Episodes

There are over 1.6 million acres of national forests in Western North Carolina. That means there are FAR more places to explore than just what’s turning up in your social media feed…So, with a little planning ahead, you just might be able to enjoy a relaxed and uncrowded Blue Ridge Adventure, and NOT have to backpack into the middle of the wilderness to find it. In this episode I talk about some of the areas I have been exploring, where I am planning to go, and I share some of the killer resour...

The First Peak of the Blue Ridge is more than a just day-trip or overnight destination. Here you can explore for days and check out historic downtowns, incredible arts and culture, delicious local restaurants, amazing outdoor adventures, relaxing scenic drives, an ultimate destination for all who love horses, delicious wines and even locally made craft cheese. In this episode, we sit down with Melinda Massey, Tourism Director for First Peak of the Blue Ridge, and we talk about the history and h...

Welcome to Part 2 of the Exploring North Carolina Lookout Towers with Peter Barr. If you missed Part 1, I really encourage you to check out that episode where Peter and I discuss the history and backstory of Forest Service lookout towers and how a lifechanging trip on the AT and sketchy climb up his first lookout tower completely changed the trajectory of Peter’s life. We talk about a lot of other cool things too, but I won’t spoil that for you. You’ll definitely want to check out that episode. ...

In the early 20th century, forestry agencies constructed dozens of lookout structures atop western North Carolina’s mountains as the backbone of a fire detection system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today, and they represent some of the most scenic destinations for hikers who want to see the incredible vistas of the southern Appalachian Mountains. In this episode, I sit down with Peter Barr, Author of Exploring North Carolina’s Lookout Towers, an incredible book that leads o...

French Broad Adventures is the closest Asheville zipline /canopy tour and rafting package to Asheville, Johnson City and Greenville SC. The whitewater rafting section of the French Broad River is only 24 miles away from Asheville, and the ten-line canopy zipline tour is on property at the Marshall Outpost which is short 30 drive from downtown Asheville. Whether it's the adventure and excitement of whitewater rafting or the ease and relaxation of a calm water trip you’re looking for, French Broad...

When people think of the western North Carolina mountains they tend to think of natural resources like waterfalls, amazing vistas, world class mountain biking, climbing, and fishing, quaint adventure towns, thousands of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking and epic southeastern whitewater. Now, those are definitely accurate depictions of what the western North Carolina mountains have to offer, but what you might not realize is the extent to which these mountains have impacted an entire out...

Pete Ripmaster has always considered himself an athlete, but it wasn’t until much later in his life that he discovered running. When his mom passed away, Pete was in a real bad place personally, so he packed up everything he owned and knew, and headed into the Alaskan wilderness to find himself. After his soul searching experience, Pete returned to the lower 48 and found himself in Telluride Colorado. Soon after, he decided to make good on a promise to his mom to do great things, and honored he...

You know that feeling you get when you’re traveling to the mountains for vacation or a weekend excursion, and you get your first glimpse of the peaks and ridges…The awe of the beauty of the mountains, the building anticipation as you look forward to slowing down, unplugging & taking it easy. Well, you’re in good company. Tourists have been flocking to the mountain towns in western North Carolina since the late 1800’s. In this episode, we sit down with Michele Fleming, Chair of Explore Tryon Tou...

Saluda, North Carolina, a tiny town of a little over 500 fulltime residents, is a mountain oasis with a Historic Downtown surrounded by rugged and accessible wilderness. The 18,000 acres of the Green River Game Lands and the Greenville Watershed have served as natural buffers, helping to preserve and protect the authentic character of this mountain town. But don’t let Saluda’s size fool you. Saluda has a bustling downtown with fabulous restaurants, unique shops, a vibrant art and music scene, a...

It’s no surprise to many people who are looking for a southeastern mountain getaway…that Asheville, and really all of western North Carolina, is full of things to do and places to see. From scenic drives, summit hikes, small towns, festivals, family and dog friendly adventures, and top picnic spots…there is something for everyone to enjoy in these mountains. But…with so many options, deciding just what to do and where to go can be…well, overwhelming to say the least. That’s where Romantic Ashevi...

In this episode we sit down with Lincoln Walters. He is the visionary for WNC Outdoor Collective, and owner of Black Mountain Adventure Apparel, a company that provides well-crafted, versatile apparel that inspires a mountain-town lifestyle of adventure. Join us as we discover how Lincoln’s vision for producing apparel inspired by Black Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains, quickly expanded to the creation of a gathering place for local & regional outdoor gear makers, retailers, enthusiasts, an...

Located in a beautiful and easily accessible region of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and cradled atop a scenic mountain plateau sitting at 2,200 feet in elevation, Hendersonville, NC has become a place where people love to visit, parents want to raise their children, and retired folks want to enjoy their non-working days. In this episode we discover how a forward-thinking City Council recognized that Main Street needed to be a destination experience for residents and visitors. We’ll explore the eff...

The Hickory Nut Gorge is a 20,000 acre, 14-mile long canyon that cuts a steep pass through the Blue Ridge escarpment. It is abundant in undisturbed forests, waterfalls, and granite cliffs…and is located just a short drive from Asheville, Black Mountain and Hendersonville. This easily accessible outdoor mecca is steeped in history and is a prominent recreational destination for rock climbers, hikers, campers, mountain bikers, and family picnics along the banks of the Rocky Broad River. In this e...

Blue Ridge Mountain communities have a special charm unlike any other. From panoramic vistas with breathtaking views and outdoor adventures in some of this Nation’s most beautiful parks and forests, to cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway, “America’s Favorite Drive”. It’s not hard to imagine why so many people retreat into the Blue Ridge Mountains to find solace and relaxation. The towns that are scattered throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains are rich with history and Appalachian culture, where time ...

This is a special episode where we recap of our Top 5 most listened to episodes in 2020. We’ll discuss them in the order they were released, and we’ll play a few clips and highlights to give you a taste for each episode. If you haven’t listened to these full episodes yet, I highly encouraged you to check them out. This episode will also mark the end of Season 1, and our very last episode of 2020. We’ll be back in mid-January to kick off Season 2 with some awesome new content. TOP 5 Episodes of ...

Don’t ditch your hiking gear just yet! Winter is actually one of the best times to hike in our southern mountains. What makes winter such a great time to hike? For one, without the leaves on the trees, winter landscapes open up and long-range views are breathtaking. The crowds are almost nonexistent, and cooler temperatures make hikes a lot more pleasant without the bugs & snakes. And, in the higher elevations, you might even be lucky to find the forest covered in snow. Of course, you have to w...

In this episode we highlight the 3.5 mile round trip hike to the beautiful 100ft cascading waterfall; Catawba Falls where historic buildings are scattered along the trail, and remnants of the 1920's hydropower dam that provided power for the town of Old Fort. We also talk about where we're headed in 2021; Trip reports, Mountain Towns, Getting out of town, Gear reviews and more.

In this episode I sit down with Kevin Adams, a naturalist, writer, teacher, and photographer who has had a lifelong love affair with nature and the outdoors. He has authored nine books, led photo tours all over the world, taught seminars and workshops, and given countless programs about photography and the outdoors. He is the author of North Carolina Waterfalls, was which first published in 1994 and is currently in its 3rd Edition. The book continues to be one of the quintessential guides to wat...

I love the Great Smoky, Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains. I love the culture, people, beauty, and recreational opportunities. I love the small towns, each with their own unique personality, and history. I love that in these mountains there is still a remnant of the “good ole days” where small town main streets were inviting and the pace of life is a little slower. I love that I get to live here, and I love learning about the great people and places that make our mountains special an...

Since 2009, Pisgah Map Company has been putting their Western North Carolina roots to work for their fellow trail bums. With a unique fusion of elegant design and trail-born intuition, they produce the best maps on the market – the go-to for anyone going outside. In this episode, Exploration Local had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Pete Kennedy and Jack Henderson who share a deep passion for outdoor recreation and cartography. Pisgah Map Company has been exploring the Southern Appala...

The beauty of the Carolina's is unmatched in terms of diversity, accessibility, and the overall quality of things to do, see, and experience. In this episode, husband and wife duo, Ryan and Terri Watts talk about the heart and passion for hiking, mountaineering, and exploring the trails, mountains, waterfalls and beaches of the Carolinas and how that led them to start HD Carolina in 2015 to document their journey and share it with other people. HD Carolina immediately became the first and only C...

In this episode we sit down with Eric Woolridge, Appalachian State University Alumni & President of Destination by Design, which is an economic development firm comprised of local government planners, engineers, urban designers, and communication experts who collaborate to plan, develop, brand, and promote destination-quality recreation and tourism. If you’ve traveled much in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian, or even the Great Smoky Mountains, you know there are many picturesque small mountain towns...

In this episode I sit down with Tubby Kubik, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association and we chat about the history of the Parkway, the unique characteristics of the Blue Ridge Mountains, resources to make your visit and exploration of the Parkway and Southern Appalachian towns as enjoyable as possible, and some secrets for escaping the crowds while still seeing amazing Fall Color. MEET THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: The Blue Ridge Parkway, affectionately known as America's Favorite Sc...

In this episode we sit down with Angela Harrell. She is the Owner & Innkeeper of the Cumberland Falls Bed & Breakfast, located in the beautiful and historic Montford District of Asheville. Angela is also a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association which is an association of diverse inns located in Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding area including historic homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, quaint cottages in the city and cabins in the mountains, rustic...