Archive for the ‘Projects’ Category

Welcome Mountaineer Trail Riders.

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
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Mountaineer Trail Riders of all ages!

Southern West Virginia has a new off-road vehicle club and they’re looking for a few good men.  And women.  And children to help fill their ranks!  Mountaineer Trail Riders (MTR) club president Rob Atha, said he had the idea of forming a family-friendly club at Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park for some time. 

The Family That Rides Together…

It’s not unusual to find Rob and wife Amanda tooling around the Burning Rock trails in their Polaris Rzr trailed on their heels by their young daughters in their own ‘mini-me’ Rzr.  Riding together as a family is what the Athas love to do. 

“It’s just good clean fun”, says Rob.  “I see families all over the place at Burning Rock doing the same thing we are”, he said.  “I thought, I wish there was a  club we could join - where we could meet other like-minded folks and have some  group events. So I created one.”

 Mountaineer Trail Riders (MTR) promotes:

  • legal trail riding (Burning Rock is the home base)
  • safety
  • family atmosphere
  • fun events
  • contributions to local charities

Club Events 2012

MTR already has several events at Burning Rock scheduled throughout the year including ’moonshine’ runs (Rob’s humorous variation of a traditional poker run) that will benefit local charities – something the club puts great focus upon.  Giving back to the community, especially kids, is important to club members. 

The biggest event will be Burning Rock’s annual ‘off-road extravaganza’  Thrills in the Hills – now 3 days long (June 15-17, 2012) featuring live music, fireworks, races, obstacles course, mud pit, King of the Rock challenge and much more.

Some of the benefits you’ll get with a MTR membership:

  • Waived event admission fees (in exchange for event assistance)
  • Vendor (sponsor) discounts
  • Annual Burning Rock trail permit (after 1st year; to members in good standing)
  • Club decal
  • T-shirt
  • Access to club events, rides and trips

 Annual membership fees are $30 for adults and $20 for junior members (17 yrs & under).  

For more information or to join go to www.mountaineertrailriders.com or call Rob at (304) 237-4085.

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Posted in ATV club, Events, partners, People, Projects, The Park, Uncategorized | No Comments »

New Year. New Trails.

Thursday, December 29th, 2011
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Another new year is right around the corner.  We just love the feeling of a having a fresh new start don’t we?  So with newness on mind, what new trail development lies ahead at Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park in 2012?

Chris mapping new trails with GPS.

Mapping new trails with GPS. Now where's that signal?

Auld Lang Syne.

First, here’s a quick trail review of the past year.  In the spring, 25 new miles of trails were opened in the western section of the park known as the Winding Gulf.  This section has become very popular with riders as it offers a wide variety of terrain, trail conditions and scenic views to enjoy.  Then this past summer, 16 miles of trails in the eastern side of the park were temporarily closed (they will reopen in the future).  Even so, we still close out 2011  in the black! 

Happy New Year?  Pass the Trail Mix.

In 2012, new trail development is being  focused upon in the northern section of the park.   

By February, we anticipate 6 miles of new trails will be completed, tying Coal Camp Getaways cottage and the historic coal-town of Slab Fork into the trail system and also opening up approximtely 20 more miles of trails near town.  

The town welcomes riders and future development plans there include:

  •  restaurant, retail store & museum (housed in the former company store building)
  • additional rental homes (such as Coal Camp Getaways cottage)
  • childrens’ playground area
  • hiking/biking trail
  • other services/amenities for visitors and residents alike.

Continuing north, an additional 40 miles of trails will be opened by May.  These ‘trunk trails’ will serve as base trails for the addition of miles & miles of even more trails in the future.  Topo maps show some very interesting terrain up here folks… it could get quite interestin’!

We’ve just begun to explore the possibilities on our 8,000 acres!  Who knows what we’ll find… what we’ll share with you next.  We’re excited to find out, and know you are too.

Happy New Year everyone.

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Posted in history, partners, Projects, Seasons, The Park, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Lights, Camera, (Black Trail) Action!

Thursday, October 27th, 2011
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Team Video Shoot @ Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park

The fearless Burning Rock video shoot team!

I rode my first black (expert) trails at Burning Rock recently.  And to be 100% honest, I actually rode, not drove.  But even that was still a big step for me & my comfort level… after all I had never even been on an ATV trail until I started working here.   And I stuck to the green and blue trails.

As marketing director, it’s my job to show you just how great our trail system is.  Photos are nice, but it’s video that shows the diversity of terrain that we have here the best.  Video takes you flying onto the trails from the comfort of your own couch, but hopefully also gets you stoked to come out and experience them personally.

So looking to get some new footage, and with professional videographer (Chad)  in tow, I enlisted the help of a group of local riders who proudly call Burning Rock their riding home.   Rob, James, Jason, Carl and Eddie  rolled in on a beautiful sunny day, outfitted in sleek  Polaris Razrs, miked helmets and need I even say it, plenty of male bravado.  They were excited for a day of  tearing it up on some black trails and showing off for the camera.

It Was Then I Tried to Bail.

“I think you guys can handle this okay without me today.  Really, just go tear it up. Chad has it ALL covered he knows what footage I want”, I said.   Dead silence.   “I’ll be here when you get back”, I drawled.  Dead silence.  “Lisa, if you don’t go we don’t go,” Rob said.  Dead silence.  Gulp.  Guess I’m goin’.

Chad outfitted the Razrs with a variety of cameras, shooting forward & backwards, to capture the full trail riding experience.  He also carried a handheld camera that filmed in 3D… he literally crawled into the middle of huge mudholes, creek beds and under rocks to get that coveted ‘in-your-face’ footage.  We giggled like girls all day at his physical antics to get where he needed to be to get that perfect shot.

And Then Things Turned Black.

And I don’t mean the sky.   We were at the top of  Trail # 94.  “We’re going down THERE?”, I barely choked out.  “Ah that’s nothing… wait till we come up it,” James said.  And that’s how I met my first black rated trail.  And I LOVED it.   Chad broke out the trail map.  “Awesome stuff guys… let’s head to Amazon now and get some serious mud footage!”, he crowed. “Riding that trail should require a winch”, said Rob.  Uh oh…

I Had Heard the Stories,  Seen the YouTube Videos.  I Was Still in Awe.

Trail #95 is nicknamed ‘Amazon’ for a very good reason… it’s generally an expedition to get thru it.  Only 1/2 mile long, this black rated trail:

  • twists and turns thru a narrow, watery ravine
  • between trees & over logs
  • over massive roots & rocks
  • and the mud … I have never seen so much in my life.

It had rained just two days prior and the mud holes were brimming.  If I stood up in it I’m sure it would be up to my shoulders!  I can’t believe we are going to drive thru this.  One & 1/2 hours, two winches and a tow later (and covered in mud from head to toe), we found our way out of Amazon with some amazing footage.  It was a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that we all enjoyed… and I can’t wait for another expedition.

Stay tuned for the premier of our new trail video, coming soon!

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Posted in Events, People, Projects, The Park | 1 Comment »

Our fellow bloggers…

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
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A few of my fellow bloggers were kind enough to write about their Burning Rock Express experiences.  Thought I’d share them here for your enjoyment:

I think Geoff and company from Opossum Creek Retreat had as much fun as we did: http://bit.ly/bS0AEI

And the Adventures on the Gorge team was super-cool: http://bit.ly/9m4BjQ

I think next we might need to go check out their luxury cabins and fun rafting trips.  Just an idea :)

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It’s May! Um, What Are You Doing July 4th?

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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The zip line construction is well underway and it’s looking more and more like it’s ready for zippers.  Lots of concrete and rebar are being used, which is always a sign of progress, right?

Also spotted on site: a cache of large logs, more cable than you can shake a stick at, and super-energetic zip line builders working long, long days.  We’re about four weeks into the ten week build, and it’s flying by.  We love Bonsai!

This + a half mile of cable = our idea of fun

Dyane, Burning Rock’s Director of Operations, got a few great pics this week.  She said Bonsai was, to be technical, working with a “big ‘ol drill bit” at the bottom tower.  It seems like everything in this build is super-sized.  Except for Fern, who seems to get a pretty good doggy workout every day.

Meet you at the bottom in about 30 seconds

And now that the leaves on the trees are coming in, you can’t see the landing point from the top, which will make the ride pretty intense.  I rode up to the launch point last week and had butterflies just looking down during the drive.

To celebrate the grand opening of the zip line, we’re throwing a HUGE party over the weekend of July 4.  We hope that our ‘Thrills in the Hills’ Fourth of July bash will become an annual event.

One of the coolest things that we’re doing that weekend is hosting a hot dog eating contest! Now, I’ve watched the official Coney Island Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on tv, and although it makes me equal parts queasy/fascinated, I have to admit that I’m pretty stoked to watch our contest live and in person.

I think that ought to be enough to hold me

I’m not sure how you prepare yourself to participate in such an event (besides the obvious eating lots of hot dogs).  Do you fast for a few days beforehand?  Eat as much as possible to ‘expand’ your stomach?  Get into some sort of meditative zone?  If any of you can tell me, I’d love to know the secret!  And if any of you want to take part in the contest (and I hope you will!), register here.

Until next time, I’m still Sarah.  And this is still the Burning Rock blog.  Thanks for reading.

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Posted in Events, Projects | 1 Comment »

So, Who’s This “Burning Rock” Person, Anyway?

Friday, April 23rd, 2010
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Hi.  Guess what?  This is the Burning Rock Blog.

I’m Sarah, and I’m the one who (mostly) writes it.  I’m a West Virginia native who just moved back to the area after working and living in North Carolina and Florida.  So glad to be back in Wild and Wonderful WV!

John and Fern take a break from working on the test platform

A Little Love For The Zipline, People

For the first post by me, the thing I’m most excited about: Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park is building the longest, fastest dual-racing zip line on the east coast.  We’re calling it The Burning Rock Express, and I promise it will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced in southern West Virginia.

Like a wind tunnel.  Except, you know, no tunnel.  And you make your own wind by going 40-50 miles per hour from close to 330 feet in elevation.  On a zipline.  Racing your friends.

Okay, so it’s not like a wind tunnel at all.

Serious Cable

Fern takes safety seriously - always wear your vest!

John working on the test platform

If You Build It, They Will Zip

The folks from Bonsai Design arrived late last week to start construction.  They are true pioneers in zip line design.  This line is going to be fast (50-60 mph) and long (over half a mile)!  And there will be some pretty amazing views of Tams Mountain and our trails.

I had a chance to get out to the build today to check on the progress.  Bonsai had already installed a test line; this line will make sure everything is properly aligned before the permanent line install starts.  Thaddeus, one of Bonsai’s partners, told me that our line is their longest install to date, and they’re using some “pretty serious” cables.

Um, good, Thaddeus.  Please use the most serious cables available.

John, another Bonsai partner, showed me the test platform they’ve built.  Once the test is done, this platform will come down and the ‘real’ one will go up.  Which makes me wonder:  What kind of thrill-junkie do you have to be to test ziplines?  Sure, once it’s open, the Express will be safer than driving.  Or, actually, walking.  But until then?  Yeah, going to leave that to the Bonsai guys.

My New Lil’ Friend

Needless to say, I was pretty impressed with everything they’ve been able to do in just a few days.  I also got to meet Fern, Bonsai’s mascot.  This little puppy is a world traveler; she’s been going with the team on builds for years.  I think she could tell I am a sucker for any and all dogs; I’ll have to stock up on Pupperoni before I see her again.

I heard that tomorrow there may be a test zip on the line – I’ll fill you in on the details.

Until next time, I’m (still) Sarah.  Thanks for reading.

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