Published: September 24, 2009 02:00 pm      

Outdoor Chattanooga news and events

~TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race – We’re Still Paddlin’ on Sept. 26

In spite of the recent deluge in the Southeast, the TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race will continue as planned. There is still time to sign up, so don’t wait! Online registration is open until midnight on Thurs., Sept. 24.



~Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships Sept. 26 & 27

Visit AT&T Field to see some of the world’s most amazing rescue dogs jump, somersault, and spin to catch flying discs on Sat., and Sun., Sept. 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships. The competition attracts some of the best human and canine competitors in the world. The entire event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.



~Bike2Work Oct. 2

Join Chattanooga’s bicycle commuters for free coffee and traffic tales at the last monthly Bike2Work breakfast for 2009 on Fri., Oct. 2, from 7 to 8:30 a.m., on the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge. Experienced commuters, first-timers, or people interested in trying bicycle commuting are welcome. Contact Minya James at (423) 643-6888 or via email at minya@outdoorchattanooga.com for more information.



~Register for the Dam-to-Dam Paddle Oct. 24 & 25

Start training now. Outdoor Chattanooga will host the Dam-to-Dam Paddle, an extreme overnight paddling trip from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam on the Tennessee River Blueway, on Sat. and Sun., Oct. 24 and 25. Participating canoeists and kayakers will paddle 25 miles the first day, 22 miles the second. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide shuttle service for participants and gear, hot supper and breakfast, and a campsite at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust’s Pot Point cabin. Wimpy paddlers need not apply.



Events

Womens Hangliding Festival Sept. 24-27

Women who are hangliders, have been hangliders and want to get back into it, or who never have flown, are all invited to the second annual Womens Hangliding Festival Sept. 24-27 at Lookout Mtn. Flight Park in Rising, Fawn, Ga. Women pilots will get together and bring new women into the sport of hangliding. Entry fee is $25 and includes an event t-shirt, mountain flying, clinics, fun flying tasks, and opening night festivities. Equipment and flight instruction costs extra and requires reservations. To learn more, call the Flight Park at (800) 688-5637.



~National Public Lands Day Sept. 26

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, and planted over 1.6 million trees. This Sat., Sept. 26, see what's happening for 2009 in the Chattanooga area.



Chattanooga Race for the Cure Sept. 27

The Chattanooga Race for the Cure will take off from UTC’s Mackenzie Arena on Sun., Sept. 27. Participants can choose to run or walk a 5K or participate in a 1K fun walk/run to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. and festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a tribute to breast cancer survivors. Pre-register online as an individual or with your team.



~Sequatchie Valley Century Oct. 3

The Chattanooga Bicycle Club hosts the most scenic supported bicycle ride in the southeast on Sat., Oct. 3, beginning in Dunlap, TN. Ride 25, 64, or 100 miles in the scenic Sequatchie Valley. This is a perfect ride for first-time century riders. No mountain climbs.



~Tennessee River Rescue Oct. 3

Join thousands of volunteers as they dig in to clean up our big river and its tributaries on Sat., Oct. 3 for the annual Tennessee River Rescue. Individuals and groups are invited to pitch in. It’s not too late to sign up.



~”Ultra Marathon Man” at Rock/Creek Oct. 3

A limited number of tickets are available to hear extreme marathoner Dean Karnazes speak at Rock/Creek on Sat., Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Karnazes, who is known as the “Ultra Marathon Man,” completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Ouch.



~Chattanooga Classic Prostate Cancer Walk Oct. 3

Walk two or four miles atop Raccoon Mountain during the Chattanooga Classic Prostate Cancer Walk to help the American Cancer Society educate, screen and service prostate cancer patients in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. All participants will receive a custom long-sleeve t-shirt. Register online here.



~The Adoption Tour in Chattanooga Oct. 6

The Adoption Tour, the supported bicycle tour that celebrates finding home for hundreds of Tennesseeans, will ride into Coolidge Park via the Walnut St. Bridge on Tues., Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. Seventy-five riders of varying abilities, ages, and backgrounds, all with connections to adoption, will ride from Johnson City to Nashville in three days. The Chattanooga stop is the second leg of the tour.



Adventures

~National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Oct. 3

Join the Chattanooga Chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association on Sat., Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. SORBA-Chattanooga will host a kid-friendly clinic, guided rides of varying levels, a hot dog cookout, and swag. Everyone must have a helmet. Look for the SORBA tent in the parking area for the Harrison Bay State Park marina. Email Jeffrey Schaarschmidt for more information.



Chattanooga Hiking Club Planned Activities

The Chattanooga Hiking Club hosts regularly-scheduled hikes of varying length and difficulty throughout the Chattanooga region. Interested participants should visit the Club’s outings page for a detailed schedule.

East Chickamauga Creek “Double Play” Dayhike Sept. 26

Two hikes for the price of one. Choose to hike 6.3 or 12.6 miles in north Georgia's Chattahoochie National Forest. Email hike leader Tony Cook for specifics.



Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association

The Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association offers regular weekly public hikes and volunteer trail days. Visit the SDTTA Google Calendar Page for a complete schedule.

Signal Point Trail Day Sept. 26

Help repair the wooden steps on the Cumberland Trail at Signal Point on Sat., Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of National Public Lands Day. Interested Volunteers will need work gloves, water, and lunch. Pre-register at the Friends of the Cumberland Trail or call 931-456-6259.

~Tennessee River Rescue Oct. 3

Soddy-Daisy TTA will clear a pile of old appliances, tires, and trash from the North Chickamauga Creek trail head of the Cumberland Trail. To volunteer,email Larry Cook of the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy.



South Cumberland State Park Activities

The rangers at the South Cumberland State Park host activities every weekend at park facilities near Monteagle, TN. Visit the Friends of SCSRA for a detailed calendar. All times are CDT.

Fri., Sept. 25

8 a.m. - Sport Climbing How-To-Clinic

Are you ready to move from the world of top-roping to sport climbing? Meet Ranger Jason at the Foster Falls Basic skills of climbing and rope work required. Due to limited equipment, call South Cumberland’s Park Office to reserve a spot at (931) 924-2980.

Sat., Sept. 26

2 p.m. - Greeter Falls Hike

Join Ranger Jamie at the Greeter Falls Parking area for a difficult 1 ½- mile hike to waterfalls and through a beautiful hemlock forest.

Sun., Sept. 27

10 a.m. - Gizzard Rock Hopping

Join Ranger Jason to Foster Falls for an off-trail hike up the Little Gizzard Creek. This difficult and technical hike will require a sturdy body and even sturdier boots. Remember to bring plenty of water and a light snack.

3:00 p.m. - Small Wilds Hike

Meet Ranger Brent at the Foster Falls parking lot for a moderate 5-mile hike roundtrip. This hike will go out to the Small Wild’s campsite area, and along the way we will see Foster Falls and a couple of impressive overlooks into the gorges below the Cumberland Plateau. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and a snack, and don’t forget your camera.



News

~TVA River Neighbors Newsletter

This month’s issue of TVA River Neighbors includes articles about understanding the annual reservoir draw down, what’s happening with TVA land stewardship, and how the federal economic stimulus plan is helping construct the new Chickamauga Lock.



~Before you Toss that Plastic Bottle . . .

Read this editorial from the New York Times about the world’s newest continent.



Triathlete Magazine Honors Chattanooga

Chattanooga got an honorable mention in Triathlete Magazine's “20 Best Places to Live.” The survey results were completely arbitrary responses to the following question: "If you were moving, and triathlon training was the main criteria dictating your decision, where should you go?" The winner? Tuscon, AZ.



Volunteer Opportunities

National Public Lands Day Celebrations in and Around Chattanooga Sept. 26

National Public Lands Day celebrates the development and conservation of all our public spaces with volunteer work days. There are dozens of events throughout Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Below is what’s going on locally.

Cherokee National Forest - Clean and install waterbars.

Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen

Cumberland Trail - Repair steps at Signal Point

Friends of the Cumberland Trail

Mtn. Bike Trail Work Day TBA

SORBA Chattanooga



~Head of the Hooch Nov. 7/8 - Volunteers Needed

The Lookout Rowing Club needs volunteers for the annual Head of the Hooch rowing regatta, beginning Sat., Oct. 31 and extending through the end of the competition on Nov. 7. Don't miss this opportunity to be in the middle of the action during this ultra exciting competitive event. Dozens of volunteers are needed to do everything from helping launch and recover racing shells to installing buoys and helping to control traffic. Other jobs include manning 1st aid stations, piloting launches on the water during competition, and helping direct foot traffic. Please email Lookout Rowing Club president Henry Magnuson to participate or learn more.



Website of the Week

Lesser Wesser (Nantahala Falls) on the Nantahala River is often the first Class III rapid that many whitewater kayakers attempt. This great “carnage” videofrom Alan Pogue of the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club chronicles many attempts, some successful, some not.

Last Week’s WebSite:

What do you do with a baby bird who has fallen out of his nest? 1000Birds Wild Bird Rescue tips can help.



Coming Up . . .

October

10 Chattanooga Head Race

Joe Johnson Run for Mental Health 10K

11 N. Chick Reunion and Greenway Farm Celebration

16 Howlin’ at the Moon at CNC

17 Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Ride

Signal Mtn. Road Race and Pie Run

17/18 Festival of Jack ‘O Lanterns

24/25 Dam to Dam Paddle

25 McKee Foods’ United Way 5K Walk/Run

29/30 Southeastern Water Trails Forum



November

6 Upchuck 50K Trail Race

6-8 Scenic City Photo Safari

7/8 Head of the Hooch Rowing Regatta

Paddle Alabama

13 Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

14 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, ½ Marathon & Jr. Marathon

15 Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

26 Sports Barn Turkey Trot



December

12 Wauhatchie Trail Run

19 Lookout 100K & 10K Trail Race