American Canyoneering Association instructor Rich Carlson and Pura Vida Adventures' 5 day Canyoneering Course.

Pura Vida Adventures is proud to announce that we will be offering an American Canyoneering Association Instructional Program hosted by Rich Carlson (founder of the American Canyoneering Association) Feb 1-5/2010. Spots are limited. More info available at below as well as at http://www.pvadventures.com/Canyoneering/index.html#canyoneering instruction.



Cost/ Dates/Location $495 a person, dates are Feb. 1st-4th 2010, Pura Vida Adventures Brevard, NC- airport transportation from Asheville Airport available for a small additional fee.

Prerequisite Knowledge Interested students should have experience and knowledge with rappelling, as well as be familiar with and know most basic climbing knots.

What to bring Particpants should bring carabiners, harness, and helmets, as well as other basic rope gear. This equipment can be provided if you do not have it.

Topics covered This program is a fast track course it will include material from American Canyoneering Association Technical Canyoneering, Advanced Canyoneering and Canyoneering Self-Rescue curriculums.
Instructor info Rich Carlson, founder American Canyoneering Assoc., Joe Moerschbaecher owner PVA first commercial company to offer canyoneering in the southeast
More info and booking info to find out more about this course or to book a spot email us at contact@pvadventures.com or call 772-579-0005.

Shuttle Service, Frequently asked questions, and water sources along the Art Loeb Trail

The 34 mile Art Loeb Trail is one of the most popular weekend backpacking trails in the Asheville area. The trail begins at Camp Daniel Boone and travels through the High Balsams of the Wilderness Area and drops into the forest covered lands along the last two thirds of the trip. Ending at Davidson River Campground at the southern end of the trail the Art Loeb has been described as the highlights of the Appalachain trail compressed into 34 miles. Some of the highlights along the trail include Shining Rock Ridge, Tennet Mountain, Black Balsam Mountain, Pilot Mountain, and the rock face of Cedar rock.







The most popular hike is from North to South because it provides a little less elevation gain and provides for easy alternative exits if the trail or weather makes it difficult for hikers. Many backpackers with only a weekend who find the 34 miles a bit daunting will either hike the northern section from Camp Daniel Boone to the Blue Ridge Parkway (approximately 14miles, shuttle cost $125) or the southern end the Blue Ridge Parkway to Davidson River Campground (approximately 20 miles, shuttle cost $80). It is important for backpackers hiking in the North Carolina area to understand their limits based on the elevation demands along the trip.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the Art Loeb Trail,

Where are water sources on trail?
Water source 1 (WS1) Just before deep gap 1 where the trail makes its southern bend on the ridgeline, (WS2)after passing black balsam there is a short spur from the art loeb that takes you to the black balsam parking area. from there head north on Ivestor Gap trail for about 200m and you will see a spring on your right, (WS3) Deep Gap Shelter, (WS4)Butter Gap Shelter. ALL THESE WATER SOURCES WILL BE IN OPPOSITE ORDER IF YOU ARE HIKING NORTH TO SOUTH.
2. Should we carry a water pump purification system (or just chemical tablets)?
This is completely up to you either will work fine.

3. What is a good source (web site, etc.) of weather information for the trail (as opposed to cities in the Valleys)? NOAA weather website at Mount Pisgah. Is there a rule of thumb as to how much cooler it is at 6,000 feet than in Brevard? Typically 20- 30 degrees.

4. Any recommended economy places to stay in Brevard or nearby? Sunset Motel in Brevard has the cheapest rates. Once you have booked with us we can provide you a code for a discount at the Holiday Inn Brevard another option is the Hampton Inn Brevard.

5. Where are the bailout points?
Gloucaster Gap, Butter Gap Trail to the fish hatchery, Cat Gap Trail to the fish Hatchery, North Slope Connector trail

6. Any other advice you can give us? Be sure to pay attention to your map and compass, specifically on the northern end until you leave the wilderness area as the trail is only vaguely marked in this area. Please note that campfires are not allowed within the wilderness area on the northern end of the trail.


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

Canyoneering Western North Carolina's Wolf Creek and Bonas Defeat Gorge

The Wolf Creek and Bonas Defeat Gorges which flow into the East Fork of the Tuckaseege River are two of the steepest narrowest Gorges in the Western North Carolina area. The large boulders and narrow gorges make for some of the best canyoneering in the Western North Carolina mountains as well as the southeastern region.

The highlight of the wolf creek gorge is the 150 ft Wolf Creek Falls which creates the deepest part of the Wolf Creek gorge.

The most magnificent feature in the Bonas Defeat Gorge is also located in the deepest part of its Gorge where a rock face of 400ft protrudes out of the Creek bed. This rock face is what created the name for this gorge.

Legend has it that an old hunting dog, named Bonas, had been trained by its master to run game of the rock face causing the game to fall of the cliff deep into the gorge creating easy meat for the master. However, one day a smart buck caused the dog Bonas's death or defeat when he stepped away as the dog chased him causing Bonas to take the plunge that he had caused so many of his hunting prey to take prior to his own demise.

The Bonas Defeat and Wolf Creek Gorges are beautiful remote areas that consist of large boulders and narrow slots. This landscape creates an arena for grand adventure, but not without some risk.

Both Gorges lie down stream of a lake and spillway gates can open up and increase the water levels in either or both gorges at a quick rate. In addition the travel would becomes considerably more difficult in wet or rainy conditions when rock becomes wet and slick.

The final considerations for travel in this area is the difficulty of any type of rescue if evacution was required. During our travel through the gorge we tried to stick to the most straight forward and risk reducing form of travel however even with this philosophy our travel was not without risk. We decided to wear climbing helmets while in the canyon to minimize the risk of head injury in case of an unexpected slip or short fall.

Both the Bonas Defeat and Wolk Creek gorges are remote remarkable gems that offer incredible hiking and adventure opportunity but this adventure should not be taken lightly and should include well calculated planning.

Pura Vida Adventures Feb 2010 Expedition to Patagonia Argentina

Dates Janurary 30- Feb 8th 2010

(Dates can be customized in Feb for groups of three or more.)

Cost $3200 per person excludes airfare, exit tax of approx. $30, tips, alcohol and 5 meals.

Activities include: glacial mountaineering, backpacking, open water kayaking, camping, and trekking. (See Itinerary below)

Day 1:
Arrive to Bariloche Airport.
Transfer to Refugio del Lago
Dinner at La Marmite
Night at Refugio del Lago

Day 2:
Transfer to Pampa Linda. Hike up to Otto Meilling mountain hut. This is a five hour hike along the way we will see glaciers and waterfalls coming out of Glaciar Castaño Overa.
Night in the hut

Day 3:
Early wake up at 4am, prepare equipment and head out to Pico Argentino Refugio (approx 6-8 hours). This route will take you along glaciers on avarage 25 degrees slopes, with some steps of 40 degrees. Summit attempt of 12,000 plus ft. Pico Argentino (weather and time permitting), head back down to Otto Meiling mountain hut. Sleep in Otto Meiling Mountain Hut.

Day 4:
Glacier crossing of Glaciar Alerce, one of the glaciers that belongs to Mt Tronador.
Hike down to Paso de las Nubes heading Northeast, where we will see the Frias Valley and the Frias Valley Glaciars. All these glaciers stem from Mte Tronador.
We will put up our tents at the base of Mte Tronador where we are going to spend the night at 9,000ft. This area is called Selva Valdiviana which is comparable to a rain forest rain forest.
Night in tents

Day 5:
This day will include a short trek, hiking through the Frias Valley until the river runs into Frias Lake.
This area is like walking through a “jungle”, the vegetation is very thick and this area looks like a tropical rainforest.
The Frias River looks turquoise and brown, this color comes from the glacial sediments as it makes it way down the glacier. This water color is known as glacial milk.

We meet the kayaking guides at Puerto Blest, where we become familiarized with the kayaks and the rest of the group while we pack the boats. After a brief talk on kayaking safety and orientation, we are ready to begin our trip. A few minutes after leaving Puerto Blest, we are immersed in magical scenery, the Blest branch of Lake Nahuel Huapi is surrounded by Mount Capilla and Millaqueo, among others. We kayak part of the branch, and later stop for lunch by one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. In the afternoon, we continue paddling until reaching a beach resembling paradise, where we set up our camp.


Day 6:
In the morning, we prepare our kayaks for the trip along the Nahuel Huapi lake, paddling the lake surrounded by high snow-peaked mountains, such as Mount Capilla and López, both towering above 6000 feet. We will visit Centinela island, to see Perito Moreno`s tumb. We keep paddling towards Fossils Islands and Victoria Island, where we will set our second camp site.

Day 7:
We will paddle the south side of Victoria Island, doing a long crossing to Peninsula San Pedro, and getting into the Campanerio Branch of the lake.
We will finish our trip at Playa Serena. Where the van will take us to Refugio del Lago for a nice hot shower.
Dinner at el Boliche de Alberto.
Night at Refugio del lago

Day 8: Morning free
Transfer to the airport

Additional activities and expeditions can be added to this program at an additional charge.

Contact Joe Moerschbaecher at Pura Vida Adventures for more details

772-579-0005

contact@pvadventures.com

Pura Vida Adventures Featured in National Geographic Adventure

Pura Vida Adventures

Canyoneering Trips highlighted in the August/ September issue of National Geographic Adventure

From the Magazine:

"Utah no longer has a monopoly on canyoneering. Outfitter Pura Vida Adventures has imported the multisport art of descending a wet rocky gorge by foot, rope, and swim stroke to the lush wilds of the Blue Ridge Mountains." See full article on p36 of the 2009 August/ September issue.



Canyoneering
Pura Vida Adventures Canyoneering programs are a combination of climbing, rappeling, waterfalls, swimming holes, and rock climbing. If you want a true multi sport adventure this trip is for you.

Explore Canyoneering
This program is focused toward families, groups, and other who have experienced rock climbing and want a bit more adventure. It is also for any person or group looking for a unique adventure that combines climbing, rappeling, and water activities. Limit of six participants.
Length: 6 - 7 hours
Costs:
$185 / person$45 / additional people up to 6
Suggested Program for Youth and Families

Adventure Canyoneering
This is our full day canyoneering experience. Participants should be in good physical shape and consistently maintain a high level of fitness. This trip is 7-9 hours of climbing, rappeling, bouldering, and "full on adventure. Limit of four participants.
Length: Full day program (7 - 9 hours)
Costs:
$150 per person minnimum of 2ppl, maximum of 6ppl
Limit of 6 participants. Participation age is 15 and up.

To get more info or book a trip contact Pura Vida Adventures at contact@pvadventures.com or 772-579-0005 or visit http://www.pvadventures.com/Canyoneering/index.html

Pura Vida Adventures Whitewater Kayak Instruction highlighted in Asheville's Mountain Express

Outdoors: Trial by white water
A Green River paddling intensive
by Jonathan Poston in Vol. 15 / Iss. 48 on 06/24/2009
Whenever someone asks whether I've kayaked before, I always reply, “Of course,” with a certain bravado. But as soon as that weak lie in a lion's suit springs from my lips, I have to suppress some embarrassing memories of flipping my kayak in the French Broad River's gentle waters (and even in a few still pools that I won't ever mention). Read more at http://www.mountainx.com/outdoors/2007/062409trial_by_white_water/

River Safety: Carabiner use on Whitewater Rivers

I can remember the incident like it happened yesterday. Working as a trip leader on the Nolichucky River, the day began like any other. The water level was a moderate 1.5 ft. We had a large trip about 4-6 boats as it was the middle of the summer and vacationers were coming to the river in droves to be part of the best water year on the Nolichucky in over 20 years. Our trip went through the class III rapid Last Chance without incident, and did the same at the first Class IV On the Rocks. As we made our way down the river and entered the Class III hydraulic known as Jaws smiles could be seen on the faces of the rafters, as well as the guides. As I made my way through Jaws I eddied out to set safety in case anyone swam. What happened next was an incident that I believe will stick with me the rest of my life. As the next guide passed through Jaws he leaned back to pry toward river left to set himself up to run the correct line at Snappy’s, after completing the stroke he attempted to lean forward and resume his straight posture and found himself connected to the boat. The guide upon leaning back to do his pry had leaned into his non locking carabiner which was used to connect his throw rope to his D-ring. As I watched the guide helplessly flop around trying to unhook himself I quickly made my way over to assist him. When getting over there I quickly was able to assist in getting him unlocked from this situation. However the look on his face and mine was solemn for a moment in a day otherwise filled with laughter, smiles, and excitement.
Locking Carabiner
Although this situation was a minor incident and could be glanced over and forgotten in days it has stuck in my mind for the last five years. Was it the fact that the guide locked to the boat was my brother? , the terror I saw on his face when he could not free himself? , or looking at it from a “what if” standpoint? , which has left this incident so etched in my mind (I do not know). However, as an ACA swift water instructor I do retell this story to my participants when explaining why we teach that locking carabiners be used in whitewater. The facts are simple climbing standards require locking carabiners on all anchor points (unless non locking carabiners are opposite and opposing). In whitewater the idea of opposite and opposing carabiners simply will not work as we have an uncontrollable force (the whitewater) which can come in any direction.
Whitewater Instruction Course


Whitewater professionals should be setting the model for this practice and although the ACA teaches these standards in their courses I believe a better job can be done of letting whitewater enthusiasts know the dangers of having non locking carabiners or “unlocked” locking carabiners exposed to whitewater.

I can not count the number of rafting guides I have seen from various companies throughout the years decked out with non locking carabiner hanging from the shoulder straps or sides of their PFD’s, or how often I have seen guides use non locking carabiners to clip gear or a throw rope to their raft. I encourage readers of this article to educate others of the additional risk of having exposed non locking carabiners on the river. It does not just create an unnecessary hazard for the paddler with the non locking carabiners, but also those paddling with him or her.

If paddlers decide to use a non locking carabiner it should be kept in the zipper pockets of the PFD or in other places unexposed to whitewater, such as inside a sealed dry bag. .
Demonstartion on how to set up a Z Drag for releasing a pinned boat
The river already poses enough hazards for boaters let us work together to eliminate one additional hazard through education. Our efforts will help us avoid reading a story that ends the following way:

The raft turned over and as the raft continued its way down the rapid the crew began to swim to other boats and eddies. However, one paddler was not able to get out from under the boat; he and the raft floated down stream with the paddler unable to get free from the raft. Once the rest of the paddlers got to the raft minutes later the paddler was no where to be seen upon retrieving the raft the group found that the paddler’s unresponsive body was still attached to the raft by a non locking carabiner.
Kayaking Pinball Rapid on the Upper Green River

Joe Moerschbaecher is an Amercan Canoe Association swift water rescue instructor. In addition to his swift water rescue courses he also does kayaking instruction and guided paddling trips through his company Pura Vida Adventures. To find out more about the programs offered by Pura Vida Adventures call 772-579-0005 or visit www.pvadventures.com