Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 9

Week 9 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 9

The Spring 2017 Climb Every Mountain encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes per day. Week 9, beginning April 30 and ending May 6, features Gorges State Park.

This relatively new state park is located in Sapphire, NC in Transylvania County. A flood in 1916 occurred when a dam broke, destroying several communities in the area. In 1982, nearly 300 acres were placed on the NC Registry of Natural Heritage Areas where nearly 125 rare and 12 endangered or threatened plant and animal species are located. Some plants normally found in the tropics thrive here.

Visitors can pick up a plant and animal checklist at the Welcome Center while enjoying the view at 3,372 feet. Visitors may wish to camp, pack a picnic, fish, ride a horse, or enjoy the waterfall overlook. Ten hiking trails are offered here, ranging from easy to strenuous. Rainbow Falls trail enters the National Forest.

Although I have visited almost all of the state parks featured in this fitness challenge, this is one that is on my bucket list of places to see. Have you ever visited Gorges State Park? If so, what were your favorite activities?

For more information about joining this fitness challenge, click here.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

I Kings 19:11-12

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 7 Results

Week 7 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Results

Week 7 results for the Climb Every Fitness Challenge through the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program. Twenty-three participants submitted totals for this week - woo hoo! Altogether, participants were active over 107 hours last week. Whew!

Although the weather has been warming, the clouds have opened, making it more difficult to exercise outside. The most effective fitness plans have a back-up plan. If you usually exercise outside, is there an indoor activity that you can substitute if the weather is uncooperative? If you can anticipate a particularly busy upcoming schedule, could you break workouts into smaller time segments or wake earlier to fit in some physical activity? If you are going on vacation, can you add physical activities as part of the vacation plan? If you have an injury or surgery, can you modify workouts so that you are still allowing time to heal but still getting in some safe exercise to maintain fitness levels achieved?

It's great to see more folks coming into the fitness challenge and I look forward to seeing next week's totals!

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 8

Week 8 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge - Chimney Rock

The Spring 2017 Climb Every Mountain encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes per day. Week 8, beginning April 23 and ending April 29, features Chimney Rock.

Those traveling near the park in Rutherford County about 25 miles southeast of Asheville cannot help but notice the 315-foot spire towering above Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. A private park offers visitors amazing views in addition to the state park located in this area.

One of the more unusual features of Chimney Rock is an elevator that carries guests to the top! The elevator is currently out of service, but guests can still hike to the peak. Five trails are located within the fee-based Chimney Rock access where visitors can discover points of interest such as Opera Box, Devil's Head, and Exclamation Point. Rumbling Bald Trail is one free trail offered at this state park.

The area offers fishing, climbing, gift shops, a restaurant, and hopes to offer overnight camping in the future.

Have you ever visited Chimney Rock State Park? If so, what were your favorite activities?

For more information about our fitness challenge or to join us, click here.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

Psalm 121:1

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 6 Results

Week 6 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Results

Week 6 results for the Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge are in. Twenty participants turned in a total of 304 points, equaling over 100 hours of physical activity last week. Congrats to all who turned in points - we are past the halfway mark now!

Just a word of encouragement - it takes a conscious effort to be physically active, whether we are exercising in a class, at the gym, on equipment, or through activities around the house and outdoors. Many people who are participating are encouraged by a family member or friend. That's an excellent way to keep motivation high.

Quite a few local businesses are joining with me in helping to provide incentives to keep everyone motivated - I can't wait to have the opportunity to share stories at the end of the challenge party on May 27!

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 7

Week 7 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge - Mt. Jefferson

The Spring 2017 Climb Every Mountain encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes per day. Week 7, beginning April 16 and ending April 22, features Mt. Jefferson.

Mt. Jefferson state natural area rises 1,600 feet above the surrounding landscape of Ashe County and is easily viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although known by other names including Panther Mountain, the name Mt. Jefferson became official in 1952. Named for Thomas Jefferson and his father, legend holds that the caves within the mountain may have harbored slaves who traveled to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Five hiking trails welcome folks of various fitness levels, including a child-friendly TRACK trail to a strenuous hike along the ridgeline of Mt. Jefferson. Those who wish to hike to the summit may enjoy learning about the NC Climate Office data collection tower located there. Visitors of Mt. Jefferson may also wish to view the frescoes of West Jefferson nearby.

Have you ever visited Mt. Jefferson State Park? If so, what were your favorite activities?

If you are interested in joining or learning more about our challenge, click here.

Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;

Psalm 98:8

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 5 Results

Week 5 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Results

Here are Week 5 results of our Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge. A total of 20 participants sent in numbers for this week, with a grant total for week 5 of 262 points, equaling over 87 hours of physical activity. We are nearing the halfway point of the challenge!

In additional to caring for one's physical needs, many participants are reaping mental, emotional, and spiritual rewards as we exercise. Walking outside and enjoying the beauty of nature has been shown to increase one's immune system and feelings of well-being. Some folks in the challenge are taking the time to pray while exercising as well.

Feel free to join us for a group walk tomorrow, April 15 Woodleaf United Methodist Church, where we'll meet and then drive to Catawba College to enjoy walking in the ecological preserve. You might want to bring a camera!

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 6

Week 6 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge - South Mountains

The Spring 2017 Climb Every Mountain encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes per day. Week 6, beginning April 9 and ending April 15, feature South Mountains.



This state park, located in Connelly Springs in Burke County, features an 80-foot waterfall and more than 40 miles of hiking, equestrian, and mountain bike trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Backpackers may wish to try out the backcountry camp sites. This area was carved from the Blue Ridge where early European settlers farmed this fertile land by the Catawba River. Buzzard's Roost rises about 3,000 feet above the surrounding landscape at the park.



A testament to much hard work and dedication, South Mountains State Park re-opened in January 2017 after a massive fire struck the area in 2016. This park has a particularly nice easy accessible trail along the Jacob Fork River with various educational displays along the way.



Have you ever visited South Mountains State Park? If so, what were your favorite activities?

I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.

Psalm 50:11

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 4 Results

Week 4 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Results

Week 4 of our Climb Every Mountain fitness challenge was a busy one for many us! As the weather warms, many people's schedules begin to heat up as well with many commitments. Nineteen participants submitted a total of 268 points or about 89 hours of exercise for week 4 of the challenge.


I encourage each of us to schedule specific blocks of time to exercise. It is very easy for exercise to take a back seat when we have other things to do; however, investing the time to take care of oneself can reap many physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.


If you are interested in joining our fitness challenge, click here for more information.