Fastpacking the Art Loeb Trail

The 34 miles and approximately 10,000 ft of elevation gain on the Art Loeb trail makes it a popular backpacking trail located in Pisgah National Forest. Typically hikers take 2-3 days to backpack the length of the trail, while taking in its stunning views from Tennet Mountain, Black Balsam Knob, and Pilot Mountain. The trail begins at Daniel Boone Campground and ends at the Davidson River Campground both located in Pigah National Forest. Traditionally backpacker’s camp at sites such as Ivestor Gap, Deep Gap Shelter, and Butter Gap Shelter as these are some of the only water sources directly on the trail. Over the years more and more people are beginning to tackle the Art Loeb and its 34 miles and approx. 10,000 ft of elevation in a day. It is a formidable challenge but can be done by any individual with a high level of fitness, experience, and planning. Depending on your fitness level the trek takes between 8-14 hours, so an early morning start is recommended. If you are ready to challenge yourself with this adventure here are a few tips:

Make sure you let someone know of your plans

Provide yourself with a bailout option if you begin to have trouble

Research the trail and what you can expect in regards to water sources and navigation choices.

A minimum of these ten essentials should be carried during this adventure


Lightweight day pack
MSR dromedary bladder
Lightweight headlamp
Emergency blanket/ first aid
Comfortable socks and sturdy Trail running shoes
Food of your choice
Lightweight but effective rain gear
Middle layer
Winter hat
Pisgah Ranger District Map and Compass

Article written by Joe Moerschbaecher of Pura Vida Adventures, Pura Vida Adventures offers Art Loeb Trail Shuttles, Guided day hikes of the Art Loeb trail, and multi day backpacking and slackpacking trips of the Art Loeb Trail. Please contact us at 772-579-0005 or contact@pvadventures.com

Calendar of Scheduled course through March of 2009

Skills Camps and Clinics Jan- March of 2009

Pura Vida Adventures is excited to offer some additional camps and clinics in 2009, which will allow adventure racers and outdoor enthusiasts alike to gain additional experience with the more specific technical skills associated with adventure racing. Details on each of the courses can be found below and the schedule for these clinics is also included. Learn more, get additional experience, and gain greater competency in our navigating day and night, Ropes and rock, and whitewater weekends. As always most of the equipment you need is provided. All classes offer small student to instructor ratios.

Jan 24th and 25th Navigating both Day and Night

Also offered Feb 28th and 29th

Length- 18 hours Part one- Classroom Instruction Part two- Daytime Navigation Practical in the field Part three- Debrief of daytime practical and nighttime classroom Part four- Nighttime field navigation followed by debrief Cost per person $150 limit of six particpants. Participants receive Instruction, field experience, Navigation workbook, and 1:2400 UTM grid. More Info: Land Navigation/ Orienteering Completion of land navigation course Topics included: Goal 1:How a compass works. Goal 2: To orient a map using a compass and land features. Goal 3: To name and identify topographic features on a map and use them to assist with navigating. Goal 4: Adapt navigational skills to a variety of weather and light conditions. Goal 5: Learn to use and plot UTM coordinates. Apply these concepts in the field and show the ability to teach these concepts in the field in the context of adventure racing.

Feb 7th and 8th Ropes and Rock Clinic

Also offered March 14th and 15th

Length- Sat day, Sun day Limit four participants, Cost $250 per person
This course is designed to provide you with competence and confidence on ropes and rocks. It covers all skills adventure racers are expected to know including: proper gear and how it should be rigged, rappelling and ascending techniques, fixed lines, passing knots, prussic knots, and Tyrolean traverse technique.
In addition this course offers additional opportunities for you to become comfortable using ropes by discussing and practicing efficient climbing techniques and showing how it translate to more effective and faster ascending and rope work. All climbing gear provided.

March 28th and 29th Whitewater Weekend
Length- Fri Night, Sat day, Sun day Limit six participants, Cost $250 per person

American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue Courses and Paddling Weekend
This course is designed to provide you with competence and confidence on whitewater. Topics include, but are not limited to, outfitting, water reading, paddling techniques, rescue of a capsized boat, portaging, identifying river hazards, rope throw, stabilization lines, and whitewater swimming. All paddling gear provided
In addition this course will provide an ample amount of opportunity to gain additional paddling experience in inflatable kayaks on three different rivers.
Fri Night- Whitewater classroom instruction
Day 2- paddle Upper Green Class II and III, paddle Lower Green Class II, Rescue instruction and skill.
Day 3- paddle Section 9 of the French Broad Class III, rescue instruction and practice.

Adventure Racing 5 day camp April 22-26th

Cost $700 dollars

3 Day camps April 17, 18, and 19th; May 29, 30, 31st; June 25th, 26th,27th

Cost $375

Additional classes are constantly being scheduled so visit often or request specific dates by emailing contact@pvadventures.com

Three Day AR Camp Added

A three day AR Camp has been added to the five day Camp. The three day camp will cover Ropes, Whitewater, and Navigation. The dates are Sept. 12-14. See details below.

Pura Vida Adventures Adventure Racing Camp

Five Day Adventure Racing Camp planned for Sept. 2008
Sept. 10-14th 2008
Focused on Beginner and intermediate racers looking to gain
the skills and knowledge to make the jump to the
next level of competition.
Price: $700 per person
Instruction in Whitewater Paddling, Ropes, Navigation, Mountain Biking,
Race training and logistics planning, Mountain Biking, River Rescue,
Flatwater Paddling, Nutrition, and ending with a
12 hour adventure race.
Call 772-579-0005 for more details or email contact@pvadventures.com

All climbing, paddling, and biking equipment provided.

Does not include and lodging, however many accomodations are available in Brevard from cabins, hotels to camping. Visit http://www.theadventurevillage.com/ or http://www.brevardncchamber.org/component/option,com_directory/page,viewcat/catid,20/Itemid,81/

for more details.

Course Details and Certification Competencies covered

American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue Courses
These courses are designed to provide you with competence and confidence on whitewater. Topics include, but are not limited to, outfitting, water reading, paddling techniques, rescue of a capsized boat, portaging, identifying river hazards, rope throw, stabilization lines, and whitewater swimming.

Wilderness First Aid
Participation in lecture and hands on learning scenarios regarding various medical issues including, but not limited to: head injuries, fractures and splinting, patient care, basic life support, wound care, sprains, trauma, shock, medical conditions, spine stabilization, and scene assessment.

Sea kayaking
Instruction in paddle stroke technique, basic rescue skills and techniques for entering and exiting the boat, as well as introduction to necessary equipment, and advanced rescue skills such as boat over boat rescue, and self rescue with paddle float.

Land Navigation/ Orienteering
Completion of land navigation course

Topics included:
Goal 1:How a compass works.
Goal 2: To orient a map using a compass and land features.
Goal 3: To name and identify topographic features on a map and use them to assist with navigating.
Goal 4: Adapt navigational skills to a variety of weather conditions.
Goal 5: Learn to use and plot UTM coordinates.
Apply these concepts in the field and show the ability to teach these concepts in the field in the context of adventure racing.

Ropes Ascending and Rappeling
This course is designed to provide you with competence and confidence on ropes and rocks. It covers all skills adventure racers are expected to know including: proper gear and how it should be rigged, rappelling and ascending techniques, fixed lines, passing knots, prussic knots, and Tyrolean traverse technique.


Mountain Biking
This program focuses more on instruction in technical riding and includes longer climbs and more technical and aggressive down hills it can be shaped to suite the needs of the adventure race participant. It includes instruction on bike maintenance: changing flat tires, adjusting breaks, and additional repairs.

Packing for Racing
This covers the information on what you need for adventure racing and what you do not need. What things should no adventure racer go without and what things are not necessary and just add additional weight. This course includes items useful for emergencies and items that just add weight and slow you down as a racer. This course is also taught in relation to race climate, specific discipline, and specific race length.

Nutrition for Racing
The concepts of what racers should eat in relation to climate, race length, discipline being competed in, and environment are covered. Other topics covered are the strength of various food groups in enhancing energy level and performance including use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Hydration techniques and supplement consumption, such as electrolytes are also covered.

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions or to discuss the course more in depth.

Experience the Good life,
Joe Moerschbaecher
Pura Vida Adventures
http://www.pvadventures.com/
772-579-0005

Backpacking trips with Pura Vida Adventures

Visit www.pvadventures.com for more information or call 772-579-0005 .







North Carolina Adventure Backpacking
Length: 3 days, 2 nights
Up to four people-------- $2,000 for the group, of up to four people
All food and gear supplied. Instruction in backcountry skills such as cooking, campsite selection and setup, packing a pack, and navigation.
Other price will vary based upon group numbers, length, and season.
Call us at 772-579-0005 for more info or email contact@pvadventures.com

More information about Pura Vida Adventures available at www.pvadventures.com

Rock Climbing North Carolina

For more information about our guided

rock climbing trips visit

http://www.pvadventures.com/

Participants
Our guided climbing programs range to suite the needs of everyone, from novice scrammblers to experienced climbers, and can be combined as part of any other activity to create a complete day.
All gear is provided . All participants are required to wear helmets.

Pura Vida Adventures climbing guides have led trips and explored the climbing area of Western North Carolina's Pisgah Forest near Brevard since 2000.
They have developed their skills through participation in formal climbing courses, practical work, and personal experience on North Carolina's rock and rock climbing routes around the world. They hold advanced medical wilderness certifications and have been trained in high angle rescue skills.

North Carolina Mountain Biking

Contact us at http://www.pvadventures.com/

Our guided mountain bike programs range to suite the needs of anyone from beginner to experienced and can be combined as part of any other activity to create a complete day.
We can create mountain biking programs that emphasize the downhill and minimize the uphill using our shuttle programs.

You do not need to be an experienced mountain biker to enjoy these programs. We can create a program that combines the joys of beginner biking while exploring the various waterfalls of the area. These programs allow you to cruise the downhills and at the end of the day have no concern about the long climbs up as we provide shuttle service for these trips.

Contact us today to learn more about our mountain biking programs which use shuttles.

772-579-0005 http://www.pvadventures.com/

Bikes and helmets are provided for participants or participants may bring their own gear. All participants will be required to wear approved bike helmets.