The Asheville Outdoor Show returns to Salvage Station on the banks of the French Broad River on Sunday, September 23. The fourth annual iteration of the festival celebrating all things outdoors promises big changes. The one-of-a-kind community driven event will still feature plenty of local gear makers and national innovators showcasing the latest trend in outdoor recreation, but you’ll find far more diverse offerings of interactive demos, educational workshops, and informative speakers — including the event’s first keynote speaker.

Diamond Brand Outdoors and Frugal Backpacker produce the Asheville Outdoor Show and we spent a lot of time looking at timely topics of interest to our community from supply chain sustainability to environmental protections. We’re proud to announce Teresa Baker, Founder of the African-American Parks & Nature Experience., will close out the show with a candid presentation and discussion.

Growing up as the only sister to eight brothers in her hometown of Richmond, California, Teresa was determined not to be outdone; spending time in the outdoors became her passion. Fast-forward 30 years later and the outdoors is still her passion; the only difference is the stakes are higher. Now she spends time outdoors with the purpose of engaging communities of color in outdoor spaces, in hopes of fostering a shared sense of responsibility for environmental protection.

Teresa spends the majority of her time working with outdoor agencies, organizations, and retailers, on ways to welcome a more diverse audience to their boards, staff and programs. She does this through outdoor events and speaking engagements across the country.

All too often outdoor organizations, agencies, and retailers miss the opportunity to speak to the relevant role culture plays in our outdoor experiences. Teresa works to change this by connecting underrepresented communities with outdoor opportunities, knowing that the long term effect will be a new generation of nature stewards.

Want more info about what to expect at the Asheville Outdoor Show? Find details as they’re announced on the Facebook page or sign up for our newsletter. In addition to the keynote speaker, you’ll have the opportunity to explore what’s new in outdoor clothing and gear, chat with industry professionals, explore the Family Adventure Zone presented by KEEN, jam to good music on the Columbia Music Stage, and enjoy the food, drinks, and hospitality of the Salvage Station crew.

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At Frugal Backpacker, we believe that the outdoors are for everyone — and we love helping our community discover new places to get outdoors. To celebrate the arrival of summer, our local experts have put together a list of their favorite hikes, from easy to challenging. Make this your most active summer yet (and save on some new gear) by taking the Summer Trail Challenge.

Hit six of our 14 favorite trails before September 23 (the first day of fall), and you’ll get 25% off up to six items.

Just stop by any Frugal Backpacker or Diamond Brand Outdoors location, grab a free sticker, or purchase a logo water bottle, hat, or tee. Take a pic showing off your Frugal Backpacker swag on the trail and post it to Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #AVLSummerTrail. Make sure to tag @frugal_backpacker and  @diamondbrand_outdoors. (Be a good steward and skip any urges to actually stick a sticker on a sign, tree, or anything else that doesn’t naturally have a sticker.)

Easy – Moderate:

Asheville Urban Trail

Crabtree Falls

Craggy Gardens

Glassy Mountain

Hard Times Loop

Lover’s Leap

Max Patch

Mt Pisgah

Pink Beds

Moderate – Difficult:

Black Balsam

Coontree Loop

Devil’s Courthouse

John Rock

Looking Glass

Once you’ve hiked six of the trails, return to any Frugal Backpacker or Diamond Brand Outdoors location to receive your discount. A team member will take a look a look at your tagged photos — which we’d love to share on our feed if you give us permission.

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On those days when you’d like to get a decent hike in, but don’t have time to head too far out of town, head to the Bent Creek area and give this gentle loop a try.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 6-mile loop

Map: USGS Bent Creek and Skyland

Directions: From Asheville, I-26 East and take Exit 33 onto NC 191. Turn right to head south on NC 191 for two miles. Turn right onto Bent Creek Ranch Road, following the signs for the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area. The parking area at the Hardtimes trailhead is just around two miles down this road on the left.

From the parking area, head through the gate and start down the road. When you reach a canal, cross over to continue on Hardtimes Road. After an easy climb, the trail will briefly meet up with the Mountains to Sea trail, make sure to continue on the Hardtimes trail after the MTS veers back off to the right. Before you reach the parking area for the Arboretum, turn off onto the Old Mill Trail to the left, this will take you through the Arboretum. When you reach Bent Creek Road, turn left and continue out of the Arboretum. Continue to follow this road till you return to the Hardtimes parking area.

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With Father’s Day right around the corner, we asked our team to share some of their favorite gifts for dad. The best part? All of these awesome finds are $30 or less!

Prana Journeyman TruckerMSRP: $30.00 Frugal Price: $21.00

Finally, a hat with jokes as corny as your dad’s.

 

Mountainsmith Vibe Hip PackFrugal Price: $29.95

The perfect size for on-the-trail or travel essentials.

 

Socksmith SocksFrugal Price: $10.00

With dozens of goofy styles, at least one of these socks is sure to make dad smile.

 

Columbia Backcast III Water ShortsFrugal Price: $30.00

For dads that love a day on the water, these quick dry shorts are the perfect gift.

 

Gear Aid Stiletto Knife$29.95

A combo blade makes this compact knife an essential tool for any outdoor pursuit.

 

Black Diamond Moji Lantern$19.95

Super bright and compact, this lantern will light up any campsite.

 

Olicamp Vector Stove$29.95

With its small size and simple construction, this classic backpacking stove will keep dad well fed + happy on any adventure.

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With summer on the horizon, the time to celebrate your favorite dads and grads has arrived. Looking for a personal gift that will take them on their next adventures? Frugal Backpacker gift cards are a great idea for graduates according to proud parents, cool aunts and uncles, and fun family friends. They’re also a thoughtful way to let the best taxi driver, most efficient spider hunter, cheapest handyman, and most generous bank to know he’s pretty cool.

For many of us, our dad was right next to us during our earliest adventures. What better way to thank him for instilling a desire to explore and be outdoors? Also, what better way to prepare grads as they take their next step in adulting and following their dream? They’ve worked hard for this moment and you’re happy to keep watching them on future adventures. A Frugal Backpacker gift card is the gift of days spent outdoors and exploring new adventures.

Through June 17, get a FREE bonus $10 gear card for every $50 in gift cards purchased at Frugal Backpacker. Your bonus gear cards can be used for anything in stock, June 18-June 31, 2018. There’s no limit on how many gear cards you can earn!

People enjoy receiving gift cards because they get to choose their own gift, ensuring they’ll think of you each time they use their new vest, hiking shoes, or tent. Gift cards never expire and can be used at any Frugal Backpacker or Diamond Brand Outdoors location. A Frugal Backpacker gift card is the gift of memories and experiences that last for years — from lounging in a hammock on a sunny day in June, hitting the trails in September, enjoying a campfire with friends in December, or camping with family in March.

Gift cards can also be purchased online, but the free bonus $10 gear card offer is only available in stores.

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