Tennessee saw its' first snow on December 1st, and what a glorious day it was in the Appalachian Mountains! The powder stashes were lurking along the higher elevations straddling the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina. With some ski resorts opening a bit later than planned, it was an opportunity just waiting to strap the snowboard on and head for the hills. Cover Photo By: Megan Burnette Grab a FriendNo adventure is truly complete going solo. Having a friend to share the journey with raises every outdoor experience up a level, plus you can watch each other's backs in the face of danger. The neat thing about bootpacking Appalachia is there is no worry about avalanches. A cold, windy day on top of East Coast mountains in higher elevations can still prove to be brutal. And if you are not adequately prepared, these mountains can be very dangerous. Extreme winds combined with single digit temps can quickly turn a fun sitch into a disorienting and treacherous one, so know your skill level and grab a buddy before heading out on a DIY adventure in snowy conditions. East Coast Backcountry ChecklistBase Layer Mid-Layer (Fleece) Shell Gloves & Liners Performance Socks (I prefer Stance) Boots (A must for bootpacking) Steed of Choice (I ride switch on an outdated Roxy Silhouette that in my opinion ages better with time, though my peers will you tell you it's like an old embarrassing pick-up truck~ shrug) Eyewear Warm, cozy hat 4WD/ AWD Face Mask (Plenty of these around) Let 'er RipPhoto By: Megan Burnette After a heavy snow, the best part about sunrise is throwing your snowboard into the truck and heading out for a snow day on the mountain! First tracks on the road and early bird (or only bird) on the mountain is a motto to live by, because if you know you know. There is no feeling in the world better than fresh tracks in fresh powder. Toss in a dose of treelines and earn-your-turn carves, and you can place all your bets it's gonna be one heck of a great day. Let's just put this out there- adventure girl's days are the BEST THING EVER. Getting outside with the girls for some fresh air, trekking up a mountain, and exploring new ground together is priceless. As we get older and life takes us on new paths, it takes effort to keep and grow our friendships- so these moments are truly a blessing. While our friends on the West Coast see upwards of 12"+ of that good-good snow, we salute you and will continue to watch the forecast here in Tennessee, dance our butts off for snowy weather, and seize every opportunity we can for a couple hours of that backcountry pow. Plan your 30+ Mile Through hike
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AuthorTraveler. Writer. Mom. Archives
June 2022
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