Representatives from some of the biggest names in outdoor recreation will soon touch ground in Asheville for the 2010 Outdoor Industry Association’s Rendezvous.

Industry leaders from major brands like Patagonia, The North Face, REI, Merrell, Mountain Hardwear and many more will be flying through the Nantahala River on a whitewater rafting trip and exploring the Smokies by next week.

“The focus of the international outdoor industry will be on our region,” Sutton Bacon, CEO of the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is hosting the conference.

Bacon and his peers say they hope the Rendezvous will encourage national and international businesses to open up shop in Western North Carolina.

“I think the WNC outdoor industry is certainly rolling out the red carpet,” Bacon said.

The major outdoor conference comes on the heels of Asheville being chosen as the site for a listening session as part of President Barack Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative earlier this year.

“It’s a validation of the kind of mountain lifestyle that Western North Carolina offers,” said Mark Singleton, executive director of Cullowhee-based American Whitewater.

Christine Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, said the Smoky Mountains are iconic for the outdoor industry.

WNC is home to the most visited national park in the country, and two of the most heavily visited national forests in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail. The region also serves as headquarters to major outfitters and outdoor retailers in the country.

“If there is a hub of outdoor recreation in the east, Asheville arguably can lay claim to it,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association.

Boost from recession

A major focus of the OIA Rendezvous will be to gauge the direction the U.S. outdoor industry is headed.

Since outdoor recreation tends to be more affordable than the typical vacation, the recession has actually driven more Americans outside than before.

At Mast General Store in Waynesville, employee Jay Schoon said the economic downturn has indeed brought a boom in business.

We’ve been having one of the best years, if not the best year, that we’ve ever had,” said Schoon, who has worked in the WNC outdoor industry for almost 20 years.

During tough economic times, the relatively low cost of outdoor activities holds clear appeal.

“When you look at hiking, all you need are a pair of shoes and a backpack,” Hugelmeyer said.

Fanning said connecting with nature can also provide physical, emotional and spiritual benefits and a healthy escape from the bad news of the day.

“People really are realizing outdoor recreation is something that can sort of disconnect you from the realities of today,” Fanning said.

Statistics also show that Americans are also opting for shorter outings. Rather than setting out for a week-long backpacking trip, they will take a day hike, mountain bike or go river rafting over the same period.

“The American is becoming a consummate sampler,” Hugelmeyer said.

Still, millions of Americans have yet to step into the great outdoors.

One point to drive across to these consumers, according to Fanning, is that reconnecting with nature doesn’t have to be an expensive or complicated affair.

“You don’t necessarily need to save up and have a once a year or once a lifetime trip to Yosemite,” Fanning said. “You can be right in your backyard.”

With the American population mostly gravitating toward cities and suburbs, Hugelmeyer said OIA hopes there will be great investment in urban parks, not just national parks.

Reaching out to youth

According to OIA, 90 percent of people who participate in outdoor activities now started between the ages of 5 and 18. Children who grew up camping, hiking and biking are more likely to continue as adults. Those who stayed inside as kids likely won’t take up backpacking as adults.

But OIA has found that there is a significant decline in the number of young people participating in outdoor activities. With more technological options for entertainment, youngsters are opting to stay inside. Kids cite lack of time, lack of interest and too much schoolwork as reasons for not getting outdoors more often.

Parents may have to shoulder much of the blame for that.

“Too many find it convenient to park a child in front of a TV set or computer screen,” Hugelmeyer said.

Melanee Lester, manager of Mast General Store in Waynesville, says that kids are often interested in the outdoors but don’t have the support of the parents.

Fanning and Hugelmeyer point out that more outdoor recreation for kids could provide tangible benefits, including better grades, closer family relationships and major health benefits. Those who appreciate the outdoors will also care about conservation and being good environmental stewards.

More outdoor activity could also curb the obesity crisis in the country.

“It’s a very small investment to head off what will be a very large medical bill later on,” Hugelmeyer said.

According to Fanning, the solution will come once parents are given the skills, information and confidence to schedule outdoor activities, and young people are empowered and inspired.

“At the end of the day, this is about parents and families taking personal responsibility to take their kids out,” Hugelmeyer said.

“For all of us who have a passion for the outdoors, we also have a responsibility to pass that passion to the next generation,” Fanning said.

By the numbers*

Participation

• 48.6 percent of Americans ages 6 and older participated in outdoor recreation.

• Americans made an estimated 11.16 billion outdoor excursions in 2008.

Spike in outdoor activities

• Hiking up by 9 percent

• Camping up by 7 percent.

• Backpacking up by 19 percent.

• Mountain biking up by 10.2 percent.

• Trail running up by 15.2 percent.

Youth less interested

• 6 percent drop in people ages 6-17 participating in outdoor recreation. This number has dropped by 16.7 percent in the previous 3 years.

Most popular activities by participation rate

1. Freshwater, saltwater and fly-fishing: 17 percent of Americans.

2. Car, backyard and RV camping: 15 percent of Americans.

3. Running, jogging and trail running: 15 percent of Americans.

4. Road biking, mountain biking and BMX: 15 percent of Americans.

5. Hiking – 12 percent of Americans.

*Statistics from the Outdoor Industry Association study conducted in 2009.

Nobody knows their way around the gear section of an outfitter store better than the people who work in them every day. The purveyors of serious outdoor clothing and equipment are almost always addicted to their own product. The Smoky Mountain News has capitalized on the expertise of three of the region’s premier outdoor retailers–– Mast General Store in Waynesville; Blackrock Outdoors in Sylva; and Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City –– by asking their staff to recommend the best outdoor gear gifts this season.

Gear Classics

In every generation there’s a technology or a design that’s so good it never changes. If you check out what the gear gurus are wearing in their free time, you get a feel for what the items are.

Blackrock Outdoor Company • Patagonia Down Sweater $200

Patagonia sets the standard for quality gear manufactured with environmentally responsible processes. Their answer to the polyfill puffy coat is this quilted sweater that will keep you snug while you’re cruising or provide warmth under a waterproof outer layer in cold conditions.

Nantahala Outdoor Center • Kleen Kanteen $19.99

Coming in just under $20 and made of BPA-free stainless steel, Kleen Kanteen water bottles are a great gift for almost anyone. Kleen Kanteen formed in 2004 and put BPA-free stainless steel technology into the mix as an alternative to plastic water bottles. The company is part of the 1% For the Planet partnership that donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes.

Mast General Store • Mountain Hardware Flip Jacket $180

Polyfill down puffy coats are a perfect example of a classic design. They’re comfortable, stylish, and retain heat even when they’re soaking wet. The Flip jacket might cost a bit more than a polyfill puffy from another manufacturer, but Schoon says you’ll notice the difference as soon as you snuggle into one.

For the person who has everything...

If you have a gear head in your family, then the chances are slim you can walk into one of these outfitter stores and find something they don’t already have. All of the experts in the field will tell you the simplest solution is to buy a gift certificate of $100 or more, but they also offered up some unique gift options that might tickle the fancy of the person who has everything.

Nantahala Outdoor Center • NOC Belt Buckle $22

We guarantee you won’t find this stylish buckle anywhere else!

The Stick $42.50

It’s like a toothbrush for muscles, erasing soreness and tension after a tough weekend workout!

Mast General Store • EGear solar pull light $19.99

This handy little outfitter light features both solar charge and pull charge features so you’ll never run out of light in the backcountry.

Wedderlings hand-forged Swedish steel hatchet $60.99

Designed to last a lifetime, this hatchet is sure to push its way into your gear head’s backcountry setup.

Blackrock Outdoor Company • Innova Disc Catcher Sport $199

Disc golf is Western North Carolina’s fastest-growing past-time and Blackrock carries everything you need to get started. Buy a friend a disc basket and set them loose on a lifetime of low-flying fun.

Stocking Stuffers

Stockings are arguably the most fun part of Christmas morning, in part because filling a giant sock full of little gifts tickles the creative instinct of holiday shoppers. All three of our featured local outfitter stores have a whole slew of neat stocking stuffers, but we’ll highlight a few really choice picks.

Blackrock Outdoor Company • Columbia River Knife and Tool M-16 Series $59.99

These hardy river knives are lightweight and built to stay sharp.

Cliff Bar minis $.75

Cliff Bar now makes little tidbits that are perfect for stuffing stockings or the inside of your ski parka for a long day on the hill.

Nantahala Outdoor Center • Foamie Boater Kit $20

Kids and adults love building miniature foamy boaters to float or to race in small creeks and streams.

Kayaking Santa Ornament $10.95

Let’s face it, Santa just looks cooler in a kayak than in that clunky old sleigh. We hope Santa’s got a high-volume stern!

Mast General Store • Green Guru Billboard Series wallet $25

These stylish, sleek, bifold wallets are manufactured from recycled billboards. They’ll impress the most demanding fashionistas and enviro activistas in one fell swoop.

Mast General lip balm $2.99

Manufactured by Joshua Tree, an environmentally friendly independent supplier in Michigan, the Mast store line of lip balm is top quality and eco-friendly.

Hot New Items

Every year, outdoor clothing and equipment companies come out with new products and new materials. Hot new items make good gifts because your loved ones can hit the streets (or rapids) knowing they’re trendsetters.

Nantahala Outdoor Center • Astral Greenjacket Limited Edition $240

Asheville’s Astral Buoyancy — founded by NOC alum Phil Curry — has once again put out the most sought-after PFD for paddlers. Loaded with features, the Greenjacket rescue vest provides paddlers with unmatched freedom of movement. The LE has a small-batch design that looks as good as it performs.

Mast General Store • Mountain Hardware Monkey Woman Jacket $150

Mountain Hardware was started by the people who put The North Face and Sierra Designs on the map. The Monkey Woman Jacket is a thermic fleece jacket that combines incredible warmth and a lightweight design. Thermic fleece isn’t brand new –– it’s the shaggy kind –– but Jay Schoon and Jim Taylor at Mast in Waynesville say its popularity is still on the ascent.

Blackrock Outdoor Company • Under Armour Hundo fleece pullover $69.99

Under Armour has been a staple for high school and college jocks for a number of years, but now their gear line is penetrating the outdoor marketplace. Blackrock now carries a full line of men’s and women’s base and outer layers.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will kick off its 75th anniversary celebrations this month with several historical, symbolic and entertaining events, even though the official anniversary isn’t until next year.

• A program called “Natural Resource Stewardship – An American Indian Legacy and Model for Our Future” will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Cherokee High School. The talk will be given by Gerard Baker, superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial who was featured in Ken Burns recent national parks documentary, along with former and present superintendents of the Parkway, Dan Brown and Phil Francis.

• Ceremonial Torch Passing will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, on the parkway outside Cherokee. A torch will be passed from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, to the Parkway. Both park superintendents and Eastern Band of the Cherokees’ tribal leaders will deliver remarks. The Warriors of AniKituhwa dancers will perform. Park at the Cherokee Transit Lot on U.S. 441 just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to take a shuttle to the site of the torch passing.

• Guided history tours in partnership with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian will be given by Cherokee storytellers at noon on Friday, Nov. 13, with several stops along the southern portion of the Parkway. Cost is $20 per person and includes a boxed lunch. 828.497.3481.

• Parkway History Day will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Folk Art Center on the Parkway outside Asheville.

There will be craft and music demonstrations and special exhibits. A panel discussion at 10 a.m. will examine the history and lasting impact of the decision to route the Blue Ridge Parkway through Western North Carolina. An interactive session will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Parkway issues, challenges and initiatives, including design guidelines for adjacent lands and preserving view sheds.

• A concert by Nanci Griffith will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Asheville. There will also be a performance of the one-time-only collaboration of The Blue Ridge Bluegrass All-Stars showing their support for the Parkway, including renowned musicians: Doyle Lawson, Sammy Shelor, Bryan Sutton, Tim Surrett, and Jim Van Cleve. The Cherokee Warriors of AniKituhwa will also perform, and the entire evening will be hosted by Asheville’s own Grammy award-winning musician David Holt. General seats are $35 and patron seats are $75. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.

Looking for a Christmas present? Western North Carolina is home to many outdoors organizations, conservation groups, outing clubs, nature societies and environmental non-profits in need of charitable contributions.

By Jennifer Garlesky •Staff Writer

The raging Class II rapids of the Cacapon River, which flows along the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, hooked Doug Woodward on whitewater paddling.

Landmark Learning, a Cullowhee-based wilderness training center for the outdoor industry, has forged a new partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Medicine Institute.