The AT Trail

About the Trail

 

The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.

Known as the “A.T.,” it has been estimated that 2-3 million people visit the Trail every year and about 1,800–2,000 people attempt to “thru-hike” the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the A.T. for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.

The A.T. was completed in 1937 and is a unit of the National Park System. The A.T. is managed under a unique partnership between the public and private sectors that includes, among others, the National Park Service (NPS), the USDA Forest Service (USFS), an array of state agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and 31 local Trail-maintaining clubs.

FUN FACTS

• The Trail is roughly 2,180 miles long, passing through 14 states.

• Thousands of volunteers contribute roughly 220,000 hours to the A.T. every year.
• More than 250 three-sided shelters exist along the Trail.
• Virginia is home to the most miles of the Trail (about 550), while West Virginia is home to the least (about 4).
• Maryland and West Virginia are the easiest states to hike; New Hampshire and Maine are the hardest.
• The total elevation gain of hiking the entire A.T. is equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.
• The A.T. is home to an impressive diversity of plants and animals. Some animals you may see include black bears, moose, porcupines, snakes, woodpeckers, and salamanders. Some plants you may encounter include jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, and flame azalea.

HIKERS

• About 2 to 3 million visitors walk a portion of the A.T. each year.
• The A.T. has hundreds of access points and is within a few hours drive of millions of Americans, making it a popular destination for day-hikers.

• “Thru-hikers” walk the entire Trail in a continuous journey. “Section-hikers” piece the entire Trail together over years. “Flip-floppers” thru-hike the entire Trail in discontinuous sections to avoid crowds, extremes in weather, or start on easier terrain.
• 1 in 4 who attempt a thru-hike successfully completes the journey
• Most thru-hikers walk north, starting in Georgia in spring and finishing in Maine in fall, taking an average of 6 months.
• Foods high in calories and low in water weight, such as Snickers bars and Ramen Noodles, are popular with backpackers, who can burn up to 6,000 calories a day.
• Hikers usually adopt “trail names” while hiking the Trail. They are often descriptive or humorous. Examples are “Eternal Optimist,” “Thunder Chicken,” and “Crumb-snatcher”.

Just don’t forget your Appalachian Trail t-shirt!

Plan Your 2013 National Park Adventure

It is time to start planning your 2013 national park vacation. Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced dates in 2013 when more than 2,000 national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and other federal lands will offer free admittance to everyone.

The 13 Fee Free Days in 2013 include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21), National Park Week (April 22 – 26), Founders Day (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September 28), and Veterans Day Weekend (Nov. 9-11).

Additionally, there are a few other discounts you may be eligible for.  Did you know that active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass that provides entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service? Also, the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program also offers a free lifetime pass for people with disabilities, a $10 lifetime senior pass for those age 62 and over, and a $80 annual pass for the general public.

And, in fact, many parks do not charge any entrance fees year-round.  So, there are many ways to plan a fantastic national park excursion without breaking the bank.

Just don’t forget to purchase your National Park t-shirt which you can now do online at www.beentheretees.com.

Pinterest: Pinit to Winit, for non-profits, individuals and business.

Pinterest provides organizations and nonprofits with creative fundraising methods–pinterest is not just for sharing recipes and product likes anymore. More and more organizations are finding out the Pinterest and Pinit to Winit contests provide the needed audiences to enhance their fundraising campaigns to new levels of success. Pinterest is now the third largest social media network, behind Facebook and Twitter and provides solutions to creative fundraisers that the bigger social media can’t compete with.

For one, Pinterest relies on outstanding images to promote peoples boards. Organizations dealing with the environment, or other visual subjects and concepts have a leg up to begin with. Video have also become a large part of the Pinterest experience and social activist sites as well as online stores can take advantage of video marketing.

By far the best advantage of Pinterest is their Pinit to Winit contest format. Online stores like beentheretees.com not only can showcase their products but can receive valuable marketing data as well. In BeenThereTees.com campaign, for example, they ask the pinners to pin three of their favorite shirts. They additionally ask them to create a board titled “Destination Tee Shirts” under the Travel category, giving them SEO juice for every entry.

Activist and non-profits can benefit from Pinterest contests as well. The National War Tax Coordinating Committee has started to work on social media including Pinterest to increase their program awareness and donation base. Their Pinterest Boards focus primarily on activism and war tax resistance video awareness. Visits to their website are steadily climbing upwards and donations and dvd sales are sure to follow.

This is a great time to experiment with social media especially Pinterest before it becomes so massively popular that it becomes impossible to be found on their site. Check out this great social media opportunity now!

Forgot to Buy a Tee Shirt on Vacation–Now you can order online!

Markets are full of casual outfits that people can now wear to work, play or to social events. Nowadays, it has become easy to buy the clothing you want from any part of the world, thanks to online shops and Internet. One such outfit which can become your identity is the T-shirt and T-shirts are easily available online. If you are going with a T-Shirt top they should look trendy and show the real you.
T-shirts that were used exclusively by teenagers or kids previously, are now being sported by adults, working women, young girls and even elderly people are using it as a top to complement their look. It is informal clothing which is simple, easy, comfortable and looks stunning if it is body fitted. Selecting a cool T-shirt means a lot to young girls and boys but there are some things that everyone should consider before buying a new one:
It should Compliment your style: Here you need to examine your inner self and your mood. Young people mostly like to wear T-shirts based on a hit movie graphic or rap or sport artist, having colorful images of art, horizontal or vertical lines or colorful patches. Take a cue from the younger generation and buy T-shirts having some meaningful phrases printed over it, the one that suits you and the kind of person you are.
Select something original: Don’t just buy a logo T-shirts or stuff which is easily available at any discount shop. You need to search for original t-shirts. Search online stores where you can find a wide variety as well as a uniquely designed Tee Shirt 

whiter water rafting tees

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Fits to size: T-shirts are considered as most comfortable outfit but if you wear them loosely (oversized or loose fitted) you will look bad and hug unless you are just purchasing as a night shirt. It will not create a good impression on others if worn to a party. Take your measurements and then order one that will fit you well.
Suits your event: you must consider the event and gathering before you select a T-shirt. If you are buying a destination T-shirt then save it for your social gatherings and informal events. It might be offensive to people at your church gathering. Your outfit should compliment the event as well as the audiences you are likely to face.
Speaks of yourself: Instead of following trends blindly, you need to wear your inner self. Do not go for lame T-shirts or ones which are quite common. Select the one which reflects your mood and your personality.
Don’t always avoid promotional material, especially if you are proud to have attended an event or destination. It may look odd to some people, but others will know what the slogans mean. Dressing should demonstrate what you are and what your personal style is. You can find a great many destination T-shirts online which not only suits you, but will make you look cool and classy

Give a Destination Tee this Christmas

Internet merchants are offering unique tourist tee shirts from those destinations you loved but didn’t want to spend money on shirts at the time. Remember that last spectacular out-of-town trip you had? Chances are, you took home some souvenirs like destination tee shirts. But what if you forgot to pick up some memorabilia before heading home?

In the past, your only chance to buy adventure tee shirts was at gift shops located in the area itself. However, all of that has changed. You can now purchase destination tee shirts online after you’ve gone home!No longer do you have to worry about getting souvenir destination tee shirts. There are plenty of websites that offer a selection of destination tee shirts featuring popular tourist locations.Most of the time, you’ll find destination tee shirts with the usual “I went to ___ and all I got was this lousy tee shirt.” But there are more and more quality stores that offer something better than this.For instance, some destination tee shirts are intentionally kitschy and feature a popular landmark from the location. Examples of which are mountains, lakes, well-known establishments and historically significant locations.

On the other hand, some tee shirts humorously incorporate an inside joke or catchphrase that’s appreciated by tourists and locals alike. These destination tee shirts convey a certain attitude or state of mind that many of the residents share.

Others depict a warm and touching aspect of the location’s cultural heritage. Since the appeal of many tourist spots comes from their natural environment, most destination tee shirts feature animals such as bears, moose and wolves. You’ll also find destination tee shirts that are cleverly laid out with a postcard design complete with a postage stamp.

Additionally, there are some designs that include the map of the area to really help familiarize yourself with your destination of choice. You’ll even find some tee shirts that have a list of the popular trails and rivers in the area.

Select tee shirts that are made of cotton. The natural properties of cotton make it easy to wash, dry and iron. It also allows the wearer to stay cool because the fabric absorbs moisture that helps the skin breathe.

Online stores carrying destination T-shirts offer you the convenience of having your items of choice shipped to you so you don’t have to wait for your next road trip just to get a souvenir.

To ensure secure payment and fast delivery, look for stores that accept major credit cards and deliver within 24 hours. However, shipping could take anywhere from 2 to 10 business days depending on where you are.

For your own benefit, make sure that your merchant has a good return policy so you can have your money back in case you’re not satisfied with your order. Most merchants ask for a copy of your receipt with a short description of why you’re returning the shirt. Some also ship internationally while others don’t.

Whatever destination tee shirts you fancy, make sure to pick one that captures the essence and spirit of the place you visited. Best of all, you have the option of ordering the tee shirt of your choice after your trip. Great Smoky Mountain t-shirts, white water t-shirts, blue ridge mountain t-shirts.

Pin It to Win It! $50.00 in Merchandise

Pinit To Winit! Win $50 merchandise certificate for items on our online store. Just follow the directions and re-pin at http://pinterest.com/pin/119204721358559075/

 

 

Cataloochee Ski Area

The 52nd Season Starts Today, at 9:00am!
For the second time in its history, Cataloochee Ski Area will be open for skiing in October, with lifts ready to roll for opening day on Wednesday, October 31, at 9:00am. Locate

d high in the mountains of Western North Carolina, they are a snowsports playground to many in the Southeast.
Win a long or short sleeve shirt to wear when you relax at the lodge! http://pinterest.com/Beentheretees/pinit-to-winit/

Elk in the Smoky Mountains

Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s. In Tennessee, the last elk was killed in the mid-1800s. By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction.

Viewing Elk

The best times to view elk are usually early morning and late evening. Elk may also be active on cloudy summer days and before or after storms. Enjoy elk at a distance, using binoculars or a spotting scope for close-up views. Approaching wildlife too closely causes them to expend crucial energy unnecessarily and can result in real harm. If you approach an animal so closely that it stops feeding, changes direction of travel, or otherwise alters its behavior, you are too close!

Most of the elk are located in the Cataloochee area in the southeastern section of the park. The easiest way to reach Cataloochee is from Interstate highway I-40. Exit I-40 at North Carolina exit #20. After 0.2 mile, turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow signs 11 miles into Cataloochee valley. Allow at least 45 minutes to reach the valley once you exit I-40.

Never touch or move elk calves. Though they may appear to be orphaned, chances are their mother is nearby. Cows frequently leave their newborn calves while they go off to feed. A calf’s natural defense is to lie down and remain still. The same is true for white-tailed deer fawns.

The park’s elk herd is still small and its future growth is variable depending on recruitment and survival rates across time. This year’s survival data will be added to the data from the previous 10 years and the population models will be reanalyzed. The current elk population in western North Carolina is believed to be approximately 140 animals, counting those elk both inside and outside of national park boundaries.

Before you go, consider buying a Smoky Mountain tee shirt or sweat shirt featuring the North Carolina. It is sure to bring you good luck!

New Mountain Destination Tees

Check out our new destination tees, funny tees and cool t-shirts. We have created some new Asheville t-shirts, Blue Ridge Mountain T-shirts and Great Smoky Mountain t-shirts. What at you waiting for….

10 Reasons T-shirts Rule the Clothing Market

OK, here we go:

1. Our Destination T-shirts are super comfortable, all the time. Made of soft, lightweight cotton, they’re the ultimate comfy top to wear. Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh, this t-shirt is just killing me!” Yeah, we didn’t think so.

2. They’re acceptable in almost any setting. Casual barbecue? Wear a Asheville t-shirt and jeans. Sports game? T-shirt and shorts. Shopping with the girls? Cool as a Moose T-shirt and a playful skirt. Bedtime? Oversized tee! The only time a t-shirt isn’t necessarily acceptable is at a formal black-tie event… but even then, we know you could totally rock a tee with a glitzy skirt and heels! All you need is confidence and your t-shirt will make a statement at any event.

3. Everybody wears them! Go ahead, give in to the fad! That is, if you haven’t already (but hey, who has really never worn a t-shirt before? Anyone? Anyone?? Ummm…).

4. They were originally worn as undershirts, but have evolved into being frequently worn as the only piece of clothing covering the top half of the body. Where once all t-shirts were plain, now many tees feature artwork, slogans, or your favorite destinations (Blue Ridge Mountains t-shirt, Great Smoky Mountains tee) as a means of self-expression. We’re all for expressing ourselves! Letting folks know where we have Been.

5. T-shirts can make you laugh! Take our shirts from Been There Tees, for example. How could your day not be brightened by a top like our Paddle Faster I Hear Banjo Music Tee?

6. They’re so flexible! (No—don’t start pulling your tee every which way to test its ripping point!) What we mean is—you can wear a t-shirt in so many different ways! Dress it up, or down, with gazillions of accessories. A cowboy hat and boots with a tee makes you yeehaw trendy. A funny tee with shorts and flip flops announces you’re ready for summer sashaying. To be a little cliché, the possibilities are endless!

7. They’re sexy—and we women know it! Tees are casual, but when paired with flirty heels, the perfect pair of jeans, and an oversized bag, you can copy the Hollywood stars and become a bohemian beauty!

8. They’re sexy on men, too! Duh. What woman can resist a man in the forever-alluring combo of a unique white tee and blue jeans? We drool a little just thinking about it.

9. They’re a wardrobe super staple! You can never have too many.

10. What’s NOT to love about t-shirts? There’s a reason the t-shirt has lasted so long. It works, and it’s here to stay. The t-shirt domination of the clothing world isn’t wearing out anytime soon (pun intended!).