Outdoor Legends

out•door leg•end (n.)

An admirable individual who has contributed significantly to the High Country outdoors through education, service, scholarship, or development
Someone who has made a lifelong dedication to sharing their passion and improving the outdoor community for all

Outdoor Legends is hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Management program at Lees-McRae College. The event is split into two portions. From 6–7 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to network with both current and past Outdoor Legends. This networking portion will include dinner and drinks. From 7–9 p.m., a panel discussion with this year’s Outdoor Legends will offer these industry leaders a platform to showcase their stories and experiences.

2018 Outdoor Legends

Gil Adams – National Ski Patrol, Southern Division of NSP, North Carolina Ski Areas Association, National Ski Areas Association, Beech Mountain Town Council, League of American Bicyclists
Bob Benner – Western Piedmont Community College, American Canoe Association, Friends Of Mountains-To- Sea Trail, North Carolina Outward Bound School
Jerry Cantwell – Appalachian State University, Mountain Alliance, North Carolina Outward Bound School\
Randy Johnson – Appalachian Mountain Club, U.S. Forest Service, Grandfather Mountain (Attraction and State Park Advisory Committee), Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Society of American Travel Writers, North American Snowsports Journalists Association, North American Travel Journalists Association, American Society of Magazine Editors, National Ski Patrol (Nordic), Professional Ski Instructors of America (Nordic)
Lisa Loveday – Avery County Schools Experiential Education Program, Kaplan/Mitchell Conference and Retreat Center at Ramah Darom, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Alpine Towers, Int., Live and Learn Consulting

Event Information

Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 6–9 p.m.
The Apple Barn in Valle Crucis, North Carolina (on the campus of the Valle Crucis Conference Center)

Sponsored by Beech Mountain Resort with support by the Mast General Store and Highland Outfitters
Food provided by Reid's Catering
Drinks donated by Beech Mountain Brewery

Tickets (includes admission, food and beverage) are available to the public for $25 per person. Purchased tickets help sponsor attendance of Outdoor Recreation Management students.

GET TICKETS

The inaugural Outdoor Legends event was held on the Lees-McRae College campus in April 2017. Outdoor Legends included:

Aram Attarian – North Carolina State University, North Carolina Outward Bound School
Jeep Barrett – North Carolina Outward Bound School, Alpine Towers International, Phoenix Experiential Designs
Tex Teixeira – Camp Woodson Wilderness Challenge Program, Association of Experiential Education (AEE), North Carolina Outward Bound School
Dee Thomas – Lees-McRae College, Catalyst Sports, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Beech Mountain Adaptive Ski Program
Jim Wall – Challenge Design Innovations, Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), Georgia College and State University
Tom Zartman – Phoenix Experiential Designs, Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)