Do you have items in your closet that need some love and attention: jackets, sleeping bags, shoes/boots, backpacks, etc.? Save money, lower your carbon footprint, gain new skills, and have fun. Join us and learn to repair your outdoor gear. Learn useful sewing stitches like the running stitch, invisible/ladder stitch, whip stitch and the zipper/shoe lace stitch. Gain knowledge about the types of repair tapes, sealants, and adhesives. Build your repair kit and learn how and when to use the items in it. Yes, shoe strings and duct tape might get you through, but what you really want is to make repairs with confidence and style. $25/person includes a field repair kit to take... Read More
This workshop will introduce a risk assessment and safety management model. Then that model will be applied as we investigate the most common dangers and hazards in the backcountry and explore steps to mitigate those risks. Topics will include: encounters with wildlife (snakes, bears, insects, etc.), lightning and weather related hazards, toxic plants, water crossings, sketchy humans, hazards in camp, sound decision-making, and more. Class sizes are intentionally small to offer participants guided hands-on practice. Visit our website to... Read More
“Survival” skills have captured the imagination of many armchair adventurers, but do you know the actual skills needed not just to survive but to THRIVE in the outdoors? In this half day hands-on workshop we will focus on what you REALLY need to know. Topics will include the 10 Essentials, creating a shelter, finding and purifying water, fire building, signaling, navigating, and more. Don’t become a search and rescue statistic. Join us and become more responsible and self-sufficient in the outdoors. Class sizes are intentionally small to offer participants guided hands-on practice. Visit our website to... Read More
Four Extraordinary Things About Toxaway – Sapphire Toxaway and Sapphire, in Transylvania county’s high-altitude southwest edge, are A+ destinations whether you want to catch a stunning view at the end of a hike or relax in a place long-celebrated for its beauty and history. Here are a few things to know about what makes this place so very special: 1 1 A GEOLOGICAL MARVEL Toxaway and Sapphire are located along the Blue Ridge escarpment. Called the “Blue Wall” by the Cherokee, the escarpment is the line at which the Blue Ridge Mountains plunge into the rolling foothills of upstate South Carolina. This dramatic drop, created by the movement of tectonic plates and eons of water erosion, is site to some of the most spectacular views around. 2 2 REMARKABLE BIODIVERSITY The unusual topography of the escarpment made Toxaway-Sapphire a rich and unique microbiome, with its own climate (temperate rainforest) and diverse flora and fauna. Many rare species of plant life still grow in, around and along the escarpment. While botanists and conservationists alike have stressed the importance of caring for and preserving what grows in this very special place, there is ample opportunity to observe the wildflowers, the towering trees and the many kinds of living things that make the area home. Toxaway’s Southern Highlands Reserve is always an excellent resource. 3 3 GRAND OLD HISTORY Toxaway and Sapphire have been a storied vacation destination for more than a century. The end of the 19th century brought the railroad... Read More
This introductory workshop is for adults of all fitness levels who identify as women and want to deepen their connection to the wilderness and build their confidence in the outdoors. Learn the basics from trip planning, equipment selection, camp craft, nutrition and camp cooking, shelter and site selection, map reading, and outdoor ethics. Participants are encouraged to take a hands-on approach and learn cooperatively with their classmates, sharing their experience and enthusiasm. At the end of the in-class training, you will pack your backpack, lace up your hiking boots, and put your knowledge into practice with an overnight backpacking trip in the forest. Loaner gear available. Full-day workshop at 9am on Friday, March 10th, followed by an overnight backpacking trip on March 11-12. Cost of $245 Covers the full-day workshop and the overnight... Read More
Take the next step in your navigation journey. Build on the skills presented in our Basic Map and Compass Navigation workshop. We will travel into the Pisgah National Forest for hands-on practice learning to navigate off-trail. Topics include: determining your location, route finding, navigating around an obstacle, taking and following a bearing from the map, and using the map and compass to find the quickest way out in case of an emergency. This workshop is for those who already have the basics mastered. Join our Basic Navigation Workshop on March 21st if you are looking for a class for... Read More
This workshop will investigate the most common dangers and hazards in the backcountry and explore steps to mitigate those risks. Topics will include: encounters with wildlife (snakes, bears, insects, etc.), lightening and weather related hazards, toxic plants, water crossings, sketchy humans, hazards in camp, sound decision-making, and... Read More
This class will have your mouth watering. Learn how to prepare delicious meals and desserts when backpacking or canoeing in the backcountry. Also learn safe stove operation, and clean up procedures that following Leave No Trace guidelines. All materials and ingredients are provided. Just bring an... Read More
This two-hour workshop will focus on basic knots used in the application of outdoor pursuits. The goal will be to learn how to choose the appropriate knot for the situation at hand and to know how to tie it efficiently. Selected knots will be based on the interest and experience of the... Read More
Solo, couples, or a couple of friends! An introductory backpacking workshop and trip for adults of all ages and fitness levels. This class is for those who want to deepen their connection to the wilderness and build their skills and confidence in the outdoors. Learn the basics from trip planning, equipment selection, camp craft, nutrition and camp cooking, shelter and site selection, map reading, and outdoor ethics. After our full-day workshop on Friday, we will meet Saturday morning, pack our packs and then head out into the forest overnight to practice the skills we’ve learned in class. Loaner gear available. Full-Day Workshop Friday, April 21 (9am-5pm) Overnight trip: April 22 -23 Cost of $245/person covers all classes and the overnight... Read More