30 annually.

Vital stats: Saturday, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, visit the club’s website for meeting time and additional information.

Saturday forecast: Snow starting Thursday evening will begin to taper Saturday morning, with accumulations of 18 inches expected. High temp: 30.

Looking ahead: Nature’s Notebook Hike, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Saturday, Feb. 6. More info here.

Mountains: Icycle Mountain Bike Event

“The most fun you’ll ever have on two wheels, rain, sleet, snow or sunshine,” promises the event’s sponsors. Fontana Village Resort hosts the Icycle Mountain Bike Event Saturday. Cross-country races begin at 11 a.m. and go late into the night. If you’re looking for a challenging winter mountain bike race, the IBM should do it.

Registration takes place in advance and race day; fees vary, see website.

Vital stats: Icycle Mountain Bike Event, Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. into the night, Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Snow throughout the day, high of 32.

Looking ahead: Swannanoa Rim Hike #3: Cherokee Boundary, March 19, 4.5-mile hike nearly all off trail. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post Weekend Plans: Ice? Snow? Bah! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Like a little history with your hike? Saturday, at Carolina Beach State Park, Chris Fonvielle. history professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, will discuss the role that the park’s Sugarloaf Dune played in the Civil War.

If you’ve yet to visit Carolina Beach State Park, this is a good opportunity to remedy that situation. The 55-foot dune provided a natural watchtower for Confederate troops to watch for Union ships attempting to enter Wilmington via the Cape Fear River. This was especially important considering — well, that’s why you should attend the hike: you may know how this story ends, but Sugarloaf Dune plays a key role in the plot.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m., Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach. The program is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling 910.458.8206.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 46.

Piedmont

Looking for a hike but not sure what kind? Do you want a real challenge? A mellow ramble? Something in between?

The Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club has all your bases covered this weekend. For those looking for a long but not-too-taxing hike, PHOC will be hiking 8 miles on the Lake Townsend Trail in Greensboro on Saturday, and 7 miles on the Laurel Bluff and Reedy Fork trails, also along Greensboro’s watershed lakes, on Sunday. Looking for a little more elevation? How about 11 miles Saturday at Hanging Rock? And if you’re looking for true adventure — and have crampons — the club will be doing a 13-mile assault on Mount Mitchell on Saturday.

Read on for more information.

Logistics: All of these hikes are detailed at the PHOC online hike calendar, which you can find here.

Weekend forecast: For the Triad area, high of 47 both Saturday and Sunday, clear Saturday with a chance of rain Sunday. For Mount Mitchell on Saturday, high of 42 and mostly sunny.

Mountains

If you’ve been bemoaning the cold, perhaps you haven’t been looking at it in the proper perspective. Let the cold work for you.

If you were a skier or snowboarder, you’d be appreciating the cold, especially going into this weekend. There’s a chance of light snow throughout the weekend in much of the high country, but more importantly it will be cold, allowing for continued snowmaking. SkiSoutheast.com reports conditions are already excellent at North Carolina’s ski areas and will only get better as the cold continues. As of Thursday, for instance, Sugar Mountain reports 20 of 21 slopes open, Ski Beech reports all 15 slopes open, and App reports all 12 of its slopes open.

Logistics: Check SkiSoutheast.com for the latest conditions.

Weekend forecast: Daytime highs in the mid to upper 30s, overnight lows in the low 20s. Chance of light snow.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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The post This weekend: Hike a hill at the coast, ski one in the mountains appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Odds are there’s an organized New Year’s Day hike not far from where you live. Here’s a rundown of the ones I know. Note: Most hikes are at 10 a.m., greet the New Year accordingly.

Piedmont

Charlotte

Hikin’ in the New Year
Location: Reedy Creek Nature Center
Sponsor: Reedy Creek Nature Center
Time: 10 a.m. (long hike), noon (short hike)
Note: Morning hike is 4-5 miles, afternoon hike 1-2 miles.
Details here.

Triangle

Cary

North Cary Park Greenway Hike
Location: North Cary Park/Black Creek Greenway.
Sponsor: Triangle Hiking and Outdoors Group (Meetup).
Time: 10 a.m.
Note: “… no fixed itinerary … you are free to hike as long as you want!”
Details here.

Raleigh
Umstead State Park New Year’s Day Hike (Harrison Avenue entrance)
Location: Umstead State Park.
Sponsor: Raleigh Weekday Outdoor Activity Group (Meetup)
Time: 10 a.m.
Note: Hiking Company Mill and Inspiration trails (about 6 miles).
Details here.

Durham
Eno River Association New Year’s Day Hike

Location: Eno River State Park.
Sponsor: Eno River Association.
Time: 2 p.m.
Note: The biggest New Year’s day hike we know of, attracting up to 500 hikers in good weather. Two hikes: 2 miles and 4-5 miles; refreshments follow. (See photo at top, by Ed Clayton, courtesy Eno River Association.)
Details here.

Triad

Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club New Year’s Day Hike
Location: Hanging Rock State Park
Sponsor: Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club
Time: Noon
Note: Various hikes; car pooling from Shoney’s at I-40 and NC 68
Details here.

Mountains

Carolina Mountain Club New Year’s Day Hike
Location: Green River Gamelands
Sponsor: Carolina Mountain Club.
Time: 8 a.m. for breakfast, 9:15 a.m. for hike.
Note: Covering several trails on the Green River Gamelands.
Details here.

Asheville Amblers New Year’s Day walks
Location: Asheville
Sponsor: Asheville Amblers Walking Club
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Note: 5K and 10K walks
Details here.

Coast

Wilmington
Halyburton Park New Year’s Day Hike
Location: Halyburton Park, Wilmington.
Sponsor: Halyburton Park
Time: 10 a.m.
Note: Two-mile hike taking in longleaf pine forest and Carolina Bay. Pre-registration required: (910) 341-0075.
Details here.

Lake Waccamaw
Lake Waccamaw State Park New Year’s Day Hike
Location: Lake Waccamaw State Park
Sponsor: Lake Waccamaw State Park
Time: 3 p.m.
Note: No note.
Details here.

The post Here’s where to hike in the New Year! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.