WNC IS MADE BY MOUNTAINS

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With unmatched natural assets and a community intimately engaged in the outdoors, Western North Carolina is the outdoor industry hub of the East. Step in for a closer look at places, people and companies that are made by mountains.

Made By Mountains Stories

Mark Singleton

When I began working at American Whitewater, the headquarters was in Washington DC, but it made sense to move the organization closer to the projects we were working on. We looked at locations around the country, but settled on Western North Carolina. It’s honestly one of the best moves the organization has ever made.

Read Mark’s story

Leah Wong Ashburn

The history of creative makers runs so deep in our area that I think Highland Brewing was born by these inspiring surroundings.

Read Leah’s story

David Billstrom

Bicycle brands like to be based in beautiful locations when they can, but most can’t.

Read David’s story

Making outdoor adventure accessible
/ SylvanSport

Thrive Here

These mountains have made dreamers and doers, tinkerers and builders, industry leaders and pioneers.

Find a Career in the Outdoor Industry

Lush forests blanket our WNC mountains / Matthew Larkin

These Mountains

Western North Carolina

Explore What Makes These Mountains Special

Join Us

Get Involved to Enhance Your Community’s Natural Assets, Grow Your Business and Partner with the MADE X MTNS Brand.

Explore Ways To Get Involved

We’re taking #madexmtns #buildingoutdoorcommunit

We’re taking #madexmtns #buildingoutdoorcommunities on the road! Join us at any of our upcoming Open House Series events to learn more about the MADE X MTNS Partnership and Building Outdoor Program, expanding outdoor recreation and driving the outdoor economy in WNC around healthy people and places. Learn more and find out our upcoming stops at:
madexmtns.com/buildingoutdoorcommunities

#wnc #outdoors #wncoutdoors #ncoutdoors #gooutsidenc #outdooreconomy #ncoutdoorrec #outdoorrecreation #community #outdoorcommunity

We're thrilled to partner with @blackfolkscamptoo

We're thrilled to partner with @blackfolkscamptoo to share career and entrepreneurial support systems in Western North Carolina's outdoor industry, and invite everyone to bring your voice and innovation to the table and to the campfire. Join strong peer and mentor networks through @mtnbizworks #waypointaccelerator #outdoorbusiness foundations and #catalystcohort to share and gain wisdom, encouragement and accountability towards your goals for the purpose of achieving better results in your career and business.

Visit mountainbizworks.org/outdoors for more info.

#madexmtns #blackfolkscamptoo #unityblaze #mountainbizworks #careers #entrepreneurship

Blue skies and emerald waters at #fontanalake this

Blue skies and emerald waters at #fontanalake this weekend demoing the @hellbenderpaddleboards lineup, including their *new* Santa Rosa Fishing Board, coming soon!

Grateful to recreate on traditional lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East).

#madexmtns #outdoorgearbuilderswnc #wnc #wncmountains #ncoutdoors #hellbenderpaddleboards

Lake days are the best days! Thanks to @outdoorgea

Lake days are the best days! Thanks to @outdoorgearbuilderswnc & @hellbenderpaddleboards for a fantastic day with friends, cruising around #fontanalake and spending quality time in #tsalirecreationarea.

Days like this one are the embodiment of #madexmtns — friends, WNC gear, enjoying gorgeous WNC wilderness, and that little bit of extra magic that gave us a pocket of beautiful weather amongst all the storms.

More photos coming soon!

Grateful to recreate on the traditional lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East).

#madexmtns #wnc #wncoutdoors #tsali #fontanalake #wncmountains

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, E

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, Executive Director of @americanwhitewater

Part 4 -- On Future Conservationists, and New Chapters

What gives me the most hope is seeing young people engaged in the outdoors and protecting these places, getting involved in that stewardship.

There are so many cool things going on in WNC right now. People have started to take notice of what outdoors has to offer.

The organization @needmoreoutdoors.wnc is really impressive. They connect underserved youth with paddling on Nantahala and are trying to launch a robust program to take kids into these wild places they wouldn’t otherwise experience.

I have had this incredible opportunity to work with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and American Whitewater. It’s been a tremendous run, and I’ve been able to work at AW for 18 years. I might be retiring, but for me, nothing changes.

I paddle, I bike, I ski…WNC is a great place for that. I’m not moving. I’ll just have more time to do it all. I have been doing this for my whole life. I spend time in the outdoors. These jobs were just a vehicle for me to continue to be a dirtbag.

Read Mark's story and more MADE X MTNS Stories (links in our bio!): madexmtns.com/stories

#madexmtns #americanwhitewater #wnc #rivers #nantahalaoutdoorcenter #noc #needmoreoutdoors #conservation

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, E

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, Executive Director of @americanwhitewater

Part 3 -- On Protecting Rivers & Meaningful WNC Projects

So many rivers have hydropower operations on them, so the energy company controls the flow of the river. When the water is released, it flows from the dam downstream providing enough water to support aquatic habitats and recreational boating. Those releases used to be a handshake deal in the ‘80s, where the power company would work with the local outfitters to supply recreational releases, but they weren’t guaranteed.

American Whitewater works to guarantee those releases through federal licensing. We also work with the power companies to gain access points to the river for hikers, paddlers and anglers, which sometimes leads to access for greenways. It’s pretty cool, all this great work that supports fish, the local habitat, whitewater paddling and the community. These releases and access points become an economic driver for all of the communities downriver.

There are spots in WNC that mean a lot to me personally and professionally because the projects have had large impacts. Like the High Falls on the West Fork of the Tuckaseegee, which is drop dead gorgeous whether you’re a paddle or a hiker. We worked to guarantee releases for that two-tiered 120-foot waterfall. It’s a phenomenal thing to go and watch the water turn on. The flow goes from 20 CFS to 250 CFS. It’s like the tide comes in all at once. We supported the removal of the Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckaseegee, which was significant. It had no economic viability and was just a plug in the water. We were able to advocate for the removal of the dam, which opened up recreational opportunities.

Then there’s the Cheoah River, one drainage over from Nantahala River. When I first moved here it ran dry because the water was diverted for hydroelectric production. American Whitewater worked to get a flow schedule of recreational releases and base flows to support the natural habitat. Now, recreational users get scheduled days to paddle on the Cheoah. It’s a fantastic resource for the region.

Read More: (link in our bio!): https://madexmtns.com/stories/

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, E

WNC: Made by Mountains Story — Mark Singleton, Executive Director of @americanwhitewater

Part 2 — On Growing a Passion for Paddling and Moving to WNC

I grew up paddling. My family would take canoe trips as a kid. I was living in Pittsburg as a teenager, which isn’t exactly the garden spot of America, so I spent my weekends outside of Pittsburg, in the Laurel Highlands. There’s good paddling there in Ohiopyle. I worked as a river guide on the lower Youghiogheny, and on other rivers as well. That’s where I developed my passion for paddling.

I came here in the early ‘90s to work in the marketing department of the Nantahala Outdoor Center, trying to connect the NOC with the outer world by establishing a toll-free reservation line and building a website.

Paddling sports were ramping up then thanks to the ’92 Olympics, where two athletes who trained on the Nantahala River won a gold medal in tandem canoe. After that, we created the Nantahala Racing Club, a nonprofit that trained athletes for the ’96 Olympics on the Ocoee River. The rivers here are some of the finest anywhere, and are a breeding ground for world class paddlers.

When I began working at American Whitewater, the headquarters was in Washington DC, but it made sense to move the organization closer to the projects we were working on. We looked at locations around the country, but settled on Western North Carolina. It’s honestly one of the best moves the organization has ever made.

Read Mark’s MADE X MTNS story and more at madexmtns.com/stories — link in our bio!

#madexmtns #wnc #americanwhitewater #ncrivers #wncpaddling #conservation

WNC: Made by Mountains Story: Mark Singleton, Exec

WNC: Made by Mountains Story: Mark Singleton, Executive Director, @americanwhitewater

(Part 1)
“When you add water and gradient, you get whitewater. And you have to have mountains to make that happen. Western North Carolina is the second most rainy place in United States, so you have water, and the mountains provide the gradient. What could be cooler?” -- Mark Singleton

Mark Singleton has been the executive director for American Whitewater for 18 years, guiding the non-profit as it works with hydroelectric power companies and the federal government to secure water flows that support recreation, aquatic habitats and the communities that surround our rivers. On the verge of retirement, Singleton looks back on a career spent in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Thanks to Mark for his time in creating this story, providing photos of his life and career, and video footage of the removal of the Dillsboro Dam. Witten words composed by Graham Averill. Interviewer is Amy Allison. Video by @robb_leahy. Thanks to @nantahalaoutdoorcenter for their hospitality.

Read the full story (link in our bio!): https://madexmtns.com/story/mark-singleton/

#madexmtns #wnc #wncstories #outdoors #rivers #conservation #americanwhitewater #whitewater #whitewaterkayaking #paddling #northcarolina #wildandscenic #wildandscenicrivers

Happy Monday! We’re kicking off the week with a

Happy #NationalHammockDay! Our friends @appalachia

Happy #NationalHammockDay! Our friends @appalachian_adventure_company, @dnlljnsn, @epicweekendadventures, @r_goodbread, @goaverywhere, @davisshannon, @ramblin_reinhold, @natty_the_adventurer, @food_for_adventures, trained hard for this day at their recent Content Creators Camp with an awesome collection of @enohammocks gear — building it, testing it and living it with the most beautiful summer backdrop of misty #wncmountains.

Live that #hammocklife yourself by checking out ENO’s Hammock Day Sale today!

📸: @ramblin_reinhold @appalachian_adventure_company

#madexmtns #eno #enohammock #enohammocks #outdoorgearbuilderswnc #outdoorgearbuilders

We're having a blast exploring the NC Foothills --

We're having a blast exploring the NC Foothills -- virtually!

After two years of development, hundreds of drone flights, and extensive work with community partners, the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (@wpcog1968) is celebrating the launch of the NC Foothills Experience Web App, a new comprehensive program highlighting the rich collection of adventures, experiences, amenities, and food destinations across the four-county region.

The web app, which can be found at expncfoothills.com, focuses on four key categories that contribute significantly to our region's high quality of life: Outdoor Adventures – state and local trails and greenways, parks, ball fields, and biking opportunities; Fun Places – cultural amenities including museums, libraries, art galleries, and historic destinations; Farm Fresh – local food in the form of u-pick farms, roadside stands, butchers, and farmers' markets; and Cool Spaces – wineries, distilleries, bike shops, outfitters, and local breweries.

We look forward to working with the WPCOG in our Building Outdoor Communities Program to further tools and experiences like this one that help build quality of life and attract a strong workforce to the area.

Have fun, explore and learn more about the NC Foothills: http://expncfoothills.com

#madexmtns #westernpiedmontcog #westernpiedmont #ncfoothills #visitnc #expncfoothills #experiencencfoothills

Are you involved with an outdoors business getting

Are you involved with an outdoors business getting off the ground, or looking to grow your business to the next level in Western North Carolina? There are multiple upcoming learning opportunities for outdoor-based businesses at @mtnbizworks.

Foundations for Outdoor Businesses
September 7 - October 19, 2022
Application open until class is full or September 6th

Participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work. This cohort is open only to entrepreneurs with Outdoor Industry based ideas and businesses. Content has been adapted in order to be relevant and targeted to launching and growing a business in the Outdoor Industry.

Info & Application (link in our bio): https://www.mountainbizworks.org/event/foundations-for-outdoor-businesses/

Waypoint Accelerator Cohort 4
November 3, 2022 - March, 2023
Application now open. Closes October 6.

Uniquely harness the outdoor industry and venture development expertise of mentors and partners to elevate your outdoor venture to the next peak. Cohort members are embedded in a strong network of mentors and peers that can help refine company plans and products, get critical feedback, and ultimately get to market faster.

Info and Application (link in our bio): https://www.waypointaccelerator.com

#madexmtns #mtnbizworks #wnc #waypointaccelerator #outdoorbusiness

Congratulations to @outdoorgearbuilderswnc member

Congratulations to @outdoorgearbuilderswnc member and @mtnbizworks Waypoint Cohort 3 Graduate, @trekroll, on their new, local partnership with @prestigesubaru to share the joys of comfortable sleeping in the outdoors by pairing their all-in-one grab & go sleeping gear with Subaru's 2022 Outback Wilderness in the Adventure, Elevated campaign in Asheville, NC.

Trekroll and Prestige Subaru both exhibited at the 2022 #getingearfest and both companies share an outdoors adventure marketing focus with products that elevate their user experiences, literally off the ground, and ideally expanding their access to the outdoors, whether it be finding a new campground, enjoying a music and arts festival, exploring on a road trip, visiting a campus or any adventure in between.

See a new Trekroll on display at the Prestige Adventure Center Showroom at 599 Tunnel Road in Asheville and at regional Subaru events, and enjoy a special discount when you use the code “PRESTIGE” at www.trekroll.com.

#madexmtns #trekroll #madeinasheville #outdoorgearbuilderswnc #prestigesubaru #subaru #adventureelevated

We love to see #madexmtns gear out in the wild! He

We love to see #madexmtns gear out in the wild! Head over to @enohammocks or click the link in our bio to read all about David’s first Wilson’s Ramble with @bikepackingcom @overmountaincycles, stocked with gear from @enohammocks and @rockgeist!

✍️: David Zell
📸: Logan Watts

#bike #bikepacking #wilsonsramble #wnc #enohammock #rockgeist #outdoorgear #outdoorgearbuilderswnc

It’s #nationalforestweek, and there’s no bette

It’s #nationalforestweek, and there’s no better time to celebrate two of NC’s four national forests that we’re incredibly lucky to enjoy in our backyard of Western North Carolina — Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest.

Comprised of the Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts, Pisgah National Forest is home to the land of waterfalls, the nation’s first school of forestry (Cradle of Forestry), and over 500,000 acres of rugged mountainside and forest terrain that serves as the outdoor adventure playground for hikers, campers bikers, backcountry horsemen & women, anglers, kayakers, climbers, and all manner of outdoor recreationists.

Comprised of the Cheoah, Nantahala, and Tusquitee Ranger Districts, the Nantahala National Forest is the largest in NC, nestled in its Southwest, with over 530,000 acres spanning thousands of feet in elevation. “Nantahala” is a Cherokee word meaning “land of the noon day sun” and this land, including the Qualla Boundary and Snowbird Area, is home to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Whether your zipping down the canopies of the Nantahala Gorge, experiencing world class paddling on the Nantahala River, exploring the stunning old growth Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest or biking your way around Tsali Recreation Area, the Nantahala National Forest is a magical place to experience the utmost beauty of Western NC.

Visit @nationalforests to learn more about how you can celebrate National Forests Week and #seeyoursomewhere.

Introducing: Building Outdoor Communities in WNC

Introducing: Building Outdoor Communities in WNC

WNC: MADE X MTNS is launching a transformative program to support communities across 25 counties in developing their outdoor economies.

The “Building Outdoor Communities” program is designed to help Western North Carolina’s community leaders better understand and leverage their unique assets and collaborate to drive outdoor economic and community development centered around healthy people and places. This innovative program focuses on capacity building, technical assistance, training, connectivity, and education in 25 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary, with goals, including:
- Catalyzing new outdoor business development
- Recruiting outdoor businesses and talent
- Expanding existing outdoor enterprises
- Showcasing improved quality of life and connectivity for locals
- Caring for the landscapes and towns that make this region so special

The transformative program begins with a community open house series in August, and will formally launch with a workshop in Boone, NC on September 19th-20th, 2022. Program applications open Tuesday, July 12th and will close on Friday, August 26th. The schedule of events, application details, and event registration are all available on the Building Outdoor Communities Webpage: https://madexmtns.com/buildingoutdoorcommunities (link in our bio!)

See the full announcement for more information: https://bit.ly/outdoorcommunities (link in our bio!)

#madexmtns #outdooreconomy #wnc #westernnc #econdev #economy #northcarolina #ncgov

Introducing: Foundations for Outdoor Businesses at

Introducing: Foundations for Outdoor Businesses at @mtnbizworks, starting Sept. 7th!

Similar to the traditional Foundations course, participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work. This cohort is open only to entrepreneurs with Outdoor Industry based ideas and businesses. Content has been adapted in order to be relevant and targeted to launching and growing a business in the Outdoor Industry.

Facilitated by @outdoorgearbuilderswnc Executive Director, Matt Godfrey.

Info and sign up(link in our bio!): bit.ly/outdoorfoundations

#madexmtns #mtnbizworks #wnc #outdoorgearbuilderswnc #outdoorgearbuilders #outdoorindustry #wncoutdoors #ncoutdoors #ncbusiness #wncbiz #wncbusiness #outdoorbusiness #biz #ncsmallbusiness #ncevents #wncevents

Have you explored the new @chestnutmountainpark ye

Have you explored the new @chestnutmountainpark yet? It is a beautiful 450 acre preserved tract of land, thanks to the conservation experts at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy @appalachian_org, who have collaborated with @cantonnc.cares to transform this land into a top-notch outdoor recreation destination. Take a stroll this holiday weekend to discover Phase 1 of the hiking trail “Paper Town Express,” which leads to an incredibly designed mountain bike playground: Berm Park. Berm Park has trail designs for beginners to experts and everything in between. Enjoy the Great Outdoors! @equinox_environmental @elevatedtraildesign

Here are some highlights from an inspiring ribbon-

Here are some highlights from an inspiring ribbon-cutting event yesterday in Old Fort, celebrating the GRAND OPENING of the Old Fort Trails Project. The first 6 miles of what will encompass a 42-mile network of hike, mountain bike, and horse trails is now open to the public, located in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest. This project serves as a national case study on how inclusivity and public-private partnerships can drive an outdoor recreation economic resurgence. Congratulations to all the partners involved. @g5trailcollective @campgrier

We’re so excited to join the celebrations of the

We’re so excited to join the celebrations of the Grand Opening of The Old Fort Gateway Trails this Sunday, June 26!

Join the community, the @u.s.forestservice, @g5trailcollective, @kitsbow, @campgrier, Eagle Market Streets Development, People on the Move Old Fort and partners, all convening to celebrate completion of the first six miles of the Old Fort Trails Project. The ribbon cutting happens at 1pm at the new trailhead off Curtis Creek road. Enjoy hiking, riding, and running on these new trails followed by a reception at Hillman Beer in Old Fort at 4:00pm.

We’ll be there with our MADE X MTNS tent and @outdoorgearbuilderswnc! Come be a part of the trail magic!

The community of Old Fort is uniting to stage an economic resurgence through outdoor recreation.

📍Old Fort Gateway Trailhead, 1500 State Road 1227, Old Fort, NC

#madexmtns #oldfortnc #g5trailcollective #oldforttrails

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