Special Asheville Screening of The Long Start to the Journey, a Film About the Appalachian Trail

We're hosting a special Asheville screening of The Long Start to the Journey, an official selection at the Atlanta Film Festival and RiverRun International Film Festival. Tickets are $7 and benefit the Carolina Mountain Club and Lifelines outdoor…

Picking Up Paddling (Without Blowing Your Budget)

As one of America’s best river towns, it’s not surprising that paddlesports are one of the largest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the Asheville area. With new breweries and other hangouts popping up along the riverfront, a relaxing…

Women's Specific Gear Shakedown: Astral PFD's

Not too long ago women who loved the outdoors had to make do with (often ill-fitting) unisex gear. Now, women’s specific gear is one of the fastest growing segments in the outdoor gear industry. Just about any piece of gear that you can imagine…

Paddlesports Demo Day at Lake Julian is May 1

Are you ready for the largest free paddlesports demo event of the year? Join us on May 1 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at our annual Paddlesports Demo Day at Lake Julian (406 Overlook Rd Ext in Arden, click for directions), made possible by a partnership…

NPS 100: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We're celebrating National Parks Week from April 16-24. The National Park Service (NPS) celebrates an important milestone this year: 100 years of the National Park Service Organic Act. Today, the NPS manages 401 park units and attendance hit…

Half Tank Getaways: WNC Spring Festivals

The time between the middle of April and Memorial Day doesn’t offer much time for full-blown vacations. Kids and college students are preparing for the end of the school year. There’s usually a string of deadlines at work. Those of us who…

New at DBO: Breezy Packs for Warm Weather Adventures

Our DBO team loves to play outside year round, so we know that nothing can bring your enjoyment of a warm weather hike to a halt faster than a sweat-inducing pack sticking to your back. That's why we love the new trend in pack technology of…