Pisgah Mountain Biking: The secret is out.

Brevard mountain biking takes center stage in Bike Magazine's 2012 bike bible. Bike magazine travels to different destinations each year to test and review the year's new bikes. This past fall the bike magazine team came to Brevard, NC to test the crop of bikes coming in 2012 and check out the trails of Dupont and Pisgah.

The story of their experience in Brevard and review of bikes is now on newstands. What bike magazine talks about regarding the town of Brevard and the bike scene here has been known to those of us who live and vacation here for years. We know we have great trails, we know we have a great town, we know we have the best kept secret when it comes to our trails in Dupont and Pisgah.

The secret is now out. Everyone now knows that when it comes to mountain biking in the eastern US Brevard is the place to come. This point was made clearly in the Bike Magazine article by professional mountain biker Adam Craig who said "I'm going to say Pisgah is definitely one of the top three places in the universe that I've ever ridden-and maybe the very best one."

Once you have read the article and learn about the Pisgah Tavern at the Hub bicycle shop, and the local boy Wes Dickson and his team of mechanics and staff at Sycamore Cycles you will be ready to make plans to come here for your next biking vacation. You will be ready to ride the trails of Dupont which is our zoo for biking and survive the trails of Pisgah which is our mountain biking Serengeti.

Thanks Bike Magazine for visiting and welcome all those who now know America's best kept secret in mountain biking. When you come to visit do not forget about us at Pura Vida Adventures Brevard's only guided mountain biking service for the last 5 years. Sure you can find the trails on your own but you will maximize your experience if you hire one of our guides.

Lopez Canyon Trip Report: Canyoneering Bariloche, Patagonia Argentina

Lopez Canyon--- Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina
Grade 3C III

Approach: The canyon approach is via the trail to Refugio Lopez. Ascend the trail toward Lopez for about 1-1.5 miles. After leaving the trail, head east into the canyon entering a scree slope which quickly becomes a faint bush whack trail. This turn off of the trail occurs just before you reach the old mountain hut and 4 wheel drive road.

Final Rappel in Lopez Canyon

Special Consideration: The water levels in this canyon can vary greatly based upon the amount of snow melt. Consider exiting the canyon via a fallen log and cable if when approaching the second to last rappel the water volume seems to great. The last two rappels consist of the narrowest and steepest part of the canyon.

Upper Rappels of Lopez Canyon



Description: Lopez Canyons lower section consists of rappels ranging from 20 ft – 125 ft in length. The canyon starts with 3-4 rappels ranging in length between 10 and 40ft. After these short rappels you come upon a rappel that seems to measure between 60- 70 ft. There is a second stage of about 8 ft. to this rappel that is not a suggested down climb due to the water flow volume. Set this rappel to length so that you are able to rappel beyond this obstacle 85- 90 ft total rappel. Once you drop into this short section of canyon you are in the canyons narrowest steepest part and at higher water flows it can be extremely challenging. The final rappel the longest and most awe inspiring is about 125ft. It can be difficult to visually set the rope length on this rappel without lowering someone. After completing this rappel the canyon widens as you boulder hop and make your way for about 1-1.5 miles back to Hwy 237.


Top of 2nd to last rappel and narrowest steepest section of Lopez Canyon

Other notes: Special thanks to Frederico of Canopy Patagonia for providing beta and showing me this great canyon. Suggested map is the infotrekking San Carlos Bariloche 1:50,000 topographic map. Additional beta available in Lonely Planet’s Trekking in the Patagonian Andes. Further exploration of the upper section of Lopez canyon looked promising to extend into a longer trip. Unfortunately, my exploration was limited due to the fact that I was alone.

Bottom of Last Rappel Lopez Canyon

Pura Vida Adventures offers guided canyoneering programs as well as canyon instructional classes. In addition Pura Vida Adventures offers adventure travel trips to Patagonia Argentina and various other adventure tours in North Carolina and throughout the US. Find out more at http://www.pvadventures.com/ .